Welcome to Gangtok
Irreverent, cheerful and pleasantly boisterous, Sikkim’s modern capital is layered along a precipitous mountain ridge, descending the hillside in steep tiers. It's a confusing spaghetti of winding lanes flanked by tall, mostly concrete-block buildings that might appear to be two storeys high from one side but often have several more floors descending behind. As well as a handful of minor sights, there are countless... Read More
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Gangtok activities
7-Night Land of Pristine and Mystic Beauty from Siliguri
Day 1: Siliguri - Gangtok (D)Be picked up at New Jalpaiguri Railway Station or Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri and then transferr to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. Begin to feel the effects of the increasing tranquility as you journey into the land of monastery, mystic rituals and festivals at an height of 5,480 feet. Check into your hotel, for a free evening and stay overnight at Keepsa Residency or Terrace Vally in Gangtok. Day 2: Gangtok - Tsomgo Lake (B,D)Wake up for breakfast and a day excursion to Tsomgo Lake nearly (2 hours drive). The Lake is oval shaped lake nearly 50 feet deep, generally covered in snow for most of the year the year. Head back to Gangtok and stay overnight in Gangtok. Day 3: Gangtok (B,D)After breakfast drive into the city of Gangtok for sightseeing. There you'll visit the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom, Research Institute of Tibetology, Do Drul Chorten Stupa, Rumtek Monastery Enchey Monastery, White Hall, Flower Show, and Tashi View Point, one of the finest falls close to Gangtok. Stay overnight in Gangtok. Day 4: Gangtok - Pelling (B,D)Transfer to Pelling. One can enjoy the spectacular Eastern Himalayan Range from Pelling. Stay at Norbughang Resort in Pelling. Day 5: Pelling (B,D)After breakfast start a full-day sightseeing and visit some of the most popular attractions including Pemayangtse Monastery, Rimbi Falls, Khecheopalri Lake, Sanga Choeling Monastery and Rabdentse Ruins. Overnight stay in Pelling. Day 6: Pelling - Darjeeling (B,D)Transfer to Darjeeling. Overnight stay at hotel Hermitage in Darjeeling. Day 7: Darjeeling (B,D)Early morning around 3:45 am drive to 8,000 feet through primitive forests of oak, magnolia to Tiger Hill to view sunrise over Kanchendzonga Peak (subject to clear weather). On the way back visit Ghoom Monastery, Peace memorial and Batasia Loop. Return to the hotel for breakfast and, after getting some rest, proceed for a city tour to visit Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park, Ropeway, Tenzing Gumpo Rock, Tea Estate, Natural History Museum, and Peace Pagoda. Also visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (closed on Thursday) and Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center (closed on Sunday). If the attraction is closed, you will go to the Japanese temple instead. Transfer back to the hotel for overnight stay in Darjeeling. Day 8: Darjeeling - Siliguri (B)There is no itinerary planned for the day. After breakfast transfer to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station or Bagdogra Airport for your journey onward.
Morning Excursion to Tashi View Point in Gangtok
Get picked up from your hotel early in the morning 4:30 am, meet your driver and head to Tashi view point, which is about 8 kms from Gangtok town. Tashi view point offers a sweeping view of Kanchenjunga snow peaks on a clear day. The view of sunrise from here is unforgettable, you will see the peaks dazzling with changing colors, but for that you must reach the point before sunrise. The place is a must visit for nature lovers as it offers great views of the imposing Himalayan mountains, specifically Mount Kanchenjunga and Siniolchu. Also, you can enjoy spectacular views of Labrang Monastery and Phodong Monastery, which are located near the view point. It also offers a resting shed, as well as a shop offering tea, coffee, snacks as well as gift and souvenir items.After spending some time to admire your surroundings, get dropped back off to your hotel and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.
6-Day Private Tour to Gangtok and Darjeeling from Kolkata Including Train Ride in Ghum
After departing Kolkata for your flight to Bagdogra, you’ll be driven to Darjeeling, a beautiful Himalayan city in West Bengal. The next day, head to Ghum (or Ghoom) and board the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (‘Toy Train’) to the summit to watch a gorgeous sunrise over the Himalayas.Your guide will then take you on a sightseeing tour of sites like Ghum Monastery (or Ghoom Monastery), the Batasia Loop War Memorial, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. In the evening, stroll through local markets with your guide and enjoy yummy Indian bites from food stalls (own expense).Your third and fourth days include free time and an enlightening sightseeing tour in Gangtok in the eastern Himalayas. On visits to several monasteries and religious institutions, you’ll learn about Tibetan Buddhism and browse collections of ancient artifacts and religious relics. You’ll then travel back to Kolkata to conclude your tour. Your knowledgeable local guide will teach you about the sites you visit, and you’ll have free time to explore on your own. You’ll stay in your choice of 4- or 5-star hotels, with daily breakfast and dinners and ground transportation by private, air-conditioned vehicle included. You can choose to pre-book your own flights or include them in the tour price. During your free time, you will have access to a private driver (at an additional cost).For details on each day of the tour, see the Itinerary section below.
7-Day Private Tour: Essene of North East India from Bagdogra
Day 01 : Bagdogra Airport - Darjeeling (Approx. 3 hrs)Meet and greet on arrival at Bagdogra Airport and drive to Darjeeling known as "the Queen of the Hills". Check in to your hotel on arrival. You can relax for the rest of the day or do some shopping at the popular mall Chowrasta. Overnight stay in Darjeeling. Day 02: Darjeeling Sightseeing TourAfter breakfast proceed to a sightseeing tour in Darjeeling that covers Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Tenzing Rock, Tibetan Refugee Self-help Centre, outside of Tea Garden and Japanese Peace Pagoda. Return to the hotel and take a break. After lunch continue sightseeing tour to Rock Garden and Ganga Maya Park. You will have your own personal time in the evening. Overnight in Darjeeling. Day 03: Darjeeling - Mirik - DarjeelingEarly Morning at 04:00 am leave for Tiger Hill to watch the spectacular sunrise over Mt. Khangchendzonga (28,208 ft.), the third highest peak in the world. En-route stopover Ghoom Monastery and Batasia Loop. After late breakfast join an excursion trip to Mirik Lake (5800 ft) via Pashupati Phatak (Nepal border) and back. Overnight in Darjeeling.Day 04: Darjeeling - Gangtok (Approx. 4 hrs) After breakfast you will be picked up from the hotel by our car and drive to Gangtok, “the Capital of Sikkim”. Check in to your hotel on arrival and take it easy for the rest of the day. Overnight in Gangtok.Day 05 : Gangtok SightseeingAfter breakfast we will join a half-day local sightseeing tour of Gangtok covering Rumtek Monastery, Dro-Dul Chorten, Institute of Tibetology, Handicraft Centre, and Flower Show. Overnight in Gangtok.Day 06 : Gangtok SightseeingStart your day with an excursion trip to Tsomgo Lake (12,400 ft.) and Baba Harbhajan Singh Memorial (13200 ft). Overnight in Gangtok.Day 07 : Gangtok – Bagdogra Airport (Approx. 4 hrs)After breakfast we will take you back to Bagdogra Airport for your onward journey.
7-Day Adventure through Himalayas: Darjeeling, Gangtok and Varanasi including Bagdogra to Varanasi by Air
Day 1 : Darjeeling [B, D]You will be transferred from your hotel in Darjeeling at 7:15am to our hotel for check-in and breakfast. After breakfast visit the Tiger Hill for a magnificent view of the snow-capped Kanchenjunga and other peaks of the Himalayas. Visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and the Zoological Park. The park has Siberian Tiger, Red Panda, Snow Leopard, Himalayan black bear and rare birds. Return to your hotel for lunch. In the afternoon visit a tea garden to see the plucking and processing of the famous Darjeeling tea. In the evening stroll through the colorful bazaars of Darjeeling. Dinner and overnight.Day 2 : Darjeeling - Gangtok [B, D]After breakfast drive to Gangtok. Wreathed in clouds this place offers a spectacular view of the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas. Lunch at the hotel. In the evening visit the colorful bazaars of Gangtok. Dinner and overnight at hotel.Day 3 : Gangtok [B, D]Early morning take an excursion to the Baba Mandir Temple between Nathula and Jelepla Mountain passes. This Temple of the Baba is full of folklore and is visited by soldiers for blessings. From here visit the beautiful Tsomongo Lake passing through rugged mountain terrain and sharp cliffs. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.Day 4 : Gangtok [B, D]After breakfast take an excursion to the Rumtek Monastery, which houses rare collections of artifacts and manuscripts. After lunch take an excursion to the Kanchanjenga National Park, which is home to Himalayan tahr, musk deer and snow leopards. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.Day 5 : Bagdogra - Varanasi by Air [B, D]After breakfast drive to Bagdogra and board your flight to Varanasi, where you will check in at the hotel. See a Kathak Classical dance in the evening at the Academy of Classical Music. Dinner and overnight at hotel.Day 6 : Varanasi [B, D]In the early morning take a boat ride on River Ganges with your local guide. Return to your hotel for breakfast. Take a 30-minute excursion to Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon. Lunch at a restaurant. Visit the Vishwanath Temple and several others inand around the city. Return to hotel for rest. In the evening see the enchanting aarti performed on the ghats of River Ganges. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.Day 7 : Varanasi [B, D]In the early morning take a boat ride to visit the burning ghats. Stroll through the colorful bazaars of Varanasi, where weavers make exquisite silk saress and brocades. Take a tour of the vast Banares Hindu University. Return to the hotel by 7pm for dinner. After dinner, we will drop you off at your hotel in Varanasi for your onward journey. The tour ends in Varanasi.
Northeast India & Darjeeling by Rail
Anybody can view the sights of India by foot or bus – but you’re not just anybody. Instead, get off the beaten path and see India in a very untypical way – by train. Over two weeks, you’ll head north into Sikkim and Darjeeling via vans and local trains (including the famous toy trains in Darjeeling), giving you an up close and personal experience with authentic India. There’ll be plenty of palaces and forts to spot both on the train and off, and you’ll still get all the social elements of travelling with a group. Add in local meals and a large helping of culture, and this is a trip that’ll stay with you for a long time.