Darjeeling/Sikkim Cultural Tour

10 NIGHT / 11 DAYS
Private car round trip: Kolkata - Bagdogara - Jaldapara - Darjeeling - Pemanyangtse - Gangtok - Kalimpong - Bagdogara - Kolkata/Delhi.

Day 1 - Arrive Kolkata (Calcutta)

Arrival to Kolkata airport in morning. Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Kolkata is the capital of state West Bengal and third largest metropolis with over 17 millions inhabitants. Afternoon go for half day city excursion. Kolkata is also the homeland of mother Teresa and her worldwide well-known missionary, by which also the city Kalkutta became worldwide well known. There are many sights in Kalkutta and some well-known streets. Visit Park Street, Marine museum. The newest sight is the suspension bridge construction over the Hooghly River. Also, visit the Victoria Memorial, a memory of the British reign in Kolkata. A French author named Kolkata the "city of the joy".

Day 2 - Kolkata - Bagdogara (By Flight) - Jaldapara

After arrival in Bagdogara, further drive to national park Jaldapara. This enclosure was erected in 1941 for the protection of the Indian rhinoceros in the northern Bengal. The trip lasts 4.5 hours. Overnight stay in Jaldapara.

Day 3 - Jaldapara - Darjeeling

In morning, go for a Safari with the Elephant in the national park. The national park is a paradise for bird friends. The rhinoceros are the main attraction; moreover, there are Elephants, the Bengal tiger, Deer and other animals. In the afternoon, drive to Darjeeling. Arrival and transfer to hotel.

Day 4 - Darjeeling

Darjeeling lies on a height of 2,134 m and is the most important "echoed-station" erected by the Englishmen that wanted to escape the large heat of the Indian lowland. Very early morning go to the Tiger Hill, to admire the fantastic sunrise (if the weather is favorable). On the return, you make a stop at the first monastery Ghoom. After the breakfast visit of the Tibetan Refugee Centre, after that it goes further to the Himalayan Mountaineering institute and the Sarojini Naidu zoo. Also, make a excursion by a Toy Train to see the panorama. It is also listed in the list of World Heritage of India. For shopping in the afternoon free time in the Market and the Mall. Also visit the tea plantations. Observe the tea processing and subsequent tea sample. Overnight stay in Darjeeling.

Day 5 - Darjeeling - Pemanyangtse

After breakfast, drive to Pemanyangtse (75 km). Afternoon visit Pemanyangtse Gompa. In Pemanyangtse is the oldest Buddhist monastery of the state Sikkim, the Pemanyangtse monastery. The monastery lies at the height of 2085 m and built in the year 1705 during the reign of Chador Namgyal, the third Chogyal. Optically impressive, it is surrounded on both sides by usually snow-covered mountains. Also, visit Pelling, a friendly small city, around 2.5 km from Pemanyangtse Gompa. Also, have a wonderful view of highest peak of India Kanchenjunga. Overnight stay in hotel.

Day 6 - Pemanyangtse - Gangtok

After breakfast, drive to Gangtok (117 km), the capital of state Sikkim. Arrival and transfer to hotel. Afternoon go for city excursion. Visit the institute for Tibetology. The house stores rare manuscripts and Thangkas (wall pictures) of the Tibetan Buddhism. It also has the largest collection of Tibetan books. Afternoon time is free to stroll in the fruit market and vegetable market. Overnight stay in Gangtok.

Day 7 - Gangtok

Mornings visit the most important and best-known monastery in Rumtek on the other side of the valley. In the afternoon, visit the Enchey monastery. Also, visit the orchid park in which one can see over 450 different types of orchids. Overnight stay in Gangtok.

Day 8 - Gangtok - Kalimpong

After breakfast, drive to Kalimpong (80 km). Through the wild Tista valley, drive through mountain jungles and tea plantations to Kalimpong. Arrival and transfer to hotel. Afternoon go for city excursion. Visit of Thongsa Gompa or the Bhutanese monastery that was built in the year 1692. Tharpa Choling Gompa - is part of the Yellow Hat (Gelukpa) sector of the Tibetan Buddhism, established in Tibet in the 14th century, to which the Dalai Lama belongs. Visit the Sericulture institute and the Bazaars. Overnight stay in Kalimpong.

Day 9 - Kalimpong - Bagdogara - Kolkata/Delhi

Morning transfer to Bagdogara airport (80 km) for the flight to Kolkata or Delhi. After arrival, transfer to international airport for onward journey.