Sikkim Rhododendron Trek  

Transfer to domestic airport to board flight for Bagdogra, en-route view peaks of Himalayas including Mt. Everest in good weather. Met on arrival , on to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim 1125 kms ( 5 hrs). The journey is refreshing and scenic. We go along the river Teesta and arrive Gangtok late evening. Check into hotel.  

Abounding in a varied flora and fauna, through scenes of grazing yaks, mountain sheep and settlements and villages. The trail leads through forested areas of Sikkim particularly beautiful during the spring when the Dendron’s, giant magnolias and a profusion of other flowers are in full bloom Dzongri; one comes face to face with a magnificent view of Mt Kanchenjunga. A rugged terrain from Zemathang leads to Golcha La (5000 Mt.), the point on the trek. On the return journey from Zemathang one can keep an eye out for rare high altitude pheasants and sheep.

Overnight is at hotel.

After breakfast proceed on a sightseeing tour of Gangtok city with guide.

Visit the exotic orchid sanctuary. Sikkim, the vast orchidarium as it has been called, has hundreds of varieties of orchids and rhododendrons. Rhododendrons are in abundance from 2438 Mt. and above till the snow line starting from 4876 Mt. where junipers and rhododendrons struggle for existence on the gentler slopes covered by the beautiful primulas and genitaris. Visit the Enchy monastery, the Dodrul Gompa with a very large and ornate chorten. Take a stroll in the quaint bazaar of the Gangtok town.

Return to hotel for lunch.

Followed by an excursion to the world famous Rumtek Gompa the seat of the Karmapa Lama who heads the Kagyupa sect of Buddhism. Tankhas and frescoes decorate the walls of this ancient monastery. The style of the monastery, strictly traditional has been patterned on the lines of the Lamaseries of Tibet.

Return to hotel dinner & overnight.

After breakfast at the hotel, embark on a full day excursion tour to Phodong monastery.

It was built by Chogyal Gyurmed Namgayal in the 1st quarter of 18th century. Uphill from Phodong Gompa is the Labrang Gompa. Below the road between Phodong and Labrang Gompa are the ruins of the third capital of Sikkim, Tumlong.

Lunch is picnic hamper from the hotel.

Return to Gangtok late afternoon.

Dinner and overnight at hotel.

After breakfast drive to Yuksom.

It is a beautiful drive passing through quaint little villages and towns, waterfalls, fields of barley and rice etc. After the last climb, Yuksom is reached and is the place which has recorded many a historic event. It was here that HH Funchok Namgayal was crowned by his holiness, Gyalwa Latchen Thembo, the very man who brought Buddhism to Sikkim in 1641. A table land of barley and apples, Yuksom provides beautiful vistas of mini lakes with Himalayan background.

Lunch is packed.

Dinner & overnight at camps.

After breakfast at the camping ground, start your trek.

The trek trail now runs through rich wooded hills abounding in flora and fauna going, as it does, through moss-laden forests of oak, spruce, chestnut, fir, pines, giant magnolias and rhododendron - a botanists' paradise. Not to be outdone, the naturalist's can view hundreds of varieties of exotic birds, butterflies and orchids. Among the animals are ,the Himalayan brown bear, black bear, barking deer, sambar, marble cats, blue snip, Tibetan antelope, wild ass, Himalayan wild goats, red pandas and musk deer at various altitudes.

Lunch is packed.

Arrive the forest guest house for dinner & overnight.

After breakfast at the camping ground, start your trek.

Each step to Dzongri leads to the world of the famed Kanchenjunga mountain. The steady and demanding climb passes through gullies laid by grazing yaks and mountain sheep through Choka, a Tibetan resettlement centre, and the last village passed on the way. Now, one begins to get the initial view of the Sikkim snows. It is time for lunch and one has reached a picturesque spot, Phittang, after which the trail leads up right amidst an exclusive and bewitching forest of rhododendrons to Deorali Dara the meeting place of men and mountains - of God and nature. Here are the awesome views of the massive ranges of the Sikkim Mountains and its peaks. These granite peaks with a thick hood of ice offer the most fascinating and awe-inspiring views of the mountains. Straight ahead is the third highest peak in the world - the legendary Kanchenjunga in all its celestial height and glory, while on either side smaller peaks bow down in reverence. The spectacle at dawn and dusk tinted in softest hues, is one never to be missed, a supernatural vision of ethereal beauty.

Lunch is packed.

Arrive Dzongri. Either tents or Yak huts for dinner and overnight.

Explore this beautiful locale, spell binding view of Mt Kanchenjunga at sunrise.

All meals and overnight at camp ground.

After breakfast at the camp, we start the descent back and camp at the last village passed earlier, Tsokha, a quaint village with a small Gompa.

Lunch is packed.

Dinner and overnight at camp.

After breakfast at a leisurely walk of about 5 hrs brings us back to Yuksom.

The meeting place of the three saints where one can pause and get a full taste of the charms of Sikkim’s rural life.

Lunch is packed.

Dinner and overnight at camp.

Breakfast at the camping ground.

This day is for leisure in the lap of Mother Nature. Take a leisurely walk to the Dubdi Gompa built in a hill top in 1700.

All meals and overnight at camp.

After breakfast drive to Darjeeling which takes about 6 hrs.

We proceed with packed lunch. Arrive Darjeeling, travelling through beautiful tea gardens.

Check into hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we proceed to sightseeing tour of the city with guide.

Visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the bazaar.

Return to hotel for lunch

You may like to take a short walk to the nearby Bhutia Busty Gompa a colorful monastery, with Kanchenjunga providing a spectacular backdrop. Originally a branch of the Nyingmapa sect's Phodong Monastery in Sikkim, it was transferred to Darjeeling in 1879. The shrine here originally stood on Observatory Hill. There's library of Buddhist texts upstairs which houses the original copy of the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

 Overnight is at the hotel.

Early today morning, our representative will take you on a short drive to Tiger Hills.

View of the spectacular sunrise over Mt. Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak of the World. Pray for a clear sky, so you can catch a glimpse of the World’s highest peak- MT. EVEREST.

You return to hotel for breakfast.

Later, with our representative you visit to Ghoom monastery built in 1850 by Lama Sherab Gyatsho, a monk from Mongolia. The main feature of this Gelugpa monastery is the magnificent statue of Maitreya, “the future Buddha” draped in white silk scarves of offering called Khadas. This is followed by a visit to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center where you can see Tibetan craftsmen making traditional items like carpet, woolen boots, wood carvings and feather goods.

You return to Darjeeling by using the Toy Train, which again is a piece of marvel of World Heritage.

Overnight is at the hotel.

After breakfast today, you will be driven to Bagdogra airport for your flight to Delhi. Upon arrival at Delhi, you will be escorted to our hotel for overnight stay/ transferred to the International airport for your onward flight.