The Best of South Sikkim tour with Kolkata

Day 01: Arrive Kolkata
Arrive by International flight at Kolkata Airport, after traditional Indian style ‘Swagat’ (Welcome) by Exceptional Escapes representative, he would assist you at the airport & transfer to hotel for check in. 

You have the evening free to walk around the nearby market and try the local food.
Overnight Hotel- Kolkata (B)

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Day 02: Kolkata
Post Breakfast leave for Guided city tour of Kolkata;   

Visit, Victoria Memorial; memorial of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom who also carried the title of Empress of India. The structure was designed by Sir William Emerson in an architectural style similar to Taj Mahal. It was built between 1906 & 1921. It is a majestic white marble building surrounded by a sprawling garden. Also visit the Fort William, St. John’s Church, Tagore’s castle & slot, marble Palace 

Howrah Bridge; is a cantilever bridge that spans over the Hooghly River in West Bengal A cantilever bridge is the one built using cantilevers, structures that project horizontally into space, supported on only one end. The bridge does not have nuts and bolts and was built by riveting the whole structure. 

Dakshineswar Kali Temple; is a Hindu temple located in Dakshineswar near Kolkata. Situated on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, the presiding deity of the temple is Bhavatarini, an aspect of Kali.  

Nirmal Hriday (Pure Heart), opened in the year 1952 by Mother Teresa, Home for Dying Destitute in Kolkata. She & her fellow nuns took in dying Indians off the streets & brought them to this home to care for them during the days before they died, so that they might be able to die in peace & with dignity.  
Birla Mandir; is a Hindu temple on Asutosh Chowdhury Avenue, Ballygunge, built by the industrialist Birla family. This temple is open in the morning from 5.30 A.M. to 11 A.M. and in the evening from 4 .30 P.M. to 9 P.M. 

Kalighat Temple; is regarded as one of the 52 Shakti Peethams of India, where the various parts of Sati's body are said to hav e fallen, in the course of Shiva's Rudra Tandava. Kalighat represents the site where the toes of the right foot of Shakti or Sati fell. It is a very famous place and a pilgrimage for Shakta (Shiva and Durga/Kali/Shakti worshippers) followers within the Hindu religion. On auspicious occasions like Kali Puja, Durga Puja, Poila Boishakh, the Bengali New Year day and Sankranti large number of devotees throng the place with offerings. 

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Jain Temple; is at Badridas Temple Street is a major tourist attraction in Kolkata, India. The temple was built by a Jain named Rai Badridas Bahadoor Mookim in 1867. Pratishtha was done by Sri Kalyansurishwarji Maharaj 

Belur Math; sprawling over forty acres of land on the western bank of the Hooghly (Ganga), in Howrah district, an hour’s drive from Kolkata, is a place of pilgrimage for people from all over the world professing different religious faiths.  Even people not interested in religion come here for the peace it exudes. 

Rest of the day at leisure for shopping & explore local market of KOLKATA. 
Overnight Hotel – Kolkata (B)

Day 3: Kolkata – Bagdogara (Flight)
Bagdogara – Darjeeling (110 km - 03 Hrs)
Post breakfast transfer to airport to board the flight to Bagdogra.
On arrival drive to Darjeeling, Queen of India's hill stations. Its setting is one of incomparable beauty. A Victorian town of old world charm 'discovered' by the British. It is surrounded by fragrant tea gardens which seem to flow over the layered slopes like emerald swells on a rough sea.

Arrive Dargeeling and check-in at the hotel.
Evening at leisure to explore the Queen of India's hill stations.

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Overnight Hotel – Darjeeling (B, D)

Day 04: Darjeeling
Early morning START your DAY with the visit of Tiger Hill, famous for its magnificent view of Kanchenjunga, Mt. Everest & other eastern Himalayan peaks especially at the time of sunrise.

Later enjoy the toy train ride of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ghoom, as the name suggests it is gloomy & clammy with perpetual fog. A Tibetan village, one can hear the foghorn-like sounds of Buddhist monks blowing their giant Gyeling pipes from the rooftops of the nearby Yiga-Choling ' Yellow Hat' Buddhist Temple.

Also visit the Mountaineering Institute, created by the late Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa who conquered Mt Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary. A display of equipment used on the climb is one of the highlights..

Post lunch visit the two Buddhist monasteries Chholing & Darli.

Continue visit the Tibet Handicraft Centre & the beautiful Tea gardens.

Evening visit the Observatory Hill known locally as Makal-Babu-Ko-Thaan. According to legend, a Red Hat Buddhist Monastery called Dorje Ling, or 'place of the Thunderbolt', stood at this very spot. The Nepalese destroyed it in the 19th century, now the Shivas & Buddhists share the temple that stands there today. 

Evening FREE.
Overnight Hotel – Darjeeling (B, D)

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Day 05: Darjeeling (Day trip to Mirik)
After having your breakfast, start driving towards Mirik. As you drive through picturesque valleys and lush green meadows, experience the soft breeze caressing your face and tranquility calling you closer. Mirik is one of the most serene tourist attractions of Darjeeling.
Relax by the beautiful Sumendu Lake and let the pleasing weather and breathtaking views leave you mesmerized. Enjoy activities like boating, horse ride and canoeing at Mirik. Mirik is a great location for trekkers as it offers a number of trails from where tourists can enjoy the view of thick and beautiful forests. Walk through the tea gardens and enjoy the sight of Himalayan range, orange orchards and cardamom groves.
On your way back to Darjeeling, visit Pashupati Market and shop for imported clothes and cosmetics from Thailand. In the evening, go for a stroll around the Mall or the local market area. Stay overnight at Darjeeling.

Evening FREE to explore the beautiful CITY.
Overnight Hotel - Darjeeling (B, D)

Day 06: Darjeeling – Pelling (72 Kms / 1.5 Hrs)
Post breakfast drive to Pelling, on arrival transfer to hotel. Later proceed to visit the sightseeing of Pelling visiting:
Pemayantse monastery; is special because it is meant only for ‘ta-sang’ lamas (pure monks). Believed to have been conceptualised and designed by the pioneer of Buddhism in Sikkim, Lhatsun Chhembo,  Pemayangste soon became the nuclei of monasteries in Sikkim. Today, it is considered as the "premier monastery" of the State.

Rest of the time Free.
Overnight Hotel - Pelling (B, D)

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Day 07: Pelling
Post breakfast start your day visiting Sangacholing Monastery; this monastery is located on a ridge above Pelling and the famous Pemayangtse Monastery. To reach the Monastery one has to walk on steep hilly slope which lead through rich forests area.
Khecheopalri Lake; Khecheopalri Lake is considered as one of the sacred lakes of Sikkim by the Hindus and Buddhists. The lake remains hidden in the forests. It is believed that birds do not permit even a single leaf to float on the lake surface.

Rest of the time is Free.
Overnight Hotel - Pelling (B, D)

Day 08: Pelling – Gangtok (115 / 2 Hrs)
Post breakfast drive to Gangtok, a fairytale capital in the clouds, balances precariously on Steep Mountain slopes, Surrounded by lush rice terraces, swifts flowing rivers & distant snow views. It is situated in the lower Himalayas & was a small hamlet until the construction of the Enchey Monastery in 1840 made it a pilgrimage center..

Post lunch half day tour of Gangtok;

Research Institute of Tibetology; organization dedicated to furthering Tibetan studies, Buddhist philosophy & region. It attracts scholars from all over the world. It houses a rare collection of 30,000 books, Tantric documents, rare manuscripts written in gold on the bark of a poisonous tree, antique thanks & 200 icons, all prized objects of art for the Buddhism.

Also visit Tashi View Point, Ganesh Tok and Bakthang Falls.

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Evening FREE to explore the beautiful CITY.
Overnight Hotel - Gangtok (B, D)

Day 09: Gangtok DAY Excursion to Tsongo Lake
Post breakfast day excursion to Tsongo Lake; considered extremely sacred by the local people. The place is a paradise for bird lovers with large number of Blue Whistling Thrush, Redstarts & Fork tails around. It hosts a number of migratory birds prominent among which is the Brahminy ducks. The word Tsongo in Bhutia language means source of the lake.

Do Drul Chorten; are two exquisite Stupas, the Dul-dul-Chorten, was built to commemorate the victory of good over evil. The Jhang Club Chorten was built to perpetuate the memory of a great spiritualist of today. Thrul-Shik Rinpoche an ardent devotee of Buddha and one of his best interpreters died in 1962, the stupa immortalizes Rinpoche in the land of his birth.

Rumtek Monastery; meandering roads through emerald green rice terraces, lays Rumtek, the main monastery of Kagyud or 'Black Hat' sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Built in 1959 by His Holiness the 16th Reincarnated Gyalwa Karmapa, it is a replica of Tsurphu Monastery from the Kham region of Tibet.

Himalayan Zoological Park; known as Bulbuley. It has paved cement path that passes by fenced open air enclosure housing the Red Pandas, barking deer & bears in a semi natural habitat.

Government Institute of Cottage Industries (GICI), which produces crafts in authentic Sikkimese designs. Hand woven Tibetan carpets sprout dragons in natural dyes, Sikkimese-style tables called Choktse are expertly carved & colored in red & gold.

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Visit Nathu la Pass, Nathu La is a mountain pass in the Himalayas. It connects the Indian state of Sikkim with China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The pass, at 4,310 m above mean sea level, forms a part of an offshoot of the ancient Silk Road. (Depending upon the availability of permit) at Additional Cost.

Evening explore Lal bazaar, melody of colour. Various ethnic groups from different villages gather to haggle, bargain, gossip their wares.

Overnight Hotel – Gangtok (B, D)

Day 10: Gangtok – Kalimpong (75 kms / 2.5 hrs)
Post breakfast driven to Kalimpong, an incredible stunning backdrop of towering snow capped peaks. This exotic town of beautiful people, mystical & enchanting, with a rare ethnic blend of hill people. It also houses several Buddhist monasteries which hold a number of rare Tibetan Buddhist scriptures. It was ruled by Bhutan for 155 years & was annexed by the British only in 1865, after which it flourished as a centre of wool trade with Tibet. Here Buddhism rubs shoulders with Hinduism & Christianity. Gumpas, unusual churches, temples & missionaries coexist in a jovial society.

Rest of the time to free at leisure after tiring Journey.
Overnight Hotel - Kalimpong (B, D)

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Day 11: Kalimpong
Post breakfast visit:
 
Thongsa Gompa also known as the Bhutanese Monastery. It is the oldest monastery in Kalimpong & was founded in the year 1692. Though the old structure was destroyed by the Gorkhas, it was rebuilt on the same site.

Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Gompa, which is on the Durpin hill & is famous for the Tibetan wall paintings. It also has a religious debating society along with a school of Tibetan medicine.

Tharpa Choeling Monastery founded in 1937 & belongs to the Gelugpa (yellow hat) sect of Tibetan monastery. This Monastery houses many old scriptures & literary works.

Dr Graham's Home, mission school was founded by Scottish missionary Dr. John Anderson Graham in 1900. The purpose of the school was to educate children of the tea garden workers & poor labourers. We also visit few nurseries around town

Evening at leisure to explore the local market.
Overnight Hotel – Kalimpong (B, D)

Day 12: Kalimpong – Bagdogra (70 Kms / 02-03 Hrs) – Kolkata Departure (Flight)
Post breakfast, morning transfer to Bagdogra airport to board the flight to Kolkata.

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Upon Arrival at Kolkata airport board your international flight for onward journey taking a wonderful HOLIDAY Memory…..

Tour Concludes: Exceptional Escapes Manager will assist you with your transfer to the airport for boarding onward flight.