Foothills of the Himalayas - India Vacation Packages

Day 01 : New Jalpaiguri
Arrive at New Jalpaiguri (NJP) station. You will be met by our representative and taken to Dekeling Hotel or similar, in Darjeeling. It takes approximately three-and-a half hours from NJP to Darjeeling by road. Rest of the day is at leisure. Known as the Queen of the Hills, Darjeeling was an extremely popular destination in the time of the British Raj. The wonderfully cool climate, clear brisk air and the breathtaking views of the Himalayas drew the British here to escape the stifling heat of Kolkata. The rest of India, still follow in their trail. Walk around, go to the Mall, watch the Kanchenjunga glint in the distance.

Day 02 : Darjeeling
At 7100 feet above sea level, Darjeeling has cool weather, most times of the year. In winter it is extremely cold. In the early morning (before sunrise), you will be taken to Tiger Hill to witness the sunrise over the Himalayas, which is a spectacular sight. En route, visit Batasia Loop (literally means the Windy Loop) and Ghoom Monastery. This is one of the most famous monasteries in Darjeeling, perched at a bend in the road. This is the only gompa that allows photographs to be taken inside it at the price of Rs 10 per picture. The monastery is a good way of getting a foretaste of what Sikkim might be like. Return to the hotel for breakfast. You then depart on your half day local tour covering the Himalayan Mountaineering Instititue, Himalayan Zoological Park, the Tibetan Self Help Centre. End the day with a ride on the toy train. Your tour ends in the evening. This is your last day in Darjeeling. Make the most of it.

Day 03 : Darjeeling Gangtok
After breakfast, we drive to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim in the morning. A five hour drive, you reach Gangtok in time for lunch. On arrival check in at the Golden Pagoda Hotel or similar. A majestic mountain vista, quaint Sikkimese hamlets, a wonderful place to begin exploring the mountains around. Rest of the day is at leisure, but move around the town, walk down the Mall. Eat a momo or a mandarin fish, buy a Sikkimese music cassette (may take some looking) and go walking. Twenty minutes on the National Highway and youre out in the mountains with a mist licking greedily at your face, pine cones crunching under your feet and your calf muscles beginning to tingle. Overnight in Gangtok.

Day 04 : Gangtok
After breakfast, you will be taken on an excursion to Tsangu Lake. The lake is situated at an altitude of 12,400 feet. To get to it we drive through the Kyongnosia Alpine sanctuary. This holy lake is near the Chinese border and frozen for four months in winter. While you are here, you can take a Yak ride, which is a weird but thrilling experience, and if you are really lucky, you will be able to spot the elusive Brahminy duck. A 40 km winding road takes you to this high altitude alpine region in one-and-half hours. You can also take our optional excursion to Nathula Pass on the Indo China border, arranged at an extra cost. Packed lunch will be made available. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05 : Gangtok Lachung
You move on to Lachung at 2734 mt, which is a Bhutia Village with a unique self-governing body called the Zumsa which substitutes the Panchayat. This is the base from where you explore the valleys of the north. Lachung monastery was built in 1880 and follows the Nyingma sect of Buddhism. Lachung (which means Big Pass) sits by the Lachung Chu River, a quiet little town where the best restaurants are in dark wooden houses, where the only bright lights are the stars and the action is a meltwater flood or two. Overnight at Lecoxy resort, Lachung.

Day 06 : Lachung - Yumthang - Lachung
Photographs of the scenery in Switzerland and Yumthang look so similar that it is difficult to distinguish between them. It is a sight that is awesome in its magnificence. In summer, yak graze in the valley. The one-and-half hour journey from Lachung to Yumthang is spectacular an amazing variety of flowers over an undulating landscape. Move on to the the Lachung Stupa. No one knows who is buried there or why it was set up. Not even the locals. A nice ordinary stupa, whitewashed and surrounded by a wall. Return to Lachung for overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 07 : Lachung Gangtok
After breakfast, depart for Gangtok. Visit the Lachung Monastery -- a pleasant walk across the river from the tiny sprawl of village. Built in 1880, it has a benign Buddha inside and some very lovely paintings on the walls. Lunch en route. On the way, clear weather permitting, you can see the mighty Kanchenjunga from Singhik. Arrive in Gangtok late in the afternoon. Rest of the day at leisure. We suggest you visit the Do-drul Chorten and gompa. This has a golden dome, and is surrounded by prayer wheels and flags. It contains sacred relics and texts. The nearby gompa houses young lamas and has a shrine containing huge images of Padmasambhava and Guru Snang-sid Zilzon. Move on to the Orchid sanctuaries. The Deorali orchid sanctuary lies to the south of town and has over 200 species of orchids. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 08 : Gangtok Kalimpong
In the morning we leave for Gangtok for a beautiful 4 hour drive to Kalimpong. You will be driving past the turbulent Teesta River all along the way. You could also go white water rafting down the Teesta at an extra cost. Overnight in Kalimpong Park Hotel or similar.

Day 09 : Kalimpong
We take you on a local tour of Kalimpong that covers the Orchid nursery, Zong Dog Palri Gumpa, St Teresa Church and the Nature Interpretation Center. Overnight at Kalimpong.

Day 10 : Kalimpong - NJP
Transfer to NJP in time to take the train.