| Shangrila Tour |
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Shangrila Tour (Sikkim/Darjeeling/Bhutan)
Day 01: Calcutta – Bagdogra – Darjeeling:
Enjoy captivating scenes of paddy fields, tea gardens and small villages as we meander through switchback roads for 5 hours. We stop along the way for some refreshments and get a taste of pure “Darjeeling tea”. On arrival, we check into the hotel. The British originally established Darjeeling as a hill station in the mid 1800s. People come up here to escape the heat of the plains. Pleasently surrounded by tea plantations on all sides, we can enjoy magnificent views of snowy peaks including Kanchendzonga. Overnight in hotel.
Day 02: Darjeeling:
Early morning trip to Tiger Hill ( optional ) to see the sunrise. Tiger Hill is the highest spot in the area at 8,500 ft and is famous for its dawn views of the Eastern Himalayas including on the clearest days Mt. Everest. On return, visit the famous Ghoom monastery which enshrines an image of the Maitreya Buddha ( the coming Buddha ). A small donation is customary. The monks are friendly and will probably invite us to join them for a cup of salty yak butter tea (think of it as a light soup or broth as you drink it ). We may take a short ride on the famous toy train. Completed in 1882 the railway connected Darjeeling with the rest of British India. Our ride, although short, will give us a chance to admire the Batasia Loop, one of four complete loops and five switchbacks maneuvered on this feat of engineering. After lunch visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Zoological Park, Tibetan refugee self-help centre which is a popular place to shop for arts and crafts. Overnight at hotel, Darjeeling.
Day 03: Darjeeling – Pemayangtse:
Today we leave the state of Bengal and drive towards the former Himalayan kingdom of Sikkim, which became the 22nd state of India in 1975. The drive is approximately 5 hours where we stop at border town of Melli to enter our special Sikkim permits. This beautiful drive allows you to appreciate the magnificent views and spectacular terrain of the region as you descend almost 5000 feet before you start your climb once again from the Teesta valley up towards Pemayangtse which is situated at about 6,500 ft. The small town of Pemayangtse is popularly known as Pelling and only the Royal monastery now bears the name of Pemayangtse. Overnight at hotel, Pelling.
Day 04: Pemayangtse:
Today we first visit the Royal Pemayangtse monastery. The monastery is the premier monastery of Sikkim and follows the “Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism”. All those desiring to enroll in to the monastery must come from an accepted lineage and background. Inside the monastery is the famous “Zangdopalri” structure which was created single handedly by the late Dungzin Rinpoche who was the father of Mr. Dorjee ( Founder/Director of STTS ) and grandfather of Pema Topgyal. The “Zangdopalri” is a three-dimensional, multi tiered wooden structure depicting the copper mountain palace of Guru Padmasambhava. In the afternoon we take a short walk (optional ) up to Sangacholing monastery which is located on a hilltop overlooking the valley. The monastery is surrounded by small “Chortens” and was a popular place for “yogis” to meditate and undergo retreats. There is also the option of driving to the holy lake of Khechopalri located approximately 1 hour from Pemayangtse. This lake is a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists from all parts of Sikkim and Bhutan and is known to have been blessed by Guru Padmasambhava. Overnight at hotel. Pemayangtse.
Day 05: Pemayangtse – Gangtok:
The six hours drive is very picturesque traveling up and down the green, undulating hills of Sikkim. Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim and has the highest density of people in Sikkim. On arrival check in to the hotel. Overnight at hotel. Gangtok.
Day 06: Gangtok:
Today we’ll visit the local market and tour the local sights. Place of interests include Enchey monastery. This name means “place of solitude”. About 90 monks are in residence here. It is important to our hosts that we are respectful and be sure to leave a small donation. Most important be sure to walk clockwise around holy objects like mani walls ( prayers carved in stone ).
After lunch, we drive to Rumtek monastery which was built to seat the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa when he fled Tibet. Return back to Gangtok in the evening. Overnight at hotel. Gangtok.
Day 07: Gangtok – Phunstsoling ( Bhutan )
Today is a long day as we not only drive almost 6 hours but also have to deal with the ‘red tape’ at the Indian immigration office at the border. Fortunately we will have our Bhutanese colleagues to help expedite this tedious process. After immigration clearance we enter Bhutan and check into the Druk hotel.
Day 08: Phuntsoling – Thimpu:
After breakfast we start our journey into Bhutan. After five kms we stop at the Kharbandi Gompa. This beautiful monastery was built by the Royal Grandmother Ashi Phuntsho Coedron and situated in a garden of tropical plants, flowers. From the monastery garden is a magnificent view of the plains and Phuntsoling. We continue our steep climb as we encounter innumerable bends and curves taking us to an altitude of approximately 2000 meters. After two hours drive though light mountain jungle, displaying lianas and orchids, the first ridge has been passed and the road descends slightly. Lunch is served en route. Near a small village of Chapcha we reach our highest point of 2800 meters after which we start our descend into the capital city of Thimpu. The steep descend continues until the confluence of the two rivers of Wang chu and Chuzom. On arrival to Thimpu, we check into our hotel. Thimpu.
Day 09: Thimpu - Paro
Once a rustic village, Thimpu today is the capital of Bhutan, sitting in a broad fertile valley of Wang chu river. Today we tour the local sights of Thimpu, a town that is gradually embracing the benefits of modern technology while maintaining its rich cultural heritage. We visit the Memorial chorten which was built in memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk who is considered the father of modern Bhutan. We also visit a painting school where age old traditional Bhutanese painting is taught. The other places of interests include the National library, Traditional medicine Institute, and some Handicraft emporium. Drive approximately 1.5 hours to Paro in the evening and check into the hotel. Paro.
Day 10: Paro.
This beautiful valley is home to some of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries including the national museum. It is the place where the famous “Tigers nest” is located. This famous landmark is a small temple, which, hangs precariously on a sheer rock face few thousand feet above the ground. It is one of the most sacred place in Bhutan and is believed Guru Padmasambhava meditated there for a while traveling to it on a Tigers back. We take a short drive from the town to a point where the trek starts up to the Tigers nest. There is an option of a pony ride for those who choose not to walk. After lunch we visit the national museum which is located in the “Ta Dzong” ( fortress ) and houses many old Bhutanes art and artifacts. If time permits, we can take a short drive to visit the Kyichu lakhang which has one of the oldest and sacred shrines of Bhutan. Paro.
Day 11: Paro – Bangkok.
After breakfast, drive to the airport to catch the flight to Bangkok.
TOUR ENDS:
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