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Built by Late Venerable Dungzin Rinpoche ( Father of Y. Dorjee )
Location:
Sikkim, Darjeeling & Kalimpong
Mode of travel:
Car & Hiking.
Overview:
This journey is a sacred pilgrimage for Buddhists as you visit the holy sites of Sikkim that was blessed by Guru Padmasambhava as well as get an opportunity to experience Darjeeling – a place that was made famous by the British who used it as a summer getaway and established the tea plantations.
Enjoy the cultural delights as you pass through small villages and tea gardens on your drive from the plains of Bengal up towards Darjeeling as the gentle climb opens up new vistas in each turn and bend. The ancient monasteries and holy stupas that awaits you in Sikkim is a testimony to the rich Buddhist heritage of a land that has been blessed by Guru Padmasambhava.
This journey combines the leisure of motor travel as well as exploring the hidden regions of Sikkim by foot as you hike on certain days to reach the hidden caves of Guru Padmasambha. Definitely, this experience will allow you to feast yourself on the cultural delights and immerse yourself in the rich Buddhist heritage of the Himalayas.
Note: This pilgrimage is specially made for Buddhist practitioners.
Day 01: Bagdogra – Darjeeling.
On arrival to Bagdogra drive to Darjeeling which is approximately 4 hours. Stop on the way for tea and restroom. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 02: Darjeeling
Tour the local sights of Darjeeling as you visit the Dali monastery, Tibetan Refugee Self help centre, in the evening take a stroll through the town, and have some free time for shopping. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Darjeeling – Pelling ( Sikkim )
Today we proceed to Sikkim as we drive for about two hours before we reach the Bengal – Sikkim border where we get our passports stamped and enter our Sikkim permits. We then continue our journey towards Gyalshing as we stop on the way and visit the South cave of Guru Rinpoche. Perform tsok and prayers at the cave. Overnight Hotel.
Day 04: Pemayangtse.
Early morning visit the Royal Pemayangtse monastery of Sikkim. This monastery of Sikkim is considered to be the premier monastery as all monks of the monastery must belong to certain lineages before being considered entrance. It is also where the magnificent “Zangdopalri” which is a multi tiered three dimensional wooden structure symbolizing the copper mountain palace of Guru Padmasabhava is found. This structure was carved single handedly by the late Dungzin Rinpoche ( father of Mr. Y. Dorjee ) and took him almost six years to complete and is today considered a national treasure. In the evening take a gentle hike ( 45 mins ) to another monastery that is located on a hilltop and commands a magnificent view of the valley below. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Pemayangtse – Uttarey.
After breakfast we drive towards Uttarey which is a small village and the starting point of our first trek. On reaching Uttarey the staff sets up camp while the members can walk around and explore the area. Overnight in tents.
Day 06: Trek to Dechen phu.
Trek to Dechen phu which is the West cave of Guru Padmasambhava. This trek takes about 6 – 7 hours as we stop along the way for lunch. On reaching the cave we offer Tsog and prayers. Overnight in tents.
Day 07: Trek back to Uttarey.
We now return back to Uttarey after visiting the west cave. On reaching Uttarey we drive to Pemayangts. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08: Pemayangtse – Yuksom.
Drive to the village of Yuksom as we stop along the way to visit the holy lake of Kechopalri. This locals believe the lake fulfills all wishes and is a site of pilgrimage as it has been blessed by Guru Padmasambhava. After the visit we continue our drive to Yuksom. Yuksom is a small village that was once the ancient capital of Sikkim. Overngiht at hotel.
Day 09: Yuksom – Tashiding.
Today we visit the Norbugang Chorten ( a holy stupa ) which is located near the coronation site of the first King of Sikkim by the three lamas of Tibet. One can also see the footprint on the rock of a lama. We then take a short hike up to visit “Dubdi” which is the oldest monastery in Sikkim . After lunch we drive ( 1 hr ) to Tashiding – as we spend the night in pilgrimage huts with the monastery compound. Visit the “Thongwa rangdol Chorten” which is considered one of the holiest stupas in Sikkim and is surrounded by many other stupas.
Day 10: Tashiding – Cheminingpo ( Northern cave )
We first drive to a certain point and then start our trek towards the northern cave. On arrival we offer tsog and prayers. Overnight in tents.
Day 11: Trek to Labdang.
We continue our trek towards Labdang as the trail passes through beautiful terrain and vegetation. Overnight in tents.
Day 12: Labdang – Rabangla.
After breakfast drive to Rabangla. On the way visit Tashiding gompa and see one of the holiest stupa in Sikkim – “Chorten Thongwa Rangdol” which was built on the exact spot where Guru Rinpoche’s arrow fell.
Day 13: Rabangla – Ralong – Rabong.
Today we drive to the village of Ralong and then on arrival take a day hike to “Sharchok Bayphuk” which is the East cave of Guru Padmasambhava. After spending some time at the cave meditating and praying we hike back to Ralong and then drive to Rabong.
Day 14: Rabong – Gangtok:
Drive to Gangtok and on the way visit Deorali Chorten and Tibetology museum. After lunch visit Enchey Gompa.
Day 15: Gangtok
Early morning after breakfast proceed to Kalimpong. On the way visit the Rumtek monastery. In the evening visit the Zangdopalri and Gomchen gompa.
Day 16: Gangtok – Bagdogra – Calcutta
After breakfast drive to Bagdogra airport to catch flight for Calcutta. On arrival transfer to hotel and prepare for flight back home.
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