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Nature & Culture Tours

| General Information | Nature & Culture Tours | Village Tours | Trekking Adventures | | Mountain Biking | Tourism & Political Map | White Water Rafting | Homestay Holidays | | Samthar Farm House | Gurudongma House |

• Available: All year round
• Best in Feb-May and Sept-Dec
• Max Altitude 2134 m

For the conventional tourist a sightseeing tour of Kurseong, Darjeeling, Gangtok & Kalimpong by Toy train and jeep. Visit Buddhist monasteries, exotic bazars, tea gardens, colonial buildings, Everest Museum, alpine lake, and more.

Day 01: Bagdogra- Siliguri

Arrive at Bagdogra Airport. Met by your car with driver and driven to your hotel at Siliguri. Overnight.

Day 02: Siliguri – Kurseong

Transfer to rail station and board the Toy train for the 05 hrs journey to Kurseong. A delightfull experience and a relaxed method of looking at the world of forests, waterfalls, tea gardens, and mountain hamlets as you climb upto 1200 m, at an easy pace.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) recently conferred World Heritage status is a nineteenth century engineering feat. Constructed between 1879 and 1888. it spans an altitude of 150 m to 2222 m. It remains fully operational and retains most of its original features. You will marvel at the builders of this unique railway, as the tiny "B" Type steam locomotive huffs and puffs uphill with just three carriages.

Detrain at Kurseong rail station and transfer by car to Cocchrane Place. In time for lunch.

The Cochrane Place was once home to Percy John Cochrane, MBE . The house has been restored and recreated. Stone, log and cast iron exteriors are complemented with regal antique furniture, colonial cuisine and the Raj ambiance, with the flavour of the tea gardens.

After lunch visit to the local bazaar to look through the shops / Express tailoring option available. Evening musical entertainment, followed by dinner.

Day 02: Kurseong

After breakfast visit Ambootia Tea Estate - one of the foremost bio dynamic organic tea gardens. The garden produces premium quality tea in use at NASA space station, and retailing at Harrods, and other premium stores. View the entire manufacturing process, and walk around the tea estate.  Drive back to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon sightseeing – Kunsamnamdoling Monastery, followed by the easy  St. Mary’s walk to soak in the ambiance. Return to the hotel for a Green Tea Facial / Stick Massage. And dinner at the hotel.

Day 03: Kurseong - Darjeeling

Drive to Chimney to visit Canadian Father Abrahams organic farm project. Continue to Woodcot project (Social and organic agricultural community) Observe innovative eco friendly ideas to support local villages including diary, compost plant, solar water heating, biogas for cooking, mushroom cultivation, and children school. After the visit drive to Darjeeling in 1.30 hrs. Check in at hotel of choice in time for lunch. Afternoon free to explore on your own and walk the bazaars . Car with driver provided.

Darjeeling derived its present name from the Tibetan Dorjee-Ling, meaning Place of the thunderbolt. Until the nineteenth century, it was a part of the kingdom of Sikkim, and was first leased bt the British in 1835, and latter annexed in 1861, to as a base for trade with Tibet. In early 1840’s, tea plantations were developed, extensively, and Nepali labour was imported. This resulted in a change in the demographic balance, with Nepalese gradually gaining ground over other ethnic groups.After a political agitation, Darjeeling  was granted, autonomy under a Gorkha Hill Council, with limited powers. Darjeeling retains it colonial flavor, and the fantastic views of the great snow capped ranges, is a major tourist attraction, along with Buddhist monasteries and exotic bazaar.

Day 04: Darjeeling

Guided tour of Darjeeling. Early morning visit Tiger Hill, for sunrise view of Khangchendzonga and Averest group, followed by Ghoom Biddhist Monastery. After breakfast, visir the Himalayan Zoological Park including the snow leopard enclosure, The Mount Everest Museum at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, and the Tibetan self Help Centre. Afternoon and evening free for exploring the exotic bazaar and shopping.

Day 05: Darjeeling-Gangtok

Drive in 4.30 hrs to Gangtok – the capital of Sikkim, located on a series of ridges in the shadow of the high mountain ranges bordering Tibet. Enroute complete entry formalities  ( For foreign nationals only), as you enter Sikkim at Rangpo.

Entry to Sikkim is restricted. All foreign tourist visiting Sikkim must be in possession of valid visa endorsement on their passport. Apply for permission to enter Sikkim, while applying for India Visa. You can also get a Sikkim Entry permit at Rangpo. Keep 03 passport photos handy.

Upon arrival at Gangtok, Check in at hotel / homestay of choice.  Afternoon  free to explore the bazaars on your own. Car with driver at disposal.

Day 06: Gangtok

After Breakfast, take a local tour. You will drive around the local sightseeing circuit visiting the Govt. Institute of Cottage Industry which is keeping the local handicrafts alive. Here you see skilled teachers and trainees working at various handicrafts. There is also a sales outlet, where you can buy handicrafts at reasonable prices.. Continue to the Enchay Monastery,  the Research Institute of Tibetology - with its large collection of Buddhist, icons, religious paintings and literature and the Do-Drul Chorten.  Back to the hotel for lunch. After lunch a round trip of 52 Kms to Rumtek Monastery and join in the solemn evening prayers. Foreign nationals to keep passports handy, They are checked at the monastery entrance.

Headquarters of the Karamapa branch of the kargyu sect, Rumtek Monastery was rebuilt in 1964, as a replica of the Tsurphu Monastery, which was the original headquarters of the Kargyu Sect in Tibet. The 16th Gyalwa Karamapa, head of the order undertook this, after he fled from Tibet, and settled in Sikkim. Behind the main temple are the Dharma Chakra Center, and the Nalanda Institute of Buddhist Studies. Here monks spend a minimum of nine years, in study, followed by three years of meditation. The gilded chorten or stupa studded with precious stones containing the remains of the Karamapa, as also the main temple, are the main attractions. With its traditional architecture, exquisite paintings, intricate woodwork, housing treasures of manuscripts and icons, Rumtek is a splendid example of Tibetan monastic art.

Back to your hotel at Gangtok for overnight.

Day 07: Gangtok – Kalimpong

Retrace our steps down the Teesta Valley for 02 hrs. Therafter a half hours drive up the lovely forested road to Kalimpong. Check in at hotel /homestay of choice. Afternoon free to take a walk , explore bazaar or relax.

Kalimpong, is an exotic town of beautiful people, mystical and enchanting? Ruled by Bhutan for 155 years, and annexed by the British in 1865, it was developed as a center of the wool trade with Tibet. The Lepchas, who were the original inhabitants, were subjected to Bhutanese, Tibetan, British, and Nepalese influences. History has left behind a fascinating ethnic blend of Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepalese people. Here Buddhism rubs shoulders with Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam. Gompas, churches, temples, monasteries, monks and missionaries; all coexist in a jovial and tolerant society. Flower and orchid nurseries, colonial bungalows, churches of the "Raj", and Buddhist monasteries are there to explore. A quaint bustling bazaar, is a Pandora's box of surprises? Kalimpong is a wanderer's delight. Buddhist tankhas, hand beaten silver, Bhutanese weaves, Chinese lamps, hand crafted paper, Lepcha daggers, Nepali Khukaris and Buddhist masks, are some of the shopping attractions. The Wednesday and Saturday "Hat", or village market, brings together people from surrounding areas, selling an amazing variety of products.

Day 08: Kalimpong

Car tour of Kalimpong. Visit Buddhist Monastery, Orchid & Flower nursery, Churches and homes of the colonial era, Dr Grahams Homes campus and chapel, Durpin and Deolo Hill view points, and the exotic bazaar.

Day 09: Kalimpong – Bagdogra

After breakfast drive for 2.30 hrs, down the Teesta Valley to Bagdogra to board your departure flight.

TOUR ENDS