Sikkim Alpine Tour Itinerary
Day 01 - Pick up Bagdogra/NJP
drive Gangtok, 126kms, and 4 hours. Bagdogra is the nearest Airport
where as NJP (New Jalpaiguri) is the closest Railway Station to Sikkim.
Drive to Gangtok passes through a lush green vegetation adjacent to it
river Teesta flows in a vibrant current.
Day 02 - Tour around Gangtok
includes Rumtek Monastery, Flower show, Directorate of handicraft
&Handlooms, Enchey Monastery, Hanuman Tok, Tashi view Point,
Chorten, Namgyal Institute of Jibetology (NIT). Rumtek monastery is 24
kms away from Gangtok, about 45 minutes drive;-established in 1960
after the arrival of his holiness the XVIth Gyalwa Karmapa –it is
almost a replica of the original Kagyud headquarter in Tibet. Flower
show is orgnised round the year near White Memorial Hall complex-
exhibitions are held twice a year for the display of Orchids and other
flowers, of which Sikkim boasts of having 4,000 flowering plants.
Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms, is a store house of handwoven
woolen carpets, blankets, shawls, with traditional motifs and many
other gift items- Sales Emporium remains open through-out the year.
Enchey Monastery 200 years old Monastery – build on the site blessed
by Lama Druptok Karpo, a tantric master known for his power of flying.
“Chaam” a religious masked dance is performed with great fanfare for 2
days around January..Chorten- Do-drul Chorten (Stupa)-build in 1945
by venerable Trulshi Rompoche head of Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism-
inside the Stupa: complete “Zung”(mantras) and other religious
objects. Around Chorten: 108 Mani Lhakor (prayer wheels),Chorten
Lakhang and Guru Lakhang.
Day 03 - Day trip to Tsongo-Babamandir/Nathula Pass.
Tsongo Lake, Babamandir and Nathula are situated in high altitude
area. Tsong is at 12400 feet, Babamandir app. At 13000feet and Nathula
is at 14600 feet. Tsongo Lake is an alpine lake with lots of rainbow
trout though it is a sacred lake of Sikkim. Visitors are not allowed
to do boating and entering the lake. Baba mandir is situated much
higher with a mandir established and maintained by 17th Mountain
Brigade. Baba Harbajan a soldier who perished in a gushing river in
1960 re surfaced to protect the border of Indo-China.Nathula pass is
gateway to Tibet and before Chinese aggression this used to be only a
silk route to Lhasa. Nathula to Lhasa is only 470 kms. In near future
this route is being re- opened to start Indo-China Trade. Gangtok to
Tsongo—Baba Mandir drive is one of the most interesting as it provides
an altitudinal changes along with the vegetation changes. During
winter the region is full of snow. Nathula is opened for visitors on
the following days: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Tour has
to be organized by recognized local travel agent.
Day 04 - Gangtok drive to
Lachung; –126 kms, is situated at around 8,610 feet. with total tribal
culture & is one of the remote areas. The Lachung Monastery on the
slope opposite the highway is a focal point of all religious
functions of the local inhabitants. Scenic beauty while traveling to
Lachung is at its best with long cascading water falls- it has gained
soaring popularity of Yumthang Valley, which is just 24 kms from here.
Day 05 - Visit Yumthang
further to Yumesamdong. (4824 meters) Yumthang Valley is surrounded by
snowy mountains and the river runs through the middle of the valley-
it is also the home of Shingbha Rhododendron Sanctuary having 24 species
of Rhododendrons and a hot spring. hult at Lachung.
Day 06 - Lachung drive to
Lachen 2728 meters. /Thangu: 14000 feet- Lachen is situated at an
altitude of 9,075 feet. Lachen monastery situated on the top of the
village commands a panaromic view of the surroundings and countryside.
Thangu is at an altitude of 14,000 feet- about three hours drive from
Lachen.
Day 07 - Spent time around close up toward Chopta Valley further visit Gurudongmare Lake, later back to Lachen and hult
Day 08 - Drive to Gangtok enroute visit Phodong Monastery, Chungthang Monastery and Kabi Tintak
Day 09 - Gangtok drive Pelling.
Pelling is a new tourist destination, which has sprung up to feed the
west Sikkim tourism circuit. Pelling provides excellent view of
Kanchendzonga range. Khechuperi Lake which is about 13km from Pelling is
yet another sacred lake of Sikkim. It is believed that once you visit
the Lake and wish in your mind will be fulfilled. The Lake is in the
shape of a Buddha’s foot and all around rich forest cover guards the
habitats. Lake provides shelter to large number of birds.
Day 10 - Drive back to NJP/ BAGDOGRA AIR PORT.