Sikkim Alpine Tour

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.

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