HIMALAYAN TRIANGLE TRAVEL COLLECTION

Day 01 :: Bagdogra - Darjeeling
Arrive Bagdogra airport where you will be met by our representative. Drive to Darjeeling (approx 3 hours). Darjeeling is one of India's most beautiful hill stations and has acquired the soubriquet, 'Queen of Hills', since the days of the British Raj and does indeed live up to its name. This enchanting town perches majestically on a beautiful spur surrounded by evergreen hills, and commands a magnificent view of the mountains on its horizon. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 02 :: Darjeeling - Gangtok
Early morning drive to Tiger Hill for a sunrise view. Situated at an altitude of 2, 590 m. (8,482 ft) and 14 kilometers from the town, this spot is famous for the magnificent view of the sunrise over the Eastern Himalayas and include Khangchendzonga, Makalu, Jannu, Kabru, Pandim, Siniolchu, Frey's Peak, and Mount Everest.

On the way back, visit Yiga Choling Gompa, a Tibetan Monastery of the Gelukpa sect in Ghoom, which was built in 1875 by Lama Sherab Gyatso The monastery enshrines a fifteen feet high image of the Maitreya Buddha. Stop at the Batasia Loop the watch the toy train in action.

After breakfast, visit the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center, which was established in 1959 to rehabilitate Tibetan refugees who fled Tibet. Its workers produce excellent carpets, woodcarvings, and other traditional craft. Watch the Tibetan women singing and weaving carpets. Next, we visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute to unfold the heroic tales of some of the great mountaineers of the past. On display, are equipment used in various expeditions. Nearby is the Himalayan Zoological Park with its rich collection of Himalayan fauna and avifauna, and the only place in India that has a successful snow leopard breeding program.

After lunch drive to Gangtok (approx 3 hours), the capital of Sikkim. Situated on the flanks of a ridge at 1,540 m. above sea level, this town's unique ambiance comes with its mixture of tradition and modernity. Alongside the deeply felt presence of monasteries and stupas, Gangtok bustles with the hullabaloo of human activity like any other town. Evening free to visit Gangtok town. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 03 :: Gangtok - Kalimpong
After breakfast visit the Enchey monastery, where it is said that the Saint 'Drupthop Karpo' flew from Maenam Hill and built a shrine on the spot where the monastery stands today. The present monastery was constructed during the reign of Choygyal Thutob Namgyal in 1909-10. This monastery belongs to Nyingmapa sect.

The next stop is at the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, renowned worldwide for Buddhist studies in philosophy and religion. It is a treasure house of rare Lepcha, Tibetan and Sanskrit manuscripts, numerous priceless statues and thangkas. On a hillock nearby stands the Dodrul Chorten surrounded by 108 prayer wheels and built in 1945 by the Trulsi Rimpoche. Also located in the same area is the Orchid Sanctuary, where around 200 different species of orchids are grown.

After lunch drive to Rumtek monastery, the seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa, head of the Kagyu Karmapa Sect. The monastery is the largest in Sikkim sprawling over a huge area, and is also known as the Dharma Chakra Center. It was constructed in 1969 by the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa and is a replica of his gompa of Chhofok in Tsurpu, Tibet.

Following the visit to Rumtek, we continue our journey to Kalimpong (approx 2.5 hours), which till 1865 was a Bhutanese colony. Kalimpong was a prominent center for trade with Tibet till the 1950's. The town is situated on a saddle between the Deolo & Rinkingpong (Durpin) hills. Blessed with a year-round temperate climate, it is an ideal place for floriculture, and that is why there are so many flower nurseries here. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04 :: Kalimpong - Bagdogra Airport
Early morning visit Zongdogpaldri Monastery, from where you can get a magnificent view of the Khangchendzonga range, Kalimpong town and the Teesta Valley. If the caretaker monk is around you will be able to visit the upper level of the monastery to see the 'Sangdophelri', an intricately carved wooden structure of artistic splendor depicting the heavenly sphere.

After breakfast, drive to Bagdogra airport (approx 3 hours) for your onward flight. End of services.