MONASTERIES & STUPAS TRAVEL COLLECTION

Day 01 :: Bagdogra - Darjeeling
Arrive Bagdogra airport where you will be be met by our representative. Drive to Darjeeling (approx 3 hours). The drive enroute for the first hours passes through towns and roadside villages in the plains of Bengal. Then the road gradually ascends first through jungles, and then across huge sprawling tea estates. Several small towns and lots of roadside settlements flit by as we progress onwards. Along the way you can see the famous Darjeeling toy train making it way up the hill.

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.

Day 02 :: Darjeeling
After breakfast visit the lower bazaar of Darjeeling and proceed onwards to the Lloyd Botanical Garden, so called because Mr. Lloyd, proprietor of Lloyd's Bank in Darjeeling, bequeathed this property to the town. It has a collection of some of the original Himalayan trees, plants, orchids and other flowers.

Heading towards the upper bazaar, our next stop is at the Natural History museum, which showcases a comprehensive collection of the region's fauna, and from here we move on to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute to unfold the heroic tales of great Himalayan Mountaineering expeditions. Adjacent to HMI is Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, a high altitude zoo where one can see the Siberian Tiger, Himalayan Black Bear, Deer, Red Panda, Snow Leopard and many more birds and animals.

We then visit the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center, which was established in 1959 to rehabilitate the refugees from Tibet. Its workers produce excellent carpets, woodcarvings, and other traditional craft. Watch the Tibetan women singing and weaving carpets. From here we walk down to the Bhutia Busty Tibetan Monastery, which has a good collection of idols, thangkas and a collection of Buddhist scriptures. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03 :: Darjeeling - Gangtok
In the morning visit the Memorial Chorten (a huge stupa) built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned the country from 1952-1972. Visit the Painting and Wood Craft school where traditional art and craft is still kept alive. Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased.

After lunch at the hotel, visit Simtokha Dzong. This is one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan located about 6 Kms. from Thimphu town. It houses the largest Monastic schools in the country. Visit Tashichho Dzong, the main secretariat building. This massive fortress houses part of the government Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room. It also houses the State Monastic Body and the office and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04 :: Gangtok
After breakfast, visit the Enchey Monastery. Enchey means 'High strong place'. It is said that the great tantric master 'Lama Druptab Karpo' flew from Maenam Hill to this site and built a shrine where the monastery stands today. The present monastery was built during the reign of Choygyal Thuptop Namgyal in 1909.

Proceed downhill to the Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom where you can watch traditional handicrafts in the making. This institution was esablished for promoting & training the rural Sikkimese in traditional arts and craft. This is the place to shop for quality souvenirs. Some of the popular items produced here are carved chokchis (Sikkimese tables with intricately carved designs), carpets, handwoven cloth and blankets, masks, lampshades and paper products.

On driving further downhill, we arrive at Deorali Bazaar where nearby on a tranquil hillock is the Dodrul Chorten, Gangtok's most revered Buddhist shrine. This chorten was built in 1945 by Trulsi Rimpoche to commemorate the victory of good over evil. Alongside the chorten is the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, renowned worldwide for higher Buddhist studies. It is a treasure house of rare Lepcha, Tibetan and Sanskrit manuscripts, priceless statues and old thangkas. Also within the same complex, we then visit the Orchid Sanctuary where over 200 species of orchids are grown. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05 :: Gangtok - Pelling
After breakfast drive to Pelling via Rabongla (approx 5 hours). Its location is magnificent, commanding panoramic views of the Khangchendzonga range. Enroute, visit the Kundragling monastery at Kewzing, the only Bon monastery in Sikkim. Bon is the pre-Buddhist religion of Tibet. Overnight at hotel.

Day 06 :: Pelling - Yuksam
After an early breakfast, a short hike to Sangachholing Monastery (45 min) located on a hillock above Pelling. Built in the 17th century by Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo, the patron saint of Sikkim, it is the second oldest monastery in Sikkim. This spot commands a breathtaking view of the hills, valleys and villages of West Sikkim. Next, visit the Pemayangtse Monastery - "the Sublime Lotus", which houses the famed "Zangdopalri", a fascinating model of the celestial abode of Guru Padmasambhava, crafted single-handedly by the late Dungzim Rimpoche.

On return from the monastery, drive to Khecheodpalri Lake also known as the wishing lake (24 km/75 minutes). This unusually calm lake, located in the midst of a dense forest is considered very sacred and no other activities besides prayers and worship are allowed around it.

After a picnic lunch near the lake drive to Yuksam (approx 4 hours), a quaint little village. Yuksam is the historical site where the first king of Sikkim was crowned in 1641, and also the take off point for trekking to Dzongri and Goecha-la. Overnight at hotel.

Day 07 :: Yuksam - Kalimpong
If it is a Saturday or a Wednesday, we go to the Weekly Market Square for a view of the haat. Here, people from neighbouring villages come to sell their farm products. We then drive to Thongsa Monastery, the oldest monastery in Kalimpong founded by the Bhutanese in 1692. Alternatively, if it not a haat day we take a drive to a neighbouring village.

Afternoon visit one of the flower nurseries, and then drive to Zangdogphelri 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. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08 :: Kalimpong - Bagdogra Airport
After breakfast, drive to the Bagdogra airport (approx 3 hours) for your onward flight. End of services.

bob@hemingwaytoursandsafaris.com

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