Detailed Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrive Delhi

   Delhi

   After clearing Customs and Immigration, step into the receiving area, where our representative will meet you and escort you to the hotel.

   On arrival, check into the hotel.

   Overnight at hotel (No Meals)
2. Day 2 Delhi

   Delhi

   Delhi is a dynamic city where the past coexists with the present. While historic evidence shows that the area around Delhi was first occupied around 2,500 years ago, Hindu mythology predates that by another 500 years. The British captured the city in 1803 and when they decided to make it the capital of India in 1911, they commissioned Sir Edwin Lutyens to draw up the plans. The result is slightly surprising with spacious tree-lined avenues punctuated with architecture which is among the most striking in the world.

   On the tour of “Old Delhi,” you will head out to explore this exotic locale with its narrow dirt roads, myriads of people and inexpensive and colorful bazaars that keep alive the traditional workmanship for which Delhi has always been famous. Drive past Red Fort and visit the Jama Masjid, one of the largest Muslim mosques in India. A bicycle rickshaw will take you into the heart of Chandni Chowk (the silver square - so named because of the silver merchants).

   Drive past India Gate, a 42-metre archway built in memory of Indian soldiers killed during the First World War and Rashtrapati Bhawan, built in the early 20th century as the Imperial residence of the Viceroy. Today, it is the official residence of the President of India.

   Thereafter, visit the most prominent Sikh Gurdwara, or Sikh house of worship, in Delhi. It was originally a bungalow belonging to Raja Jai Singh, a 17th century Indian ruler. It is open to people of all faiths, castes or creeds. The premises house a sacred pond in which devotees bathe. They believe that this would wash off their misdeeds and thus allow them to attain peace of mind. The 'Langars' or the community kitchen proves to be the ideal example of prodigious hospitality of the Sikhs. Anyone and everyone can have scrumptious meal irrespective of caste, color or class.

   Conclude the day by visiting the Delhi's most striking monument, The Qutub Minar, which looms majestically across the wide plains of Delhi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was constructed in 1192 by Qutub-Ud-Din Aibak. Built in red sandstone and marble, it has a height of 72.5 meters (237.8 ft) and contains 379 stairs. A Soaring conical tower, it is an exquisite example of Indo-Islamic Afghan architecture and is the tallest minaret in India.

   Overnight at hotel (B)

   

   Bangla Sahib

   Sikh Temple

   

   Chandni Chowk

   

   Old Delhi Cultural Rickshaw ride

   

   Qutub Minar

   

   Red Fort

3. Day 3 Fly Delhi – Bagdogra & Drive To Darjeeling – 4 Hour’s Drive

   Darjeeling

   Indigo Flight # 6e-2181 Delhi/Bagdogra Etd: 09:50/Eta: 11:50 Hrs.

   Early morning transfer to the Airport in time to board the flight to Bagdogra.

   You will be met by our representative at Bagdogra airport and transferred to your hotel Darjeeling.

   Day at leisure and overnight at the hotel.

   Overnight at hotel (B, D)
4. Day 4 Darjeeling

   Darjeeling

   Early morning drive to Tiger Hill to see the sunrise and Mount Kanchenjunga can be seen from Observatory Hill but a much better view of the peak is from Tiger Hill, 10 km south of Darjeeling. On the way back, you can stop at Ghoom, a small Tibetan monastery by the roadside, built in 1875 and housing a 5- meter statue of Lord Buddha.

   Darjeeling, situated at an altitude of 2,134 m, was developed by the British as a hill resort to escape the heat and rains of the plains. In the 1840s, tea plantation was introduced in the area. At the Centre of the town is the Mall, Darjeeling's commercial street, lined with souvenir shops which lead to Chaurastha, a square with a bandstand and several antique shops. The Observatory Hill is perhaps the oldest built-up site in Darjeeling.

   A Red Hat Buddhist monastery, Dorjeling once stood here but was destroyed by the Nepalis in the 19th century. On Birch Hill to the north stands the Shrubbery, the residence of the Governor of West Bengal and further down along the Birch Hill Road is the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute previously headed by the late Tenzing Norgay. A museum displays the equipment used on the first successful expedition to Mount Everest. The nearby Zoological Park specializes in high-altitude wildlife - yaks, Himalayan black bears, pandas, but is also has four Siberian tigers. Below, the tea estate of Happy Valley is one of the best in Darjeeling and can be visited every day except Sundays and Mondays. Dominating the Mall is the Planter's Club, where planters from all over the area meet, particularly on Sundays.

   Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)

   

   Ghoom Monastery

   

   Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling by Nomad Tales / CC BY

   Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

   

   Observatory Hill, Darjeeling by Matt Stabile / CC BY

   Observatory Hill

   

   Tiger Hill

   

   Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park

5. Day 5 Drive Darjeeling To Uttaray In West Sikkim

   Uttarey

   Transfer: Darjeeling to Uttaray (2000m). An early departure from Darjeeling by jeep to the trekking area in West Sikkim. Six exciting hours through winding mountain roads across valleys and over hills clad with a variety of vegetation.

   We swoop down to cross the wild Ranget River before climbing steeply up to Pemayangtse (2100m), perched dramatically on an airy ridge with a panorama of Himalayan peaks ahead.

   After crossing some spectacular bridges on the way, we stay at Uttray (2,000m).

   Here we spend our first night in a trekking lodge and meet local guides who will accompany us on our trek.

   Overnight in Lodge (B, L, D)
6. Day 6 Uttaray To Chiwa Bhanjyang (3,295 M) – 6-7 Hours

   Chiwa Bhanjyang

   For eight days we thread our way up and over the highest reaches of the Singali La range, which forms the border between Sikkim in India and Nepal.

   We only meet the occasional yak herders as we are beyond permanent settlements. The name given to places around here however exotic it may sound to your ear, are basically associated with their purpose, such as high pasture passes and ridge point.

   We pass through a rich forest cover, swathes of rhododendron, open ridges, sacred lakes and remote passes. Our first day trek takes us to Chiwa Bhanjyang (3,100m).

   An easy trail rises gently through rainforest until a final steep ascent for the last couple of hours bring us to the Nepalese border and our first camp.

   Overnight in Camp (B, L, D)
7. Day 7 Rest Day At Chiwa Bhanjyang

   Chiwa Bhanjyang

   Acclimatization Day – Excursion – 5-6 hours, this is an attractive setting to acquire some essential early acclimatization.

   A hike to the nearby Singali La peak at 3,500m will give us valuable acclimatization and some excellent views.

   Overnight in Camp (B, L, D)
8. Day 8 Chiwa Bhanjyang To Dhor (3830 M) – 6-7 Hours

   Dhor

   A gentle uphill traverse through forest and then over a more exposed hillside brings us to prayer flags adorning our first pass and view of distant mountains – a taste of what is to come. As we gradually gain height we will appreciate the previous day’s acclimatization.

   The occasional yak herder’s hut is the only sign of habitation as we look down far below to the rice fields and cardamom plantation. Our camp is in a remote and sheltered hollow below a ridge.

   Overnight in Camp (B, L, D)
9. Day 9 Dhor To Pare Megu (3965 M) – 6-7 Hours

   Pare Megu

   Rising just before dawn, a five minute walk onto the ridge may reveal the spectacular sight of sunrise on both Everest and Kanchenjunga. Throughout the day we descend and climb, maintaining a steady height, spiraling from one side of the ridge to the other until a rough steep ascent takes us across a pass. Beyond, the trail winds its way steadily through rhododendron and past several Hindu shrines where a second easier pass drop down to our camp close to a shepherd’s summer settlement. Look out for a blue sheep on the high craggy mountainside.

   Overnight in Camp (B, L, D)
10. Day 10 Pare Megu To Lam Pokhari (4,100 M) – 4-5 Hours

    Lam Pokhari

    We walk easily on a good trail through woods until we begin a steady rise up a broad valley where we catch a closer view of the entire Mount Kabru range dominated by Mt. Pandim (6,691 m).

    A further two hours of ascent will get us to our camp with Everest and a host of other Mount Khumbu giants dominating the distant skyline.

    An afternoon of rest and acclimatization.

    Overnight in Camp (B, L, D)
11. Day 11 Lam Pokhari To Gomathang (3,850 M) – 5-6 Hours

    Lam Pokhari

    Now we are in the high mountain country and the forest lie far below. For the past two days we have been walking in Nepal and today we pass the sacred lake of Lam Pokhari, which marks our entry back into Sikkim. A little snow underfoot can be expected as we climb to our first pass, the Danphe Bhir La at 4,530m, “the pass of the pheasant”.

    From here it is possible to see the whole of Sikkim with the view stretching out well into Tibet and Bhutan.

    A further hour’s contouring and a small ascent reveals the Kag Bhir La -” the pass of the crow”, where we may be lucky enough to view a panorama of Himalayan peaks including Mount Kanchenjunga and all the surrounding peaks. Reluctantly, we then must head downhill making a steep descent to our riverside camp.

    Overnight in Camp (B, L, D)
12. Day 12 Gomathang To Pangden (3,900 M) – 7-8 Hours

    Dzongri

    We leave our lovely meadow camp to climb through forests of sweet smelling silver fir and rhododendrons. Soon we are in the high mountain terrain again.

    Look out for the brightly colored Danphe birds (Impeyan Pheasant), which nest in the high crags around the Khmasey La 4,200m.

    Overnight in Camp (B, L, D)
13. Day 13 Pangden - Dzongri (3,990 M) – 7-8 Hours

    Dzongri

    The trail first ascends steeply for about an hour till we reach a crossroad. The trail on the left goes down to Zamlingang and continue days trek to Dzongri.

    A steady climb all the way up to Dzongri.

    Overnight in Camp (B, L, D)
14. Day 14 Rest Day In Dzongri

    Dzongri

    Early risers can get up before dawn to climb to a vantage point on a ridge above the campsite to watch the sunrise on Mount Khanchenjunga, Mount Kabru, Mount Kabru Dome, Mount Pandim, Mount Rathong, and many other peaks of the Kanchenjunga range.

    Overnight in Camp (B, L, D)
15. Day 15 Dzongri To Lamune (4,000 M) – 6-7 Hours

    Lamuney

    After a slight gradual ascent at the start, we will reach a beautiful alpine terrain with massif mount Pandin and some other peak in front of us.

    We move easily up the valley passing the trekkers campsite of Thangsing to our own riverside camp a short distance below the Samiti Lake.

    Overnight in Camp (B, L, D)
16. Day 16 Lamune To Goecha La (4,940 M) To Thangshing – 8-9 Hours

    Goecha La

    Today we begin well before sunrise in the clear cold morning air probably at around 3am to 4am. We walk steeply uphill to the crest of the ridge behind the lake and emerge dramatically into a harsher world of higher Himalayan scenery. In the foreground glaciers and snowfields suddenly look accessible and behind, the gigantic snow peaks loom close, especially on nearby Mt. Pandim, soaring over our heads. Mighty Mount Kanchenjunga, Mount Kabru, Mount Tolung are always in front of you !

    We move on more easily through this spectacular alpine terrain and after a final ascent reaches ‘Goecha La’.

    Later straight back to Thanshing.

    Overnight in Camp (B, L, D)
17. Day 17 Thangshing To Tshoka (3050 M) – 5-6 Hours

    Tshoka

    After breakfast will trek steeply downhill through the rhododendron and pine forest to Tshoka.

    Overnight in Camp (B, L, D)
18. Day 18 Tshoka to Yuksom – 5-6 hours

    Yuksom

    Our final trekking day: freewheeling downhill almost all of the time.

    We descend through rainforests rich with bird life and flowers, across spectacular bridges spanning cascading rivers whose sources are high in the mountains we have so recently left behind. The trek is through forests of pine, rhododendrons and magnolia.

    Tired and elated we arrive in Yuksom. This will be our last evening with the trekking crew, so we will be celebrating our achievements, and a final thank you to the local staff.

    Overnight in hotel (B, L, D)
19. Day 19 Drive To Kalimpong – 5 Hours Drive

    Kalimpong

    After breakfast Visit to the monestry and continue your drive to Kalimpong.Upon arrival proceeds to the hImalayan hotel for overnight stay.

    Afternoon visit to Kalimpong is a quiet hill resort once the former headquarters of the Bhutanese governor. Situated at an altitude of 1250 m. between the Deolo and Durbindra hills it lies in the valley formed by the lower Teesta River and its tributaries in the foothills of the Himalayas.

    There are two Yellow Hat Buddhist monasteries in Kalimpong, the Tharpa Choling at Tirpai, the largest one, houses a library of Tibetan manuscripts and thangkas. The Zang-dog Palrifo Brang monastery on Durpin Dara Hill is smaller and of more recent construction. There is also a small market selling spices, fruit and traditional Tibetan medicines, textiles, wool and musk. Kalimpong was once the starting point for the trade route to Lhasa.

    Overnight in hotel (B, L, D)

    

    Deolo Hill

    

    Durpin Dara Hill

20. Day 20 Drive Kalimpong To Bagdogra Airport – 4 Hour’s Drive & Fly To Delhi

    Delhi

    Indigo Flight # 6e-6283 Bagdogra/Delhi Etd: 16:45/Eta: 18:50 Hrs.

    After breakfast transfer from Kalimpong to Bagdogra Airport a drive of about 4 hrs. upon arrival board flight for Delhi.

    You will be met upon arrival in Delhi and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

    Overnight in hotel (B)
21. Day 21 Delhi & Departure

    Delhi

    On time check-out from the hotel and transfer to the Airport to connect with the departure International flight.

    (B)