DETAILED ITINERARY

 

 

Day 1 - Departure

Depart from your home country.

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Day 2 - Kolkata

Arrive in Kolkata and transfer to hotel. After breakfast proceed for sightseeing, visiting Howrah bridge built on river Hooghly which connects the city of Kolkata with the industrial town of Howrah. Later drive pass the Dalhousie Square Writers Building, Raj Bhawan, Kolkata Town Hall and the St. John’s Church. Thereafter we visit Victoria Memorial, a massive dome building made of white marble brought from Rajasthan. After that we visit Mother Teresa’s House, here lies the mother’s tomb and photo gallery on Mother Teresa and her work. Overnight in hotel.

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Day 3 - Kolkata / Bagdogra / Gangtok (1677 m)

Transfer to Airport in Kolkata for onward flight to Bagdogra. On arrival at Bagdogra Airport you will be met by our local representative who will assist you to board your vehicle to Gangtok, which is a drive of 130 km / 5 hrs. Overnight in hotel.

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Day 4 - Gangtok

After breakfast, we proceed for sightseeing of Gangtok, covering Rumtek Monastery, visible from the Gangtok town and 24 km trip to the southwest of the capital. The large Gompa of Rumtek is the main seat of Karma Kagyu lineage. We also see Droul Chorten, Research Institute of Tibetology, Directorate of Handicraft & Handloom (Closed on Sunday), Flower Show and Enchey Monastery. Evening free to explore Gangtok town and Lal Bazaar. Overnight in hotel.

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Day 5 - Gangtok / Yuksom (1780 m)

After breakfast drive 150 km / 5 - 6 hrs to Yuksom - the historical capital of Sikkim. The drive takes you through quaint villages, steep valleys and green hills. Yuksom is rich in history and tradition, as it was here that the first Chogyal of Sikkim was consecrated by the three Lamas. On our way we visit a beautiful 7th century Pemayangtse Monastery perched on high ridge. Arrive at the sleepy hamlet of Yuksom which lies 40 km north of Pemayangtse and it holds a special place in Sikkim’s history. Overnight in simple hotel.

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Day 6 - Yuksom / Tshoka (3049 m)

Today we begin our trek. Following an early morning start, we trek for three hours through lush green meadows and cross mountain streams and Prek Chu River. Henceforth, the trek is a continuous uphill path lined with conifers and is virtually carpeted with a bed of leaves to reach Bakhim (2744 M) - a hill village. Tshoka is a slightly larger settlement with a few houses, a monastery and is the last village on the route. This is a long trekking day. You spend the night at Tshoka. Total 14 km / 7 - 8 hrs trek. Overnight in tents.

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Day 7 - Tshoka / Dzongri (4030 m)

On this day the trail passes through the village of Tsokha and continues to climb further north to the alp of Phedang (3650 m) taking around 3 hours. The vegetation changes to stunted bushes of rhododendrons and miniature pine trees resembling bonsais as you gain altitude with every step to reach Dzongri. Trek 10 Km / 5 – 6 hrs. Overnight in tents.

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Day 8 - Dzongri / Thansing (3842 m)

You lose altitude during the first half of the trek and steadily regain it as you walk along the river Prek Chu, a tributary of the Rangeet River, before you reach your camping site at Thangsing. It’s an hour climb from the bridge to Thansing (3800 m) located on the slope of Mt Pandim. En route we have fabulous views of Kanchenjunga and Pandim mountains, chortens and prayer flags making the views a photocomposition. Trek 10 Km / 4 – 5 hrs. Overnight in tents. 

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Day 9 - Thansing / Samiti Lake (4500 m)

The trail from Thansing climbs gently north and follows a stream and alpine meadows. About an hour above Thansing we reach Onglathang from where the superb view of the south face of Kanchenjunga can be seen. In order to capture clear view one has to reach Onglathang valley early. The trail then skirts through a series of glacial moraines before crossing over the meadows again, and arrives at the emerald lake at Samiti. Trek 7 km / 3 – 4 hrs.  Rest of the time free to prepare ourselves for long trek the next day. Overnight in tents.

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Day 10 - Samiti Lake / Goecha La (4940 m) / Thansing

We leave very early in the morning equipped, braving the temperature of below zero and our target to climb Goecha la. The climb begins with a gentle gradient eastward for about half an hour and then later steep ascent starts. The trail follows the glacial moraine north east and then drops to a dry lake at Zemathang. A tough scramble over rocks and boulders with a rise of 400 meters will bring us on the top of the pass! The pass is formed due to the depression between Pandim and the Kabru spur. It overlooks the Talung valley and commands a very impressive view of the south face of Kanchenjunga. Trek back to Thansing. Trek 12 km / 7 – 8 hr. Overnight in tents.

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Day 11 - Thansing / Tshoka

From Thansing follow the trail to Kokchorung (3800 m) which is a good camp site. Continue descending towards Tshoka by going through a bypass route to Tshoka. Trek 14 km / 6 – 7 hrs. Overnight in tents.

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Day 12 - Tshoka / Yuksom

Retrace steps towards Yuksom on the final day of the trek. The going is easier as the path is mainly downhill. Trek 14 km / 5 – 6 hr. Overnight in simple hotel.

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Day 13 - Yuksom / Darjeeling (2250 m)

Transfer to Darjeeling - 150 km / 5 - 6 hrs. Evening free to explore the town. Overnight in hotel.

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Day 14 - Darjeeling

Early morning tour to Tiger Hills (2550 M) at around 4 AM to view sunrise over Kanchenjunga Peak (subject to clear weather). On way back we visit Ghoom Monastery. After breakfast visit to Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (Closed on Thursday), Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Tibetan Refugee self-help centre (Closed on Sunday) & Tea Estate. Later in the afternoon we have a joy ride on famous Toy Train of Darjeeling. Overnight in hotel.

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Day 15 - Darjeeling / Bagdogra / Delhi

Drive 100 km / 3 hr to Bagdogra Airport for the flight to Delhi. Overnight in hotel.

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Day 16 - Delhi 

We do sightseeing of enchanting Delhi, which blends the Old and New perfectly together. We do the amusing Rickshaw ride in the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk - the medieval styled shopping haven. The shoppers do not only come from Delhi, but from all over the country. We also visit the largest mosque of India - Jama Masjid, which can accommodate about 25,000 people. On our way back to New Delhi, we drive by India Gate, Parliament House and President's Estate. Later, transfer to International airport for your journey back home. Overnight in hotel.

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Day 17 - Delhi / Agra (Optional) / Departure

Day free in Delhi or Optional excursion to Agra.  Later, transfer to International airport for your journey back home.