Himalayan Holidays Nepal

Day-to-Day Itinerary

• Day 01:
  Arrive Kathmandu
  Upon arrival in Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, meet, assist and transfer to the hotel where welcome refreshment will be served and room check in assistance provided.
  Eve: Pre departure trip briefing followed by welcome dinner at a Nepali restaurant featuring cultural program.
  Overnight at hotel.
• Day 02:
  Fly to Bhadrapur (Nepal) and Drive to Darjeeling (2134mtrs) - India
  Distance: 81 km | Time: 3 hrs approx. hours (approx.)
  After breakfast, transfer to Kathmandu airport to board 45 minute flight to Bhadrapur. Upon arrival, meet, assist and drive to Darjeeling (India) - the Queen of the hills.
  Overnight at Hotel
• Day 03:
  Darjeeling
  Early morning drive to Tiger Hill to for a singular experience of the first rays of the sun bathing the Himalayas. On the return visit the Ghoom Monastery. Built in 1875 the monastery which follows the Gelugpa sect, houses one of the largest statue of the Maitreya Buddha-“the future Buddha”. After breakfast visit The Himalayan Zoo which houses the Himalayan fauna like the Red Panda, black bear, yaks, tigers, snow leopard etc. in their natural habitat, and the adjacent Himalayan Mountaineering Institute - a premier training centre for mountaineers and a museum detailing the ascent of the Mt. Everest by Tenzing Sherpa & Sir Edmund Hillary and numerous other expeditions.
  Also visit Tibetan Self Help Centre, a centre of training young people in the intricate art of Tibetan handicrafts and handlooms. The sales emporium is open to visitors to pick up souvenirs.
  Overnight at hotel.
• Day 04:
  Drive Darjeeling – Gangtok (1600 mtrs.)
  Distance: 97 km | Time: 3 ½ hrs approx.
  On arrival at Gangtok, check in at the hotel. Afternoon visit Government Institute of Cottage Industry a centre that offers you the opportunity to observe the local artisans at work and their skills being imparted to young boys and girls. If you want to take back souvenirs, the institute's salesroom is well stocked with local handicraft and handloom products. Do-Drul Chorten - One of the most important stupas of Sikkim built by the late Venerable Trulsi Rimpoche in 1945-46, it contains a mandala of Dorji-Phurpa, holy texts, mantras and is encircled by 108 prayer wheels. Namgyal Institute of Tibetology - Situated close to the Chorten, this institute is a repository of the largest collection of Tibetan artifacts outside Tibet. Also renowned worldwide for the study of Buddhist philosophy and religion, it is a treasure house of rare Thankas, Buddhist icon and objects of art. Flower Show Pavilion - Situated on the ridge above the city, this centre displays the floral diversity of Sikkim. The famed orchids of the state are on display as also a stunning variety of seasonal flowers.
  Overnight at hotel.
• Day 05:
  Day excursion to Tsomgo Lake
  Distance: 70 km | Time: 5 hrs hours (approx.)
  Located east of Gangtok at an altitude of 3650 mtrs. The Tsomgo Lake is a typically beautiful mountain lake. The journey to the lake offers a magnificent view of Mt. Khangchendzonga and other peaks of Sikkim Himalayas. Afternoon free to explore the markets.
  Overnight at hotel.
• Day 06:
  Gangtok – Ravangla (1950 mtrs.)
  Distance: 102 km
  En route to Ravangla visit the Rumtek Monastery, a magnificent Buddhist monastery established by the late Gyalwa Karmapa, the head of the Kagyupa sect. Built as an exact replica of the original Kagyu monastery in Tibet it is also the international headquarters of the Karma Kagyu centres.
  On arrival check in at Mt Narsing Village Resort, an ideal place to experience the peace and tranquility of the Sikkimese countryside coupled with the warmth of the typical Sikkimese hospitality. Overnight at hotel.
• Day 07:
  Ravangla
  Full day sightseeing around Ravangla includes visit to the Temi tea garden to observe the plucking and processing of one of the finest tea in the world. Overnight at Mt Narsing Village Resort, an ideal place to experience the peace and tranquility of the Sikkimese countryside coupled with the warmth of the typical Sikkimese hospitality. Also visit Samdruptse the site of the 113 ft tall statue of Guru Padmasambhava or Guru Rimpoche, the patron saint of Sikkim and the Buddhist scholar who restored Buddhism in Tibet in the 7th century AD. The location also offers a breathtaking view of the Sikkim Himalayas and the Darjeeling hills.
  After lunch visit the monasteries at Ralang. Situated 13 kms away against the spectacular backdrop of the peaks of Narsing, Jopuno and Kabur are the two monasteries at Ralang. The old Ralang monastery, Karma Rabten Cholling, was built in 1730 on a site blessed by an earlier incarnation of Karmapa where the grains of rice thrown by him from Tibet had landed. The monastery is one of the most sacred and important monasteries following the Kagyupa tradition. " Pang Lhabsol " the worship of Mt Khangchendzonga & " Kagyad " Chaam masked dances are held every year on the 15th day of the seventh month of the Buddhist calendar coinciding with August/September and on the 29th day of the tenth month just before Losoong - the Sikkimese New Year in December.
  The New Ralang monastery - Palchen Choeling Monastic Institute, was built by the XIIth Gyaltsab Rimpoche, one of the four regents of the Kagyupa sect and completed in 1995. This is the biggest monastery in Sikkim and its architecture and paintings have been painstakingly undertaken to maintain the authenticity of the Kagyupa monasteries. The sacred Mahakala Dance is held here every year in November.
  Overnight at resort.
• Day 08:
  Ravangla – Pelling (1950 mtrs.)
  Distance: 60 km | Time: 2 hrs approx
  After breakfast drive to Pelling. On arrival check in the hotel and thereafter visit the Pemayangtse Monastery. Built in the 18th century AD, this monastery follows the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Pemayangtse - "the Sublime Lotus", also houses the famed "Zangdopalri", a fascinating model of the celestial abode of Guru Padma Sambhava, crafted single-handedly out of wood by the late Dungzim Rimpoche.
  Also visit the Rabdentse Palace ruins. The site of the second capital of Sikkim from AD to AD is strategically located on a ridge with a commanding view of the Rangeet valley and the villages scattered in West and South Sikkim. The recent restoration of the site lends a pleasant place to experience the history of Sikkim with great views.
  Overnight at hotel.
• Day 09:
  Pelling – Khecheodpalri Lake – Yuksom (1800 mtrs)
  Distance: 65 km | Time: 3 ½ hrs approx
  After breakfast proceed to Yuksom. Enroute visit Khecheodpalri Lake, also known as the wishing lake. This unusually calm lake, located in the midst of a dense forest is considered very sacred and no water sport or other activities besides prayers and worship are allowed around it.
  A quaint little village, Yuksom is also the take off point for trekking to Dzongri and Goecha-la. This is also the place where the three Lamas met and consecrated the first king of Sikkim in 1641. The Norbugang chorten and the Coronation throne stand mute testimony to this historic event.
  Overnight at hotel.
• Day 10:
  Pelling – Yuksom – Kalimpong (1200 mtrs)
  Distance: 105 km | Time: 3 ½ hrs approx.
  After breakfast drive to Kalimpong. On arrival check in at the hotel and proceed for sightseeing after lunch. Kalimpong is renowned for floriculture and visit to some of the flower nurseries opens up a beautiful world of orchids, Cacti, foliage plants and a huge variety of other seasonal flowers and shrubs. A visit to the scenically located monastery at Durpin offers a birds eye view of the town below. The old market of 10th Mile area of the town has the feel of the bustling Tibet trade which existed till 1959 when Tibet was annexed by China. Also and ideal place to pick up typical Himalayan and Buddhist souvenirs.
  Overnight at hotel.
• Day 11:
  Drive from Kalimpong (India) to Bhadrapur (Nepal)
  Distance: 75 km | Time: 3 hrs approx
  After breakfast, checkout from the hotel and drive to Bagdogra and then to Bhadrapur (Nepal) via Kakarvitta (Nepal – India) border. Upon arrival, board the 35 minutes flight to Kathmandu.
  Eve: Farewell dinner at a nice restaurant in Thamel.
  Overnight at hotel.
• Day 12:
  Final Departure
  After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Tribhuvan International Airport to connect final departure flight.