Join Alpine Club of Himalaya on an enchanting tour of Sikkim and Darjeeling among the world's third highest mountain Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586m/28,162 ft), and the amazing scenery of the Himalayan mountain ranges at close proximity. Sikkim is a beautiful mountainous region with five seasons: winter, summer, spring, autumn, andmonsoon. A stronghold of Tibetan Buddhism, Sikkim is home to over two hundred monasteries, mostly inhabited by the Lepchas, Nepalese, Tibetans, Indians, and Bhutanese, although it's major religion is Hinduism. Darjeeling meanwhile, is located at an elevation of 6,700 ft (2,000 m) in the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region that is nestled within higher peaks with the snow-clad Himalayan ranges towering over the town. Darjeeling or "Durjaya Linga" in Sanskrit, means "Shiva of invincible prowess, who rules the Himalayas". Chosen by the British Raj as their hill resort for its mild climate and scenic beauty, it is still a popular hill station with its vast tea estates and cool climate.
A representative of Alpine Club of Himalaya will pick you up at Phuntsholing (Bhutan Border), the Bhadrapur Airport (Nepal Border) or the Bagdogra Airport (flights connect from Delhi and Kolkata). We drive to Kalimpong, a hill station in the Darjeeling district located at an elevation of 1,250m (250km/6 hours from Phuntsholing, 140km/5 hours from Bhadrapur Airport, and 78km/3hours from Bagdogra Airport). Overnight in Kalimpong.
Kalimpong is a bustling bazaar town situated on saddle-shaped mountain ridge that connects two hills, Deolo Hill and Durpin Hill, overlooking the roaring Teesta River, with views of the Himalayas, Buddhist monasteries, colonial architecture, and a fascinating nursery industry, all linked by some fine hikes. We will tour Deolo View point, the Hat Bazar, the Tharpa Choling Gompa (monastery) and the Kalimpong Science Centre, established under the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council in 2008. After lunch we will drive to Gangtok, the largest town in Sikkim. (75km/3hours). Overnight in Gangtok.
We drive to Pelling, a small town in western Sikkim nestled at an altitude of 2,150m. The drive will be 126km and will take 6 hours including sightseeing. En route, we visit the Pemayangtse Monastery, built in 1705 it is one of the oldest and premier monasteries of Sikkim located at an elevation of 2085m among a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Then we hike up a hill through a lake to see the ruins of the Rabdenste Palace and its chortens, which was established by the second Chogyal in 17th century, and was the capital of the kingdom till 1814 A.D. Overnight in Pelling.
We visit Khecheopalri Lake, a lake sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus, situated amidst pristine forests at an altitude of 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) near the Tsozo village. An interesting feature of the lake is that the birds immediately pick up any leaf that floats on to it, leaving the lake pristinely clear, and is believed to be a wish fulfilling lake. The tranquility of the lake is amazing.
We then drive to Darjeeling, the drive is 105km/5hours. Overnight in Darjeeling.