Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state located in the Himalayan mountains. The state borders Nepal to the west, Tibet to the north and east, and Bhutan to the east. The Indian state of West Bengal lies to the south. Sikkim is the least populous state in India and the second-smallest state but nonetheless geographically diverse due to its location in the Himalayas; the climate ranges from subtropical to high alpine, and Kangchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak, is located on Sikkim's border with Nepal. Sikkim is a popular tourist destination, owing to its culture, scenery and biodiversity. It also has the only open land border between India and China. Sikkim's capital and largest city is Gangtok. According to legend, the Buddhist saint Guru Rinpoche visited Sikkim in the 8th century AD, introduced Buddhism and foretold the era of the monarchy. Sikkim's Namgyal dynasty was established in 1642. Over the next 150 years, the kingdom witnessed frequent raids and territorial losses to Nepalese invaders. In the 19th century, it allied itself with British India, eventually becoming a British protectorate. In 1975, a referendum abolished the Sikkimese monarchy, and the territory was merged with India.
Arrival in Bhadrapur/Bagdogra, meet and assist by ourrepresentative and transfer to Gangtok
Visit world famous Rumtek Monastery. It is known as the world’s richest monastery and is home to the community of monks and where they perform the rituals and practices of the Karma Kagyulineage. A Golden Stupa contains the relics of the 16th Karmapa. Opposite that building is a college, Karma Shri Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies.
The foundation stone of Namgyal Institute of Tibetology was reposed by the fourteenth Dalai Lama on 10 February 1957. The late Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru has declared it open on 1 October 1958. It is a hoarded wealth of huge collection of rare Lepcha, Sanskrit and Tibetan manuscripts, ancient statues, and Thankas, which is colourful tapestries exploited in the Buddhist liturgy. Besides an appealing museum, the institute consists of more than 200 Buddhist icons and many other treasured objects of art. Presently, the institute is the famous worldwide centre for study of Buddhist philosophy and religion. The construction work of the institute is a noble memorial and an excellent example of the architecture of Sikkim.
Morning drive to Darjeeling (95 Kms/2 hrs) and check in at the hotel. Rest of the afternoon is left free for independent activities.
Visit Druk Thubten Sangag Choling Monastery. The eleventh Gyalwang Drukchen Tenzin Khenrab Gelek Wangpo passed away in 1960 leavng His Ennence Kyabje Thuksey Rinpoche as regent of the Drukpa Kargyud Lineage. Kyabje Thuksey Rinpoche's compassion, love and his fame as a concerned teacher spread. He started building Druk Thubten Sangag Choling Monastery at Dali, Darjeeling in 1971. Kyabje Thuksey Rinpoche stressed that the sole aim of this monastery was to preserve the precious Dharma, the Tibetan culture and its traditions. The newly constructed complex of the monastery was inaugurated by His Holiness The Dalai Lama in 1993, where he gave 3 days of religious teachings. It is the only monastery in the eastern side to have disciples and monks from the Himalayan region. At present there are 210 monks.
An early start (as early as 4am) is recommended for the visit to Tiger Hill, situated around 11 km from Darjeeling. It takes about an hour to reach this miniature plateau from which to view the sun's first rays breaking over mighty Kanchenjunga (8586m) and Mount Everest further into the distance (weather permits). Later, visit Ghoom Monastery and Batasia Loop . Ghoom Monastery or Ghoom Monastery is the popular name of Yiga Choeling Monastery located at Ghoom. It is 8 km far from Darjeeling city centre. The monastery follows the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. There is a 15-feet high statue of "Maitreya Buddha" (Coming Buddha) in the monastery. It contains images of Buddha’s disciples, Chenrezi and Chongapa. The Batasia Loop is a spiral railway created to lower the gradient of ascent of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. There is also a memorial to the Gorkha soldiers of the Indian Army who sacrificed their lives after the Indian Independence in 1947.[1]. From the Batasia Loop one can get a panoramic view of Darjeeling town with the Kanchenjunga and other snowy mountains in the back-drop. At the end of the day, visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute & Zoo and Tibetan Self Help Center. Back to the hotel.
Day free until departure transfer to the airport for onward journey.
Day free until departure transfer to the airport for onward journey.
