Darjelling, Sikkim Cultural Tour and Phoktey Dara Trek

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Delhi

Airport transfers are provided for all clients arriving on Delhi. In the afternoon, a city sightseeing tour is provided. Alternatively, you may choose to take it easy at the hotel.

Day 2: Arrive Bagdogra, drive to Darjeeling (2135m /85 km /3 and half hrs)

Transfer to the domestic terminal for the onward flight to Bagdogra. We then drive to Darjeeling and check in to our hotel.

From Bagdogra airport, we drive through flat land for 20-25 minutes and then drive up by hill road. Gradually, we get higher and the scenery is wonderful. There are several local hotels and shops along the way. We stop in Kurseong to drink Darjeeling tea which is very famous in the world. The road from Bagdogra to Kurseong is very good.

Leaving Kurseong, we drive through Sonada, Ghoom and then arrive in Darjeeling. During our journey, we can see beautiful small villages, nice green hills, some Tea gardens, Toy train and Kanchenjunga range. After Kurseong, in some places the road is little rough.

Darjeeling is one of the magnificent hill towns in the world. Situated at the altitude of 2135m in the shadow of the mighty Kanchenjunga, this queen of the Eastern Himalayas is surrounded by high green hills. The name of the town has been derived from "Dorje Ling", it was the name of a Buddhist monastery which once stood atop Observatory Hill, around which Darjeeling grew. The name also has a Tibetan origin, meaning where Indra's thunderbolt or weapon rested (Dorje- Thunderbolt, Ling- place). Today the town is an exotic maze of steps and terraces, hotels, colorful bazaars and charming hill folk. Well- known for the quality of its tea, Darjeeling offers wonderful views of lush, sprawling tea estates and the snowy peaks of the Kanchenjunga.

Day 3: Sightseeing around Darjeeling

Today, we visit most important and famous places of Darjeeling. In the morning we visit Ghoom monastery, Dali monastery and Tibetan refugee self help center and in the afternoon we visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park and market square. If we have more extra days, can visit more interesting places and can do joy ride (Toy train ride).

Day 4: Drive to Pelling (1940m / 72 km / 4 and half -5 hrs)

Leaving Darjeeling town, the road steeply descend down to Singla bazaar though beautiful Tea gardens. The views of lush green tea gardens, valley and the Kanchenjunga range are superb. We visit one Tea factory on the way down. Beyond Singla, we cross Ramam River, this river is the border of West Bengal and Sikkim. Here is police check post in the Sikkim side where we should entry our Sikkim permit. After this check post, it is very short drive to Jorethang (20 km from Darjeeling). This is small busy town and main town is in the other side of Rangit River.

After Jorethang, all the time we follow the Rangit River and drive through beautiful small valley. We pass several small markets and arrive in Legship (32 km from Jorethang), this is the gateway to West Sikkim situated on the banks of river Rangit. It is famous for the Kirtetswar Mahadev temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Rangit Water World located nearby. The road for Pelling is separate from here.

From Legship, the road climb up through beautiful forest and the villages and arrive in Gezing (16 km from Legship), the district headquarters of West Sikkim. Leaving Gezing, we drive up to Pemayangtse Monastery (2085m). Pemayangtse monastery was built in 17th century, it is situated on high ridge and surrounded by snow clad mountains. This is one of the oldest and most important Nyingma monasteries in Sikkim. This is home to about 108 monks. Here three floors for public, here displays a wealth of statues, traditional paintings, ritual texts and wooden masks. Here we can see many different manifestation of Guru Padmasambhava and a wooden replica of Zangdog Palri, the celestial abode of Guru Padmasambhava.

After Pemayangtse monastery, it is very easy short drive to Pelling (2.5 km from monastery / 10 km from Gezing). Pelling is a peaceful village at an altitude of 1940m in the lap of Himalayas. It is fast developing into a tourist centre and settlement with lots of hotels and lodges. It offers wonderful view of Kanchenjunga, Pandim, Siniolchulu and other peaks.

Day 5: Drive to Uttare (1932m / 26.3 km / 1 hr), Trek to Archaley (2880m / 4 hrs)

Beyond the Pelling, the road gently descends down through beautiful villages and cross river (1413m) then climb up to the main road. We join with main road near Dentam. After 21 km drive from Pelling, arrive in Singshore Bridge, which is the highest bridge in Sikkim and second highest bridge in Asia. Uttare is about 5.3 km further from bridge. Uttare is beautiful village surrounded by green hills, situated at an altitude of 1932m. Here are some hotels, shops, police check post and Kanchenjunga National park office. This is the starting point for Singalila ridge trek. The police check post is in end of the village, where we should entry our permits.

From main market of Uttarey, we leave the road, walk through by the side of huge flat ground, ascend through SSP camp and join with small rough road. We use short cut small path all the time and walk through Sherpa village. There are several small trails but we should follow the main and keep climb up. It is very nice walk through village. From last part of Sherpa village we leave the road and climb up to top of the village, there is a nursery. After this nursery we turn little bit right hand side, enter in to the jungle area and climb up to small rest place locally known as "Thumki" (2407m / 1 hr 30 minutes). The path is very good and clear.

After Thumki the path is flat and gentle ascend for a while then climb up through beautiful mixed forest to a nice meadow (Uttarpani / 2657m / 1 hr from rest place). Leaving this meadow we climb up for 15 minutes to another rest place called "Ramite". We have very nice views of Kanchenjunga (8598m), Pandim (6691m) and some other peaks. From here we climb up again for 30 minutes to the camping ground of Archaley. Here is beautiful open meadow situated on small top. The water source is not far, just 5-6 minutes. It offers beautiful views of Kanchenjunga, Talung (7349m), Pandim and some other peaks.

Day 6: Trek to Kalizar (3450m / 5.1 km / 4-5 hrs)

Leaving Archaley camp, we descend little bit to a small stream, flat route for a while and then climb up through beautiful forest. After 30-40 minutes, we arrive in Hangeypani (2890m). Here is also a meadow but not good ground as in Archaley and not enough for large group. From here we have nice views of Pandim, Kanchenjunga, Talung and Kumbhakarna (7710m). From here we climb up for 25-30 minutes, flat easy route and then descend down to a huge very nice meadow. This place is called "Thulo Dhap" (2899m / 40-50 min from Hangey pani). The path is very good and nice walk through beautiful forest. Here is also a small stream. The mountain views of Kumbhakarna, Kanchenjunga, Pandim and other peaks are superb from here.

After Thulo dhap, we climb steeply up through very nice forest to the "Kharka Danda" (3290m / 1 hr). Here is a small nice ground and wonderful views around. From here climb steep up for 15 minutes, walk through nice ground (some ruined huts), turned little bit right hand side and gradually climb up to the camping ground of Kalizar (30-40 minutes from Kharka danda). Here is a small flat ground on top of the small ridge line. This is very nice place and offer wonderful views of 3 sister peaks, Kumbhakarna / Janu (7710m), Kokthang (6147m), Rathong (6679m), Kabru South (7317m) and North (7338m), Talung (7349m), Kanchenjunga (8598m), Simvo (6811m) and Pandim (6691m).

Day 7: Hike to view point (Phoktay Dara / 3605m / 30-40 minutes), walk to Singalila top and back to the camp

From camp climb steep up for 30-40 minutes to the view point. There is small clear path. We have super panoramic views of Mera peak (6654m), Chamlang (7319m), Baruntse (7220m), Nuptse (7879m), Lhotse (8571m), Everest (8848m), Makalu (8481m), Chomolonzo (7815m), Three sister peaks, Kumbhakarna (7710m), Kanchenjunga (8598m), Pandim (6691m) and many others. We can see many peaks far away towards Bhutan side and really beautiful views of many Sikkim and Nepal hills and many villages around. This is fantastic view point.

After enjoy with great views, we come back to camp for breakfast. After breakfast, we follow the main Singalila path and climb up to the Singalila top. Most of the time, we walk along the ridge line and can see wonderful views. There is a Mani wall and some prayer flags on the high point. From here we have same view as from Phoktay Dara. Later, we come back down and walk along the ridge line through Phokte Dhara for lunch. In the afternoon, we just relax and enjoy with mountain views.

Day 8: trek to Uttarey (1932m / 5 hrs)

From Phoktey dara camp, we descend down through beautiful Rhododendron and Pine forest to Chiwa Bhanjyang (3145m / 50-60 minutes). Here is Police and SSP camp where we should entry our permit. It will take little bit more than 30 min for all process.  

Leaving Chiwa Bhanjyang, the path steeply descends down to Chitrey, here is a border police post. We should entry our permit. After Chitre, we steeply descend to a stream. It is nice walk through beautiful Rhododendron forest. After then it is very easy level and gentle descend along the valley to Uttarey. We have lunch on the way and sleep at guest house in Uttarey.

Day 9: Drive to Yoksum (1720m / 2 hrs)

From Uttarey, we drive back to Pelling and then drive through many beautiful small villages and nice terraces. We visit Khecheopalri Lake on the way which is about 25 km far from Pelling. "Khecheopalri Lake" is mysterious and beautiful, surrounded by prayer flags and forest. The water is crystal clear. Not even a leaf can be seen floating on the water surface although there is a dense forest above the lake. It is said that if a leaf drops on the surface of the water it is picked by bird.

After visit the lake and monastery, we drive to Yoksum, the first capital of the Kingdom of Sikkim. The Norbugang Chorten still preserve evidences of the consecration ceremony of the first Chogyal thought to have been administered by three learned lamas in 1642 AD. In Yoksum, we visit Coronation Throne, village and the Dubdi the oldest monastery of Sikkim, situated on a hill top above Yoksum (2 km).

Day 10: Drive to Gangtok (1674m / 5-6 hrs)

Leaving Yoksum, we descend little bit down, drive through beautiful hill slope passing some waterfalls, villages, small markets, Tashiding and then descend down to Rangit river. We have wonderful views around. We cross Rangit River and follow the main road to near Legship then drive up to Ravangla. Ravangla is beautiful place, situated on top of the hill. Here is a small market, some good restaurants and Buddha park with huge Buddha statue. We visit this statue and park, it is really wonderful and relaxing place. We have also nice views of the mountains in the back ground.

After lunch, we leave Ravangla and descend down to small valley. We drive through many small markets and then again drive up to Gangtok. It is very good drive with wonderful sceneries. Gangtok is capital of Sikkim, situated on a hilltop. Gangtok became the state capital in the mid 19th century. The town has emerged into the mainstream of the tourism industry with more and more tourists visiting this Himalayan state every year. All modern facilities are available here. It lures visitors with its fabulous views of Kanchenjunga and some snow capped peaks. There are many places to visit around Gangtok.

Day 11: Visit Rumtek monastery, back to Gangtok

From Gangtok, it is about 30 min drive to Rumtek. 24 km from Gangtok is the awe inspiring Rumtek monastery, the World Dharma Chakra Centre and the seat of his holiness Gyalwang Karmapa who is the head of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. When the Chinese occupied Tibet His Holiness Gyalwang Karmapa, the 16th incarnate of the original Gyalwang Karmapa of Tibet and head of the Kagyupa sect of Buddhism took refuge in Sikkim. The Chhogyal of Sikkim gifted him some land to establish a new monastery. With its beautiful traditional architecture, carved and painted wood work and magnificent Murals, Rumtek is a splendid example of the Tibetan monastic art in Sikkim. Behind the main monastery is Karma Shri Nalanda Institute of Buddhist studies, which attracts the students from all over the world. The Golden Stupa is on the back side of institute. The Stupa contains the ashes and remains of His Holiness sixteenth Karmapa. Visitors and pilgrims come here to receive blessings and make prayers and aspirations with deep faith and devotion, for peace, happiness and unity for all sentient beings and the entire world. Especially they pray and worship here to fulfill wishes and to eliminate all kinds of obstacles. We have also fantastic views from here.

After visit the Rumtek monastery, we drive back to Gangtok. On the way back, we can visit also Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden. In the afternoon, we visit around the market and some other interesting places.

Day 12: Drive to Kalimpong (1200m / 3 hrs)

From Gangtok, we descend down and drive through several small markets and then Rangpo. Following the Tista River with beautiful sceneries, we leave the main highway near Tista bazaar and drive up to Kalimpong, another very interesting drive. We arrive in Kalimpong for lunch. In the afternoon we visit around the market and some interesting places.

Kalimpong is a hill station situated on a saddle between the hill features of Durpin hill and Deolo hill. Kalimpong means "The fort of the King's ministers. And this name got established when this area was under the Bhutanese, who occupied it in 1706. Before that Kalimpong was a part of Sikkim. Bhutan retained Kalimpong till 1865 after which it along with the Dooars was ceded to British India under the treaty of Sinchula. The missionaries who started arriving here during the last part of the nineteenth century, developed agriculture, dairies and bakeries. Sericulture which involves growth of Silk warms on mulberry bushes also developed. Good schools providing high quality education were established. From Kalimpong, it offers magnificent panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga Range. There are several interesting places to visit in Kalimpong (Kalimpong Arts and Craft Centre, Durpin Dara, Dharmodaya Vihar, Orchid Nurseries, paper factory).

Day 13: Drive to Bagdogra airport (80.5 km / 3 hrs), Fly to Delhi                                              

From Kalimpong to Bagdogra is 3 hrs drives. We have a reasonably early start for the drive back to Bagdogra Airport, where we check in for the flight to Delhi. Arriving in the Indian capital in the afternoon, we transfer to our hotel. This evening we will have a ‘farewell’ dinner. 

Day 14: Departure to your home

Airport transfers are provided for all clients.