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Trip
Duration : 15 Nights /16
Days
Places Covered :
Kolkata – Gangtok –
Lachung – Pemayangtse – Darjeeling – Pandua
– Murishidabad – Vishnupur – Kolkata –
Raichuk – Sunderbans – Kolkata
Day1 : Arrive Kolkata
Arrive Kolkata international
airport and welcomed by Travel Pals executive to transfer to
hotel for immediate check-in with ready rooms.
Day2 : Kolkata – Bagdogra (by air) - Gangtok
(125 kms / 4 hrs)
After breakfast, transfer to the
domestic airport to catch a flight to Bagdogra. On arrival drive
through the lovely hills with variety of flaura and fauna to be
seen on the way to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. It is often
referred to as the ‘Lofty Hill’. Arrive Gangtok by
late afternoon to check into hotel. Evening free. Overnight at
hotel.
Day3 : Gangtok
After breakfast, take a morning
city tour of Gangtok. Visit the Rumtek Monastery, Nehru Botanical
Garden, World Dharma Chakra Centre, Do Drul Chorten and the
Flower Show complex. Overnight at hotel.
Day4 : Gangtok – Lachung (124 kms / 5 hrs)
After breakfast, proceed to a one
of the most breathtaking places in Northern Sikkim, a small
Bhutia village- Lachung. Sprawled on the bank of Lachung Chu,
Lachung is also known to retain its unique culture and tradition.
Overnight at hotel in Lachung.
Day5 : Lachung - Yumthang - Lachung
Breakfast at hotel, followed by a
full day excursion to Yumthang - at an elevation of 11,800 feet
and 24 kms away from Lachung is a paradise for nature lovers with
a fascinating blend of flora and fauna and breathtaking scenic
grandeur. The valley is also home of the Shingbha Rhododendron
Sanctuary. Yumthang: ‘Tsa-Chu’ is immensely popular
for its curative properties and healing power. Return to Lachung.
Overnight at hotel.
Day6 : Lachung – Pemayangtse (250 kms / 9
hrs)
After breakfast, we start on the
long but through some of the most breathtaking scenery that
Sikkim has to offer. We drive to Pemayangtse (The Lotus) a
mountain hamlet. The place houses the prestigious Pemayangtse
Monastery and is closest to the motorable viewpoint for Mt
Kanchenjunga. Arrive Pemayangtse late evening and check into
hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day7 : Pemayangtse
Breakfast followed by a leisure
walking tour covering the three famous landmarks –
Rabdantse, Sangacholing and Pemayangtse. First you head for the
Rabdantse Palace – once the second capital of Sikkim is now
a historical monument. Further down you reach the Sangacholing
Monastery- the second oldest in Sikkim. You then visit the
Pemayangtse Monastery belonging to the Nyingma-pa order of
Tibetan Buddhism. It was built as a small temple in the late 17th
century wooden sculpture portraying the Mahaguru’s Heavenly
Palace Sangthokpalri. Overnight at hotel.
Day8 : Pemayangtse – Darjeeling (118 kms / 4
hrs)
Breakfast at hotel. Then drive to
Darjeeling. On arrival check into hotel, followed by a half-day
guided tour of The Himalayan Zoological Park, Tibetan Refugee
Self Help Centre and the Happy Valley Tea Estate. Overnight at
hotel.
Day9 : Darjeeling – Pandua
Early morning around 03:30 am
leave hotel for the famous Tiger Hills to view the sunrise over
the Kanchenjunga Peak and other Eastern Himalayan Peaks (subject
to clear weather). Return to the hotel for breakfast. Later, take
the famous Toy-Train ride, declared a World Heritage Site by
UNESCO, till Batasia Loop and then walk up to Ghoom Monastery.
The monastery enshrines a 10-foot image of the Maitreya Buddha
(the Coming Buddha). Return to the hotel. Afternoon drive to
Pandua. On arrival check into hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day10 : Pandua – Murshidabad (145 kms / 3
hrs)
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to
Murshidabad. The events at this place changed the history of
India. At Plassey near Murshidabad the historic battle between
Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula and Lord Clive had taken place. The relics
strewn today speak of those times. But the history of this region
date back perhaps further. The famous Chinese traveller Hiuen
Tsiang, who made the long journey to India in 629-645 AD, in his
world famous travelogue describes Karanasubarna near Murshidabad
as the first capital of the ancient Bengal. On arrival check into
hotel. Afternoon visit the Hazarduari, Great Imambara, the Jain
Parswanath Temple and the Moti Jhil, a fine place to view the
setting sun. Overnight at hotel.
Day11 : Murshidabad – Vishnupur (115 kms / 2.5
hrs)
Breakfast. Proceed to Vishnupur
(Bishnupur), famous for its beautiful terracotta temples and
artefacts. On arrival check into hotel. Afternoon visit
Rasmancha, the oldest brick temple, the Pancha Ratna Temple,
Jorebangla temple and Madanmohan Temple. Evening free for
shopping at the bazaars filled with local and traditional
artefacts. Overnight at hotel.
Day12 : Vishnupur – Kolkata (150 kms / 3.5
hrs)
Breakfast at hotel. Then proceed
to Kolkata, previously know as Calcutta. On arrival, check into
hotel. Take a half day guided tour driving around this once
British colonial capital built in the 18th century. Kolkata
originated largely due to the expansionist ambitions of the
European powers, especially the British Raj. Little wonder,
Kolkata has some of the finest Raj edifices built in a variety of
styles. Visit the Victoria Memorial and Fort William. Overnight
at hotel.
Day13 : Kolkata – Raichuk (50 kms / 1.5 hr)
Breakfast followed by a half-day
guided tour of Kolkata visiting the Indian Museum, Kali Mandir
and Belur Math. Afternoon transfer to Raichuk the riverside
retreat developed by the Raddisson Group into a small township
with exclusive bungalows. On arrival, check into resort.
Overnight at resort.
Day14 : Raichuk – Sunderbans (85 kms / 2 hrs)
After early breakfast, depart for Basanti (2.5 hrs drive) to
board a boat to Sajnekhali. On arrival at Sunderbans, transfer to
the forest resort. Sunderbans is home to the Royal Bengal tiger;
the national park is a part of the world's largest delta formed
by the rivers Ganga (Ganges) and Brahmaputra and is also known
for its unique mangrove forest ecosystem. Overnight at the
resort.
Day15 : Sunderbans
After breakfast, take a cruise along the backwaters of the delta
to reach the National Park. Spend the day at the moving through
estuarine delta, the largest in the world. The wildlife includes
the world famous Royal Bengal Tiger, a major attraction in the
tiger reserve. Some of the other attractions include chital,
crocodile, monkeys, estuarine and marine turtle, dolphins and
various kinds of birds. You can also visit the ruins of a
400-year-old temple at Netidhopani. Return to resort. Overnight
at resort.
Day16 : Sunderbans – Kolkata (135 kms / 2.5 hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Kolkata. On arrival at check into hotel
for wash-n-change and transfer to international airport to catch
connecting flight.
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