East India Tours

Darjeeling and Sikkim Trekking

From Darjeeling hills where tea plantations stretch as far as the eye can see, to Sikkim, an ancient Himalayan kingdom of Tibetan culture, this trek offers breath-taking sceneries of the Himalayan range from Cho Oyo to Kanchenjunga.
Singalila range is one of the rare spots on earth where the view embraces five summits rising above 8000 m, amongst Everest, Makalu and Lhotse.
On those 19th century English Lords trails, you will trek on easy narrow paths along Indo-Nepali border; sometimes at the edge of the jungle, sometimes trough rhododendrons forests.
The visit of main Sikkim monasteries (Pemayangtse, Tashiding, Rumtek) will give a touch of culture and make of this journey a rare venture.

Level of difficulty *
Maximum Altitude: 3640 m
Best Season : From mid September to May
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Duration : 16 Nights - 17 Days
Destinations : Delhi - Bagdogra - Darjeeling - Tonglu - Garibas - Sandakphu - Phalut - Raman - Rimbik - Pelling - Pemayangtse - Yuksam - Tashiding - Martam - Gangtok - Delhi
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Day 01: Delhi
Your India holiday begins when you arrive in Delhi, the capital city of India. The executive will receive you at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Morning tour of Old Delhi and afternoon of New Delhi visiting the major tourist destinations in the city.

Day 02: Delhi - Bagdogra (by plane)
Darjeeling (2130 m) by private car. A charming 4-hours journey, through Assam tea plantations and tiny villages takes us to Darjeeling. Built on top of a ridge, it faces the Himalaya and is a popular destination for Westerners and Bengalis alike.

Day 03: Darjeeling visit
We could take an early trip to Tiger Hill to see the sunrise. Afterwards we visit the famous Ghoom monastery which enshrines an image of the Maitreya Buddha (the coming Buddha). Later on we can step in the Himalayan Mountaneering Institute, and visit tea plantations.

Day 04: Darjeeling
Manay Bhanjang ( 2134 m) by private car - Tonglu (3070 m) in 4 h walk. The trail overlooks the Bengali plain south, and we have tantalising glimpses of Kanchenjunga ahead, as we zigzag through rhododendrons.

Day 05: Tonglu
Garibas (2620 m) in 4 hrs. We take a mossy paved path, snaking through a succession of forests and hamlets, giving way, from time to time to spectacular mountain sceneries.

Day 06: Garibas
Sandakphu (3640 m) in 4h 30. We steadily climb to join the ridge trail towards Kalpokhari. Afterwards we start a long and steep climb onto the Singalila ridge to Sandakphu. Remarkable 360 ° view at the top.

Day 07: Sandakphu
Phalut (3600 m) in 6hrs. We walk to a prominent viewpoint for the magnificent sunrise lighting the Kanchenjunga, Jannu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyo. Throughout the day, there are ever-changing views: yak herds, silvery pine forests, tiny lakes ringed with grass, and the snow-capped Himalayan range in the background.

Day 08: Phalut
Raman (2560 m) in 5 hrs. A pleasant descent through the woods takes us to Gorkhey (2500 m) then we climb up towards Raman.

Day 09: Raman
Rimbik (2280 m) in 4 hrs. We come pass through numerous villages and cross the Sri Khola by a remarkable supspension bridge.

Day 10: Rimbik
Pelling by private car in 9 hrs.

Day 11: Pelling - Pemayangtse - Yuksam (2 h) PC
2,5 Km far from Pelling, we will visit Pemayangtse monastery. Perched at 2800 m, it is one of the oldest and most impressive gompas in Sikkim.

Day 12: Yuksam - Tashiding - Martam (6 h) PC
En route, we visit Tashiding monastery, one of the most isolated in Sikkim, perched on the top of a hill set between two rivers.

Day 13: Martam
Gangtok (1 hrs.) by private car. We visit Rumtek monastery, reputed for its religious Tibetan art. Visitors are welcome to assist prayers.

Day 14: Gangtok visit.
We will enjoy a visit of the amazing Orchid Sanctuary, where we can see a few of the 454 orchid species listed in Sikkim. To complete the day we will visit Enchey and Do Drul monasteries, and the Tibetology Institute which houses one of the richest collection of thankas and religious works in the world.

Day 15: Gangtok
Bagdogra by private car - Delhi (by plane).

Day 16: Delhi
Day at leisure.

Day 17: Delhi
Transfer to airport for onward journey.