East Himalayan Tour

Arrive by International flight, our representative would assist you at airport & transfer to
hotel for check in.
Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds the ancient with
modern. Its strategic location was the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as
their seat of power. In fact, more mythological cities are believed to be here, like the city
of Indraprastha from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, founded around 5000 BC. Numerous
monuments were built over several centuries by different rulers like Qutub-ud-din Aibek,
Alauddin Khilji, Tughlaks, Humayun & Shah Jahan, who built the Walled City Shah
Jahanabad.
Later in first half of 20th century much of New Delhi was planned by Sir Edwin Lutyens,
who laid out a grandiose central administrative area as a testament to British rule in India.
The division in walled city & New Delhi also marks the division in life styles.
Overnight Hotel – Delhi (B)

Today we will take Flight to Bagdogara & drive to Darjeeling, Queen of India's hill stations.
Its setting is one of incomparable beauty. A Victorian town of old world charm 'discovered'
by the British. It is surrounded by fragrant tea gardens which seem to flow over the layered
slopes like emerald swells on a rough sea.
Overnight Hotel – Darjeeling (B, D)

Today morning we visit Tiger Hill, famous for its magnificent view of Kanchenjunga, Mt.
Everest & other eastern Himalayan peaks especially at the time of sunrise. On our way back
we first visit Ghoom, as the name suggests it is gloomy & clammy with perpetual fog. A
Tibetan village, one can hear the foghorn-like sounds of Buddhist monks blowing their giant
Gyeling pipes from the rooftops of the nearby Yiga-Choling ' Yellow Hat' Buddhist Temple.
Later we visit the two Buddhist monasteries Chholing & Darli.
After some rest we take a ride of toy train of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), now
a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also visit the Mountaineering Institute, created by the
late Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa who conquered Mt Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary. A
display of equipment used on the climb is one of the highlights.. Next we visit the Tibet
Handicraft Centre & the beautiful Tea gardens. In the evening visit the Observatory
Hill known locally as Makal-Babu-Ko-Thaan. According to legend, a Red Hat Buddhist
Monastery called Dorje Ling, or 'place of the Thunderbolt', stood at this very spot. The
Nepalese destroyed it in the 19th century, now the Shivas & Buddhists share the temple that
stands there today.
Overnight Hotel – Darjeeling (B, D)

Today we drive to Gangtok, a fairy-tale capital in the clouds, balances precariously on Steep
Mountain slopes, Surrounded by lush rice terraces, swifts flowing rivers & distant snow
views. It is situated in the lower Himalayas & was a small hamlet until the construction of the
Enchey Monastery in 1840 made it a pilgrimage centre. It became a major stopover between
Tibet & British India at the end of the 19th century.  It is also a centre of Tibetan Buddhist
culture & learning with numerous monasteries & religious educational.
Half Day Tour
Later we take a tour of Gangtok, visiting Research Institute of Tibetology, organization
dedicated to furthering Tibetan studies, Buddhist philosophy & region. It attracts scholars
from all over the world. It houses a rare collection of 30,000 books, Tantric documents, rare
manuscripts written in gold on the bark of a poisonous tree, antique thanks & 200 icons, all
prized objects of art for the Buddhism.
Overnight Hotel – Gangtok(B, D)

Today we take an excursion tour to Tsongo Lake, considered extremely sacred by the local
people. The place is a paradise for bird lovers with large number of Blue Whistling Thrush,
Redstarts & Fork tails around. It hosts a number of migratory birds prominent among which
is the Brahminy ducks. The word Tsongo in Bhutia language means source of the lake. Next
we visit Do Drul Chorten, are two exquisite Stupas, the Dul-dul-Chorten, was built to
commemorate the victory of good over evil. The Jhang Club Chorten wasbuilt to perpetuate
the memory of a great spiritualist of today. Thrul-Shik Rinpoche an ardent devotee of Buddha
& one of his best interpreters died in 1962, the stupa immortalizes Rinpoche in the land of his
birth. Next we visit Rumtek Monastery, meandering roads through emerald green rice
terraces, lays Rumtek, the main monastery of Kagyud or 'Black Hat' sect of Tibetan
Buddhism. Built in 1959 by His Holiness the 16th Reincarnated Gyalwa Karmapa, it is a
replica of Tsurphu Monastery from the Kham region of Tibet.
Later we visit Himalayan Zoological Park also known as Bulbuley. It has paved cement
path that passes by fenced open air enclosure housing the Red Pandas, barking deer & bears
in a semi natural habitat. Next Government Institute of Cottage Industries (GICI), which
produces crafts in authentic Sikkimese designs. Hand woven Tibetan carpets sprout dragons
in natural dyes, Sikkimese-style tables called Choktse are expertly carved & colored in red &

gold. Also explore Lal bazaar, melody of colour. Various ethnic groups from different
villages gather to haggle, bargain, gossip their wares.
Overnight Hotel – Gangtok (B, D)

Today we take an excursion toPhodang, original monastery has been rebuilt & like Ralong
& Rurntek the main annual Puja is performed here on the 28th & 29th days of the tenth
month of the lunar calendar with religious dances being the main attraction.
Overnight Hotel – Gangtok

Today we drive to Rumtek, also called the Dharmachakra Centre, is a Tibetan Buddhist
monastery Originally built by the 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje in the year 1740. It served
as the main seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage in Sikkim. But when the 16th Karmapa arrived
in Sikkim in 1959, after fleeing before the Chinese occupation of Tibet, it was in ruins.
Despite being offered other sites, the Karmapa decided to rebuild Rumtek. To him, the site
possessed many auspicious qualities & was surrounded by the most favorable attributes. For
example Flowing streams, mountains behind, a snow range in front, & a river below.
Overnight Hotel – Rumtek (B, D)

Today we drive to Kalimpong, an incredible stunning backdrop of towering snow capped
peaks. This exotic town of beautiful people, mystical & enchanting, with a rare ethnic blend
of hill people. It also houses several Buddhist monasteries which hold a number of rare
Tibetan Buddhist scriptures. It was ruled by Bhutan for 155 years & was annexed by the
British only in 1865, after which it flourished as a centre of wool trade with Tibet. Here
Buddhism rubs shoulders with Hinduism & Christianity. Gumpas, unusual churches, temples
& missionaries coexist in a jovial society.
Overnight Hotel – Kalimpong (B, D)

Today we visit Thongsa Gompa also known as the Bhutanese Monastery. It is the oldest
monastery in Kalimpong & was founded in the year 1692. Though the old structure was
destroyed by the Gorkhas, it was rebuilt on the same site. Next visit the Zong Dog Palri Fo-
Brang Gompa, which is on the Durpin hill & is famous for the Tibetan wall paintings. It also
has a religious debating society along with a school of Tibetan medicine.
Later we visit Tharpa Choeling Monastery founded in 1937 & belongs to the Gelugpa
(yellow hat) sect of Tibetan monastery. This Monastery houses many old scriptures & literary
works. Next Dr Graham's Home, mission school was founded by Scottish missionary Dr.
John Anderson Graham in 1900. The purpose of the school was to educate children of the tea
garden workers & poor labourers. We also visit few nurseries around town
Overnight Hotel – Kalimpong (B, D)

Today we drive to Bagdogara to take a fight for Delhi. This is a wonderful drive & initially
you follow the turbulent Teesta.
Upon Arrival in Delhi transfer to International Airport for onward destination.
Our tour concludes: We thank you for your patronage & look forward serve you again in
near future.