Sikkim & Darjeeling

Hiking & culture in Sikkim

Hiking, culture & Tea in Sikkim

A cultural round trip with dayhikes in Sikkim & Darjeeling

Darjeeling is well known all around the world – mostly because of the renowned and popular black tea named after its place of origin.

But Sikkim is still not as well-known by western tourists – without good reason, because the former kingdom has a lot to offer with its rich culture and amazing landscape. We are exploring both on this trip: the major cultural treasures (most of them related to Tibetan Buddhism) and the most beautiful landscapes, which we will explore while hiking in the area.

We will spend the nights in beautiful hotels/resorts and have time for encounters with the friendly and kind people of Sikkim.

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Fixed departure: Hiking & Culture in Sikkim
Price: 1.480 EUR / 1.770 USD
Date: 27. October-08. November 2018
Status: available

Date: 24. March-05. April 2019
Price: 1.480 EUR / 1.770 USD
Status: available

As Individualtour: Choose your prefered time of travel!
Best time of travel: spring & autumn
Price for 1 pax: on request
Price for 2-3 pax: 1.780 EUR/person / 2.130 USD/person
Price from 4 pax onwards: 1.550 EUR/Person / 1.860 USD/person
Price for 8 or more pax: on request

Highlights at a glance

The capital of tea: Darjeeling
Views of the third-highest peak in the world: the Khangchendzonga
The capital of Sikkim: Gangtok
Most beautiful monasteries of Sikkims: Sangha Chöling, Pemayangtse, Tashiding …
Relaxation at the farm resort in Rinchenpong
Hiking off the beaten track

Itinerary
Prices & dates
Services included
As individualtour

Itinerary

Day 1

Departure from hom

Day 2

Arrival in Delhi and Bagdogra

You will arrive in Delhi shortly before or after midnight. You will spend the rest of the night in an airport hotel, as our flight to Bagdroga only departs later in the morning. So you can rest before boarding the plane to Bagdroga, after the two-hour flight we get into our taxis and drive off to Kurseong. We spend the night at a beautiful resort at a tea plantation.B,-,D

Day 3

Tea & more

In the morning we are visiting the tea plantation and tasting the famous Darjeeling tea with a little colonial flair – just like the Britains back then. Afterwards we drive to Darjeeling, where we check into our hotel and explore the city by foot.B,-,D

Day 4

Darjeeling-Sightseeing

All of today is devoted to Darjeeling. If you want to, you can get up very early and experience the sunrise up on Tiger Hill, where on a clear day you can see colossal Kanchendzonga (the highest peak in India and the world’s third-highest peak at 8,586 m) with many other snow clad eastern Himalayan peaks. After breakfast we explore the city and visit the Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering, the Tibetan refugee center and ride the world-famous toy train for a joy ride from Ghoom to Darjeeling. B,-,D

Day 5

Kingdom of Sikkim

After breakfast we drive to Sikkim, now a part of India, but an independent kingdom up until the 1970s. The small state in the north is bordered by Nepal, China and Bhutan. After about a five-hour drive along winding roads we will reach Martam, where we are going to spend the night at the charming Village Resort. If there is enough time, we can do a little walking tour of the village.B,-,D

Magnolias belong to Sikkim

Day 6

Hillstation Gangtok

Today we start early, there is a lot to see and do today. First we visit the important Rumtek monastery, the main seat of His Holyness the Karmapa. Then we start our first hike to the village of Teybindo where our taxis are already waiting to bring us to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. On our way there we can stop at Lingdum monastery, if interested. Overnight stay at a hotel. B,-D

Day 7

A day in Gangtok

Today we explore the city at the hillside, but there is no strict schedule to adhere to. Whatever the group is in the mood for – more culture, walking, shopping, just enjoying yourself…? we will see! B,-,D

Day 8

Old Monasteries & Mani-stones

We are leaving Gangtok today, driving but also putting our hiking boots on again and hiking up to Tashiding monastery, which is surrounded by beautiful mani stones and prayer flags blowing in the wind. After that we drive to Yoksum and hike up to Nyingma Dubdi monastery. Overnight stay at a hotel. B,-,D

Debattierende Mönche im Kloster von Rinchenpong

Debating monks at Rinchenpong monastery

Day 9

Wish fulfilling lake

While our drivers load the taxis, we will start our hike along a partly quite steep path tothe wishing lake Kachepokhri. The taxis will await us there and bring us to Pelling in our Hotel. B,-,D

Day 10

Farmresort

After breakfast we hike up to Sangha Chöling monastery, then visit Pemayangtse monastery and drive on to Richenpong. The next two nights we are going to spend at the beautiful farm resort of a wealthy family. B,-,D

Day 11

Jungle & monastery

Today we are hiking through the jungle – up to the lesser-known monastery of Rinchenpong, where we will behold the scenic beauty and traditional architecture of the monastery. We are going to enjoy the rest of the day at the calm farm resort. B,L,D

Der mächtigste Berg Sikkims und der 3.-höchste der Welt: Khanchendzonga

The mightiest peak of india and the third-highest in the world: Khanchendzonga

Day 12

Colonial flair

We are leaving Rinchenpong for Kalimpong, which has many different aspects to offer – in the evening we will take a walk through the historically interesting city and learn more. Overnight stay at a hotel. B,-,D

Day 13

Bagdogra & Delhi

Early in the morning we drive back to Bagdogra and board the airplane to Delhi. At the airtport hotel there you are going to relax and spend the time until your international flight departs. B,-,-

Day 14

Flight home

Prices and dates

Baisc data at a glance for the group tour:

Date: 27. October-08. November 2018
Min/Max participants: 4/10
Price: 1.480 EUR / 1.770 USD
Single supplement: 430 EUR / 510 USD

Date: 24. March-05. April 2019
Min/Max participants: 4/10
Price: 1.480 EUR / 1.770 USD
Single supplement: 430 EUR / 510 USD

Basic data for individual tours:

Best time of travel: spring & autumn
Price for 1 pax: on request
Price for 2-3 pax: 1.780 EUR/person / 2.130 USD/person
Price from 4 pax onwards: 1.550 EUR/Person / 1.860 USD/person
Price for 8 or more pax: on request

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Services included

All transfers und transporte (see itinerary)
Tour Guidance in English
Accomodation in hotels with full/half board (see itinerary)
All entrance fees (see itinerary)
Sikkim-Permit
Toy Train ride in Darjeeling

Not included

Flights (if desired we can of course find you a flight)
Insurance (travel insurance is recommended)
Tips
Drinks
Visa for India
Vaccinations
Additional costs caused by illness, accident, route changes due to acts of nature beyond control, etc.
Additional costs caused by cancelled or delayed flights

As individual tour

You can choose your own date, but we will happily assist you if you need some help.

Of course this travel can be modified according to your wishes: extend, shorten or change! We are open to (alomst) anything.

In general we’d like to arrange this tour also for single travelers. Only during the very busy times in high season we might have to refuse. Simply ask for possible dates!

Book this tour

Something to read before coming to Sikkim

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