9-Day Sikkim and Darjeeling Tour with Gurudongmar and Yumthang

• Meet your guide at New Jalpaiguri Railway Station or Bagdogra Airport and transfer to Gangtok, the cleanest hill station in Northeast India. Travel parallel to the mighty Teesta River and reach Gangtok after about 4 hours of travelling.

Check in at the hotel for a night halt.

• Have breakfast and head to Lachen (9,800 ft.).

• En route, visit Singhik View Point, Seven Sister Water Fall, and Naga Water Fall, and arrive at Lachen by evening.

Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay at Lachen.

• Rise early for a morning drive to Chopta Valley (13,200 ft.) and Gurudongmar Lake (17,100 ft.).

• Return to the hotel and, after lunch, transfer to Lachung (8,800 ft.).

• Arrive in Lachung by evening.

Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay at Lachung.

• Have breakfast and head out for an excursion to Yumthang Valley, 24 km away at 11,800 feet (3597 meters), where the tree line ends and the hills begin. It is also known as the Valley of Flowers, with a marvellous blend of flora and fauna and hot springs.

• If you wish, visit Yumesamdong at a height of 15,300 ft. (4663 meters), also called Zero Point, from Yumthang Valley. Zero Point is an India-Tibetan Autonomous Border where the roads come to an abrupt end. It is an angelic valley renowned for its scenic beauty in Sikkim. Look up into the Himalayas and see the view of Kangchenjunga, with the sweet fragrance of Azalea flowers permeating the air.

• Return to the hotel.

• In the afternoon, have lunch and transfer to Gangtok.

Overnight stay at Gangtok.

You may pay an extra cost of Rs. 3000-3500 to the driver (payment outside the itinerary).

• Enjoy your breakfast and proceed for local sightseeing in or around Gangtok, including Tashi View Point, Ganesh Tok, and Hanuman Tok. These viewpoints offer a panoramic view of snow-capped Himalayan peaks and Gangtok city.

• Proceed to visit Rumtek Monastery/Jhakri Falls, the Institute of Tibetology to see Tibetan antiques, Orchid House (a collection of Himalayan orchids), Enchay Monastery, and Do Drul Chorten.

• Visit famous MG Marg, a market for shopping, and have Sikkimese delicacy food at a local restaurant.

• Eat breakfast and head for an excursion to Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir, nearly 40 kilometres away and about a 2-hour drive along the Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary, home to the Red Panda and the blood pheasant, with rhododendron and other alpine trees. Situated at an elevation of 3753 meters/12310 feet, the lake is oval-shaped, nearly 50 feet deep, and generally covered in snow for most of the year. This lake is home to Brahmini ducks and many migratory birds. In the case of a landslide, you will not be able to reach Tsomgo Lake (12,400 feet), and an alternative will be arranged for you.

• Nearby is the sacred Baba Mandir, known to be a very holy site. Nathu La Pass to the Republic of China is nearly 20 kilometres further from Tsomgo and is an optional tour. Prior permission is required to visit Nathula Pass. Extra cost applies for an extended tour to Nathula (Rs. 3500/4000). Booking for Nathula is made one day before, and a permit is given according to the availability of the Tourism Department. The tour operator will not be responsible if a permit is not given. This is the highest point in Sikkim reachable by car. However, visitors with heart conditions or concerns about high-altitude sickness are advised to avoid this destination.

Return to Gangtok for an overnight halt.

• Have breakfast, check out at 7:00 a.m., and drive to Darjeeling via Namchi.

• Sightsee Samdruptse and Siddhesvar Dham, a miniature replica of the Indian Char Dhams located in the country, namely Jagannath Dham in the East, Dwarika Dham in the West, Badrinath Dham in the North, and Rameshwaram in the South. It also has a 108 ft. statue of Lord Shiva enclosed by the 12 Lingas, a temple of Shirdi Sai Baba, and an effigy of Lord Kirateshwara. It gives a feeling of complete mental peace and satisfaction.

• Head onward to Darjeeling.

Overnight stay at Darjeeling.

• Explore Darjeeling. Although Darjeeling town is small, the district of Darjeeling spans more than 1,200 square miles. It includes majestic mountains and valleys, beautiful tea gardens, lakes, waterfalls, forests, villages, and more. You therefore have great opportunities to take lovely scenic drives to some amazing places where you can spend the day.

• Go for early morning sightseeing (3 points: 4 a.m. to 7 a.m.) at Tiger Hills and enjoy the beautiful sunrise over Kanchenjunga Peak, subject to clear weather.

• Visit Batasia Loop and Ghoom Monastery on the way to the hotel.

• Continue with the second round of sightseeing and cover 7 points (9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.).

• Appreciate the Darjeeling full-day city tour covering Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (closed on Thursday), Happy Valley Tea Estate, Tenzing Rock or Gombu Rock Climb, Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre (closed on Sunday), the beautiful Japanese Temple, Peace Pagoda, and the City Ropeway.

Halt for the night at Darjeeling.

• Have breakfast and drive back to your final destination, Bagdogra Airport or New Jalpaiguri Railway Station.