Land of Mystic Mountains

Arrive at Delhi by international flight. A KVT representative will meet you at the airport and later transfer you to the hotel. Afternoon start Delhi sightseeing. We proceed to Old Delhi and visit Jama Masjid – the largest mosque of Old Delhi built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Later go for an exciting cycle rickshaw ride through lively thoroughfares and bustling alleyways of Old Delhi market rarely visited by typical tourists. Arrive at Khari Baoli and see Asia’s largest wholesale spice market. Our exploration continues as we drive past historic colonial landmarks, such as Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House, and India Gate—a poignant memorial dedicated to soldiers of the First World War.
(Meals:- NIL)

After breakfast you will be transferred to airport for flight to Bagdogra. Assistance on arrival at Bagdogra airport and later drive to Darjeeling (3.5 – 4.5hrs drive), as you leave the plains and climb through the winding roads of the Himalayas. Upon arrival at Darjeeling, check in to hotel. Used to be a lovely Victorian town, Darjeeling is spread in ribbons over a steep mountain ridge, surrounded by emerald-green tea plantations and towered over by majestic Khangchendzonga. (Meals:- Breakfast, Dinner)

Early morning we will have a sunrise visit to Tiger Hill – an observatory hill from where, on a clear day, one can see a spectacular stretch of Himalayan horizon, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and few other peaks. On way back we stop at Ghoom Monastery (Yiga Choling Monastery) – built in 1850, this is an important monastery in this region belonging to Gelugpa sect and enshrines a 5m-high statue of Maitrayee Buddha. Late morning we start exploring the hill station. We board the UNESCO World Heritage Darjeeling Toy Train for a 2 hours joyride to Ghum railway station & back. The toy train will stop for 30mins at Ghum where you can visit the Darjeeling Toy Train Museum. Return to the town, we start exploring the Colonial buildings like Planter’s Club – a club built in 1868 for the British Planters and their families; Town Hall & Clock Tower – built it 1850 this heritage building is now the Municipality building. It has a Clock Tower whose old clock plays a lovely music every hour; Head Post Office – built in 1921 it is the oldest post office in this region and an UNESCO World Heritage site. Also visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Zoological Park – known for the Himalayan Red Panda. (Meals:- Breakfast, Dinner)

Morning we drive to one of the beautiful hill station of Pelling (3 – 3.5hrs drive). Upon arrival check in to the hotel. Pelling, a charming town in West Sikkim, beautifully captures the essence of Sikkim with its lush landscapes, cascading waterfalls, and rich cultural heritage and offers stunning views of the Kanchenjunga range. Afternoon we start exploring the hill station with a visit to Khecheopalri Lake – a sacred lake in West Sikkim and considered as wish-fulfilling spot. A fascinating fact about the lake is that despite so much of greenery encircling it, not even a single leaf can be spotted on its surface. Later visit Pemayangtse Monastery – one of the oldest monasteries of Sikkim, built in 1705 and belongs to the Nyingmapa sect of Mahayana Buddhism. (Meals:- Breakfast, Dinner)

Morning we will drive to the capital town of Gangtok (4 – 4.5hrs drive) travelling through the beautiful Himalayan roads. Upon arrival check in to hotel. Gangtok is a jewel nestled amidst the majestic peaks of Sikkim which will captivate your soul with symphony of sights and sounds from its colourful Buddhist monasteries to its bustling markets and breathtaking vistas. Rest of the time free to explore the hill station on your own. (Meals:- Breakfast, Dinner)

We start our day with a visit to Lingdum Monastery – a beautiful monastery belonging to Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism, surrounded by pristine landscape. Later return to the town and explore the other important places. We then visit Enchey Monastery – a 200yrs old monastery belonging to Nyingma order of Vajrayana Buddhism; Do-Drul Chorten; Deorali Orchid Sanctuary – a beautiful sanctuary where one can find around 200 species of Himalayan orchids & Namgyal Institute of Tibetology – an establishment built to sponsor and promote research on the religion, history, language, art and culture of Tibet and Himalayan region (Institute is closed on Sundays). (Meals:- Breakfast, Dinner)

Moring we drive to Kalimpong (2.5 – 3hrs drive), a quaint little town that beckons travelers with its laid-back charm and breathtaking natural beauty tucked away amidst the rolling hills and misty mountains of the Eastern Himalayas. Upon arrival at Kalimpong you check in to hotel. Later proceed for a sightseeing of Kalimpong to visit Deolo Hill – the highest point of Kalimpong and has a beautiful flower garden, Dr. Graham’s Home – this orphanage and school was built in 1900 by Dr. JA Graham to educate children of tea-estate workers, and now has 1300-odd students; Durpin Monastery – Kalimpong’s largest monastery located on the Durpin hill, Macfarlane Church and Pine View Nurseries (Cactus Only). We will also visit the Handmade Paper Industry. (Meals:- Breakfast, Dinner)

Morning we leave the mountains and drive to Bagdogra airport for flight back to Delhi. Upon arrival we connect our onward international flight back to the home country. (Meals:- Breakfast)