North East Itinerary
DAY 1
Bagdogra/NJP to Gangtok 125 kms 4 hours approx.
Assistance upon arrival at the railway station or airport, and then take a car to Gangtok. Located at an elevation of 1750 meters, Gangtok was established as the state capital in the middle of the 1800s and has had tremendous growth ever since. Large government buildings adorned with traditional Buddhist iconography dominate the downtown area. Additionally, Gangtok serves as a stopover for visitors heading to North Sikkim. Gangtok, surrounded by orchids and monasteries, is a true traveler’s paradise. Spend the night in the lodging.
DAY 2
Excursion trip to Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir
After breakfast at the hotel, head 35 kilometers (or 12,400 feet) up to Changu Lake for a full day of exploration. The snowmelt from the nearby mountains supplies the lake’s water. According to legend, lamas could predict the future by observing the hue of the lake’s waters. Go to Baba Mandir as well. Spend the night in the lodging.
Note: The Nathula Pass, which costs approximately Rs. 5500/-per car when paid for in full, is dependent on the availability of permits, the weather, and road conditions. Additionally, Monday and Tuesday are closed. and due to a restriction on the number of vehicle permits, it will be on a clubbing/sharing basis during the season.
DAY 3
Gangtok to Darjeeling
After a hotel breakfast, go to Darjeeling. Check into the hotel upon arrival. Spend the night in Darjeeling.
DAY 4
Darjeeling local sightseeing two points (04 AM to 07AM) and best points (9.30 AM to 1.30 PM or 2.00 PM to 6.00 PM)
(Based on the availability of permissions and tokens) Visit Tiger Hill in the morning to witness a stunning sunrise and the Himalayan Mountains, which include Mount Everest and the Kanchendzonga. Just before sunrise, one can observe the horizon changing hue, and suddenly the entire Himalayan range turns golden. It is a very magnificent site, and on the way back from Tiger Hill, one can visit the 15-foot-tall picture of Mythey Buddha at Ghoom Monastery, the oldest monastery in the region, which was founded in 1875. Afterwards, I went back to the hotel to have breakfast.
After breakfast, continue with a city tour that includes stops at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (closed on Thursday), which Tenzing Norgay founded after scaling Mount Everest, the Zoological Park (closed on Thursday), the Peace Pagoda, the Tibetan Refugee Center (closed on Sunday), Tenzing Rock, Gombu Rock, and the Tea Estate (from outside). Spend the night in the lodging.
Note: The Darjeeling HMI and Zoo are closed on the first Thursday of each month.
DAY 5
Darjeeling – Bagdogra/NJP
After a hotel breakfast, head to Bagdogra or NJP in time for your next train or flight.