Around midnight arrive in Delhi. New Delhi is the cosmopolitan city and the
capital city of India. It is the main gateway for travelers coming to India.
Upon arrival, you will be received by an Indo Vacations representative and
moved to the hotel.
Today we will drive to the airport for the flight from New Delhi to
Bagdogra. Sikkim is the second smallest state in India and is in the east
Himalayas, sandwiched between Nepal to its West and Bhutan to its East and
Tibet/China is to its north. Sikkim is rich in flora, fauna and has a
diverse ethnic and cultural population as no other state in India has. After
arriving at Bagdogra we will drive through the forests and tea gardens and
head towards our today's destination Pemayangtse (The perfect Sublime
Lotus). We visit the headquarters of the Nyingama sect in Pemayangtse.
Day 03 : Pemayangtse
After viewing sunrise on Mount Kanchenjunga in the morning, we will
visit Pemayangtse and Sanga Choling Monasteries - which are prime bird
watching sites. The birds that can be spotted here are Mountain Hawk
Eagle, Black Eagle, Himalayan Griffon, Common, Oriental and Indian
Cuckoo, White-throated Needletail, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Lesser Yellow
Nape, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Hoary-throated and Rusty-fronted
Barwing. Other species of birds that are found here are Striated,
Grey-sided and Greater Necklaced Laughing Thrush, Rufous-winged and
White-browed Fulvetta, Whiskered Yuhina, Cutia, White-browed
Shrike-Babbler, Rufous Sibia, Blyth's, Ashy-throated, Lemon-rumped and
Yellow-browed Warbler, Dark-breasted Rosefinch and Red-headed Bullfinch
etc.
Day 04 : Pemayangtse - Kalimpong

Today we will drive from Pemayangtse to Kalimpong. Kalimpong is a remote
hill station which has been a meeting point of the once "three
closed lands" on the trade route to Tibet. Kalimpong is a lovely
resort with beautiful mountain scenery and the abundance of flowers. The
neighboring nations, Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan have left a mark on the
lifestyles of the local people which is visible through the social and
religious beliefs. We will be visiting the monastery Tharpa Choeling at
Tripai which houses a library of tibetan manuscripts and Tankhas, which
belongs to the yellow Hat sect. We drive up to Darpin Dara, the highest
point in Kalimpong with superb views over the plains.
Day 05 : Kalimpong
Today we will drive to Lava Forests, Rushet Forests, and Neora Forests.
Lava is the prime birding destination in this region and is situated at
the altitude of 2100 m. This area is circled by the large tract of
forests. One can spot Crested Goshawk, Eurasian Sparrow hawk, Eurasian
Buzzard, Black Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Kalij Pheasant, Barred Cuckoo
Dove, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Greenbilled Malkoha, Brown Wood Owl, Golden
throated Barbet, Striated Bulbul, etc. After visiting this area we drive
back to Kalimpong.
Day 06 : Kalimpong - Rangeet Valley - Damthang Forests - Rabangla
Today we will drive through the Teesta and Rangit Valley towards
Damthang Forests. While on the route we will stop to look for Red
Junglefowl, Dollarbird, Great Barbet, Greater Yellownape, Orange bellied
Leafbird, Common Lora, Blue Rock Thrush, Chestnut bellied Rock Thrush,
Oriental White eye etc. At the Damthang Forest we will view some birds,
like Eurasian Buzzard, Eurasian Kestrel, Grey winged Blackbird, Buff
barred Warbler, Blyth Leaf Warbler, Grey hooded Warbler, Black faced
Warbler, Rufous gorgeted Flycatcher, Red flanked Bluetail, Blue fronted
Redstart, Grey Bushchat, White throated Fantail, Chestnut tailed Minla,
Red tailed Minla and more. Then we will drive to Rabangla.
Day 07 : Rabangla - Pemayangtse

In the morning we will drive to Menam forests of Oak, Chestnuts,
Magnolia and Rhododendrons. One may also come across some of the species
of birds as seen at Damthang. In the afternoon drive to Pemayangtse,
which we will reach by evening.
Day 08 : Pemayangtse - Gangtok (about 120 km)
The capital of Sikkim "Gangtok" lies on a ridge overlooking
the Ranipool River. Gangtok ("High Hill")is situated at an
altitude of 1760 m and is circled by Kanchenjunga range. We visit
Tsuk-la-Khang, the royal chapel standing on a high bridge, a major place
of worship and has large and impressive collection of scriptures. We
also visit the institute of cottage industries which produces a wide
range of local handicrafts in Lepcha style.
Day 09 : Gangtok
Today we drive to the monastery of Enchey. This monastery is said to be
200 years old. The monks of this monastery belong to the Mahayana
Buddhism. After visiting Enchey monastery we drive to Martham
Village-Resort, where we can spend the afternoon at leisure. Here one
can go for nice walk or a ride on the local horses of this area.
Day 10 : Gangtok
Today we visit the unparalleled Research Institute of Tibetology on a
hilltop. This institute was established in 1958 to promote research on
Tibet and Mahayana Buddhism. Here we can see the biggest collection of
Tibetan scripts and a superior collection of rare Tankhas, bronze and
cult objects. We also visit orchid Sanctuary which lies south of the
institute. The sanctuary has over 450 indigenous species. Sikkim is
considered paradise for orchid lovers. After visiting the sanctuary we
walk through the bazaars of Gangtok through the area of old palace and
visit the monastery Gylwa. The major highlight of our excursion remains
today the monastery of Rumtek. Rumtek monastery built as a true copy of
the Tibetan monastery in recent years is the headquarters of Red hat
sect of Tibetan lamaistic Buddhism.
Day 11 : Gangtok - Darjeeling (about 100 km)

After
having breakfast we proceed north of the state through the coniferous
forests and terraced tea gardens and arrive in Darjeeling. Darjeeling
(place of the thunderbolt) is spectacular place to visit. Thanks to its
altitude of 2134m and soothing temperature in Summer, which makes it a
famous hill resort in India. Enjoy the memorable views of Himalayas by
clear weather.
Day 12 : Darjeeling
Early in the morning we drive to Tiger Hill (around 11 km) to enjoy the
sunrise at the Tiger hill(2590 m.). This is the highest point in this
area and gives a breathtaking view of the sunrise on Kanchenjunga. Mount
Everest(8842 m) is also visible on a clear day. Many visitors describe
the sunrise from Tiger Hill as unforgettable. In the afternoon we
explore Darjeeling and its surrounding. Then we visit the village
Lablong and the institute of mountaineering where we get the detailed
information about the natural surrounding and its habitants of this
area.
Day 13 : Darjeeling - Yoksom
Today we will drive to Yoksom and discover birds around Yoksom. Some of
the birds one can find here are: Mountain Hawk Eagle, Crimson breasted
Woodpecker, Maroon Oriole, Short-billed and Grey chinned Minevets,
Himalayan Bulbul, Red -tailed Minla, White-naped Yuhina, various
Thrushes, Grey winged Blackbird, various Tits, White tailed Nuthatch,
and various sunbirds, and various bushcats.
Day 14 : Yoksom - Darjeeling - Bagdogra
Today we drive back to Darjeeling via Jorthang and Naya Bazaar. We will
drive back to Bagdogra through the wild Tista valley.
Day 14 : Yoksom - Darjeeling - Bagdogra
Today we drive back to Darjeeling via Jorthang and Naya Bazaar. We will
drive back to Bagdogra through the wild Tista valley.
Day 15 : Bagdogra - New Delhi (by air)

In the afternoon we drive to the airport to catch the flight from
Bagdogra to New Delhi. Enjoy rest of the day at leisure (opportunity for
the last shopping or enjoy a massage in the Hotel). After dinner we
leave the hotel for the Airport.
Day 16 : New Delhi
Around midnight catch the flight to your home destination.