| Day
01: Arrive Kathmandu |
Overnight
hotel |
| Arrive
at Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu, you are
welcomed by the hospitable meeting and then you will be
transferred to your hotel. Our guide will explain briefly
the program upon arrival at hotel. |
| Day
02: |
Overnight
hotel |
|
AM: Visit Kathmandu city and Swayambhunath
 Kathmandu’s
Durbar Square is one of three durbar (royal
palace) squares in the Kathmandu Valley. It is the site
of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace Complex, which was the royal
Nepalese residence until the 19th century and where important
ceremonies, such as the coronation of the Nepalese monarch,
still take place today. The two-hectare (five-acre) palace
complex is divided into two main chowks, or courtyards,
and was initially constructed in the 16th century, although
subsequent additions were made in the Shah (Gurkha) dynasty
in the 18th century and by the Rana rulers in the 19th
century. The palace is decorated with elaborately-carved
wooden windows and panels and houses the King Tribhuwan
Memorial Museum, dedicated to the monarch who opened up
Nepal to the outside world, and the Mahendra Museum, dedicated
to his son, King Mahendra.
 Swayambhunath
the golden spire of the 5th-century Swayambhu stupa
is adorned with a colourful fluttering of prayer flags;
it crowns a hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley and
offers fantastic views over the city of Kathmandu. Swayambhunath
is one of the most recognisable symbols in Nepal and the
painted eyes of Buddha watch all who ascend the worn stone
steps. It is a World Heritage Site and one of the holiest
Buddhist sites in Nepal, and is at the source of the Valley’s
mythical beginning. Legend has it that the history of
the Valley began with the draining of an ancient lake
by an Enlightened Being to reveal the Valley and a lotus
flower was transformed into the hill and the shining light
became the stupa itself. Swarms of pilgrims and red-clad
monks circle the complex, spinning the prayer wheels,
while the scores of monkeys that give the temple its nickname,
Monkey Temple, prance about in irreverent groups. Interestingly
the temple complex is scattered with shrines and statues
of Buddhist and Hindu deities and the assortment of pilgrims
from both faiths characterises the country’s unique religious
harmony.
PM:
Visit Patan City.
 Patan
is 15 minutes drive from Kathmandu. Lalitpur, the city
of beauty is separated from Kathmandu only by the Bagmati
River and is the second largest town in the valley. Lalitpur
is fragmented from other cities due to its substantive
architectural ancient masterpieces. Patan's central Durbar
Square is absolutely packed with temples: Its an architectural
center point with a far greater concentration of temples
per sq. meter than in Kathamandu or Bhaktapur.
|
| Day
03: Fly Kathmandu/Bhadrapur |
Overnight
hotel |
| Meeting
and assistance at the Airport by our Sikkimese counterpart
and drive to Darjeeling (144km/6hrs) with stop at the border
for immigration formalities and hot lunch at Marina's in
Baghdogrs. Overnight at Hotel New Elgin in Darjeeling. |
| Day
04: Sightseeing Darjeeling (3124m) |
Overnight
hotel |
| In
the morning visit Happy Valley Tea Garden, Himalayan Mountaineering
Institute and Zoo, and Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center.
Afternoon take Toy Train ride to Ghoom (subject to availability),
visit Railway Museum and Ghoom Monastery. O/N Hotel New
Elgin. |
| Day
05: Darjeeling /Ganthok |
Overnight
hotel |
| Early
morning trip to Tiger Hill to view sunrise over the Himalayas.
After breakfast drive to Gangtok with halt at Rangpoo for
Sikkim Permit and Lunch. (116km/5-6hrs). O/N Netuk House. |
| Day
06: Sightseeing in Ganthok (1600m) |
Overnight
hotel |
| Morning:
Ganesh Tok View Point, Enchey Monastery, Handicrafts Center
and Flower Show (if available). Afternoon: Institute of
Tibetology and Rumtek Monastery (24km from Gangtok). O/N
Netuk House. |
| Day
07: Ganthok/Pemayngtse |
Overnight
hotel |
| Drive
to Pemayngtse via Rabong La with hot lunch at Rabong La.
O/N Norbu Gang Resort. |
| Day
08: Full day Pemayngtse |
Overnight
hotel |
| Whole
day sightseeing in Pemayangste - Sanga Choeling Monastery,
Pemayangste Monastery and Rabdanste Palace (Rabdanste was
the second capital of Sikkim). O/N Norbu Gang Resort. |
| Day
09: Drive to Yuksom |
Overnight
hotel |
| After
early breakfast drive to Yuksom, the first capital of Sikkim
where the first Chogyal (Religious King) of Sikkim was consecrated
in 1642. On the way visit Kecheopalri Lake. Check into hotel
and after lunch walk to hermit's retreat at Dhubdi Monastery
(circa 1700), possibly the oldest monastery in Sikkim. O/N
Hotel Tashi Gang. |
| Day
10: Drive Yuksom to Kalimpong |
Overnight
hotel |
| After
early breakfast drive to Kalimpong. Visit Tashiding Monastery
on the way. It takes about 45 min to 1 hour to walk up to
the monastery and about 30 min to walk back. Proceed to
Kalimpong after monastery visit with pack lunch on the way.
O/N Himalayan Hotel. |
| Day
11: Full day Kalimpong |
Overnight
hotel |
| Sightseeing
in Kalimpong. Morning: Durpin Danra View point, monastery
and flower nursery. Afternoon: Delo View point and local
market. O/N Himalayan Hotel |
| Day
12: Fly Bhadrapur/Kathmandu. |
Overnight
hotel |
| Drive
to Bhadrapur to connect the flight to Kathmandu. Rest of
the day at your leisure. O/N Hotel. |
