Lachung – Gangtok- Silk Route Tour

The second day starts very early. Get- up around 3:45 AM for a short trip to Tiger Hill to enjoy a memorable sunrise view (subject to clear weather), 11 km away. On your way back, visit the other attractions including Ghoom Monastry, War Memorial and Batasia Loop. Later, back to the hotel for breakfast. Post breakfast, continue with sightseeing including Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (Closed on Thursday), Ropeway, Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center (Closed on Sunday), Tea Estate, Natural History Museum (Sunday Closed) and Peace Pagoda.

Those visiting Darjeeling must not miss sunrise views from Tiger hill over the Kanchendzonga Peak. When the first rays of the rising sun sheds light on the Peak, the view looks extremely beautiful. The hill is amidst lush greenery of thick oak forests, forming a beautiful sight for the on-looker. The morning sun looks like an orange-colored ball that rises from behind the hills.

Peace Pagoda, opened in November 1992, is an important attraction here and is placed on the slopes of Jalaphar hill. This sacred site showcases the 4 avatars of Lord Buddha. The tallest free-standing structure in the town, this pagoda has 2 lion models on the either sides of the wall on the lower level. The huge Buddha statues are golden in color and are carved in the walls. As you climb the stairs and reach the top, enjoy nice views of the surroundings. Take Parikrama around the huge dome-like structure and spot Buddha statues in various postures.

Enjoy wonderful views of the verdant tea plantations and snow-covered peaks while aboard the Cable Ride that takes you to the beautiful Rangit Valley from Darjeeling. Take a walk in the lush tea gardens of Darjeeling while the fresh aroma fills your nostrils.

Placed inside the well-maintained garden at Batasia Loop, the Gorkha War Memorial is a tribute to the Gorkha soldiers who sacrificed their lives in battles. Batasia Loop also offers toy train ride that passes around the loop and offers a 360 degree view of the landscape from a high point. The evening is free. Stay overnight.

Today, get an assisted transfer to Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim state. Placed at an elevation of 1600 meters above the sea level, Gangtok is known for its monasteries, abundant scenic beauty and a pleasant climate. One of the most popular destinations in north-east India, Gangtok has a number of viewpoints to treat enjoy mesmerizing views of the landscape. The hill town boasts of housing several varieties of butterflies, Orchids and Rhododendron. As you reach, check-into the hotel. Later, leave for sightseeing. Visit the popular tourist attractions of Gangtok including Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom, Research Institute of Tibetology, Do Drul Chorten (Stupa), Enchey Monastery, White Hall and Flower Show.

Possibly Sikkim’s biggest stupa, Do Drul Chorten was built on a hillock in 1945 by Late Truslshi Rimpoche, the head of Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The golden -colored dome is the most striking feature of this structure. 2 huge statues of Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava) look stunning. In the complex, one can spot lamas doing their prayers.

Enchey Monastery, founded way back in the year 1909, is a splendid place of worship. As the monastery is perched on a hill, it offers a nice view of Mt Kanchenjunga. Popular for its Chinese—Pagoda like design, the gompa’s inside walls are decorated with images of deities. Lord Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava are worshipped here. The complex also has a monastery.

There is a permanent flower show at Flower Exhibition Center situated near Ride Park and White Hall. Entry fee is INR 10 per head and children below 5 years are free. The exhibition area is a small green house with various kinds of colorful flowers like orchids, roses, gerberas, carnations, celosia etc, on display (according to season). Do not miss clicking photographs here.

If time permits, you can visit the Mall road in the evening. Stay overnight in Gangtok.

After morning breakfast on day 4, we move towards north Sikkim region. Check-out from Gangtok at around10:00 AM and begin driving for Lachung. Located at an altitude of 9600 feet above the sea level, Lachung is a beautiful village amidst lush peaks, that form an enchanting view for the tourists. Cascading waterfalls, snow-covered mountains, dazzling streams and a pleasant climate allure travelers from all around. Apricot, apple and peach orchards are an added bonus. Blankets and woven rugs are what you should get your hands on.

On the way, halt at a few wonderful places Tashi Viewpoint- for enjoying mesmerizing views of the landscape, Kabi Lungstok- a popular historical town that also has Buddhist monastery, Naga Waterfalls- click some photographs at this fall. Later continue to Chungthang to visit the meeting point of Lachen Chu and Lachung Chu and finally at the Twin Waterfalls and Bhim Nala Waterfalls for some memorable moments. Savor lunch at Namok (at your own cost).

Evening arrival at Lachung. Complete the check-in formalities at the hotel. Relax for a while. Dinner and overnight stay a Home Stay Mandela Inn ( A home far away from your home).

Post breakfast, get all set for a day’s trip to the beautiful Yumthang valley, lying at an altitude of 11, 800 feet above the sea level. En-route you come across a popular hot spring, known for having water with medicinal properties, which can cure skin diseases. Later, continue to Yumthang. Popularly known as ‘Valley of Flowers’, this valley looks very beautiful during spring, when colorful flowers like Alpine, Primulae, Rhododendrons and more are in full blooming mode. During winters, the valley is covered with a sheet of white snow. Enjoy the amazing weather and treat your eyes to the beautiful views. Overnight Stay in Lachung

In the afternoon, back to Lachung have a delicious lunch, after having lunch is free for the enjoy the beauty of its landscape.

After having breakfast transfer to Gangtok . Overnight stay.

Start your Morning with a delicious breakfast at hotel. Next is the excursion to Tsomgo Lake & Baba Mandir which is nearly 40 kilometers. The beautiful Tsomgo Lake is an oval shaped glacial lake. 1km in length and nearly 50 feet in depth, the lake lies at an altitude of 12,400 ft. Though covered in snow for most of the year, Brahmini ducks & many migratory birds call it home. Enjoy the view of birds, rest on the lake banks and snap ample pictures to make the moment memorable. On the banks of the lake lies a sacred Lord Shiva Mandir. The holy site should be visited as well.

Baba Mandir is another sight to visit. The temple is name after an army man; Baba Harbhajan Singh who sacrificed his life for the nation. Hailed as "Hero of Nathula" the Sikh is revered as a deity.

The drive to Nathu La Pass, entry to Republic of China is nearly 20 kilometers and is an optional tour. The beauty of the place and the thrill of being almost to another nation tempt you for a ride.

After that you’ll be transfer to Rongli en-route visit world highest Gulf Course, Ice Hockey ground, Polo Ground and tourist best attraction the Elephant lake ( Bidan Chu), also visit historicak Tukla Valley, Old Baba Mandir, Jalepla Pass view, Memayenchu, Gnathang Valley view, Lungthung, Thambi View point from Zigzag road, Zuluk and Kew Khola water Falls, which all are on the way. Finally reach Rongli in lunch time. Have a delicious lunch.
The evening is kept free for your leisure. Explore the city at will. There are lots to see, enjoy and cherish.

(In case of landslide or any reasons if Tsogmo Lake is closed, alternative sightseeing will be provided).

Start last day with morning breakfast in hotel. Drive Aritar via Rhenock, en-route visit beautiful KaliKhala falls, visit India’s second largest Siddhi Vinayak temple at Rhenock Bazar, Ram Gauri Sangrahalaya at Rhenock, Dak Bungalow at Aritar, one and only boating lake of Sikkim Lampokhari, Aritar Monastery, Fusrey lake ( A natural lake in which you may view the reflection of Mount Kanchen junga inside the lake), Rai temple at Mangkhim and Aritar lake view from Mangkhim view point. Come back to hotel for post lunch. After lunch is free for your personal leisure.

On the last day, have breakfast. After completing the check-out formalities get an assisted transfer to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station / Bagdogra Airport / Tenzing Norgay Bus Stand for your onward journey.