Sikkim Himalayan Odyssey
Sikkim - Darjeeling - Assam- Meghalaya - Nagaland
Day 01: Tashkent/Delhi/Darjeeling
Meet on arrival and transfer to hotel ((booked from previous night, 24 sep))
After breakfast transfer to airport connect flight to bagdogra
meet on arrival and drive to darjeeling (93 kms/04 hrs). On arrival check-in at hotel.
Day 02: Darjeeling
early morning excursion to tiger hill to see sunrise & while coming enroute visit ghoom monastery.
Tiger hill : tiger hill (2621m) 11 miles from darjeeling, the great mount everest is visible on clear days. At sunrise and sunset, the snow-clad mountain peaks constitute a glorious feast of colour.
Ghoom Monastary : which has an image of maitreyee buddha and buddhist manuscripts.
Pm: visit darjeeling city
Darjeeling city : visiting observatory hill and temple of mahakali himalayan mountaineering institute, zoological park, tibetan refugee self help centre etc.
Day 03: Darjeeling
half day excursion to mirik lake (45 kms)
Mirik is being developed as a hill resort. The town is centered around the sumendu lake. Landscaped gardens, the tourism department cottages and boating facilities have made mirik an attractive resort town. Mirik is 1767 m above sea level.
The sumendu lake - the major attraction of mirik. The arch bridge across the lake is 80 ft. Long. Boating and fishing are two of the most popular pastimes here.
Rameetay dara - a viewpoint from where one can get a sweeping view of the plains and the mountains. Sunrise and sunset seen from this point are unforgettable sights.
evening free to visit mall
Day 04: Darjeeling/Rinchenpong
drive darjeeling/rinchenpong (75 kms/2½ hrs). On arrival check-in at guest-house
The upcoming tourist spot in the western part of sikkim, has a magnificent command over the mountain views, sunsets and rise, flora and fauna, village tourism ,historical sites and heritage of resum monastery, old as time. Rich forests and ample area for soft treks.
Background of rinchenpong gompa. Rinzing thinley gyatso a great tantrik and a religious leader from tibet came to this place and preached here, he had lots of disciples, he wanted his precious antiques to be buried and laid the foundation of this monastery. His belongings were buried and the monastery was made step by step. The monastery belongs to the nyingmapa sect.
Day 05: Rinchenpong/Pemayangtse
Drive rinchenpong/pemayangtse (60 kms/2 hrs). On arrival check-in at hotel.
Pemayangtse - a beautiful village at an altitude of 2085m. Pemayangtse holds the distinction of housing the second oldest monastery in sikkim. The resident monks performs all ceremonies and rituals for the sikkim royal family. not only is pemayangtse worth visiting for its monastery, the many idols and beautiful carvings
Day 06: Pemayangste/Yoksum
Drive pemayangtse/yoksum (45 kms/2 hrs). On arrival check-in at hotel.
The hamlet of yuksam is set amidst pristine hills and lakes, where according to the historical records and it was here in 1641 ad the first chogyal (king) phuntsok namgyal of sikkim was consecrated by the three wise lamas. Yuksam literally means the meeting place of the three learned monks. This was the first capital of sikkim. The norbugang chorten and the coronation throne are the silent witnesses to the event of 1641.
At dubdi, two kms from yoksum, stands the oldest monastery in sikkim. This was the residence of gyalwa latchen thembo
Day 07: Yoksum/Gangtok
After breakfast drive yoksum/gangtok (145 kms/5 hrs) visiting tashiding monastery enroute. On arrival check-in at hotel.
Pm: visit gangtok the orchid sanctuary, research institute of tibetology, government institute of cottage industries and the market place etc.
Day 08: Gangtok
after breakfast full day visit rumtek monastery – 23 km from gangtok, has one of the biggest monasteries, founded in the early 18th century. If houses about 150 lamas and is a serene place. The structure of the monastery is in keeping with strict traditional styles of architecture. The presiding priest here is his holiness gyala karmapa, believed to be the 16th reincarnation of a celebrated master.
This excursion normally takes 5-6 hrs. Rest of evening free for spending time at mall
Day 09: Gangtok/Kalimpong
after breakfast drive from gangtok to kalimpong (77 kms) one marvels at the endowment nature has given to this area… rolling hills and deep valleys, topped with the snowy peaks of the himalayan ranges.
on arrival check-in at hotel
afternoon: sightseeing tour of kalimpong: a quiet, relaxed type of town awaits you in kalimpong where one may meditate in peace and tranquility of a monastery or walk through a milieu of different cultures through the exciting “market place” on ‘hat’ days.
Day 10: Kalimpong/Bagdogra/Guwahati
Drive kalimpong/bagdogra (79 kms/3 hrs) straight to airport,
meet on arrival and transfer to hotel vishwaratna or similar.
In the afternoon visit assam state zoo-cum-botanical garden and shankerdev kalashetra. Overnight at the hotel.
Guwahati : situated on the southern bank of the brahmaputra river in the kamrup district of assam, guwahati is a fast growing premier city. It is the gate way to the north eastern states of india and a principal center of socio cultural, political, industrial and trade and commerce of the entire region. Dispur, the capital of assam is a part of guwahati. Earlier, this city was full of areca nut trees rappled by pan creepers. Hence, this city subsequently got the name guwahati. The word ‘guwa’ in assamese means areca nut and hat means market.
Srimanta shankerdeva kalashetra - a multi-art complex portrays the rich cultural diversity and life of assam as well as that of the north-east. This art complex has been named after the greatest vaishnava saint and the integrator of the assamese society, which is why it is chosen as the venue for many cultural activities. Enjoy the sound and light programme on the history of the region here.
Note: assam state zoo-cum-botanical garden remains closed on friday and srimanta shankerdev kalashetra remains closed on monday of the week.
Day 11: Guwahati/Manas National Park
After breakfast we drive to manas national park (180km/5 hrs). Overnight at bansbari lodge.
Manas national park -the most scenic park in asia, a tiger country and a bird’s paradise. It is blessed with a beautiful combination of grasslands and woodlands. This park is a paradise for nature lovers. It is a haven for no less than 20 highly endangered species e.g. Pygmy hog, royal bengal tigers, asiatic elephants, hornbill, hispid hare etc. A unesco world heritage site, this extremely picturesque park is located at the base of the bhutan himalayas.
Day 12: Manas National Park
Early morning go for an elephant safari. After breakfast, explore the park in an open jeep. In the evening, go for a nature walk in and around the park. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 13: Manas/Shillong
Depart for shillong (280 kms/8 hrs),– the “land of clouds” driving through the nilachal hills of assam. Check in at the hotel evening at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Meghalaya, swaddled amidst wraith-like mists is aptly called “the abode of clouds”. It is one of india’s prettiest states inhabited by the khasis, jaintias and garos. It is known for its matrilineal society, which governs lineage and ancestral inheritance through the female line. It stands out for its traditional and natural beauty among the other states. Its historical strengths have been irreversibly linked with its superlative natural setting.
Day 14: Shilong/Cherrapunjee/Shilong
A day trip to cherrapunjee (56 kms/2 hrs), 1300 mt – once the heaviest rainfall area in the world. The drive will give us a spectacular view of deep gorges and the rolling hills luxurious with tropical vegetation that boast an innumerable variety of ferns, moss and orchids. At cherrapunjee, we explore the lime- stone caves . Enroute visit mawphlang sacred forest- this is a dense forest where the lyngdoh (chief) use to offer sacrifices and prayers.
At an altitude of 1300 mts above sea level, sohra (cherrapunjee) was once the heaviest rainfall area in the world. Sohra has gorges, luxurious vegetation and boasts of an innumerable variety of ferns, moss and orchids. It was here that the welsh missionaries and the ram krishna mission started their services in the khasi hills
Day 15: Shilong/Kaziranga National Park
After breakfast depart for kaziranga (280 kms / 6 ½ hrs) and check in at bonhabi resort or similar. (only for overnight stay. No activities possible as the park remains closed in october)
Kaziranga national park – a world heritage site, is home to more than 75% of the world’s population of the great indian one horned rhinoceros. Kaziranga has a wide variety of fauna and avi fauna in a unique habitat. Grasslands, mainly comprise close tangled and thorny rattan cane, elephant grass and tall trees of the evergreen forest , interspersed with numerous water bodies, marshes and shallow pools. The main wildlife besides the rhino comprise of the asiatic water buffalo, elephant, tiger, leopard, swamp deer, barking deer, hog deer and sambar. More than 400 species of birds are found in the park.
nb: the parks remains open from 1st week of november to end april only
Day 16: Kaziranga/ Kohima
After breakfast depart for kohima (215 kms / 5 hrs). Enroute visit the garampani hot spring located in the karbi anglong district of assam. It is believed that this spring has got medicinal value. Check-in at hotel japhu or similar for 3 nights. Afternoon option to visit state museum and local market.
kohima the capital town is situated at an altitude of 1495 metres above sea level. It is the home of the angami nagas. A pretty town, it is endearingly unspoilt, tranquil and immersed in history
The state museum showcases a collection of rare articles of different tribes, which speak about the history and tradition of the nagas.
Day 17: Kohima
Today explore dzukou valley. Overnight at the hotel.
The dzukou valley is tucked away at 2438 meters above sea level, behind the japfu range about 30 kms south of kohima. As the month of june & september arrives, the entire valley is covered with a carpet of wild flowers. The dzukou valley is an ideal place for nature lovers. This is one of the best trekking spots in the north-eastern region. The valley is surrounded by hills, natural caves & rocks and is thus, ideal for camping. Despite the difficult terrain and non-availability of facilities, this is one of the most frequented trekking spots in the entire north east india.
Day 18:Kohima
After breakfast visit the ruins of medieval kachari kingdom and then drive to kohima (80 kms/ 2 hrs) and visit state museum. Check in at hotel. Afternoon visit 2nd world war cemetery, where the famous battle of tennis court took place, the handloom and handicraft emporium and the local market.
Kohima the capital town is situated at an altitude of 1495 metres above sea level. It is the home of the angami nagas. A pretty town, it is endearingly unspoilt, tranquil and immersed in history
Ww ii cemetery, a symbolic memorial raised as a citation for the supreme sacrifices made by the officers and the soldiers during world war ii. It was here that the japanese invasion was stopped, thereby changing the whole scenario in the asia frontier.
The state museum showcases a collection of rare articles of different tribes, which speak about the history and tradition of the nagas.
The state emporium displays the finest collection of tribal shawls, handbags, wood carvings, mekhelas, cane and bamboo handicrafts and ready made garments of traditional weaves, designed to modern tastes.
Note: cemetery and emporium remain closed on saturdays & sundays. Cemetery also remains closed on 1st dec for maintenance purpose while state museum remains closed from saturday to monday.
Day 19: Kohima/Jorhat
Today we depart for jorhat (260 kms/ 6 hrs). Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel gk palace or similar.
Jorhat is another tea hub in the upper assam region. It is the headquarters of the jorhat district and is the gateway to majuli island. Many small and big tea estates surround this town and were planted in the british days
Day 20: Jorhat/Majuli/Dibrugarh
After breakfast drive to neematighat (12kms/20mints) for ferry crossing (2hrs upstream boat cruise- the time depends upon the water level of the river) to majuli - the largest inhabited river island in the world and famous for the vaishnavite satras or monasteries (kamalabari satra, auniati satra, benganti satra, and many more) and culture. It is nestled between the confluence of the subansiri and the brahmaputra river. Visit the monasteries and interface with the tribes on the island. Return to the mainland and drive to dibrugarh (140 kms/3hrs). Evening enjoy a dance performance by an ethnic dance group on the bungalow lawns. Overnight at the chang bungalow.
Majuli island-a world heritage site, is located in the brahmaputra river and is the largest inhabited riverine island in the world. The island has long served as a monastic retreat to the vaishnavite community and is noted for its beautiful rural setting and the traditional assamese and mishing tribal architecture.
On arrival, you will be transferred by road to a monastery, enroute pass through both assamese and mishing villages - the mishing houses are typified by being built on stilts and their ‘long house’ style of design. At the monastery you will be given an orientation tour by one of the monks of the monastic cell and temple. Please note that you will be expected to remove your shoes when entering the vaishnavite monasteries. These satras were set up by srimanta shankerdev, the leader of vaishnavite revival in the 16th century. These are active and nurture the traditional dance form ‘satriya’ (which is the 5th nationally recognized dance form other than bharatnatyam, kathak, kathakali and manipuri), music and crafts (mask- making), besides religious teachings.
Dibrugarh is the gateway to the “hidden land” of eastern arunachal pradesh and northern myanmar. The ahoms from thailand came through northern myanmar to this area in the 13th century to establish their empire which thrived in the ancient land of assam. It is the “camellia” town of upper assam, an undisturbed haven, with its rich tea gardens resembling a lush green carpet. Experience and enjoy the richness of these tea gardens while staying at the heritage chang bungalows. These are constructed on stilts and are situated in a serene atmosphere free from pollution.
When the british established their tea plantations in the mid-19th century they quickly built comfortable bungalows designed to make life as pleasant as possible in what, was to them, a hostile and strange land. One of the main features of these buildings has given rise to their name – chang bungalows. Chang in the local language means “raised on stilts” and the design served multi purposes- to keep the house cool by allowing the breeze to blow underneath and to keep both water and animals out!
Bihu is the most popular folk dance of assam. The people of assam are very proud of its unique position among all other such dances of india. Except bhangra (the popular folk dance of punjab), no other folk dance in india can compete with the rhythmic exuberance of the bihu dance. ‘bihu’ performed by young men and women reflects youthful passion and joy rejuvenating life during the spring season, accompanied by songs woven around the theme of love and physical yearning. The dance is performed by all- irrespective of caste, creed and religion.
Day 21: Dibrugarh Fly Out/Delhi
After breakfast, we take you on a tour, around a tea estate to learn all about tea – its origin, how it is grown and all about tea tasting and its quality. Thereafter leave for dibrugarh airport (20 kms/ 40 mins) to board flight for delhi.
A tea tour through a 157 years old heritage tea garden gives an insight into the different activities that vary from season to season. It teaches us all about tea- its origin, how it is grown, tea tasting and its quality. During the winter months the dormant bushes are pruned to ensure vigorous growth during the warmer months. Once the rains begin, and the temperature rises, the gardens come alive with teams of colorfully dressed tea pluckers, predominantly ladies as they are said to be better able to pluck the delicate buds and leaves. The harvest, which goes on continuously from march to november, is taken everyday to the factory where it undergoes an age old process of being turned into the finished product. All stages of the process are carefully controlled to ensure that the tea that leaves the factory is only of the highest quality, a quality that has made assam tea world famous.
meet upon arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Day 22: Delhi/Tashkent
Early morning transfer to airport for connect flight to back home.
