Queen of Hills Tour

Queen hills tour is exciting route to discover the jewels of Himachal Pradesh. Spread in the northern region of India, Himachal Pradesh is one of the coveted destinations highly desired for its snowy mountains, lofty hill stations, gorgeous apple orchards and high altitude deserts. The region draped with heavenly beauty and cultural bonhomie is rightly known as Queen of Hills overpowered by mighty Dhaula Dhar, Pir Panjal and Western Himalayas. The tour to Himachal takes you through off-beaten paths and to the less frequented regions of the state.07 Days Queen of Hills Tour in  Darjaling & Sikkim

• DAY 1

  Bagdogra or Bhadrapur (Nepal) airport Darjeeling

  Arrival at airport and meet assistance at the airport and take a scenic drive to Darjeeling "Queen of hill stations" about 5 hours. Lunch will be served on the way at good restaurant. In the evening walk around the local market. Overnight at hotel

• DAY 2

  Darjeeling Sightseeing

  Tiger Hill: You can see Himalayan Sunrise view from Tiger Hill, it is famous in all over world. You can reach by taxi to the 8000 ft.. You will see the magnificent sunrise view of top of Mt. Everest and several other peaks of the great Himalayan range from Tiger Hill. Ghoom Monastery: On the way when you back from the Tiger hill, you can visit the Ghoom Monastery on the Ghoom spur. This monastery one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in India, It houses 12 ft high statue of Lord Budha. Toy train ride to Ghoom, one and only Railway Plat form in India situated at high altitude. Zoo: Padma Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park. You can see wild animal Himalayan snakes, snow leopard, Red Panda. H.M.I. : Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. world famous institute of which the Everest hero Tenzing Norgay was one of the founding members and field director. You will see the HMI museum houses a rare collection of mementoes from various Expeditions.Nawang Gombu who climbed Everest twice. Tea Garden: Approximately 40 minutes walking distance from Darjeeling, you can see and feel the real tea plantations of famous Darjeeling tea that called green valleys. Tibetan Self Help Center: This centre established for the rehabilitation of Tibetan refugees. You can purchase wide range of Tibetan handicrafts.

• DAY 3

  Darjeeling Pelling

  Early morning visit tiger hill for sun rise over the Himalayas. After breakfast drive to Pelling approx -6 hrs, The pleasant little town of Pelling is famous for magnificent view of the snow-capped mountains of Kanchenjunga. Placid Pelling pulls most of the visitors for its representative status in history, nature and culture of the state. Pelling is Situated at an altitude of 6,800 ft, it offers good view of entire mountain ranges including the Koktang, Kumbhakarna, Rathong, Kabru, Dom, Kanchenjunga, Pandim, Zopuno, Shimbho, Narsing, Siniyalchu and others. Overnight at hotel.

• DAY 4

  Pelling - Gangtok

  After breakfast visit Pemayangtse Monastery: Pemayangtse literally means 'Perfect Sublime Lotus'. This is one of the oldest and most important monasteries of Sikkim. Founded in 1705, this monastery belongs to the Nyingma-pa sect. The three-storied building of the monastery houses a good collection of wall paintings and sculptures. On the third floor of the monastery, there is a seven-tiered painted wooden model of the abode of Guru Rimpoche, complete with rainbows, angels and the whole panoply of Buddha and bodhisattva. In January/ February every year, a religious dance called 'Cham' is performed in Pemayangtse.After visiting , drive to Gangtok.In In the evening free and easy day and visit local market around M.G. Marg (Litter free Zone) and Lal market. Overnight at hotel Tibet.

• DAY 5

  Gangtok Chhangu Gangtok

  Chhangu Lake, Sikkim: At 12,800 ft, this famous tourist spot is usually a rather peaceful place. The Tsomgo Lake in Sikkim is a holy lake worshipped by the sikkimese. Tsomgo (Changu) lake, which is hardly 20 km away from the famous Nathula Pass and about 400 km from Lhasa. Its cool, a placid water harmony with the picturesque beauty around, which is increased by its reflection in the lake. A small temple of Lord Shiva is built on the lakeside. Primula flowers and other alpine plantation grow around the Tsomgo lake Sikkim, which has an average depth of 50 ft, provides a pristine beauty to this place. A footpath along the Tsomgo Lake takes one to a resting shed - a walk of about half a kilometer. During the winter months the Tsomgo Lake becomes frozen. The Tsomgo Lake in Sikkim derives its water from the melting snow on the mountains around, the river Lungtze Chu originates from the Tsomgo lake Sikkim and meets the Rangpo-chu further down its course. During the olden times, lamas used to study the color of the water of the lake and forecast about the future. If the waters of the Tsomgo lake had a dark tinge, it foreshadowed a year of trouble and unrest in the state. Tsomgo Lake in Sikkim has a few rainbow trout and if you are lucky you may catch a glimpse at them. Tsomgo lake Sikkim falls in the restricted area and hence an Inner Line Permit, which can be obtained from the Police through the Tourism Department or travel agent is required by visitors to visit this place. Foreign nationals are also permitted to visit this lake. Explore surrounding of beautiful lake by ride on Yak, experience yak safari for few hours. After Lunch drive back to Gangtok. In the afternoon, visit chorten monastery. In the evening walk around local market. Overnight at hotel.

• DAY 6

  Gangtok

  After breakfast, depart for sightseeing of ENCHEY MONASTERY. This monastery is situated in Gangtok on a hill top. It was built during the reign of Thutob Namgyal. This 200 year old monastery has in its premises images of Gods, Goddesses and other religious objects. Every year around January "Chaam" or religious masked dance is performed.Lama Drupthob Karpa is supposed to have built a small hermitage at the spot he reached after he flew from Maenam Hill in South Sikkim. Later during the reign of Sikyong Tulku (1909-1910), the present monastery was built in the shape of a Chinese Pagoda. Following the Nyingma order, it has around 90 monks. The annual Puja is celebrated with dances on the 18th & 19th days of the twelfth month of the lunar calendar. Namgyal Institute of Tibetology and Museum Since its establishment in 1958, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology has sponsored and promoted research on the religion, history, language, art and culture of the people of the Tibetan cultural area which includes Sikkim. The NIT's library holds one of the largest collections of Tibetan works in the world outside Tibet and a museum of Tibetan iconography and religious art. It has published the Bulletin of Tibetology since 1964 and numerous books over the years. The museum, located on the ground floor of the institute, contains a rare collection of statues, ritual objects, traditional art objects, thangkas (painted, woven and embroidered scrolls) and ancient manuscripts in Sanskrit, Tibetan, Chinese and Lepcha. RUMTEK MONASTERY 24 Kms. from Gangtok, a drive through beautiful countryside takes one to Rumtek Dharma Chakra centre built in 1960'S by his holiness the late 16th GYALWA KARMAPA when he took refuge in Sikkim after the Chinese attack. It houses some of the world's most unique art objects, ancient manuscripts and icons. Traditional in design, it is almost a replica of the original Kagyu headquarters in Tibet. Rumtek monastery, a must for every visitor, where one can find some of the worlds most unique art objects, this place is the seat of the Kagyu order -- a close replica of the original Kagyu in Tibet. About 2 Kms. away from Dharma Chakra Center is the rebuilt 300 year old Rumtek monastery which was originally built by the fourth Chogyal. His Holiness late Gyalwa Karmapa lived in this monastery till the completion of the Rumtek Dharma Chakra Center. The annual dances are held here on the 28th & 29th day of the Tenth month of the lunar calendar. After visit to Rumtek Monastery drive back to Gangtok. In the evening free for shopping. Overnight at hotel.

• DAY 7

  Gangtok Bagdogra or Bhadrapur airport (Nepal)

  After breakfast, drive to Bagdogra or Bhadrapur airport and depart to onward destination with lots of beautiful memories of the trip.