INDIA

Sikkim Cultural Safari

TOUR DATES : JANUARY THROUGH MAY &
September through December

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A Journey into Himalayan Culture

Touring the Himalayan foothills of Sikkim, this private journey weaves together an exquisite combination of cultural treasures and breathtaking scenery. Passing through lush valleys in a region rich in Tibetan Buddhist heritage, you’ll discover charming villages, ancient monasteries, and viewpoints offering panoramic vistas of towering mountains, including the Kanchenjunga massif, comprised of five peaks known as the “Five Treasures of the Great Snow.” In Darjeeling, amidst stunning tea plantations, you can savor a variety of freshly grown teas while enjoying magnificent views. At Kalimpong, a historic hill station serving as a cultural crossroads between Sikkim, Bhutan, Tibet, and the Bengal plains, experience a unique fusion of cultures, diverse architectural styles, and excellent shopping opportunities for religious scroll paintings, woolen garments, and wooden crafts.

PRIVATE JOURNEY DATES:

October – March

2 TRAVELERS

From $8,235 Per Person

INTERNAL AIRFARE:
(Delhi – Bagdogra – Delhi)

From $290 Per Person

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INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS

Land Prices Include:

Ground transportation in Mongolia as described in the itinerary;
Transfers upon arrival and departure;
All accommodations based on double or twin occupancy (hotel rooms and gers);
Meals as noted in itinerary;
Bottled/filtered water throughout the trip and soft drinks during meals;
All excursions, entrance fees, and visits as described in itinerary;
Extensive pre-departure Travel Guide, reading list, important information about your trip;
Bilingual Nomadic Expeditions guide throughout your stay.

Land Prices DO NOT Include:

International airfare; internal airfare is quoted separately and subject to change by airlines;
Tips to guides/drivers;
Passport and visa fees;
Comprehensive medical and trip insurance;
Airport taxes;
Excess baggage charges;
Photography and video fees;
Food and beverages not included in the group meals;
Items of a personal nature, including alcoholic beverages, laundry and telephone calls;
Other items not specifically mentioned as included.

Itinerary

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Days 1-2

Arrival in Delhi and Exploring the City

Upon arrival in Delhi, you’ll be met and escorted to your hotel. The next day, explore the contrasts of Old and New Delhi. Take a bicycle rickshaw through the narrow alleyways of Chandni Chowk to the Jama Masjid. Drive by India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President’s official residence. Visit the Laxminarayan Mandir Hindu temple and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Qutub Minar, a striking 72.5-meter minaret showcasing Indo-Islamic Afghan architecture.

Day 3

Kalimpong: A Quiet Hill Station

Fly to Bagdogra Airport and drive three hours to Kalimpong, a stunning and relaxed “hill station” at 4,500 ft. Explore this quaint mountain town, where various ethnic groups live in harmony, and visit the hilltop monastery offering panoramic valley views. Enjoy a traditional Sikkimese dinner.

Days 4-5

Exploring Gangtok’s Spiritual Splendor

Drive to Gangtok (5,700 ft.), surrounded by monasteries and orchids. Hike or drive to Enchey Monastery, perched on a ridge with spectacular views. The next day, stroll through the spice and vegetable bazaar, visit the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology to learn about Mahayana Buddhism and Tibetan culture, and explore the awe-inspiring Rumtek Monastery, the seat of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism.

Days 6-7

Pelling’s Historic Charms

Drive to Pelling, built on a ridge line with unobstructed views of the Kanchenjunga massif. Visit Pemayangtse Monastery, one of Sikkim’s oldest, overlooking the Rabdentse ruins. The next day, explore the Rabdentse ruins, the former capital of the Kingdom of Sikkim, and visit Rimbi Waterfalls, Rimbi Rock Garden, and the holy Kechopalri Lake.

Days 8-9

Darjeeling: The Fabled Hill Station

Drive to Darjeeling (7,000 ft.), a beautiful and intriguing place steeped in British Indian influence. Rise early to visit Tiger Hill for a stunning sunrise over the Himalaya, including Kanchenjunga. Stop at Ghoom Monastery, the area’s oldest, and visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, featuring a museum with equipment used by Tenzing Norgay to climb Everest.

Day 10

Return to Delhi and Departure

Drive to Bagdogra airport for your flight to Delhi, where you’ll rest before your connecting flight home.

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