Sikkim Monastery

Gangtok City

DAY 1 (19th Mar) Arrive Kolkata Assemble (18:30hrs) & depart from KLIA2 with Air Asia.Arrive Kolkata at midnight, Meet & transfer to Hotel, Overnight at Kolkata Airport Hotel.

DAY 2 (20th Mar) Bagdogra – Darjeeling (93 Kms 3.5 Hours Approx.) (B/L/D)After breakfast at Hotel, Transfer to Domestic airport to connect flight for Bagdogra, Assistance on arrival at Bagdogra Airport & transfer for Lunch at Local Restaurant, Later drive to Darjeeling.

DARJEELING: Standing high in the Himalayas at an altitude of 2134m, ‘Dorje Ling’, or place of the Thunderbolt, offers breathtaking views of snow-capped mountain peaks, with the Kanchendzonga rising higher than all the others.

Often referred to as the “Queen of the Hills”, it remains just as alluring with its tiny waterfalls, little villages and a narrow gauge railway track. Surrounded by World Famous Tea Gardens and snow capped mountains, Darjeeling remains one of the most exotic destinations. Graeme Westlake in his book ‘ An introduction to hill stations on India’ refers to Darjeeling as having “A view Scarcely Unrivalled on Earth”.A walk around the hotel - visiting Observatory Hill, St Andrew Church and Chowrasta Shopping Mall.Overnight at hotel.

DAY 3 (21st Mar) Darjeeling (B/L/D)Early morning visit Tiger Hill and Ghoom Monastery.Tiger Hill: It is 13 kms from Darjeeling and one can see beautiful sunrise and Himalayan Range like Kanchandzonga , Mount Everest etc. One can see the horizon changing colors just before sunrise and then the entire Himalayan range turn golden. It is truly a majestic sight.Ghoom Monastery: This is oldest Monastery in the area which was built in 1875 and one can see the image of Maitreya Buddha 15ft. height on the way back from Tiger HillBreakfast at the hotel and go for a Joy toy-train ride.Toy Train: The spectacular landscape

unfolds as the 2-foot gauge Darjeeling Himalayan railway, opened in 1881, labours at about 10 mph criss-crossing the road. It has tiny 4-wheel locomotives (some over 100 years old) like living legends. One can experience the sound, smell and romance of a bygone era. DHR is a work of genius and technological achievement of 1881. It has social and cultural importance. It is beautiful and has outstanding universal appeal. Based on its unique features, it is considered to be of lasting significance to mankind. Afternoon proceed for city tour.Himalayan Mountaineering Institute/Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park: The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was started in Darjeeling when Tenzing Norgay climbed Everest (1953) to give training to learn Mountaineering and other adventure sports related to mountaineering and in that Institute one can see equipment etc. used by Mr. Tenzing Norgay and Everest Museum having complete details on Everest.

10DAYS 09NITESPILGRIMAGE TOUR TO SIKKIM, INDIA

Tsomgo Lake

Sikkim Valley

Within the institute, one can visit Himalayan Zoological Park where one can see Himalayan animals like Snow Leopard, Tibetan Wolf, Tibetan Yak, Himalayan Black Bear and several varieties of birds.Tibetan Self-Help Centre Or Refugee Centre: This institute is run by Tibetan Refugees to preserve their handicrafts and one can see

making of Tibetan Carpets, Leather work, Paintings and Wooden work etc.Overnight at hotel.

DAY 4 (22th Mar) Darjeeling – Pelling (110 Kms 6 Hours Approx.) (B/L/D)Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Pelling.PELLINGLocated at a distance of 110 kms from Gangtok Pelling is another serene, mountain village which lies in the western districts of Sikkim. This village is situated at an altitude of 2000 mts (approx) and the distance from this village to the mount Kanchandzonga, as a crow flies…is 26 kms approx. Afternoon visit Pemayangtse monastery and Rabdentse Ruins – PEMEYANGSTE MONASTERY.2.5 Kms from Pelling and standing at 2085m. The Perfect Sublime Lotus, perched on a wooded hilltop, commands the most sublime view of the Khangchendzong.Built during the late 17th century, it is one of the oldest and most important monasteries of the Nyingmapa order of Buddhism in Sikkim. To the present day, it is only the monks of this monastery who enjoy the title of ‘Tasang’ or pure monks. The importance of this monastery grew with time and reached its peak when only monks from this monastery could anoint the reigning sovereign of the land with holy water.Pemayangtse monastery follows the Mindroling tradition besides holding the lineage of Lhatsun

Chenpo. Mindroling monastery was founded by Minling Terchen Gyurme Dorje whose famous daughter Jetsun Migyur Paldon lived near Pemayangtse and taught there during her exile. Her stone throne is still to be seen in this monastery, which has 108 monks. The main attraction of the monastery is the wooden replica of Zangdog Palri; the celestial abode of Guru Padmasambhava built by Serdup Lhundrup

Dorje Rinpoche in 1971. The annual chaam (monk dance) is held here on the 28th and 29th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar.Rabdentse- Sikkim’s second capital. The ruins of Rabdantse are worth exploring. The winding track through the forest brings you to a small set of ruins of the early town and eventually on the ruins of the palace with Chorten (stupa) nearby. Farther afield are the Changay Falls.Overnight at hotel.

DAY 5 (23th Mar) Pelling –

Gangtok via Buddha Park (127 Kms 6-7 Hours Approx.)Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Gangtok. En-route visit Buddha Park.GANGTOK: At an altitude of 1750m, Gangtok became the state capital in the mid-19th century and has undergone rapid development since then the downtown area is dominated by huge government buildings decorated with traditional Buddhist symbols. Gangtok is also a resting ground for people traveling to North Sikkim. Surrounded by Monasteries and Orchids, Gangtok is truly a travellers delight.Overnight at hotel.

DAY 6 (24th Mar) In Gangtok (B/L/D)This morning in Gangtok, visit the Rumtek Monastery: 24 Kms. from Gangtok is the awe -inspiring Rumtek Monastery the world Dharma chakra Centre and the seat of His Holiness, the Gyalwa Karmapa, who is the head of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Behind the main monastery is the lavishly decorated Karmae Nalanda Institute of Buddhist Studies,

which attracts students from the world over. Opposite the entrance to the Institute is a small hall featuring a beautiful jewel studded Chorten the Golden Stupa, which contains the ashes and remains of His Holiness the xvi Gyalwa Karmapa. According to legend, it is believed that after years of meditation, the first

Karmapa was said to have been visited by ten thousand fairies who came to congratulate him each of whom offered a strand of her hair as a

gift. These were said to have been woven into a black hat, which was passed down and is still at the Rumtek Monastery today. It is said that unless held on to by the wearer (who of course, cannot be anyone else but the Karmapa) or kept in a box, the hat would fly away.Enchey Monastery, drive to View Points such as Tashi view and Ganesh Tok, followed by visit of Flower Exhibition and stroll on the promontory near the White Hall and Palace complex. Before lunch, visit the Cottage Industries showroom and workshop. Afternoon is free to rest or pursue your own interests. Overnight in Gangtok.

DAY 7 (25th Mar) Gangtok– Tsogmo Lake – Gangtok (B/L/D)After breakfast drive for a memorable excursion tour to Tsomgo Lake (12,400 ft. /39 km), one of the highest altitudes Himalayan Lake. This beautiful oval shape lake almost 1 km long with its average depth 50 ft is situated in east Sikkim Himalaya. From here we will drive further 15 km to Baba Mandir. One can further drive to Nathula pass (12,000ft.) towards china border depending upon the accessibility of the route. We will back to Gangtok by late afternoon. Evening is free for roaming around M.G Marg, the popular Shopping area in Gangtok.

DAY 8 (26th Mar) Gangtok – Kalimpong (80 Kms 03 Hours Approx.) (B/L/D) Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Kalimpong.KALIMPONG: At an altitude of 1250m, Kalimpong’s location is ideal for a pleasant,

relaxed getaway. Its clement weather has made Kalimpong’s Orchids and Gladiole well renowned. Up to the early 1700s, the Kalimpong area was part of the Sikkim raja’s domain. In the early 18th century, the Bhutan king also took it over. In 1865, after the Anglo-Bhutan War, it was annexed to Darjeeling. Scottish Missionaries came here in the late 1800s. The town thrived as a wool trading center with Tibet till 1950s. Today it’s a quiet hill resort and a haven for retired people.Afternoon city tour of Kalimpong.

Flower Nurseries: The climate of Kalimpong is ideal for the cultivation of flowers and plants.

TOUR BOOKINGIf interested to join the tour, please contact Bro. How Eng Keong and provide him a scan copy of your passport (with validity of 6 months from the date of travel) and a deposit of RM2,000. Kindly call at this nos : 012-3852886 or email : ekhow@atsc.org.my The maximum number of seats is only 25. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Red Panda & Snow Leopard (the national animal of Sikkim)

COST FOR THE ABOVE WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:• Early Bird Special : RM7,680 (before Sept 30,2015)• RM7,980 (after October 1, 2015) • Single Supplement – Additional RM3,500 (Single Room)

COSTING INCLUSIVE:• Hotel Accomodation on TWIN Sharing basis (Premium Hotels)• International tickets (Air-Asia) & Domestic Tickets (Indigo/ Spice Air)• All meals as per Itinerary• Premier Coach with 1 bottle of Mineral water each day.• Entrance Fees to all Monuments & Places of interest • Toy Train Rides and Cable car rides• English Speaking escort services• Includes SIKKIM In-Line Permit • Includes Group Travel Insurance

COST EXCLUDES:• Excess baggage of 25 kilos/pax for International flight (Air Asia) and 15

kilos for Domestic flights (Indigo Air/ Spice Jet)• Expenses of personal nature such as Phone calls, beverages/ snacks

from the hotel• Tipping for the Local Guides and Driver (USD5/day• Donations for Temple/ Monasteries• Indian Visa Fee (RM165) must be done personally at the India Visa

Centtre (Biometric)

FLIGHT DETAILS InternationalAK 63 19Mar KUL/CCU 2205/0005 (depart from KLIA2)AK 62 28Mar CCU/KUL 0040/0715+1 (depart Kolkata and arrive on 29 March)Domestic20Mar CCU/BDG 1040/1145 (INDIGO/ SPICE AIR)27Mar BDG/CCU 1245/1345 (INDIGO/ SPICE AIR)

CLIMATE• SPRING (Mar to May) –The Daily average temperature is 15C- 20C

during the day and below 15C at nite and morning.

Organized by:

Kolkata Park Royal hotel/ Grand Lalit hotel (2 nites)Darjeeling Mayfair Hotel or Hotel New Elgin (2 nites) Gangtok Mayfair Spa & Resort or Hotel Norkhill Elgin (2 nites)Kalimpong Hotel Elgin Silver Oaks or Similar (1 nite)Peiling Hotel Elgin Mount Pandim or Silmilar (1 nite)

HOTEL ACCOMODATION (5 stars or Best hotel available)

Kalimpong is famous for its nurseries which export exotic flowers like Amaryllis lilies, Anthuriums, Roses gerberas, Dahilias, Gladiolias as well as Orchids and Cacti.Zang Dog Palri Fo-Brang Monastery – This is a fairly new monastery located in Durpin Dara, from here one can get an exclusive panoramic view of the town and surroundings. The prayer room inside the monastery is adorned with wall paintings and there is a rare three-dimensional mandala upstairs.Tharpa Choling Monastery at Tirpai hill on route to Dr. Graham’s Home belongs to the Yellow Hat sect of Lamas to which the present Dalai Lama belongs.Thongsa Gumpa: this monastery is of Bhutanese origin and built around 1692. It is the oldest in Kalimpong. The original structure was destroyed in the inter-clan wars before the British arrived

Overnight at hotel.

DAY 9 (27st Mar) Kalimpong-Bagdogra- Kolkata (83 Kms 03 Hours Approx.) (B/L/D)Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Bagdogra airport, On arrival connect flight to Kolkata, On arrival in Kolkata transfer for Lunch at Local Restaurant, Afternoon visit Mother Teresa Home & Later free for Shopping, Dinner at Local Restaurant & transfer to Hotel for Check-in, Overnight at Hotel in Kolkata.

DAY 10 (28nd Mar) Kolkata – DepartAfter breakfast at Hotel, proceed for city tour of Kolkata, visit Victoria Memorial A fascinating piece of architecture. Which has been converted

to a museum. Indian Museum Established in 1814, the building has beautiful structure. The oldest museum in India, Eden Garden, The oldest cricet ground of India, gets its name from Mrs Eden, sister of Lord Auckland.The Garden has a Burmese pagoda and a band stand, Howrah Bridge, An excellent example of engineering techniques, the 450 m long bridge hangs without any towers in the river. The bridge is also one of the busiest bridge in the world, catering to around 100,000 vehicles and innumerable pedestrians. The bridge connect Kolkata and Howrah over the Hoogly. Later free for shopping & after Dinner transfer to airport to connect flight back Home.