Gangtok Kalimpong Trip Tour

After breakfast, proceed for short trip to Tsomgo Lake; one of the most popular tourist spots settled at an attitude up to 12, 400ft. The lake receives its water from the melting of snows of the mountains. The lake holds great religious importance among locals. Legends say that, Buddhist monks in earlier times predicted the future after the study of color of water.

You may also indulge in wonderful yak and mule ride along the lake and adore the spectacular surrounding. There is also a Lord Shiva temple near the lake where you can offer sincere prayers to seek the blessings of the Lord.

Next you head to Baba mandir which is another major tourist attraction in Gangtok. The holy shrine is placed at an altitude up to 1300ft. and is just few kilometers away from Tsomgo Lake.

Locals here claim that the temple was put up in the memory of Baba Harbhajan Singh (a soldier). In fact, the temple is also referred to as Baba Harbhajan Singh temple.

With some good, memories return back to hotel. Rest of the day you can either shop at the lively bazaars of Gangtok or just loosen up in the hotel room.

Wel, if you are in Gangtok, shopping becomes a must-do thing. The best-buys of the place are handicrafts, locally made artifacts, Tibetan carpets, shimmering jewelries, Sikkim tea, alpine cheese, black cardamom and other traditional outfits.

Overnight stay in the hotel.

On third day, have breakfast and embark on a half-day sightseeing tour to Gangtok and later in the evening proceed to Kalimpong.

During your Gangtok tour, you visit Directorate of handicraft handlooms Emporium; one among the few best places to shop in state Sikkim. Boasting of traditional motifs, Tibetan carpets and other excellent handicrafts including Thankas, Choksee and locally made furniture, the center was put up with an objective behind, to preserve and propagate the brilliant artifacts of local artisans. All the stuff you get here is unique and under your budget.

Next you visit Research Institute of Tibetlogy which initially was referred to as Namgyal Institute of Tibetology; one of the most important places in Gangtok that deserves your visit where you get to discover about the very culture, spirit and essence of land. Built in Sikkimese styles of architecture, the research institute constitutes of a library with massive collection of Tibetan works popular all around the world and a museum of Tibetan Iconography and religious art.

In today’s time, the institute is known worldwide and has become a great place to hold series of lectures and International conferences on Tibetan and Buddhist studies.

Further, visit Do Drul Chorten which is one of the most important and magnificent stupas in Sikkim holding Kangyur relics (holy books) and other religious objects. The stupa is situated on a hill and is pious enough among Buddhists. The chief attraction of the stupa is the golden top dome and the 108 prayer wheels around the stupa. Prayers are offered by turning the wheel and chanting the mantra ‘Om Mane Padmane Hum’ inscribed on the wheels. The stupa was made under the supervision of Trulshik Rinpoche, the head of Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Fourth day is set out to explore Kalimpong. After breakfast, leave the hotel and drive through scenic road to Deolo hill; listed among the important places of interest to visit in Kalimpong. Deolo hill is one of the two hills in between which the town Kalimpong is setup. Scale the highest point of the region, Deolo hill, up to 1704m above the sea level. From the top, relish the enchanting views of Teesta River, Relli valley and gorgeous surrounding.

Then you head to Hanuman mandir; a big statue of Lord Hanuman on a hill. It is a great place for Hanuman devotees. Afterwards, visit the popular school of the town, Dr. Graham’s homes (school). The school was opened with a motive to educate the children of tea workers and other poor kids. The Graham’s home is also a well-known shooting spot.

Later, proceed to some important tourist spots in Kalimpong including- Durbin Monastery which is placed on the Durbin Dara Hill. The star attraction of the monastery is two large cylinders around 10ft high, on two sides. On turning the cylinders by a crank, the lever is so arranged that a bell would prompt on every turn. You also get to see prayer wheels on outside walls of the monastery; Manghal Dham, which a shrine cum a prayer hall. Dedicated to Lord Krishna the temple was raised by Shri Krishna Pranami in the memory of Guru Sri 108 Mangaldasji. The temple houses the statues of Prannath, Raj Shyamji and Mangaldasji.

The divine Mangal Dham works on the principles to help the schools, orphanages and whosoever in need; and Pine view nurseries which presents you a breathtaking and largest collection of cactus in whole Asia. The variety would make you wonder about cactus as a possibility in North Eastern locations too, apart from desert areas.

Later on, get transferred to Darjeeling.

Today, after morning breakfast, check-out form the hotel and leave for Siliguri. Further, travel to Jalpaiguiri railway station/ Bagdogra airport/ Tenzing Norgay bus station, for your onward destination.