SIKKIM & KAZIRANGA

A fine combination of Moderate Trek and Wildlife.
A Superb and scenically rewarding treks in the entire Himalayas, with views of Kangchenjunga, Makalu, Everest and Lhotse. We shall also explore one of the finest national Parks in India- Kaziranga before flying back to Calcutta .

Duration: 10 day
Best Time: Mid March to Apriul (flora and fauna) and Mid Oct to Mid Dec.(mountain views)
Focus: Stunning mountain views, monasteries, villages, flora and fauna, people!
Highest Point: 3560m (Phalut)
Physical Challenge: Moderate overall. A basic level of fitness is recommended.

Day 1 :
Leave London for Kolkata (Culcatta)

Day 2: Arrive Kolkata:
Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel, where we will have room for immediate occupancy. After late breakfast city sightseeing tour visiting Balur Math Temple, and Victoria Memorial. After having dinner in local Restaurant we proceed to the railway station for overnight train to New Jalpaiguri. Overnight in train.

Day 3: Arrive New Jalpaiguri and drive to Darjeeling (98kms/4hrs):
On arrival at 0840hrs, you will be met and driven up to Darjeeling. It is a stunning drive Initially through flat rice fields, teak plantations and tea plantations, before the road starts to climb into the foothills of the Himalaya. The thickly forested land was originally acquired by the British \in 1833, who introduced tea growing and it developed into a hill station.

Darjeeling ( from Dorje Ling " The place of the Thunderbolt" ) straddles a ridge 2200m up in the Himalayas and is an extraordinary town, comprising various levels interlinked by steep stairways, a great deal of Victorian Gothic architecture and fine botanical gardens. Mountain views surround you; Kanchenjunga at 8580m towers on the horizon. There is a large and thriving Buddhist community along with the predominant population of Nepalese descendants, Lepchas and refugee Tibetans.

AFTERNOON, Short 20min drive to visit Dali Monastery, the seat of the Drukchen Rimpoche ( head lama of the Drukpa Kaygu sect, the monastery has a huge Buddha Statue and offers fine views of the rolling hills. Back to hotel for overnight.
Lunch/Dinner and overnight in hotel, breakfast on the way in local restaurant.

Day 4: Darjeeling-Tonglu Camp: (Drive 26kms and Trek about 11kms/6hrs).
After an early breakfast, we visit the famous toy train for photographs and then drive to Ghoom Monastery, the important Yiga-Choling Gompa, a yellow-hat Buddhist Monastery built in 1875 houses famous Buddhist scriptures.

We will then take an interesting 26/2hrskm drive takes us to Maneybhanjang (2134m), a small village on India/Nepal border, after checking the passport we begin our trek through the pine forest to Chitray with a Stupa and small monastery, perfect place for lunch, after lunch we trek through the meadow and then through the mixed forest and few tea shops, ascending about 1000m, to the ridge-top settlement of Tonglu. As we zig-zag up through the rhododendrons, we catch tantalising glimpses of Kanchenjunga ahead. All meals and overnight in tents.

Day 5: Tonglu -Sandkphu : (19kms/9-10hrs)
Early morning breakfast for a long and rewarding days walk, the day starts with a downhill walk, leading us through a picturesque Nepalese village, we will have a lovely cup of tea hear and then gradually descend through the Singalila National Park famous for Red pandas, we then climb steep to Kali Pokhari ( 3100mts), perfect place for lunch and rest. After lunch a short but challenging climb about 4kms however you will be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view of Kanchnjunga, Makalu, Everest, Lhotse and the other smaller peaks of Sikkim and eastern Nepal. The night is spent in tents at Sandakphu (3620m). The camp offers spectacular sunrise and sunset views of Everest, Makalu, Chamlang and Kanchnjunga. All meals and overnight in tents.

Day 6: Sandkphu-Phalut: (20kms/8-9hrs)
After breakfast we begin the most spectacular walk offering fantastic views of the Himalaya, trekking thorough the trek passes through the silver fir and rhododendron forest to Sabarkum, our Lunch stop, and from hear we trek another 7kms through extensive alpine meadow to our Camping place at Phalut (3560mts). All meals and overnight in tents.

Day 7: Phalut to Gorkhey: (16kms/5-6hrs).
After breakfast we begin first few kms with gradually descent and then a steep descent through the mixed forest of Pine, chest Nut, bamboo and fir, we can also see some Orchid growing ( March/April)., bird life is amazing, after having lunch we take the lower trail to Gorkhey Village (2380mts), we camp near this pleasant village and charming people just above the Raman River. All meals and overnight in tents.

Day 8: Gorkhey-Rimbick- Kalimpong: (18kms/ 5-6hrs trek and then about 5/6hrs drive).
In the morning we trek downhill, passing through farmland, scattered villages and forested terrain, to the crossing over the Siri Khola. This is followed by an uphill climb to the village of Rimbick (2290mts), where our trek comes to an end in Sherpa hotel. After lunch we drive through the rolling hills/ tea garden/ dense forests and village to Kalimpong, the famous place for growing flowers in north India. Stay 02night in delightful hotel.
All meals and overnight hotel.

Day 9: Kalimpong: Sightseeing.
After breakfast visit to the delightful monastery with fine views of distant himalaya and afterwards drive to Lave to see the wildflowers. All meals and overnight in hotel.

Day 10: Kalimpong-Bagdogra-Guwahati (drive/fly).
After early breakfast we drive about 4hrs to the airport for flight to Guwahati. Arrive and Stay overnight in Hotel.

Day 11: Guwahati- Kaziranga ( about 4hsr drive).
After breakfast we drive to Kaziranga for three nights in jungle resort.

Day 12/13: Explore Kaziranga
by elephant to see great wildlife including one horned Rhino and Birds of this region.

Day 14: To Kolkatta ( Calcutta):
Transfer to Guwahati for evening flight back to Kolkatta. Arrive Kolkatta and transfer to the hotel.

Day 15: Departure:
Transfer to the airport for return flight to your home country.