There is no finer place than Darjeeling - Sikkim to steep you in the grandeur and the beauty of towering snow-capped mountains.

There are many places of tourist’s interest in Darjeeling & Sikkim but we are listing the places, which are something special and memorable. You can visit many centers (Monasteries) of Tibetan Buddhism in Eastern Himalayas where a large number of Scholars & Buddhist Saints (Lamas) are practicing & preaching the teachings of Buddha.

We have prepared these itineraries so that you can enjoy the natural beauty of great Himalayas and moreover you can get yourself acquainted with the Tibetan Buddhism and teachings of Buddha.

When Dalai Lama and other renowned Lamas of Tibet left for India, they established many Monasteries in Sikkim & Darjeeling. They brought from Tibet - Art, Culture & Heritage.

At Mirik

• Visit to Monastery Stupa
• Opportunity to learn what all these things mean.
• Somebody giving information.
• Question - Answer Session.
• Blessing of the Very Venerable Khempo Rinpoche.

On 5 separate days, there will be organized pilgrimages to

1. Rumtek, the Karmapa's seat in India and a meeting with His Eminence Gyaltsab Rinpoche.
2. Ralang Monastery, Ralang.
3. Mirik, Bokar Rinpoche's Monastery.
4. Sonada, Kalu Rinpoche's Monastery.
5. Salugara, Kalu Rinpoche's Monastery.

WALK WITH BUDDHA: TOUR NO.1 [INTRODUCTION TO TIBETAN BUDDHISM - KARMA KAGYU LINEAGE]

This tour covers the important monasteries of Sikkim & Darjeeling headed by the Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism. The blessings of H.E, the XVIIth Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Resident Regent of H.H Gyalwa Karmapa (Rumtek), V.V Bokar Rinpoche (Mirik), V.V Kalu Rinpoche (Sonada-Salugara) is also possible.

DAY 01.
Bagdogra Airport Arrival - Visit to Salugara Monastery, Local sight seeing (04 Hrs.). Night stay at Hotel.

DAY 02.
Siliguri-Mirik-Siliguri: Visit to Mirik Monastery, Sightseeing at Mirik (04 hrs.). Night stay at Siliguri.

DAY 03.
White Water Rafting or low altitude trekking. Night stay at Siliguri.

DAY 04.
Transfer to Gangtok via Kalimpong. Half Day sightseeing at Kalimpong. Arrival at Gangtok & Check-in at Hotel. Overnight stay at Gangtok.

DAY 05.
Go to Tsomgu Lake for full day sightseeing. Overnight stay at Gangtok.

DAY 06.
Sightseeing at Gangtok:

Local Sightseeing: * Directorate of Handicrafts & Handlooms / * Research Institute of Tibetology / * Chorten (Stupa) / * Rumtek Monastery. Night stay at Gangtok

DAY 07.
Gangtok-Ralang-Pemayangtse (2055 mtrs. 143 km., 06 hrs approx.) Drive from Gangtok to Ralang via Ravangla.

Old Ralang Monastery was built in 1730 on a site blessed by an earlier incarnation of Karmapa with the grains of rice thrown by him from Tibet had landed. The Monastery is one of the most sacred and important Monastery following the Kagyapa tradition. The Ralang Monastery was completed in 1995 under the initiative of H.H.Gyaltsab Rimpoche, one of the four regents of the Kagyupa sect. This is the biggest Monastery in Sikkim and its architecture and paintings have been painstakingly undertaken to maintain the authenticity of the Kagyupa Monasteries.

Enroute visit the Kungdraling Monastery at Kewzing. This is the only Monastery in Sikkim dedicated to the 'Bon' faith which was the religious practice prevailing in Tibet before the advent of Buddhism. The present day Buddhism has imbibed a lot of traditions, rituals and practice from the faith and for a layman it is impossible to segregate this Monastery from any other tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Overnight stay at Hotel at Pemayangtse.

WALK WITH BUDDHA: TOUR NO.2 [COVERING IMPORTANT MONASTERIES OF ALL THE FOUR SECTS OF TIBETAN BUDDHISM]

When Dalai Lama and other renowned Lamas of Tibet left for India, they established many monasteries in Sikkim & Darjeeling. They brought from Tibet - Art, Culture and Heritage.

Four main schools of Buddhism had developed within Tibet - Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu and Gelug - each with its own incomparable lineage of teachers and emphasis on particular practices.

DAY 01.
Bagdogra Airport Arrival - Visit to Salugara Monastery Local sight seeing (04 Hrs.). Night stay at Hotel.

DAY 02.
White Water Rafting or low altitude trekking. Night stay at Siliguri.

DAY 03.
Transfer to Gangtok via Kalimpong. Half Day sightseeing at Kalimpong. Visit to Monasteries. Arrival at Gangtok & Check-in at Hotel. Night stay at Gangtok.

DAY 04.
to Tsangu Lake for full day sightseeing. Overnight stay at Gangtok.

DAY 05.
Gangtok - Phodong - Gangtok (90km, 3hrs. drive). A day excursion to the Phodong, Phensang and Labrang Monasteries. Phodong Monastery, built in the mid 18th century, is one of the important Kagyupa Monasteries of Sikkim. Along with Rumtek, the monastery holds the annual 'Kagyat Chaan' - the masked dance. Uphill is the Labrang Monastery which belongs to the Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism. Enroute to Phodong, a stream of prayer flags leads to the Phensang Monastery. This Monastery follows the Nyingmapa sect and has about 300 monks.). Return to Gangtok. Overnight in Hotel.

DAY 06.
Gangtok – Rumtek - Gangtok - The day starts with a visit to the Enchey Monastery.

Enchey Monastery: This monastery is located about 1 Km. and on a hillock above Gangtok. It was built by Lama Druptob Karpo, a tantric master known for his power of flying. Built in the early part of this century, it follows the Nyingmapa tradition and has pagoda style architecture unique to the Sikkimese Monasteries.

Institute of Tibetology : Renowned worldwide centre for study of Buddhist philosophy and religion, a treasure house of rare thankas, statues and over 2000 Buddhist icons and prized objects of art.

Do-Drul Chorten: One of the most important stupas of Sikkim built by Trulsi Rimpoche, head of a Nyingma order. This stupa contains rare mandalas of Dorjiphurpa (Vijra Kilaya), holy books, mantras & is encircled by 108 prayer wheels.

Ngor Gompa: The only Sakyapa Monastery in the state is situated at Rongyek around 5 Km. from Gangtok.

Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre: 24 km. away from Gangtok is the seat of the Karmapa who heads the Kagyupa sect of Buddhism. Thankas and frescoes decorate the walls. The mortals’ remains of the late Gyalwa Karmapa are preserved in a stupa in the Monastery. The prayer hall in the new complex is well worth a visit for the serenity and the calmness it exudes to facilitate the right frame of mind for prayer. Return to Gangtok.

DAY 07.
Gangtok-Ralang-Pemayangtse (2055 mtrs. 143 km., 6 hrs approx.). Drive from Gangtok to Ralang via Ravangla. Old Ralang Monastery was built in 1730 on a site blessed by an earlier incarnation of Karmapa where the grains of rice thrown by him from Tibet had landed. The Monastery is one of the most sacred and important Monastery following the Kagyapa tradition. The Ralang Monastery was completed in 1995 under the initiative of H.H.Gyaltsab Rimpoche, one of the four regents of the Kagyupa sect. This is the biggest Monastery in Sikkim and its architecture and paintings have been painstakingly undertaken to maintain the authenticity of the Kagyupa Monasteries. Enroute visit the Kungdraling Monastery at Kewzing. This is the only Monastery in Sikkim dedicated to the 'Bon' faith which was the religious practice prevailing in Tibet before the advent of Buddhism. The present day Buddhism has imbibed a lot of traditions, rituals and practice from the faith and for a layman it is impossible to segregate this Monastery from any other tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Overnight stay at Hotel at Pemayangtse.

DAY 08.
Pemayangtse - Khecheodpalri -Yuksom (1770 mtrs. 55 km., 3.5hrs. approx.). Sangachholing Monastery is an hour's walk from Pemayangtse. Founded by Lhatsun Chempo in 1697, it is the second oldest Monastery in Sikkim and belongs to the Nyingmapa sect. This Monastery houses 17th century statues which are amongst the oldest preserved in Sikkim.

Pemayangtse: Which means ‘Subline Perfect Lotus' signifying purity, was originally built as a small 'Lhakhang' in the early 17th century by Gyalwa Lhatsun Chempo, the patron saint of Sikkim. It is the premier Monastery of Sikkim following the Nyingmapa tradition. Its monks were invited to perform all the religious ceremonies including the coronation of the royal family. It also houses of the famed 'Zangdopalri' a fascinating model of the celestial abode of Guru Padma Sambhava, crafted single-handedly out of the wood by the late Dungzim Rinpoche.

Khecheodpalri Lake: Nestled in a forested bowl at around 2000 mtrs. the Khecheodpalri lake also boasts an extraordinary legend : whenever a leaf drops on its surface, a guardian bird snatches it away. A wish made on this sacred lake is believed to come true). Overnight in hotel at Yuksom.

DAY 09.
Yuksom - Tashiding - Jorethang - Siliguri (650 mtrs. 56 km., 3 hrs approx.). An early morning walk to Dubdi Monastery (40 mints.), the oldest Monastery in Sikkim built in 1642 by Lhatsun Chempo. Drive 20 km. to the Tashiding Monastery which is reached after a 45 minutes walk from the road. Tashiding literally meaning the 'Central Elevated Glory' is the most sacred Monastery complex and was described by Guru Rinpoche as the heart of ‘Beyul Demazong'. Built in 1716 AD, the complex is also the location of the 'Thongwa Rongdol' Chorten. Just a sight of this sacred stupa is said to wash away one's sins). Transfer to Siliguri. Night stay at Siliguri.

DAY 10.
Siliguri-Mirik-Darjeeling:  Visit to Mirik Monastery. Sightseeing at Mirik (04 hrs.). Night stay at Darjeeling.

DAY 11.
In the morning sightseeing to Tiger Hill, Batasia Loop, War Memorial & Ghoom Monastery.

Local Sightseeing: * Himalayan Mountaineering Institute / * Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park / * Ropeway / * Tenzing Rock / * Tea Garden (Rangeet Valley) / * Tibetan Refuge Self Help Centre. Overnight stay at Darjeeling.

DAY 12.
Darjeeling to Siliguri via Teesta. Night stay at Siliguri.

DAY 13.
Transfer to your onward Journey.