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Day
01
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Arrive Delhi, where you will be met and transfered
to your hotel. (Hotel B&B)
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Day
02
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Delhi -
Bagdogra (by plane) - Darjeeling (2130m)
by car.
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Arrive Bagdogra
Airport and drive to Darjeeling, charming 4-hour journey,
through Assam tea plantations and tiny villages takes
us to Darjeeling. Built on top of a ridge, Darjeeling
faces the Himalaya and is a popular destination for
Westerners and Bengalis alike. Overnight in Darjeeling.
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Day
03
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Darjeeling visit.
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We could
take an early trip to Tiger Hill to see the sunrise.
Afterwards we visit the famous Ghoom monastery that
enshrines an image of the Maitreya Buddha (the coming
Buddha). Later on we can visit the Himalayan Mountaineering
Institute and tea plantations. Overnight in Darjeeling.
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Day
04
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Darjeeling –
Manay Bhanjang ( 2134m. 1h 30) by car –
Tonglu (3070m) |
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Early
morning drive from Darjeeling to Manay Bhanjang. The
trail overlooks the Bengali plain south, and we have
tantalising glimpses of Kanchenjunga ahead, as we zigzag
through rhododendrons.
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Day
05
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Tonglu
– Garibas (2620m) in 4h. |
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We take
a mossy paved path, that snakesthrough a succession
of forests and hamlets, giving way, from time to time,
to spectacular mountain sceneries.
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Day
06
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Garibas –
Sandakphu (3640m) in 4h 30 min. |
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We steadily
climb to join the ridge trail towards Kalpokhari. Afterwards
we start a long and steep climb onto the Singalila ridge
that leads us to Sandakphu. A remarkable 360 ° view
from the top.
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Day
07
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Sandakphu – Phalut (3600m) in 6h. |
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We walk
to a prominent viewpoint for the magnificent sunrise
over the Kanchenjunga, Jannu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu
and Cho Oyo. Throughout the day, there are ever-changing
views: yak herds, silvery pine forests, tiny lakes ringed
with grass, and the snow-capped Himalayan range in the
background.
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Day
08
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Phalut –
Raman (2560m) in 5h. |
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A pleasant
descent through the woods takes us to Gorkhey (2500m)
then we climb up towards Raman.
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Day
09
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Raman
– Rimbik (2280m) in 4h. |
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We pass
through numerous villages and cross the Sri Khola over
a remarkable suspension bridge.
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Day
10
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Rimbik –
Pelling by car (9h).. |
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Day
11
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Pelling –
Pemayangtse – Yuksam by car (2h). |
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2.5
km from Pelling, we will visit the Pemayangtse monastery.
Perched at 2800m, it is one of the oldest and most impressive
gompas in Sikkim.
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Day
12
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Yuksam - Tsoska
(3030m) in 6h. |
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The
trail leads up the Rathong valley, through thick, semi-tropical
forests. Afterwards a steep climb takes us to the tiny
Tibetan village of Tsoska. The landscape has now changed
into pine, rhododendron and magnolia forests. We get
excellent views of the entire Himalayan range and Kanchenjunga.
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Day
13
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Tsoska –
Dzongri (4020m) in 5h. |
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A steep
trail zigzags up through temperate forest and large
clusters of rhododendrons, to the vast clearing of Phedang.
During April and May, the spectacle is gorgeous, as
the land becomes a mass of flowers (400 species have
been listed so far). After 300m, we follow the ridge
to Dzongri, a pasture area for Yuksam yaks from April
to October.
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Day
14
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Dzongri –
Thangshing (3930m) in 4h. |
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We descend
through rhododendron forest towards the the glacial
Prek river. We establish our campsite on the grassy
pastures of Thangshing. The southern ridge of Kanchenjunga
and the Onglakhing glacier are visible directly ahead
and there are close-up views of Pandim.
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Day
15
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Thangshing –
Samity Lake (4200m) in 3h. |
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A pleasant
walk below the west side of Pandim, through dwarf azaleas
and rhododendrons to Zemathang. We take our first footsteps
on the Onglakhing glacier, and climb up to the shores
of the Samity lake, reputed to be the sacred source
of the Prek river. Ringed by prayer flags, the lake
reflects Forked Peak, Kabru North, Gocha Peak and other
snow-capped peaks.
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Day
16
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Samity Lake –
Gocha La (4940m) – Thansing
in 7h. |
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We have
to leave quite early this morning, as fog and clouds
descend on the pass shortly after sunrise. The track
to Gocha La climbs steeply through moraines. From the
pass, ringed with colorful prayer flags, we can see
Kanchenjunga and beyond that, the Talung glacier.
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Day
17
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Thangshing –
Lam Pokhari (4230m) in 5h. |
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After
a steep descent, we climb through alpine areas and pass
by tiny lakes.
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Day
18
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Labdang –
Tashiding (1740m) in 5h. |
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An easy walk,
in an atmosphere becoming more humid and heavier as we
descend. |
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Day
19
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Tashiding –
Martam by car (4h). |
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We visit
the Tashiding monastery, one of the most isolated in
Sikkim, perched on the top of a hill set between two
rivers.
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Day
20
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Martam –
Gangtok by car (1h). |
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En route
we visit Rumtek monastery, reputed for its religious
Tibetan art. Visitors are welcome to attend prayers.
Afternoon at leisure in Gangtok.
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Day
21
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Gangtok –
Bagdogra (by car) – Delhi
(by plane). (Hotel B&B) |
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Day
22
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At
leisure in Delhi. Safety day for your international
flight. (Hotel B&B) |
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Day
23
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Transfer to airport and fly back home. |