Today we will fly along the Himalayas to Bagdogra. Weather permitting, we will see the 8,000 meter peaks of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Everest and Kangchendzönga. From Bagdogra we will drive on a winding road past wooded hills, small villages and tea plantations to Darjeeling. At the time of the British colonial power in India, Darjeeling was one of the most popular “hill stations” to escape the heat of the lowlands. Even today, you can still sense a lot of colonial flair in this place.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Darjeeling (2,100 meters). Flight time 2 hours. Travel time 3 – 4 hours (B, L, D)

If the weather is good, we will set off early in the morning for Tiger Hill (2,590 m). We will enjoy a spectacular sunrise and a fantastic view as far as the Kangchendzönga massif and we will be able to see as far as Mt. Everest if the weather is good.

Afterwards we will take the famous “Toy Train”, which was built over 120 years ago. The ride on this narrow-gauge train is an exciting experience.

After lunch, we will visit a tea plantation for which Darjeeling is so famous. The main harvesting time is March to October. Depending on the season, there is less activity in November and no tea is harvested during the winter months. However, we can visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute or the Japanese Peace Pagoda.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Darjeeling (2,100 meters). Travel time Toy Train 2 hours Travel time 2 – 3 hours (B, L, D)

The journey will take us from Darjeeling into the former kingdom of Sikkim in the little-known south to a beautiful lodge run by a Pradhan family, near the village of Turuk.

Overnight stay in lodge at approx. 1,200 m. Travel time approx. 3 hours (B).

The tour will continue along the Ranit River and up a pass road to a traditional farmhouse in West Sikkim. It will be possible to go on a short hike here.

Overnight stay in the farmhouse at approx. 1,600 m. Travel time approx. 2.5 hours (B, L, D)

On day 5 we will explore the rural surroundings of Rinchenpong by foot. We will first hike through an oak forest to a nearby hill where there is a lonely monastery. If we are lucky with the weather, there is a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and the Kangchendzönga massif with the mountain giants Pandim, Kabru and Narsing (1,900 meters). After that, we will take a look at the lonely hamlets with their traditional Lepcha houses and experience the rural, natural way of life of the small farmers. In the evening, we will have the opportunity to attend the evening ceremonies and evening prayers in the village monastery.

Overnight stay in a simple farmhouse lodge in Rinchenpong (1,600 meters). Hike 4 – 6 hours (B, L, D)

Our journey will continue, with a first stop at the village of Dentam, continuing to the top of the Pelling Pass. Here we will visit the Pemayangtse monastery.

It was founded in the 17th century and extended in 1705 and is one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim.

While we are there, we can also visit the Sanga Choeling monastery.

Our lodge is located below Pelling in the guesthouse at 1,700 m. Travel time approx. 3 hours (B)

If we have good weather, it will be worth getting up early to drive to the Nyingma monastery Sanga Chöling before breakfast. From there, we will enjoy a fabulously beautiful view of Kangchendzönga and other snow-capped mountain peaks.

We will reach the Chenrezig statue, which was completed in 2018. The newly built complex also includes a skywalk and a gallery inside the statue. At a height of 41 meters, it is the tallest of the three large statues in Sikkim.

After breakfast at the guesthouse, we will continue on to Yuksom, where we will visit the sacred, wish-fulfilling Khecheopalri Lake. The original name of the lake was Kha-Chot-Palri, which translates to “the Heaven of Guru Padmasambhava”. The small, legendary lake is sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus.

From the lake, we will set off on a beautiful hike past small villages, terraced fields and forests with cardamom plantations. The hike is mostly downhill and will take about 3 hours. At the Rathong River, we will continue on to Yuksom, where we will spend the night.

Overnight stay at the guesthouse in Yuksom (1,750 meters). Travel time 3 – 4 hours. Hike 3 hours (B, L, D)

After running in yesterday, we’re looking forward to some “real” exercise today. We set off from the guesthouse after breakfast. As we walk up the hill, the simple houses and their gardens will be very interesting to take in. The black cardamom will be blossoming in the springtime and in the autumn it will be time for harvesting. The 1 to 2 meter high plants are very common throughout Sikkim and provide local farmers with an important income. The harvested capsule fruits are traditionally dried over an open fire in large stone ovens, giving the spice its smoky flavor.

Following a 2 hour uphill hike, our efforts will be rewarded. We will be invited to a local family for tea and lunch. While the women as doing the cooking, the men will show us the terraced plantations on the steep slopes around the house. It’s very interesting to see what they grow there. In addition to lots of vegetables, there also cultivate roots and plants which are then sold to the pharmaceutical industry in the valley.

All agriculture throughout Sikkim is organic, as it Sikkim was declared an “Organic State” in 2016. Artificial fertilizers, pesticides and genetic engineering are prohibited by law.

Overnight stay at the guesthouse in Yuksom (1,750 meters). Hike 4 – 5 hours (B,L,D)

We will begin our trek on day 9. Once all the formalities have been completed, we will enter Kangchendzönga National Park. The first part of the route will take us up and down through a primeval forest with large oak, spruce, bamboo and rhododendron trees. This area provides a habitat for a large variety of birds and from time to time we will be able to spot some monkeys from above and the Rathong River rushes through the gorge. In the afternoon, we will reach Bakhim, we will set up camp.

Overnight stay in a tent in Bakhim (2.750 meters). Trekking 5 – 7 hours (B,D,L)

We will walk past magnolias and rhododendron trees to the village of Tsokha. This Tibetan settlement was founded only 50 years ago by Tibetan refugees, but is no longer inhabited today. Situated on a small plateau, the village offers a beautiful view of the surrounding hills and valleys. On a clear day we should be able to see the almost 6,700 meter high mountain Pandim. We will continue our ascent to Phedong, which is our destination on this day.

Overnight stay in a tent in Phedong (3,600 meters). Trekking 5 hours (B.L,D)

On this day of our journey we will climb up a steep hill and reach the tree line. From up there we will have a wonderful view of the surrounding mountain panorama. If it is clear day we can see not only Kangchendzönga, but also the 6,000 meter peaks of Kokthang, Rathong and Kabru Dome. Due to the fact we will have to accclimate to the surroundings, we are planning a short stretch for day 11, but after two or three hours we should reach Dzongri. Here we will set up our tents on a beautiful alpine meadow. At this point, if you still have energy and want to climb another 300 meters to the Dzongri Peak, there is an even more splendid view up there of the surrounding mountains.

Overnight stay in a tent in Dzongri (4,000 meters). Trekking 2 – 3 hours (B,L,D)

We will be already at a considerable altitude of 4,000 meters on this day. That’s why we will take a rest day to get used to the altitude. Our pack animals will also be happy to have a day of rest.

If you feel like it, you can climb a nearby hill early in the morning and experience the fantastic sunrise over the Kangchendzönga. In the afternoon, we can take an optional hike to the sacred lake Lakshmi Pokhari.

Overnight stay in a tent in Dzongri (4,000 meters). optional hike 2 hours (B,L,D)

On this day, we will hike mainly up the valley. We will continue over some glacier moraines to our camp in Lamuney (approx. 4,200 m). Here we can take a trip to the turquoise blue Lake Samiti, which can be reached in roughly 45 minutes. Overnight stays are no longer permitted due to environmental reasons. It is a very charming place, surrounded by rhododendrons and fir trees. If we prefer to rest a little after arriving at the camp today, we will have another opportunity to see Lake Samiti on day 14 on the way to Goecha La.

Overnight stay in a tent in Lamuney (4,200 m).

Trekking 5 – 6 hours. Optional hike to the lake 2 hours. (B,L,D)

We will start early in the morning to admire the sunrise from the first good vantage point. Depending on our condition, we will climb up to a viewpoint 4,700 meters above sea level or possibly all the way up to the 4,950 meter high Goecha La. At the top of the pass, colorful prayer flags flutter in the wind, carrying prayers to the gods on the summits. We will be able to throughly enjoy the silence and the lovely view of the third highest mountain on earth. Thanks to the early start, will have time to savor this part of our journey. Afterwards we will have a long descent back to Thangshing, where our cook will be waiting for us with a delicious snack.

Overnight stay in a tent in Thangshing (3950 meters). Trekking 7 hours to the viewpoint at 4,700 meters or 9 hours to Goecha La. (B,D,L)

Back on a different route to the ascent, we will walk along a partially narrow path along a wooded mountainside to the former Tibetan village of Tsokha. We will enjoy the “thicker air” and the warmth down there at 3,000 meters. 

Overnight stay in a tent in Tsokha (3,050 meters). Trekking 6 – 7 hours (B,L,D)

We will walk downhill through the narrow Rathong Valley. The path leads through partly dense, semi-tropical forest and will be a nice contrast to the last few days in the stony heights of the pass. Back in Yuksom, we will celebrate our successful trek with our local team, perhaps with a “Chang”, a home-brewed beer made from millet.

Overnight stay at the guesthouse in Yuksom (1,750 meters). Trekking 5-6 hours (B,L,D)

On the way to Kewzing, we will visit the Tashiding Monastery, which stands on a cone-shaped mountain. There are several chortens next to the monastery and it said that just seeing these cleanse away all sins. We can try this out! The prayer walls with the mantras artfully carved in stone are also beautiful. Unfortunately, the stonemason who created all the works of art passed away a few years ago.

In the late afternoon, we will reach Kewzing, a typical Bhutia village. Here we will be guests in the home of a family and can immerse ourselves in the culture of the Bhutia Sikkimese, who originally came from Tibet.

We will take a short tour of the village by foot and we will end the evening with a traditional Bhutia dinner in the simple kitchen of our host family, followed by a small cultural performance around the campfire. Of course, a “Chang”, a home-brewed beer made from millet, is a must.

Overnight stay in an simple family house in Kewzing (1,550 meters). Travel time 3 hours. Hike 2 hours (B,L,D)

On this day, we will take a ride to the town of Ravangla, where we will stroll through the town, past tiny pubs and corner stores. We will take a detour to visit the Buddha Park with its gigantic Buddha statue, which was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in 2013.

We will drive along the mountain ridge with its spectacular panorama to the largest tea garden in Sikkim. The Temi tea garden is known for its excellent, organically grown tea and is an insider tip among connoisseurs. We will continue to the town of Singtam down in the valley and head north to the Rumtek region.

A road lined with prayer flags, we will arrive at the original old monastery of Rumtek, whicg dates back to 1734. It exudes a wonderful sense of tranquillity and is situated on a mountain ridge with fantastic views of the hills and fields of Martam. There is a small shrine in an adjoining room which is dedicated to the protector of the Kagyu school, Mahakala. However, the figure is always covered due to its powerful effect.

His Holiness, the 16th Karmapa, head of the Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism, lived here from 1959 to 1981. After fleeing to Sikkim during the Chinese invasion of Tibet, he received asylum, land and support from the King of Sikkim to build a new monastery in Rumtek and his home monastery in Tsurphu in Tibet served as a model. During the 16th Karmapa’s lifetime, the monastery was an important pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists. The 16th Karmapa is one of the most important reincarnations in the Tibetan Buddhist world and the head of the Karma Kagyu school. The Karma Kagyu school is one of the four main branches of Tibetan Buddhism. The Dalai Lama is the head of the Gelugpa (Yellow Caps) school.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Rumtek (1,350 meters). Travel time 4 – 5 hours. Hike 1 – 2 hours (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we will take a hike on narrow paths across terraced rice fields to a small indigenous settlement. We will walk through the village and gain an insight into village and rural life. We will be invited to visit the village shaman in a house built on stilts. Here we will be allowed to watch a ceremony and enjoy a cup of tea together.

We will then visit the Lingdum Zurman Kharwang monastery. Inside the colorful complex, the murals tell of important events in the life of the Buddha. The cosmopolitan monastery also has an active monks’ school. The young monks can often be found memorizing the Tibetan alphabet or reciting mantras (powerful prayers).

Overnight stay at the hotel in Rumtek (1,350 meters). Travel time 1 – 2 hours. Hike 1 – 3 hours (B,D,L)

You will be able to enjoy a day of rest and relaxation at the Bamboo Retreat Hotel. You can try the herbal bath, a massage or hot stone bath, as well as taking part in a garden tour (payable locally). Overnight stay at the hotel. (B,L,D)

We will travel to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. There we will visit the Institute of Tibetology. It has one of the most beautiful collections of Buddhist literature, as well as a large number of thangkas, bronze figures and cult objects.

Traditional crafts are taught at the Cottage Industries Institute. Traditional wood carvings, textiles and Bamboo items are also available.

If the weather is fine, it is worth taking a trip to a viewpoint facing of the Kangchendzönga massif. The probably the most beautiful is the Tashi Viewpoint.

We can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the bazaar in Gangtok and perhaps even make a deal or two.

Overnight stay in a centrally located hotel in Gangtok (1,800 meters). Travel time 2 hours (B, L)

In the morning we will make a 4 1/2 hours drive to Bagdogra, where our journey comes to an end.

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