Sikkim Tours
- Bhumchu Tour,
- Sikkim : Shangri-la Tour
- Sikkimese Monastic Tour
- Around Gangtok Tour
- Golden triangle Himalayan Tour
Bhumchu Tour
Suitable Months : January/ February,(March -May, September-November) Bumchu is another event that forms a part of the major festivals in Sikkim . The etymology of Bumchu dissects in two words, where one is Bum meaning 'pot or vase' and the second 'chu' means 'water'. The literal meaning of Bumchu is a "sacred pot". Bumchu is a Buddhist festival that is celebrated at Tashiding Monastery in Sikkim , India . Initiated in 1700 AD, Bumchu falls on the 15th day of first Tibetan calendar year (January-February).)
Golden Stupa at Tashiding Monastery
A sacred pot, Bumchu contains holy water which is blessed by Ngadak Sempa Chenpo after he said the Mane Mantra five billion times. The amount of water in the Bumchu is said to predict the fate of Sikkim for the whole year. If it is seen that the Bumchu is full to the brim it signifies that the year will be a year of revolutions and turmoil. On the other hand if the level of the water is low then the year will be affected by ailments and diseases. However if the Bumchu is half full, then the year will be a prosperous one.
It is seen over ages that the holy water has not dried up or has got spoiled in more than 300 years. It still smells fresh.
Bumchu Festival attracts thousand of devotees from Nepal , Bhutan , Darjeeling and other neighboring places. It is celebrated at the Tashiding Monastery. During the Bumchu Festival, lamas of the monastery open the Bumchu for the public display which is otherwise locked. Some of the holy water is distributed to the devotees after which the Bumchu is again sealed to be opened next year.
- Day 01 : Pickup from airport, transfer to hotel in Gangtok. 4-5 hrs from the Railway station or the airport.
- Day 02 : Gangtok sightseeing, tour to Rumtek monastery and Research institute of Tibetology/ Rumtek Monastery (Dharma Chakra Centre)/ Handicraft Institute/ Enchey monastery/ Zumrang Lingdum Monastery
- Day 03 : Gangtok – Pemayangtse. 5 hrs drive from the Gangtok. Its in West Sikkim . On the way one can visit the Tibetan Refugee Camp at Rabongla and Bon Monastery the only in Sikkim .
- Day 04 : Pemayangtse - Tashiding (arrive Tashiding for the Bhumchu ceremony before midnight . Bumchu, the festival of the Holy Water.
- Day 05 : Pemayangtse - Khechopalri Lake (wishing Lake ), attendance of prayers.
- Day 06 : Pemayangtse sightseeing. Short walk to Rabdentse Palace ruins (second oldest place of the King of Sikkim),Sangachoeling monastery, the second oldest monastery of Sikkim/Yuksom, the first capital of Sikkim .
- Day 07 : Drop to airport
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Festival at Rumtek Monastery
Sikkim : Shangri-la Tour
Suitable months : February-May, September-December- Day 01 : Arrival at Gangtok - 4.5 hrs drive from Njp Railway station/ Bagdogra airport. Over night at the hotel.
- Day 02 : Gangtok Sightseeing: Rumtek Monastery (Dharma Chakra Centre)/ Institute of Tibetology (Museum)/ Do-Durl Stupa/ Flower exhibition/ Enchey Monastery/ Handicraft Institute.
- Day 03 : Transfer to Lachung (North Sikkim): Lachung is situated at an altitude of 8500 ft, (2575 mt). Its around 5 hrs drive from Gangtok, passing through the remote village and good view of the hills and lots of water falls.
- Day 04 : Excursion to Yumthang. A valley of Flowers stuated at an altitude of 11800 ft. (3575 mt). I believe it’s the only place in the world where you can find more than 36 different species of Rohododendron flower on a different colour and lots of Primulas and Strawberry flower and other high altitude flowers. Almost 10 km whole stretch of valley is filled with Rohododendron flower. There are many more Hot Springs also.
- Day 05 : Transfer to Gangtok. On the way one can visit Sikkim very old Phodong and Labrang Monastries.
- Day 06 : Transfer to Martam/Rumtek. Though its not too far from Gangtok city but still it is considered as a tipical sikkemese village. One can see lots of Rice/ Paddy field and lots of Oranges gardening fields.
- Day 07: Transfer to Pemayangtse. 5 hrs drive from Gangtok. Pemayangtse is in west Sikkim. Pemayangtse is the 3rd oldest monastery of Sikkim. On the top of the monastery one should go and visit, we called it as a Santokpalri.
- Day 08 : Pemayangtse sightseeing. Visit Kechopalri Lake (wishing lake)/ Pemayangtse monastery/ Sangachoeling monastery/ Rabdentse Palace ruins (2nd palace of the King of Sikkim)/ Yuksom village (First capital of Sikkim) one can visit the first kings coronation throne.
- Day 09 : Transfer to Airport or Extension.
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Festival at Rumtek Monastery
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Sikkimese Monastic Tour
Suitable Months : February-May, September-December- Day 01 : Arrival at Gangtok: 4-5 hrs from the NJP Railway station or Airport.
- Day 02 : Sightseeing the Monasteries at Gangtok. Enchey Monastery/ Ngor – Gompa/ Institute of Tibetology (Museum)/ Do-Durl Stupa/ Zumrang Lingdum Monastery.
- Day 03 : Excursion to Phodong Monastery. 2-3 hrs from Gangtok. It’s the oldest monastery of Sikkim. Phodong (Kargupa order) and Labrang (Niyingmapa Order). On the way one can visit Lepcha village also.
- Day 04 : Transfer to Rumtek/Martam visit Rumtek Monastery. Rumtek , very popular all over the world. It is also known as Dharma Chakra Centre. Belongs to Kargupa Order. Over night at Martam Resort.
- Day 05 : Transfer to Pemayangtse. Drive to West Sikkim, 5 hrs from the Gangtok. On the way one can visit, Tibetan Refugee camp at Rabongla, Bon Monastery, the only one in Sikkim.
- Day 06 : Sightseeing the Monasteries of Pemayangtse and Tashiding. Visit Pemayangtse monastery, the third oldest monastery of Sikkim/ Rabdentse Ruins, the second place of the King of Sikkim. Sangachoeling Monastery, the second oldest monastery of Sikkim, Visit Kechopalri Lake (wishing Lake), and Tashiding monastery, it’s a pilgrim place for the Buddhist people.
- Day 07: Pemayantse to Yuksom, the first capital of Sikkim. Visit Dubdi Monastery the first monastery built in Sikkim. And the Coronation Throne of the First Chogyal (King) of Sikkim. Walk around the Yuksom village
- Day 08 : Transfer to Airport or extension of programme.
Around Gangtok Tour
Directorat of Handicrafts: (Is closed for visitors on Sunday, all Government holidays, second Saturday’s and the odd unforeseen holidays). Directorat of Handicraft is Situated in Gangtok, the Capital of Sikkim. It is also known as the Government institute of Cottage industries (GICI). Started during the time of Chogyals of Sikkim, as a venture to preserve, protect and propagate the authentic Sikkimese arts, handicraft and skills of local and village artisans, it has become one of the major attractions for people visiting Sikkim where beautiful souvenirs like capital, hand carved tables (Choktses), traditional handicrafts furniture, handlooms carpets and others products are produce and exhibited for sale.The White Hall : has historical value and is situated on the Ridge park, Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. It is a two storied structure and has typical British architecture and has built in 1932. It is so called not because it is painted white but because it was built in the memory of the first British political officer of Sikkim, Sir John Claude White. There is an Officers Club and badminton court in the white hall.
Permanent Flower Show : Sikkim is famous for the Orchids, In Gangtok, the Capital of Sikkim, the Orchid flower festival held in the month of February. Closed by the White memorial hall and just below the Palace. Recent year this show has become quite popular and famous as there are flower exhibitions throughout the year in accordance with the seasons and the flower in bloom.
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Orchids exhibition at White Hall
Do-Durl Chorten (Stupa) : This stupa encircled by 108 prayer wheels was built by the late Trulsi Rimpoche in 1945-46. This is one of the most important and biggest stupas found in Sikkim. Inside this Stupa there are complete mandala sets of Dorjee Phurba (Bajra Kilaya), a set of Kan-gyur relics (Holy Books), complete ‘Zung’ (mantras) and other religious objects. Around this Chorten, which is one of the most important Stupas in Sikkim, are 10 Mani-Lhakor (prayer wheels) these prayer wheels are turned by the devotee Buddhist while chanting ‘Hail to the jewel in the Lotus to invoke the Buddhisattava.’
Rumtek Monastery : Dharma Chakra Centre, or Rumtek Monastery, is one of the most important seats of the Kagyu lineage outside Tibet. In the early 1960's, His Holiness the Sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa founded this seat near the 300 year old Kagyu monastery built in the sixteenth century by the Fourth King of Sikkim under the guidance of the ninth Karmapa. The new Rumtek monastery was built about two kilometers away from this old monastery. Rumtek became the International Kagyu Headquarters during the life of His Holiness, from where lineage activities manifested throughout the world. It also became the residence of a new generation of Kagyu masters, who are being trained in a tradition of study and meditation practice which began 800 years ago. The monastic college buildings is in the backside.Dharma Chakra Center includes a beautifully structured main shrine temple and monastery with monks' quarters, where the Karmapa resides and where the most of the important relics are enshrined; a three-year retreat center; a Shedra, or monastic college, where the relics of the Sixteenth Karmapa are enshrined; a nunnery; stupas; a protector's shrine; institutions for the lay community; and other establishments. Click here for a panoramic view of Rumtek (large image: 85k).
LOCATION AND OTHER FACTS
Dharma Chakra Center, known as the Rumtek Monastery, is located in eastern Sikkim, 24 kilometers away from Gangtok, the capital of the Sikkim, India. Rumtek is situated at an altitude of about 5800 ft (1,547 metres); the temperature in Summer is between a maximum of 20.7 and minimum of 13.1 (deg.C°.); in Winter, maximum 14.9 / minimum 7.7. The best season to visit, in terms of weather, is March to late May, or from October to mid-December. The following languages are spoken in the area: Sikkimese, Pahari (the local Nepalese dialect), Hindi, Tibetan and English.
Enchey Monastery: is Located on the hilltop above the Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. This monastery rebuilt in 1910 belong to the Nyingmapa Order and has once the hermitage site of Lama Drupthob Karpo renowned for his power of flying. An important seat of the Nyingmapa order, the Enchey Monastery meaning the solitary temple, was originally built with the solace that no other construction would be allowed near it is built on the site blessed by lama Druptob Karpo, a tantric master known for his flying power. This 200 year old monastery has its premises images of God, Goddesses and other religious objects. Every year around January ‘Chaam’ or religious masked dance is performed with great fanfare for two days.
Hanuman Tok : Altitude-7200 ft Situated above 5 km uphill from Gangtok market, the capital of Sikkim on a bifurcation road of the Gangtok-Nathula Highway, is a temple devoted to Hanuman, a god worshipped by Hindu. On Selected points of Gangtok and the adjoining rolling hills can be seen. From the temple itself, the snowy parks of Kangchendzonga present a panoramic view. One also get a birds eye view of the Gangtok town.
Tashi View Point : It is situated 4 km from the Gagntok, the capital of Sikkim from where people can see the whole mountain range ( Kanchendzonga range).This site offers a breathtaking panorama of the majestic Mt. Kanchendzoanga and surrounding hills. Built by the late King of Sikkim Sir Tashi Namgyal. On the opposite hill, the very old monasteries of Sikkim Phodong and Labrang Monasteries can be seen.
Ganesh Tok : Altitude-6500 ft. It is very small temple dedicated to Lord Gnesh, previously Temple is so small in size the can hardly accommodate one person and one has crowl to get inside it but recently in the year of 2007 it was renovated and rebuilt in big temple. Situated 3 km from the Gangtok the capital of Sikkim.
Sa-Ngor-Chotshong Centre: Located on a beautiful hill top it is a monastic institution established in 1961 by his Eminence Ludibg Khen Rimpoche, Head of Ngopa, sub-sect of the Sakya Order, with the blessing of H.H Sakya Trinzin and H.H. the Dalai Lama. This is only monastery of the Sakya Order of Tibetan Buddhism in Sikkim.
Tsomgo/ Changu Lake : Distance is 32 km (from Gangtok), Altitude – 3750mt The TSOM (head) GO (Lake), the holy lake, situated at an altitude of 3750 mt (12,600 ft), on a highway to Tibet Border (Nathula). Nathula is just only 18 Km from here. From the Gangtok the capital of Sikkim its just only 32km but it takes 2 ½ hrs to reach there. The road is very stiff and it’s a Military based area. One has to make special permit to go there from the Sikkim Tourism Office and Sikkim Police Check Post. Drive to Tsomgo Lake is breathtaking, within 2 hrs one can feel the difference of the altitude from 5800 ft to 12600 ft. The Tsomgo lake in Sikkim derives its water from the melting snow on the mountains around, The river Lungtze Chu originates from the Tsomgo lake Sikkim and meets the Rangpo-chu further down its course. During the olden times, lamas used to study the colour of the water of the lake and forecast about the future. If the waters of the Tsomgo lake had a dark tinge, it foreshadowed a year of trouble and unrest in the state. Tsomgo lake in Sikkim has a few rainbow trout and if you are lucky you may catch a glimpse at them.
Nathula Pass : Distance 54 km (from Gangtok), Altitude-14,790 ft (4.392 mt)
Note: the day for tourist visit are restricted and needs to be applied at least 24hrs in advance and limited days of operation. 18 km further away from Tsomgo lake. In the early times it was the main silk route trade of Sikkim and Tibet. But due to war between China and India it was closed for many years but recently Government of Sikkim had opened the rout again for the Business purposes. It’s a nearest way to reach Lhasa too. From Gangtok its only 11 hrs drive to reach Lhasa.
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Golden triangle Himalayan Tour
- DAY 01 : Bagdogra – Gangtok Distance : 129 kms Time : 5 hrs drive
- DAY 02: Gangtok Sightseeing Morning : Rumtek, a Kagyu Monastery also the seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa, Research Institute of Tibetology, the Do-drul Stupa and orchid sanctuary for a glimpse of the rare orchids. Afternoon: Visit Enchey Monastery, a Nyinmapa Monastery, the local handicraft center and the Flower Exhibition
- DAY 03 : Visit Tsomgo(Chhangu) Lake A sacred lake 35kms away situated at an altitude of 12400 ft near Nathula, the border between Tibet and India
- DAY 04: Gangtok – Lachung Distance:149kms Time:5 hrs drive Halt in one of the ethnic village resort, visit the Lachung Monastery and stroll through the village for a glimpse of typical village life.
- Day 05 : Lachung – Yumthang – Lachung Leave early in the morning to visit the Yumthang valley, passing through the Singba Rhododendron Sanctuary, home to nearly 40 varieties of rhododendron flowers. Yumthang valley at 11,800 ft is breathtakingly beautiful with snow-capped peaks and nature aglow.
- Day 06 : Lachung – Gangtok Leave for Gangtok, visiting the Phodong Monastery enroute.
- Day 07 :Gangtok – Pemayangtse Distance: 119 kms Time: approx 5 hrs
- Day 08 : Visit Khechoplari lake Distance: about 22 kms Khechoplari lake is also known as ‘Wishing Lake’. Also visit the Pemayangtse Monastery, the premier Nyinmapa Monastery, which houses the ‘Zandopalri’ a man-made wooden structure depicting the celestial abode of Guru Rimpoche.
- Day 09 : Visit Tashiding Monastery It is situated on top of a hill-top, another 17th century Nyinmapa Monastery. Enroute visit the hot-springs.
- Day 10 : Pemayangtse – Darjeeling Time: 4 hrs approx Enroute visit Rabdentse Palace ruins
- Day 11 :Visit Tiger Hill in the morning to view the sunrise & visit the Himalayan Mountain Institute, Tea Garden, Batasia Loop and the Tibetan Refugee Camp. Afternoon, visit the Dali Gompa, and take a short ride in the famed “Toy Train”.
- Day 12 : Visit Mirik Boating excursion at Sumendu Lake.
- Day 13 : Darjeeling – Kalimpong Distance: 50 kms Time: 2 ½ hrs approx
- Day 14 : Sightseeing around Kalimpong Walk around the town visiting the Art and Crafts Centre, Nurseries, and then on to Durpin Hill, about 5 kms away from the town for breathtaking view of the of Khanchenzonga range, and the whole Chola range of Sikkim.
- Day 15 : Kalimpong – Bagdogra Time: 2 ½ hrs approx Drop to to the airport.