Darjeeling & Sikkim:
Journey through the land of Red Pandas & Wild Orchids
Darjeeling & Sikkim:
Journey through the land of Red Pandas & Wild Orchids
Hidden jewels of the Himalayas!
Darjeeling
"Place of the Thunderbolt" Darjeeling is a quaint township spread in ribbons over a steep mountain ridge, surrounded by world famous vibrant emerald-green tea gardens and towered over by majestic Mt. Khangchendzonga, Also popularly known as the “Queen of Hills”. Darjeeling lies on the foothills of Mt. Khangchendzonga 28,169 ft (8598m) it's the world’s third-highest mountain. Home to some of world's famous Buddhist monasteries, colonial-era architectures and take a ride on the 140-year-old steam-billowing Darjeeling Himalayan Railway(UNESCO World Heritage).
On a clear day, Mt. Everest is also visible.
Sikkim
Sikkim was its own mountain Kingdom till 1975 and still retains a very distinctive personality. The meditative, mural-filled traditional monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism coexist with Hindu shrines of the Nepali community, with both religions creating some astonishing latter-day megasculptures to adorn the skyline.
Sikkim is bordered by the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north and northeast, Kingdom of Bhutan on the Southeast, the Indian state of West Bengal to the South and Nepal to the West. It is located on the eastern Himalayas and is one of the smallest states in India. Long a sovereign political entity, Sikkim became a protectorate of India in 1950 and an Indian state in 1975.
The North-East
Manipur
Nagaland
Nagaland
Nagaland
Nagaland
Nagaland
Assam
Nagaland
Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh
Tripura
Arunachal Pradesh
Meghalaya
Meghalaya
Arunachal Pradesh
Meghalaya
Some highlights of Sikkim & Darjeeling tour
Jelep La Pass
The historic "Old Silk Route" which once connected India and Tibet till the first half of 20th century. Before the Chinese invaded Tibet, this old silk route was used heavily to trade silk, wool and fur between Tibet and India.
Jelepla Pass was used to reach the beautiful Chumbi Valley of Tibet and then the route would continue to Lhasa.
Darjeeling Tea Plantations
“Champagne of teas”
Nestled at the southern end of the mighty Himalayas, the Darjeeling plateau’s climatic conditions gives this tea its distinctive aroma and flavour. Darjeeling tea is harvested by hand-picking the top two leaves or buds of young shoots.
Darjeeling is one of the highest elevation tea producing mountains (up to 4000 feet above sea level). Made from the Camellia Sinensis plant, it is recognized as one of the most aromatic teas in the world owing to it's unique geographical location.
Singhi Chaam
The masked dance is typically performed during the annual Pang Lhabsol festival, which is celebrated to honor Mt. Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world. Dressed in elaborate and colorful costumes, including large masks representing various deities and animals such as the snow lion, deer & peacock. The dance depicts the victory of good over evil and the destruction of negative forces. The performers move in synchronized steps and graceful gestures, with each movement carrying a symbolic meaning related to Buddhist teachings and mythology. The dance is accompanied by traditional Sikkimese music, including the sounds of cymbals, drums, and flutes.
Red Pandas
Darjeeling hosts one of the most successful and only breeding programme for the species in its natural distribution zone.
Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) is a small mammal of the Himalayas, almost the size of a jungle cat with a chestnut coat and ringed tail. It is distributed in the Himalayas from Central Nepal through northern Burma in the mountains of South-Western China at an altitude ranging between 900-13,000 feet.
Ancient Buddhist Monasteries
Old Ghoom Monastery is the popular name of Yiga Choeling. The monastery belongs to the Gelukpa or the Yellow Hat sect and is known for its 15 feet-high statue of the Maitreya Buddha. The external structure of the building was established in 1850 by the Mongolian astrologer and monk Sokpo Sherab Gyatso, who was head of the monastery until 1905.
Ghoom Monastery is also a revered place for the entire Buddhist community and is believed to house single copies of some rare Buddhist manuscripts
Cultural Heritage
The region's cultural heritage is a treasure trove of traditions, beliefs, and practices that have evolved over centuries, reflecting the region’s rich history and multicultural influences. It hosts a plethora of distinctive celebrations and festivals which offer travelers a chance to partake in the region’s cultural vibrancy.