Gold Travels

Tour Overview

Immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes and rich Buddhist heritage of the Eastern Himalayas. This popular 6-day twin-destination tour combines three nights in Gangtok—Sikkim's vibrant capital—with two nights in Darjeeling, the "Queen of Hills." Enjoy high-altitude glacial lakes, sacred shrines, scenic cable car rides, historic monasteries, and an iconic sunrise over Mt. Kanchenjunga.

Itinerary (Day Wise)

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Day 1

Welcome to Sikkim – Arrival & Transfer to Gangtok

Route: Bagdogra Airport (IXB) / NJP Railway Station – Gangtok
Distance & Time: ~122 km | 3–4 Hours Drive
Elevation: 1,650 meters (5,410 feet)

Scenic Mountain Drive: Meet and greet our representative upon arrival at Bagdogra Airport or NJP Railway Station. Embark on a pleasant drive winding through forested hills and river valleys up to Gangtok.
Hotel Check-In & Rest: Arrive at your hotel, complete check-in procedures, and unwind.
Evening Leisure: Spend your evening at leisure exploring local surroundings or taking a relaxing walk along MG Marg.

Overnight: Comfortable overnight stay at your hotel in Gangtok.

Day 2

High-Altitude Glacial Lake & Border Shrine Excursion

Timing: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Elevation: Up to 13,200 feet

Tsomgo Glacial Lake (12,400 ft): Depart early for a 40 km drive to Tsomgo (Changu) Lake. Surrounded by steep mountain peaks covered in snow during winter and alpine blooms in summer, this sacred lake is a natural gem of East Sikkim.
Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir (13,200 ft): Drive further up to the famous shrine dedicated to Major "Baba" Harbhajan Singh, an Indian Army soldier whose spirit is believed to protect military personnel along the high-altitude border.
Return Transfer: Drive back to Gangtok in the afternoon to rest and relax.
Overnight: Overnight stay at your hotel in Gangtok.

Optional Tour – Nathu La Pass:

Visit the historic Indo-China Silk Route border post (Subject to permit availability at additional cost; closed on Mondays & Tuesdays; permits issued on a sharing basis).

Day 3

Full-Day Gangtok City & Cultural Sightseeing

Spend a full day exploring Gangtok's spiritual, artistic, and scenic landmarks.

Banjhakri Waterfall: A multi-tiered cascade set in a lush eco-park with local ethnic culture displays.
Gangtok Ropeway: A scenic cable car ride offering bird's-eye views over Gangtok town and the valley.
Do Drul Chorten Stupa: Sikkim's famous stupa surrounded by 108 sacred prayer wheels.
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology: A world-renowned museum and research center dedicated to Tibetan culture and Mahayana Buddhism.
Directorate of Handicraft & Handloom: Admire authentic local arts, Thangka paintings, and hand-woven carpets.
Bakthang Waterfall: A wide, picture-perfect waterfall fed by Ratey Chu streams.
Gunjang Monastery: A tranquil Buddhist monastery nestled in scenic hills.
Tashi Viewpoint: Sweeping vistas of snow-capped Himalayan ranges, including Mt. Kanchenjunga.
Ganesh Tok: A hilltop temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha offering panoramic town views.
Hanuman Tok: A serene hilltop shrine dedicated to Lord Hanuman surrounded by tranquil mountain views.

Overnight: Comfortable overnight stay at your hotel in Gangtok.

Day 4

Gangtok to Darjeeling – Journey to the "Queen of Hills"

Route: Gangtok - Darjeeling

Distance & Time: ~110 km | 4–5 Hours Drive

Elevation: 2,123 meters (7,000 feet)

Cross-Border Scenic Drive: After a hearty breakfast, check out from Gangtok and travel toward Darjeeling in West Bengal, passing green tea estates and pine-draped slopes.
Hotel Check-In: Arrive in Darjeeling, check into your hotel, and spend the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight: Comfortable overnight stay at your hotel in Darjeeling.

Day 5

Full-Day Darjeeling Heritage Sightseeing

Wake up early for an iconic Himalayan sunrise followed by classic hill station exploration.

Tiger Hill Sunrise (4:30 AM): Travel up to Tiger Hill to watch the golden sunrise illuminate the snow peaks of Mt. Kanchenjunga (Subject to traffic police pass availability).
Breakfast & Heritage Stops: Return to the hotel for breakfast, then set out to visit:
- Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI): Famous mountaineering museum and school (closed Thursdays).
- Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park: India's largest high-altitude zoo, home to Red Pandas and Snow Leopards (closed Thursdays).
- Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Center: Witness traditional handicrafts, carpets, and wood carvings (closed Sundays).
- Tea Gardens (Outer View): Pass by sprawling green slopes of famous Darjeeling tea estates.
- Japanese Temple & Peace Pagoda: Experience peaceful Buddhist architecture and spiritual serenity.
Overnight: Return to the hotel for a relaxing overnight stay in Darjeeling.

Optional Tour – UNESCO Toy Train Joyride:

Joyride tickets can be purchased at an additional cost (Additional car halting charge @ ₹1,000 per vehicle applies if booked on the same day).

Day 6

Farewell to the Mountains

Route: Darjeeling - NJP Railway Station / Bagdogra Airport (IXB)

Departure: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, complete check-out procedures, and board your private transfer down to NJP Railway Station or Bagdogra Airport for your journey home.

Traveler Tips & Guidelines:

· Permits & Mandatory ID Cards: Restricted high-altitude zones (Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir, Nathu La) require Protected Area Permits (PAP). Guests must carry valid original government photo ID cards (Voter ID or Passport) and 4–6 passport-size photographs per person. (Note: Aadhaar cards and PAN cards are generally not accepted for border permits).

· Closed Days Notice: HMI & Padmaja Naidu Zoo are closed on Thursdays; Tibetan Refugee Center is closed on Sundays; Nathu La Pass is closed on Mondays & Tuesdays. Sightseeing order may be re-sequenced accordingly.

Package Inclusions & Exclusions

Arrival & Departure Assistance: Warm meet-and-greet service upon arrival at NJP Railway Station / Bagdogra Airport (IXB).

Private Sightseeing & Transfers: Airport/railway station pick-up, drop-off, and all regional sightseeing as specified in the itinerary.

Accommodation: Stays in selected hotels with daily breakfast included. (Note: Stays at Lachung hotels include both daily breakfast and dinner).

Dedicated Transport: Exclusive non-disposal A/C vehicle operating strictly on a point-to-point basis according to the itinerary.

Taxes: All applicable government and service taxes included.

Airfare & Railfare: Any airfare or train tickets to/from NJP / Bagdogra.

Optional Permits & Excursions: Permit charges and vehicle costs for Nathu La Pass or Zero Point (unless explicitly added).

Personal Expenses: Room heaters, laundry services, phone calls, room service, mineral water, soft/alcoholic beverages, tips, and personal porter charges.

Unlisted Services: Anything not expressly mentioned under the "Inclusions" list.

Force Majeure & Calamities: Any emergency expenses arising from natural disasters (landslides, road blockages, heavy snowfall) or political events (strikes, road blockages). Extra hotel stays or rerouting costs must be borne directly by the guest on the spot.

Extra Vehicle Usage: Costs for additional sightseeing or vehicle usage outside specified itinerary routes and operating hours.

Monument & Entry Fees: Entry tickets to tourist attractions, eco-tourism spots, cable car/ropeway rides, camera permits, or activity charges.