S/ 01: 10 Days Car Tour : The Heart of Darjeeling & Kalimpong
- Available all year round.
- Best in Sep-Dec and Feb-March.
- Max Altitude: 2134 m
Easy paced holiday, featuring Kurseong, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Samthar.. Breathtaking snow views, spectacular sunrises, mountains, forests , hill stations, remote villages, Buddhist monasteries, shopping in exotic bazaars, tea gardens. toy train journey, Social and organic agricultural community, walking, cooking, interaction with local people and more. Staying at selected atmospheric hotels/ home stays.
Day 01: Bagdogra- Kurseong
Arrive at Bagdogra Airport. Met by your car with driver and driven to Kurseong. Check in at Cochrane Place Hotel for lunch.
The Cochrane Place was once home to Percy John Cochrane, MBE . The house has been restored and recreated. Stone, log and cast iron exteriors are complemented with regal antique furniture, colonial cuisine and the Raj ambiance, with the flavour of the tea gardens.
In the evening a short walk to soak in the ambiance. Later visit to the local bazaar Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02: Kurseong
Visit Ambootia Tea Estate - one of the foremost bio dynamic organic tea gardens. The garden produces premium quality tea in use at NASA space station, and retailing at Harrods, and other premium stores. View the entire manufacturing process, and walk around the tea estate. Drive back to the hotel for lunch. Latter visit Kunsamnamdoling Buddhist monastery, or at liesure. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 03: Kurseong- Darjeeling
Start the day with a joy ride in the toy train from Kurseong to Tung.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) recently conferred World Heritage status is a nineteenth century engineering feat. Constructed between 1879 and 1888. it spans an altitude of 150 m to 2222 m. It remains fully operational and retains most of its original features. You will marvel at the builders of this unique railway, as the tiny "B" Type steam locomotive huffs and puffs uphill with just three carriages.
After detraining visit Social and Organic Agricultural Community. Observe innovative eco friendly ideas to support local villages including diary, compost plant, solar water heating, biogas for cooking, mushroom cultivation, and children school.. Continue to the organic farming project . Continue to Darjeeling. Check in at hotel of choice. (Hotel Widamere / May Fair Resort / Hotel New Elgin / Hotel Cedar Inn / Hawks Nest Resort / Central Hotel). Afternoon free to explore on your own and walk the bazaars . Car with driver provided.
Darjeeling derived its present name from the Tibetan Dorjee-Ling, meaning Place of the thunderbolt. Until the nineteenth century, it was a part of the kingdom of Sikkim, and was first leased bt the British in 1835, and latter annexed in 1861, to as a base for trade with Tibet. In early 1840’s, tea plantations were developed, extensively, and Nepali labour was imported. This resulted in a change in the demographic balance, with Nepalese gradually gaining ground over other ethnic groups.After a political agitation, Darjeeling was granted, autonomy under a Gorkha Hill Council, with limited powers. Darjeeling retains it colonial flavor, and the fantastic views of the great snow capped ranges, is a major tourist attraction, along with Buddhist monasteries and exotic bazaar.
Day 04: Darjeeling
Guided tour of Darjeeling. Early morning visit Tiger Hill, for sunrise view of Khangchendzonga and Averest group, followed by Ghoom Biddhist Monastery. After breakfast, visir the Himalayan Zoological Park including the snow leopard enclosure, The Mount Everest Museum at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, and the Tibetan self Help Centre. Afternoon and evening free for exploring the exotic bazaar and shopping.
Day 05: Kalimpong
After breakfast drive to Kalimpong. Check in at hotel or homestay of choice ( Hotel Silver Oaks / Hotel Himalayan / Gurudongma House). Afternoon free to take a walk , explore bazaar or relax.
Kalimpong, is an exotic town of beautiful people, mystical and enchanting? Ruled by Bhutan for 155 years, and annexed by the British in 1865, it was developed as a center of the wool trade with Tibet. The Lepchas, who were the original inhabitants, were subjected to Bhutanese, Tibetan, British, and Nepalese influences. History has left behind a fascinating ethnic blend of Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepalese people. Here Buddhism rubs shoulders with Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam. Gompas, churches, temples, monasteries, monks and missionaries; all coexist in a jovial and tolerant society. Flower and orchid nurseries, colonial bungalows, churches of the "Raj", and Buddhist monasteries are there to explore. A quaint bustling bazaar, is a Pandora's box of surprises? Kalimpong is a wanderer's delight. Buddhist tankhas, hand beaten silver, Bhutanese weaves, Chinese lamps, hand crafted paper, Lepcha daggers, Nepali Khukaris and Buddhist masks, are some of the shopping attractions. The Wednesday and Saturday "Hat", or village market, brings together people from surrounding areas, selling an amazing variety of products.
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