Day 01: Fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur Airport. Transfer for the Airport to Gangtok. Check in at Hotel at Gangtok. Leisure overnight.
Day 02: Enjoy the Sikkimese breakfast and transfer for the sightseeing around
Gangtok Monasteries. The places you will be visiting are as follows.
Enchey Monastery - About 3 km from the centre of town, a small hermitage was built by
lama Druptob Karpo (renowned for his power of flying) at this spot
after he flew here from Maenam Hill in South Sikkim about more than 200
years ago. During the reign of Sidkeong Tulku, 1909-1910. The present
monastery was built in the form of Chinese Pagoda. It follows Nyingmapa
order. The annual puja is celebrated with religious masked dances on
the 18th and 19th days of the 11 month of the Tibetan Buddhist calendar
corresponding to the month of December.
Do-drul Chorten (Stupa) -
Situated on a hillock, it is a five minutes drive from Gangtok town.
Built by late Trulshik Rimpoche in 1946, head of the Nyingmapa order
and the late Chogyal Tashi Namgyal in 1957 to invoke the Gods for the
peace and tranquillity in the State. Set of Kagyur holy books, relics,
complete mantras, rare mandalas of Dorjee Phurba (Bajra Kilaya) and
other religious objects are found inside the Chorten. A small Chorten
known as Jhang Chub is built beside the Phurba Chorten in memory of
Trulshik Rimpoche who passed away in 1962. Few yards below the Chorten
is the rock known as “DO-TA-PU” or “Stone Horse”. There is a monastery
close by called “Guru Lakhang” with the state of Guru Padmasambhava and
Guru Snong Zisil Gnen, the incarnated one of the first. Around the
Chorten is installed the ‘180’ Mani-Lhakor or prayer wheels. The
Chorten has the sacred topped stupa.
Research Institute of Tibetology - The Namgyal Research Institute of Tibetology is a world-renowned
research centre for Tibetan Buddhism and is well stocked with rare
books and manuscripts on Buddhism. Contains rare collection of antique
like coins, statues, rosaries, antic documents, brass bells, dorjis,
and thankas. Ti has a collection of almost 30,000 volumes on diverse
subjects like astrology, philosophy, magic and religion. It conducts
research in the fields of language and culture of Tibet. The foundation
was laid in 1957 by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and was inaugurated by
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in October 1958. It also has a number of
religious art and craftwork as well as books for sale. It’s vast wealth
of Lepcha, Tibetan and Sanskrit manuscripts attracts scholars from all
corners of the world. The institute is open from 10.00 AM to 4.00 PM,
Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sunday, Second Saturdays and on
Government holidays.
Rumtek Monastery - It is about 24 km From Gangtok nested in a lovely landscape. The
first monastery was built in 1717 At Rumtek by the then Chogyal Gyurmed
Namgyal, but was destroyed by the earthquake and aging. His
Holiness the late 16th Gyalwa Karmapa constructed the second monastery
in 1960. It is the headquarters of the Kagyu-pa (Red Hat) sect of the
Tibetan lamaistic Buddhism. It is an excellent replica of the original
Kagyu headquarters at Tsurpu in Tibet. It houses some of the world’s
most unique art objects, ancient manuscripts and icons. Above the
Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre is a hermitage where the monks go into
complete seclusion for meditation for a period of three years. The
important chaam (religious masked dance) is performed on the 10th day
of the 5th month of the Tibetan Calendar, and presence eight
manifestations of the Guru Rimpoche. This is highly colourful and
spectacular and draws many pilgrims and visitors. Prayers at about 0400
and 1800 hours.
Tsuklakhang -
The palace monastery or Royal Chapel of the Chogyals opens only once a
year for the civilians in the last week of December for the Lossong
festival when the famous Black Hat dance portrays the triumph of good
over evil. This was once the most important monastery where all the
important national and religious festival was celebrated here. It was
the site of the coronation ceremonies of the kings of Sikkim, of royal
marriages and of celebration ceremonies of the kings of Sikkim, of
royal marriages and of celebrations to mark victories. Tsuklakhang,
standing on the high ridge has a large and impressive collection of
scriptures. Tsuklakhang is a very elegant structure in typical
Sikkimese style with carved and painted woodworks, murals, wall
hangings and priceless Buddhist treasures. Lavishly decorated altars
hold images of the Buddha, Bodhisattvas and Tantric deities. Among the
important festivals still celebrate at Tsuklakhang are Pang Lhabsol
held in mid September in honour of Mount Khangchendzonga the guardian
deity of Sikkim, Kagyad in early December, which features a dance –
drama enacted by Buddhist monks, and losar is strictly prohibited
Day 03:
After breakfast transfer from Gangtok to Pemayangtse ( Pelling ) a
small town in western Sikkim. Check in at hotel at Pelling. Leisure
Overnight.
Days 04: Today after Breakfast Transfer for the Sightseeing around Pelling. The places you will be visiting are as follows:
Pemayangtse Monastery-
The premier monastery of Sikkim, Pemayangtse (Perfect Sublime Lotus) is
about 118 km From Gangtok and is situated at a height of 2085 mtrs. It
is the second oldest monastery of Sikkim and it is of Tantric Nyingmapa
order. It was founded furring the reign of 3rd Chogyal, Chahdor Namgyal
in 1705. The ministry contains numerous antique idols and objects of
worship. The monastery is a three storied structure filled with wall
paintings and sculptures including seven tiered painted wooden
sculpture on the top floor portraying the Mahaguru’s Heavenly palace
‘Sangthokpalri’ which was completed in a span of five years, single
handily by the late Dungzin Rimpoche. The Chortens around t he place
have however stood the elements of nature. The ruins are now being
preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India and have been declared
as monuments. Annual Chaam dance is held o n the 28th and 29th day of
the 12th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar. Dressed in costumes of
rare magnificence the lamas represent Mahakala and Guru Drag-dmar. The
dance ends on the third day with the unfurling of the Ghyo-ku – a
gigantic embroidered Buddhist scroll as the devotees bend down.
Rabdenste Palace Ruins-
Rabdenste was the second capital of Sikkim shifted from Yuksom. The
second Chogyal of Sikkim, Tensung Namgyal, established it in the late
seventeenth century. Presently the Rabdentse Palace in West Sikkim is
in ruins, now being preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India and
have been declared as a monument.
Khechopalri Lake- It is located at a distance of 33 Km away from Pemayangtse. The name
Khechopalri mean' Wishing Lake’ and is considered to be one of the
sacred lakes in Sikkim. The Sikkimese calls it Tsho-Sho-Tsho. The water
is placid and crystal clear. Not a single leaf can be seen floating and
there is an ancient belief that if a leaf drops on the surface of the
water it is picked by a bird. Khechopalri lake (1780m) lies in a
depression surrounded by prayer flags and forested hills. The
tranquillity of the lake is mood elevating.
Tashiding Monastery-
It is about 40km From Gyalshing. It is of Nyingmapa order at a hilltop
that looms up between Rathong River and Rangit River. It is surrounded
by flags and stone plates skilfully carved with holy Buddhist mantras
was ‘ Om Mani Padme Hum” by Yanchong-Lodil. The main monastery was
built in 1717 by Pedi Wangmo (Ngadak Sempa Chenpo) during the reign of
3rd Chogyal Chahdor Namgyal, on a spot consecrated by Guru Rimpoche.
Tashiding Monastery (1469m) is considered to be the most sacred and
holiest shrine or Chorten in Sikkim. It is believed that to merely view
the sacred Chorten Thongwa Rangdol and Bumcho (holy water) is enough to
cleanse one of all sins. Lhatsun Chenpo built the chorten. Bumchu is
one of the sacred objects of worship to the Sikkimese. It is a sacred
pot-containing holy, blessed by a Buddhist saint in the 17th Century,
which does not dry up nor spoil. Today, even after 300 years the water
remains as fresh as before. The sacred ceremony of Bumchu is held on
the 15th day of the first Tibetan month, when the Bumchu containing the
holy water is opened for public 'darshan' once a year. Pilgrims come
each spring for the Bumchu or water-pot festival in February to drink
water from the sacred pot to the gold-topped monastery – Tashiding.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Today after breakfast transfer from Pelling to Phuntsholing. Check in at Hotel at Phuntsholing. Leisure overnight.
Day 06: Transfer from Phuntsholing to Thimpu the capital of Bhutan. Check in at hotel at Thimpu. Leisure overnight.
Day 07: Today enjoy an Bhutanese breakfast and transfer for sightseeing in Thimpu. The places you will be visiting are as follows.
Memorial Chortan: dedicated to the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
Tashichho Dzong: seat of the government of Bhutan and the summer residence of the central monk body.
The Traditional Medicine Hospital where herbal medicines are prepared
the National Library, a treasure trove of ancient texts the
Painting School where children learn the traditional techniques of
drawing and painting Dechenchholing to see traditional gold and silver
smiths at work. Changangkha Lakhang which contains ancient scriptures
and thangka paintings. Simtokha Dzong, Bhutan's oldest fortress which
now houses a school for Buddhist studies.
Day 08: Transfer from Thimpu to Paro. Check in at hotel at Paro. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 09: Today after breakfast Paro sightseeing. The places you will be visiting are as follows.
Taksang Monastery (Tiger's nest). The climb up to the view point will take around 3 hours and enjoy the
stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambava landed on the
back of a Tiger in the 8th century, and meditated for three
months. The monastery was later built in this holy place in 1684. After
lunch walk back to the road point and drive to Hotel.
Rinpung Dzong: The “fortress of the heap of jewels“ was built in 1646 by Shabdrung
Ngawang Namgyal on a hill above the township. The approach to the
Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge (called the Nemi Zam) and
then up a paved stone path running alongside the imposing outer
walls. The valley’s annual springtime religious festival, the
Paro Tsechu, takes place in the courtyard of the dzong and on the dance
ground on the hillside above.
Ta-Dzong: built in the 17th century, as watch tower to defend Paro Dzong
below. This Dzong was later converted into the National Museum in 1967,
and is filled with antique Thankha paintings, textiles, weapons and
amour.
Day 10: Today after breakfast drive to Paro Airport and fly to Delhi or Kathmandu. Check in at hotel.
