MESMERIC SIKKIM  PACKAGE TOUR

Things to See, Where to Go, Things to Do

Kolkatta - Darjeeling - Pemayangtse - Gangtok

Kolkatta

Victoria Memorial: a splendid monument in white Makrana marble built in Italian Renaissance cum Saracenic style, Victoria Memorial was planned by Lord Curzon and opened by the Prince of Wales in 1921. This British attempt at building a second Taj Mahal is dedicated to Queen Victoria and houses a fantastic collection of rare memorabilia from colonial days. A light and sound show recreates history every evening.

Royal Calcutta Race Course - built in 1819 - considered one of the best race courses in Asia.

Birla Planetarium - one of the largest in the world. The central dome measures 25 mts in diameter

Tagore House - the birth place of Rabindranath Tagore, India’s greatest modern poet. Converted to Rabindra Bharati University, it is now a centre for Indian Classical Fine Arts.

The Marble Palace built at Chorbagan in 1840 by Raja Rajendra Mullick is now a museum. Spend your afternoon among precious objects d’art including works of Rubens and Sir Joshua Reynolds.

Indian Museum - built in 1877 in Italian style of architecture. Walk in to a varied collection of exhibits that include unique fossils, Buddhist Gandharan art, and an Egyptian mummy.

Ochterlony Monument (Shahid Minar) - 48 meter tower

Old British Government House (Raj Bhavan) - built in 1803, modelled on Lord Curzon’s Derbyshire home in England, it is now the official residence of the Governor of Bengal.

Town Hall (now City Magistrate's Office) - built in 1813 in Doric style on the riverfront.

Calcutta High Court - completed in 1872, the Gothic architectural style was copied from the Staadhans at Ypres, Belgium. The tower measures 55 meters

The Howrah Bridge and the Vidyasagar Setu frame the skyline of the riverfront. A great place to walk.

Dalhousie Square - the former administrative centre for British India. On one side is the General Post Office, a majestic specimen of Edwardian architecture. On the other side stands Writers’ Building , a massive Gothic structure with lonic pillars – still the house of political power.

Eden Gardens - Named after Lord Auckland’s sister, this picturesque garden has a tiny Burmese pagoda set in a small lake. It also houses Calcutta’s Cricket Stadium.

Outram Ghat, Ganges riverfront - a pleasant place to walk and view the majesty of the busiest bridge in the world, the Howrah Bridge and the Vidyasagar Setu – an awesome structural feat . Enjoy a cruise on the river in a panshi.

Zoological Garden - covers 16 hectares of land and built in 1876. The lakes within are a favourite retreat for migratory Siberian birds.

Horticultural Garden - the lush environ is also the venue for exotic plant and flower exhibitions.

Rabindra Sarovar - a park and picnic spot with a central lake and overhanging trees. The rowing regatta events are held here

Belvedere House (National Library) - houses over a million books and is the biggest library in India.

Science City - a space theatre, space flight simulator, recreated Jurassic forest, aviary and butterfly corner and much more

The Missionaries of Charity is a new order formed in 1950 by Mother Teresa. Their vow ‘to give wholehearted and free service to the poorest of the poor’ was put into action with the setting up of several homes. Visit Mother Teresa’s tomb at the Mother House and witness the generosity of the her spirit at Nirmal Hriday (home for the dying) , Shanti Nagar (for lepers) and Nirmala Shishu Bhavan (the children’s home).

Eden Gardens - this picturesque garden has a tiny Burmese pagoda set in a small lake. It also houses Calcutta’s Cricket Stadium.

Zoological Garden - covers 16 hectares of land and built in 1876. The lakes within are a favourite retreat for migratory Siberian birds.

Horticultural Garden - the lush environ is also the venue for exotic plant and flower exhibitions.

Rabindra Sarovar - a park and picnic spot with a central lake and overhanging trees. The rowing regatta events are held here

Darjeeling

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute - one of the most visited spots in Darjeeling. This institute was created by the late Tenzing Norgay, Sir Edmund Hillary's sherpa. All the equipments used in their 1953 climb are still on display

Himalayan Zoo (Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park) - has a good collection of animals native to the Himalayan region

Japanese Peace Pagoda - this impressive building is part of a grid of around 30 pagodas spanning the whole globe. Constructed by the Japanese Buddhist Nipponzan-Myohoji Order. A small temple just lies alongside. There's a good chance you'll awaken to the sound of monks drumming during their morning walk

Tiger Hill - best to visit before the sunrises over Mt Kanchenjunga so as not to miss the golden hues.

Observatory Hill - the oldest site in Darjeeling. It is said that a Red Hat Buddhist Monastery stood at this very spot. Nepal people destroyed this monastery in the 19th century.

Shruberry Health Club - offers unique and charming views of Kanchenjunga

Singalila National Park (west of Darjeeling, adjacent to Nepalese border) - Kanchenjunga, the world's 3rd highest peak, is visible for much of the trek to the north

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway - The Toy Train - is a 2 ft (610 mm) narrow-gauge railway operating between Siliguri and Darjeeling. It was built between 1879 and 1881 and is about 86 km (53 mi) long. The elevation level is from about 100 m (328 ft) at Siliguri to about 2,200 m (7,218 ft) at Darjeeling. It is still powered by a steam engine. The full trip takes about 10 hours.

Buy Tea - Darjeeling is famous the world over for its teas. Shops selling teas (usually owned by local tea gardens), dot the area in and around the Mall

Shop for curio items pertaining to Tibetan and Himalayan cultures, such as thangkas, miniature monasteries and garments made from yak wool.

Dorjee - the most unique shop that perhaps has the most facinating and exotic collection of local oriental and Buddhist artefacts. This place, though surprisingly small, is more like a mini Alladin's cave. A must-visit for all objet-d'art lovers

Pemayangtse/Pelling

Khangchendzonga Waterfalls - 28 km - one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Sikkim and is normally active throughout the year

Khecheopari Lake - considered one of the sacred lakes of Sikkim. The lake remains hidden in the rich forest cover. It is believed that birds do not permit even a single leaf to float on the lake surface. It's customary to offer biscuists to the fish.

Pemayangtse Monastery - literally means perfect sublime lotus - one of the oldest and most important monasteries of Sikkim. Founded in 1705, this monastery belongs to the Nyingma-pa sect. The 3-storied building houses a collection of wall paintings and sculptures. On the 3rd floor of the monastery, there is a 7-tiered painted wooden model of the abode of Guru Rimpoche, complete with rainbows, angels and the whole panoply of Buddha and bodhisattva. In January-February every year, a religious dance called 'Cham' is performed in Pemayangtse.

Rabdanse Ruins - on the way back from Pemayangtse Monastery - the ruins lie hidden from the main road. The walk towards Rabdantse is through forest and around lakes, home to rare species of orchids as well as carp. There are good views from the top of the ruins looking across the deep valley and to the Khangchendzonga range

Rimbi Water Falls & Karchen Power House - adjacent to the falls is the Karchen hydro-electricity powerhouse which was constructed in early 70s during the reign of the last Sikkimese King

Sangachoeling Monastery - on a ridge above Pelling and overlooking the famous Pemayangtse Monastery. Built in 1697 AD, it is considered to be one of the oldest monasteries in the State. It's a 40 minute walk up a steep slope through the forest.

Sewaro Rock Garden - a picnic spot surrounded by dense greenery and flowers and equipped recreational amenities including fountains, resting sheds, flat stone foot paths, large gardens, cafeteria, swimming pool, ponds, handsomely maintained rocks (stones). In the 2nd week of January every year the celebration of Maghe mela is held along this river belt.

Changey Waterfall - 10 km

Gangtok

THE scenery - there are beautiful views of the surrounding hills from the town itself, but the best views - dominated by Kanchenjunga are from Enchey Monastery and Ganesh Tok, both high above the town.

Enchey Monastery - a 200 year old monastery in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism - located above the town

Do-drul Chorten - a large and impressive stupa complex constructed in 1945

Dodrupchen Monastery - a large monastery in the Nyingma tradition. Famous for its large chorten

Flower show - is at its best during the flowering season from mid March to end of May in spring and October to mid December in autumn.

Cymbidium Orchid Show - from mid March to mid April is the best and the finest flower show in south Asia

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology - an excellent collection of artifacts and manuscripts connected to Tibetan Buddhism

Banjhakri Falls - a lovely waterfall surrounded by gardens and stairwells, beautiful sculptures. A good picnic spot and a "must see"

Ropeways Cable Car - a cable car whose lowest point is Deorali Market, with three stops of varying altitude. Fantastic views of the town