2002
Tour
Calcutta,
Darjeeling, Himalayan Foothills, Varanasi
About this Tour: The
2002 Tour will focused on Buddhist Monastaries
in the sacred Himalayan foothills and on Hindu
Temples in Varanasi,
one of India's
most sacred cities.
We begin our journey visiting the powerful Dakeshineswar Kali
Temple in Calcutta. Then we'll visit the famous hill station of Darjeeling,
home of the world famous Darjeeling
tea. Located in the beautiful “Queen of the Himalayan Region,” Darjeeling
is not only one of the biggest tea producers of India but
is also abundantly enriched with natural beauty. Then we
traverse
further into the foothills
of the holy Himalyas, visiting a number of Buddhist monastaries
in the state of Sikkim. We spend our
final days in Varanasi, located on the Ganges - one of the holiest and
fascinating cities in India.
Day
01: 11 October 2002 /AIR
Depart San Francisco
Day 02: 12 October 2002 /TOKYO- BANGKOK
 Day 03: 13 October /BANGKOK- CALCUTTA
Depart Bangkok
Arrive Calcutta
Overnight in Calcutta
Day 04: 14 October / CALCUTTA
Rest. Day free with optional visit to Dakeshineswar
Kali Temple.where Ramakrishna was a priest and had his spiritual
vision of the unity of all religions. Overnight in Calcutta.
DAY 05: 15 October / CALCUTTA-TRAIN
Day free with optional visit to Mother Teresa's Hospital and nearby
Kalicut temple. Evening transfer to Sealdah Train Station to board
an overnight train for Silguri.
DAY
06: 16 October / SILIGURI-JALDAPARA
8:05
AM-Arrival at NJP Railway Station. Meet upon
arrival. Transfer to Siliguri Hotel for fresh-up
and then transfer to Madaharisat (155 km
/ 05 hrs.). Overnight in Jaldapara.
DAY
07: 17 October / JALDAPARA
Tour of Jaldapara Animal Park where the wild
life includes the famous single horned rhinos,
Royal Bengal Tigers, wild elephants, deers, swamp
deer, and hog deer. Rest of the day free. Overnight
in Jaldapara.
DAY
08: 18 October / JALDAPARA-
KALIMPONG
Transfer to Kalimpong via Lava ( 170 kms / 06 hrs ). Overnight in Kalimpong.
DAY
09: 19 October / KALIMPONG - PELLING
Transfer to Pelling (130 kms / 05 hrs). Pelling is a tiny village perched
high on a ridge with a great view of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Overnight in
Pelling.
DAY
10: 20 October / PELLING
Go for leisurely walking tour covers
the three famous landmarks- Rabdantse, Sangachoeling & Pemayangtse.
First you head for the Rabdantse Palace-
once the second capital of Sikkim is now
a historical monument. Further walk will
reach you to Sangachoeling Monastery- second
oldest in Sikkim. The Pemayangtse Monastery
belongs to the Nyingma-pa order of Tibetan
Buddhism. It was built as a small temple
in late 17th century by Latsun Chenpo. On
the top floor there is a wooden sculpture
portraying the Mahaguru's Heavenly palace
Sangthokpalri. Overnight in Pelling.
 DAY
11: 21 October/ PELLING-YUKSOM
Transfer to Yuksom on way visit Khecheopari
Lake, Khecheopalri Lake is one of the sacred
Buddhist mountain lake wherever it is believed
that whatever is wished in front of the lake
comes true. Myth has its that when a leaf falls
on the placid clear water surface is picked by
a bird. A further drive takes you to Yuksom (the
meeting place of three monks) - the first capital
of Sikkim. This was the place where the first
Chogyal (a ruling dynasty in Sikkim) was crowned.
Overnight in Yuksom.
DAY
12: 22 October / YUKSOM
Early morning (6 am) walking tour of the
Norbugang (stone throne). Visit the Dubdi Monastery
(The Hermit Cell) - built in 1700, this is the
oldest monastery in Sikkim . Experience a typical
Himalayan lifestyle at Yuksom. Overnight in Yuksom.
 DAY
13: 23 October / YUKSOM-DARJEELING
After breakfast transfer to Darjeeling-Elevation:
6982 feet (130 kms/5hrs). Overnight in Darjeeling.
DAY
14: 24 October / DARJEELING
Day Free. Options: Take a Rung Rung Khola
Trek with picnic lunch ($10 extra); full day
activity. Overnight at Hotel Seven Seventeen.
DAY
15: 25 October / DARJEELING
Day Free. Options: Sightseeing visit
to Ghoom Monastery, Batasia Loop. Padmaja Naidu
Himalayan Zoological Park, Himalayan Mountaineering
Institute, Gumbu Rock, Tibetan Refugee Self -
Help Center. Overnight in Darjeeling.
DAY 16: 26 October / DARJEELING-
TRAIN
Morning free. Afternoon transfer to New
Jalpaiguri ( (168 Kms/ 05 hrs) to board overnight
train to Varanasi
DAY 17: 27 October / TRAIN-VARANASI
8:20 am arrive at Varanasi (Mughal Sarai). Transfer to Hotel on the banks
of the Ganges in the old part of town. Optional visit to Daswasamed Ghat,
Burning Ghat and Shiva Temples. Visit to tailor and silk shops. Overnight
in Varanasi.
DAY 18: 28 October / VARANASI
Day free to explore. Options: sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, visit
Durga Temple near Assi Ghat, visit shop of a stone-cutter who makes marvelous
sculptures. Overnight in at Hotel Alka on the Ganges.
DAY 19: 29 October /VARANASI
Day free to explore. Options: Hanuman temple, Annapurna Temple,. Overnight
in Varanasi.
DAY 20: 30October / VARANASI
Day free to explore. Options: Sarnath and outlying villages.Overnight
in Varanasi.
DAY 21: 31 October / DELHI
Morning free. Afternoon transfer to airport to catch plane to Delhi.
Transfer to hotel to freshen up the transfer to International Airport
for 12:50 AM (01/11/02) departure.
DAY 22: 1 November / AIR
Depart Delhi and arrive San Francisco
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