Post breakfast at Pelling, we depart for Kalimpong. This sleepy little town situated at an altitude of 1,200 mtrs, some 50 kms to the east of Darjeeling. It once used to be the hub of the trans-Himalayan trade between India and Tibet when merchants used to ferry commerce by mule caravan over the Jelepla pass on the Sikkim-Tibet border.
You will be staying at Holumba Haven in Kalimpong. HOLUMBA offers the nature loving tourists an expansive orchid nursery:-"Nurseryman's Haven", world wide exporter since 1972 - specialist in Indo- Burmese orchids & Himalayan & Exotic - bulbs, tubers, rhizomes, plants, & seeds. HOLUMBA offers the tired travelers, a quiet rest in quaint & affordable six individual home stay in wooden chalet - type cottages of "Holumba Haven" complex, situated within the acres of orchid farm and forested botanical park.
You can also go for some sightseeing around Kalimpong if you wish. Please note that Sikkim vehicles are not allowed to do sightseeing around Kalimpong. We can arrange for a vehicle to do sightseeing for Kalimpong but it will be at an extra cost.
Some sightseeing points around Kalimpong:
Flower Nurseries: Kalimpong is famous for its nurseries which export exotic flowers like Amaryllis Lilies, Anthuriums, Roses, Gerbera, Dahlias, Gladiolus as well as Orchids and Cacti. Among renowned nurseries are Brindaban Garden Nursery, Ganesh Mani Pradhan Nursery, L.B.Pradhan Nursery, Pinewood Nursery, Standard Nursery, Shangrila Garden Nursery, Twin Brothers Nursery and Universal Nursery.
Durpin Monastery: Formally known as the Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Gompa, the monastery was consecrated by Dalai Lama in 1976. Located at the Durpin Hill, it is Kalimpong’s largest monastery and is important because it holds the sacred Kunguyar containing all 108 volumes carried by Dalai Lama when he left Tibet. The Gompa is worth a visit for its impressive wall paintings in the prayer room, and a rare three-dimensional mandala on the second floor. Prayers are held at 4 pm.
Meal Plan: Breakfast included
Stay at: Holumba Haven, Kalimpong
Travel time: 3 hours from Pelling to Kalimpong
9th June: Kalimpong to Bagdogra
Post breakfast at the homestay, we depart for Bagdogra Airport. You can expect a lot of traffic, so it is a good idea to depart early
Travel time approx. 3 hours.
Meal Plan: Breakfast included
TOUR ENDS