Day 10 PELLING – GANGTOK (135 kms / 06 hrs drive approx)

Breakfast at the hotel 

10.00 hrs:  Check out from the hotel & drive to Gantok. A long but scenic drive to Gangtok, take few stopovers to stretch your legs and body.

Gangtok         

At an altitude of 1750 m, Gangtok became the state capital in the mid 19th century and has undergone rapid development since then. The downtown area is dominated by huge government buildings decorated with traditional Buddhist symbols. Surrounded by Monasteries and Orchids, Gangtok is truly a traveller’s delight.

16.00 hrs:   Arrive Gangtok and check in

Rest of the evening at leisure and dinner will be served at the hotel

 Overnight:  Norkhill

Day 11  GANGTOK

Breakfast at the hotel

09.00 hrs:   A  day trip to the main sights in and around Gangtok.

Rumtek Monastery: 24 Kms away from Gangtok is the awe -inspiring Rumtek Monastery, the world Dharma chakra Centre and the seat of His Holiness, the Gyalwa Karmapa, who is the head of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Behind the main monastery is

the lavishly decorated Karmae Nalanda Institute of Buddhist Studies, which attracts students from the world over. Opposite the entrance to the Institute is a small hall featuring a beautiful jewel studded Chorten the Golden Stupa, which contains the ashes and remains of His Holiness the xvi Gyalwa Karmapa. According to legend, it is believed that after years of meditation, the first Karmapa was said to have been visited by ten thousand fairies, which came to congratulate him each of whom offered a strand of her hair as a gift. These were said to have been woven into a black hat, which was passed down and is still at the Rumtek Monastery today. It is said that unless held on to by the wearer (who of course, cannot be anyone else but the Karmapa) or kept in a box, the hat would fly away.

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology Amidst a serene surrounding of oak, birch and ash lies this unique organization established in 1958. Built in traditional style, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology promotes

research in Mahayana Buddhism and the language and tradition of Tibet. It has one of the world’s largest collections of rare books and manuscripts on Mahayana Buddhism. The Institute also has a retail outlet where related books and commercially produced religious art and craft of Tibet can be bought. Adjacent to the institute are two exquisite stupas, the Do Drul Chorten, built to commemorate the victory of good over evil and the Jhang Chub Chorten, built in the memory of Thrukshik Rinpoche, an ardent devotee, a great spiritualist and interpreter of Buddhism. Near the Chorten are housed two giant statues of Lord Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, the patron saint of Sikkim.

14.00 hrs:  Visit the Enchey Monastery (Closed on Sunday): Perched on a ridge above Gangtok the Enchey Monastery is nestled within lush woods with a spectacular view of the city. Built in 1910 on the site of the hermitage of the great saint Lama Drutob Karpo, who was renowned for his powers of levitation, this monastery houses the monks of the Nyingmapa order of Tibetan Buddhism.

Directorate of Handloom and Handicrafts (Cottage Industry - Closed on Sunday): This Directorate was set up to promote traditional Sikkimese art and handicrafts. Exquisitely carved wooden friezes, intricate bamboo work, along with beautiful hand woven carpets and handlooms are on exhibit here. Visitors can not only purchase these items here but also see the artisans at work. Among others, a favorite item here is the choktse, a wooden table with carved panels that can be folded into a portable pack.

Dinner will be served at the hotel

Overnight:  Norkhill