Greetings from the breezy Himalayas!

6n7d, Best of East, North & South of Sikkim

10th -17th Oct
31st – 7th Nov
24th – 31st Dec

Sikkim, is a mysterious hidden secret of the mighty Eastern Himalayan range tucked
between Nepal, Bhutan and mainland India, is a gateway to the Hidden caves of Mt.
Kanchanjunga. Besides the very intriguing mythological context, Sikkim has a rich,
unexplored and untouched cultural context too!
Starting from lesser known facts, Sikkim was an independent country, until it became the
22nd state of the North Eastern border of India in May 1975. The state is a living example of
overlapping cultures, lifestyles and spiritual beliefs, thriving in peace, harmony and love. It is
shared by 3 major tribes - the Lepchas (the snowmen & Nature worshippers, original
Sikkimese tribe), Bhutias ( the Buddhist Tibetan tribe) and Nepalis (the Hindus). We would
be driving through different regions which have been home to these tribes respectively
even before the merger to spend some time from our lives exchanging and sharing cultures,
lifestyles, cuisines, folklores, art & architecture. The trip offers a taste of a mountain city,
mountain countryside, a mountain town and a village clubbed with rich history and changing
landscapes with great variations in altitude and kind hearted people. It will leave you
wanting to come back for more.

Day 1 – Transfer from Bagdogra / NJP to Gangtok (East Sikkim). o/n Gangtok
Day 2 – Nathula Pass (If permitted) & Tsongmo Lake / Changu Lake Day excursion & MG
Marg stroll (East Sikkim) o/n Gangtok
Day 3 – Drive to Lachen. (North Sikkim) o/n Lachen
Day 4 – Gurudongmar Lake, Thangu Valley & head to Lachung (North Sikkim) o/n Lachung
Day 5 – Yumthang Valley of Flowers, Zero Point & head to Dzongu (North Sikkim o/n Dzongu
Day 6 – Mantam Lake, Lingthem Hot Water Springs & head to Temi Tea Estates (South
Sikkim) o/n Temi
Day 7 – Temi Tea Factory, Ravangla Buddha Park & Momo making session o/n Temi
Day 8 – Drop to Airport Trip Ends

1. Camping experience in the jungles of Gangtok. 🏕️🏞️

2. Authentic homestay experience with the local tribes of Sikkim.🌈
3. A typical Tea garden farm house stay experience.🌱🌿🕊️
4. Guided village walks and monastery tours.🧝♂️
5. Picnics at the sandy beaches of North Sikkim.🏝️🏖️
6. Day hike/ Drive to the pristine hidden hot water springs.🧗♀️
7. Day tours to the high altitude marvels like - Nathula, Tsongmo Lake, Gurudongmar Lake,
Zero point and Yumthang valley.🗻
8. Momo folding along with being a part of other cuisine making.🍜🥫
9. Last but not the least - a true Himalayan living experience with Kanupriya Raniwala
@kanupriya_r!🤩🤩
Pick up from Bagdogra and drop to Gangtok (East Sikkim) | 145kms | 4-5hrs |
Gangtok, a small walkable city, buzzes with energy in the evenings. A walk on M.G. marg, the
Secretariat, Kazi road, Tibet road would give a gist of this glittering mountain cityscape. A
quick sneak peak at the Lal bazaars before settling in the veranda of café’s watching the clouds
on their mischievous routine travelling in and out of built spaces, with live music lingering in
the background.
 Meet your host & Guide – Kanupriya Raniwala (Instagram - @kanupriya_r &
@travel.a.i.p) , an architect & travel professional living in Sikkim.
 Check in your stay and warm yourselves up along with co participants with an inhouse
bonfire.
o/n – Gangtok

Nathula Pass, Changu Lake, New Baba Mandir |130kms |

Soak yourself in the serene environment and rejuvenate your lungs with fresh air at the
‘Tsongmo Lake’ (‘Changu Lake’) enroute to the rugged terrain of the Indo China border.. As
you would drive up towards the border the landscape changes to a dry sandy land. Amongst
the tensions between the two nations, tourism has given a chance to feel the thrill being at
the border line with China. Nathula pass (if permitted), was the entry from Tibet, China to
India by the Old Southern Silk Route or the Tea Horse Route.
o/n - Gangtok

| 107 kms | 4-5hrs | 2700mts |

Welcome to North Sikkim!

North Sikkim is still left inhabited due to extreme temperatures and climates. Experience the
tough mountain life surrounded with jaw dropping landscapes.

Lachen, North Sikkim – La chen – “Big Pass” was a settlement on the trade route to Tibet
historicaly. Also it is the base for Gurudongmar Lake and several hikes around the region.

After breakfast, buckle up for an adventure! Start your drive from Gangtok to Lachen via
Mangan (the last town in North Sikkim). North Sikkim is the land of Bhutias and Lepchas.
Lepchas, the real Sikkimese tribe are nature worshippers and did not bother to interfere
with any invasions. They further colonised with the ambitious Bhutias. One would find
Lachenpas and Lachungpas here in the North.

 On arriving, check into the most beautiful homestay and freshen up with some salt
tea.
 Head for a village walk around the town and experience art & architecture as old as
300 years!
 Evening to leisure.
o/n Lachen

Early in the morning depart for Gurudongmar Lake. Said to be the purest lakes in the world,
the lake indeed overhauls your mind and the ability to process worldly affairs tranquilizing
you into nature.. Believers come from far and about to circumambulate the Holy Lake and
make wishes and carry some blessings.

Drive back to Lachen for a quick grub and head to Lachung - "The Small Pass" |113kms|4
hrs|

o/n Lachung

Yumthang Valley and Zero point |51kms| 2 hrs|

Nature has its own rules, shades and colours. We would be nearing autumn and this
beautiful valley will be shimmering in its deep turquoise blue waters. The trees covering the
face of the mountains become a palate of arrange, yellow, red and brown. Zero point is the
last resort covered with snow at the restricted area if India sharing borders with Tibet /
China.
After taking pictures with your snow mans, we head back to Lachung for a quick grub and
then further to the beautiful and untouched land of Lepchas - Dzongu!

Dzongu | 72kms | 3-4 hrs| , a triangular part covered with terraces of paddy fields in the
North east bounded by River Teesta and River Tholung-chu and the mighty Kanchendzonga
range in the West, the Lepcha reserve was formed to conserve the original tribe, its lifestyle
and culture. Lepcha tribe unlike other inhabitants are nature worshippers and live an eco-
friendly living. They left the worldly life and settled in higher and untouched mountains.

Get cozy at the homestay which has a very authentic traditional kitchen. warm yourselves
up with Thongba alongside the fire.

o/n Dzongu

After breakfast, we all head to Mantam lake and the very auspicious Lingthem Hot water
springs! A dip in these natural waters claims to purify your body and soul from any ailments.
Also these waters help get rid of fatigue and tiredness. The perfect peaceful getaway!
Mantam Lake - it is a natural collection of pure water after a massive landslide in the year
2016. An entire face of the mountain was washed down to the river. Now a white sand
beach this place is the perfect spot for picnics, camping and tenting. We will stop here for
lunch and then head to Temi tea estates!

Temi Tea Estates | 77kms | 3-4 hrs | (South Sikkim)– These Tea Estates, is a government
owned and maintained tea estate which produces pure organic tea. We will be nestling in
the Farm house with the Pradhan's of Temi who have been in this part of Sikkim since over
generations that they can even count!

After an organic plateful of Nepalies delicacies we get ready for momo folding experience.
Make your own treats sent from heaven and savour their explosions in your mouth!

o/n Temi Tarku

Waking up to a lazy morning, after breakfast we will be heading for a guided tour into the
Temi Tea Factory jutted in the middle of endless carpet of Tea shrubs further heading to
Ravangla Buddha Park! This massive park has a huge Buddha statue with an illustration of
the life of Buddha. a peaceful and rejuvenating walk at the park, we head back to the farm
by lunch!

After an organic plateful of Nepalies delicacies we get ready for some farm activities, where
the evening will be followed by momo folding experience. Make your own treats sent from
heaven and savour their explosions in your mouth!

Making momos create this small picnic, everyone gets their hands dirty and create
memories that will never be forgotten. Evening to leisure and some good vibes!

o/n Temi Tarku

Drop to Bagdogra/ N.j.p. after breakfast.

Trip ends
 24,500/- per person (We call it a group on having 4 min participants)
p.s. – The above cost is exclusive of 5% gst. Some part of GST can be eliminated by cash
payment.

1. All stays – authentic, experiential, houses which are older than our parents, whose owners
have seen the changing winds of Sikkim. Accommodation would be on double/ triple
sharing basis.
2. All transport – Xylo / Innova / Scorpio / Boloero from pick up to drop.
3. Meals – Breakfast & Dinner / Lunch ( 2 meals depending on locations)
4. All permits for Nathula (if permitted) , Changu Lake, New baba Mandir, Lachen,
Gurudongmar Lake, Lachung, Zero point, Yumthang valley & Dzongu.
5. Activities as mentioned in the itinerary.
6. An experienced Guide and his/her allowances.
7. Driver with his allowances, fuel costs.
8. Travel card to enter Sikkim.
9. An unforgettable trip in the North Eastern Himalayas!

1. Any meals that are not mentioned above.

2. Tea snacks etc on route the trip.
3. Any adventure activity fare or any sightseeing fare is not included in the cost.
4. Personal shopping.
5. Any alcoholic or non alcoholic beverages.
6. Any personal medication.
7. Last but not least – negative vibes!

Thankyou.
Looking forward to hear from you.
Regards
Kanupriya Raniwala
Architect, Founder & Trip Curator
All INDIA Permit, Travel & Photography
8172047843 / www.travelaip.com / Instagram & facebook - @travel.a.i.p