Welcome to India. On arrival at Kolkata airport, you will
be greeted by our local representative and transferred to your hotel for overnight
stay.
Morning, leave for Bhubhaneshwar. On arrival, check into
your hotel. Afternoon, sightseeing of Bhubhaneshwar. Visit the
Lingaraja Temple, Mukteshwara
Temple (an architectural delight where woman is the main subject
and which highlights every seductive pose) and Parasurameswara
temple (a Shiva temple lavishly decorated with friezes depicting
armourous couples, animal life, human figures and floral motifs). The ornate
lattice windows and the bust of Shiva are of special appeal. Rest of the day
at leisure. Overnight at your hotel.
Morning sightseeing of Puri. See from outside the Temple
of Jagannath, Lord of the Universe (open to Hindus only).
In front of the main entrance is a beautiful pillar, topped by an image of
the Garuda. The main entrance has two stone lions guarding the entrance. In
the central Jagmohan, pilgrims can see the images of Lord Jagannath, his brother
Balbhadra and sister Subhadra. Non-Hindus can look into the temple from the
rooftop of the Raghunandan Library, opposite the main entrance of the temple.
Rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight.
Morning, drive to Konarak, via Pipli. Pipli is a small
village notable for its appliqué art. The colourful materials are used
to make temple umbrellas and wall hangings.
Proceed to Konarak. The Sun Temple at Konarak was conceived
as a chariot for the Sun God, Surya. There are 24 gigantic carved stone wheels
around the base and seven mighty stone horses pulling the charriot. The immense
structure is covered with carvings, sculptures, figures and bas-reliefs. Around
the base of the temple and up the walls and roof is a continuous procession
of carvings. Many are in the erotic style for which Konarak, like Khajuraho
in Madhya Pradesh, is famous. The three impressive images of Surya are designed
to capture the rays of the sun at dawn, noon and sunset.
Continue to Puri, (36 Kms south of Konarak), where on arrival you will check
into your hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight.
Before dawn, leave for Tiger Hill situated
at an altitude of 2590 m for spectacular dawn views of the eastern Himalayan
peaks to catch a glimpse of the Kanchenjunga
at dawn. Breakfast. Later, visit the Goom monastery and the Observatory hill.
After lunch, visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Botanical Gardens
and shop in the colourful markets. The adventurous could also try a ride on
the famous Toy Train (optional trip) - now a World Heritage Monument. Evening
at leisure. Overnight.
After breakfast, leave for Pemyangtse (100
Kms, about four and a half hours). On arrival transfer to Norbhu Gang (2-Star)
or similar, situated in East Pelling.
Afternoon visit to the Monastery. The Pemyangtse Monastery is one of the
state's oldest and most important monasteries. The monastery is a three-storey
structure and filled with wall paintings and sculptures. On the third floor
lies the Zandog-palri, a wooden model of the abode of Guru Rimpoche, complete
with rainbows, angels and the whole panoply of buddhas and bodhisattvas.
Evening at leisure. Overnight.
This morning, depart for Martam. Stay at the Martam Resort
(2-Star). Afternoon visit to Rumtek Monastery. The Rumtek Monastery lies on
the other side of the Ranipul Valley. The monastery is the seat of the Gyalwa
Karmapa, the head of Kagyu-pa order of Tibetan Buddhism. The main monastery
has been built in strict accordance to Tibetan designs. The mural work of
Tibetan style religious paintings is exquisite. Evening at leisure. Overnight.
Morning, transfer to Gangtok. On arrival at Gangtok, transfer
to your hotel. Afternoon, sightseeing of Gangtok. Visit the two centuries-old
Encley Gompa (Monastery), set
on a spectacular ridge overlooking Gangtok. Also visit the Namgyal Institute
of Technology (open on Mon-Fri), hosting one of the world's largest collection
of books and rare manuscripts on Mahayana Buddhism. Many religious work of
art and a collection of astonishingly beautiful and incredibly finely executed
silk-embroidered thangkas. There are also relics of monks from the time of
Emperor Ashoka.
Gangtok offers spectacular views of the entire Kanchejunga range. It has
many ancient temples, palaces, monasteries and narrow, colourful bazaars.
Evening at leisure. Overnight
Morning, drive to Kalimpong (3 hours), a
busy little town in West Bengal set at 1250m. On arrival, check in to your
hotel.Afternoon at leisure. Overnight.
Morning, after breakfast, sightseeing tour of Kalimpong.
Visit the Thapa Choling Monastery, a 40-minute uphill walk at the edge of
the town. The monastery belongs to the Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism
that was founded in the 14th century and to which the Dalai Lama belongs.
Kalimpong is an important flower-growing area due to the climate. Kalimpong
makes an ideal base for treks. Overnight at hotel.
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