No words are sufficient to describe the stunning landscape of Darjeeling and Sikkim. Still maintaining its old-world charm, Sikkim is a mountain land that offers a rich cultural heritage and ecological beauty. It is rightly called the "organic state" of India, where you can enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables directly from the gardens. In Sikkim, take a stroll in the lovely lakes, admire the rejuvenating mountains, and visit Buddhist monasteries for a blissful experience.
Key Highlights
Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, comes with its surprises! It is a beautiful city, ideally situated on a hilly ridge, providing rustic charm. It acts as a base for many treks and marvels at the mesmerizing views of the mighty Kanchenjunga, the world's thirstiest mountain. Pelling is another attractive terminus in Sikkim. Equally mesmerizing is Darjeeling, which is popularly known as the Queen of the Hills. It is an enchanting Victorian city, famous for its mountainous splendor and Buddhist monasteries and shrines.
If you are a landscape lover and want to enjoy the natural beauty and the thrill of the vast mountains, then this 7-Night/8-Day Tour of Gangtok, Pelling, and Darjeeling is perfect for you! This trip will take you to a few of the best attractions in Sikkim and Darjeeling.
Culture:
Apart from the main religious festivals of Tihar, Dashain, Christmas, Holi, etc., the city's diverse ethnic population celebrates many local festivals. Lepcha and Bhutia celebrate the New Year in January, while Tibetans celebrate the New Year (Losar) in January-February with the "Devil Dance." Magh Sankranti and Ram Navami are some of the essential Nepalese festivals. ChhotrulDuchen, Buddha Jayanti, Dalai Lama's birthday, Losong, Bhumchu, Saga Dawa, Lahab Dechen, and DrupkaTashi are some other festivals that are somewhat different from local culture and shared with the rest of India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet.
Food:
A popular food in Gangtok is Momo, a steamed dumpling, in which pork, beef, and vegetables are cooked in a delicious wrapper and served with watery soup. Y-Y is a packaged snack consisting of noodles, which are either dried or eaten as a soup. A form of noodle called Thukpa served as a soup is also popular in Gangtok. Other noodle-based foods such as Wanton, Gyathuk, Fekathu, Thenthuk, and Chowmin are also available. Other traditional Sikkimese dishes include shah-pheli (Sikkimese patties with minced meat marinated in a crisp samosa-like case) and gac-ko soup. The restaurants offer a wide variety of traditional Indian, continental, and Chinese cuisines to cater to tourists. Churpi, a type of hard cheese made from cow or yak milk, is sometimes chewed. Chhang is a local fried millet beer conventionally cooked in bamboo tanks and is drunk through cane stems or bamboo.
Transport:
Road:The rest of India is connected to Gangtok with an all-weather highway, National Highway 10, formerly known as National Highway 31A, which connects to Siliguri, 114 km (71 mi) away in the neighboring state of West Bengal.
Rail:The nearest railway station connected to the rest of India is the New Jalpaiguri (NJP) station in Siliguri, located 124 km (77 mi) from Gangtok via NH10. Work has begun for a broad gauge railway link from Rangpo in Sikkim to Sevoke in West Bengal, which is planned to be extended to Gangtok.
Airport:Pakyong Airport is a greenfield airport near Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim state in India. The airport, spread over 400 hectares (990 acres), is situated in the city of Pakyong, around 35 km south of Gangtok. At 4,500 feet, Pyongyang Airport is one of the five highest airports in India. It is also the first greenfield airport in India to form part of the Northeast Region. It is the only and the 100th operational airport in India in the state of Sikkim.
On arrival at NJP Railway Station / (IXB) Bagdogra Airport, (500Ft / 150Mts) you will be met by our office Executive who will assist you to board your vehicle to Gangtok (5500 Ft /1677 Mts, 130 Kms / 04 to 05 Hrs). Over night at Hotel
Go for a full day sightseeing covering Rumtek Monastery, Jhakri Water Fall, Droul Chorthen, Research Institute of Tibetology, Directorate of Handicraft & Handloom, Flower Show. Overnight at Hotel
After breakfast, in the morning, start for excursion to Tshangu Lake - situated at a height of 12400Ft / 3780 Mts / 43Kms in 3Hrs one way, with an average depth of 50 ft. The cool water of the Lake is perfectly attuned with the scenic beauty around. Back to Gangtok and Overnight at Hotel.
Transfer to Pelling (6100 Ft / 1860 Mts, 116 Kms / 05 to 06 Hrs). Overnight at Hotel.
After breakfast we drive to visit Darap Village, Rimbi Water fall & Hydro Project, Khecheopalri Lake (6000 Ft / 1829 Mts), it is one of the sacred Buddhist mountain lake and it is believed that whatever is wished in front of the lake comes true. Myth is that when a leaf falls on the placid clear water surface, it is picked by a bird & Kanchanjunga Water fall.the first capital of Sikkim. This was the place where the first Chogyal (a ruling dynasty in Sikkim) was crowned. Evening Back to Pelling and Overnight at Hotel.
Transfer to Darjeeling (7380 Ft / 2250 Mts, 125 Kms / 05 to 06 Hrs). Overnight at Hotel.
Early morning tour to Tiger Hills (8364 Ft / 2550 Mts at around 4 AM) to view sunrise over Kanchendzonga Peak (subject to clear weather). On way back visit Ghoom Monastery, Batasia Loop. After breakfast go for a half-day sight seeing of Japanese Temple, Peace pagoda, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park & Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (Closed on Thursday), Tenzing & Gombu Rock, Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Center (Closed on Sunday) & Tea Estate. Overnight at Hotel.
Transfer to NJP Railway Station / (IXB) Bagdogra Airport, (100 Kms / 03 to 04 Hrs) for onwards connection.
INCLUSION Details
- Meet & Greet upon arrival at Airport / NJP StationHotel Accommodation as per the name mentioned in the Category for duration as mentioned in the itinerary.
- All applicable Transfers & Sightseeing by NON AC vehicle which will not be at disposal and will be exclusively used for the group as per the itinerary only (on point to point basis).
- This vehicle will also change sector wise.
EXCLUSION Details
- Government GST as applicable (as on date 01/07/2017 it is 05%)
- Cost for extra usage of vehicle, other than scheduled & mentioned in the itinerary.
- Cost for optional Tours, Up-gradation Charges, Guide, Sightseeing entrance fees.
- Cost for any other service not mentioned under the "Cost Includes" Head
- Cost for Airfare, Train fare, Insurance.
- Cost for any increase in taxes or fuel price, leading to change in package cost, which may come into effect prior to departure
- Additional cost arising due to mishaps, political unrest, natural calamities like - landslides, road blockage, etc. In such case extra will have to be paid on the spot by the guest directly.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, bottled water, soft drinks, incidentals, porter charges, tips etc.
THE FOLLOWING POINTS ARE TO BE NOTED FOR CHILD RATE
- Children above 10+ years will be charged 100% as per Adult Rate (EPSR)
- Children of 5+ to 10 sharing parent’s room will be charged as per CWB or CNB
- Children below 5 years Complimentary
(Hotels are very strict with the child policy. Please carry the age proof so that it can be produced when asked for)
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Please note as per the Government Rule, in 01 Tata Sumo / Hard Top Jeep only 08 heads are allowed that is including child. In 01 INNOVA only 06 heads are allowed that is including child. Incase the number of heads traveling increases above 08 in a Tata Sumo / Hard Top Jeep & 06 in an Innova than the guest will have to opt for the 2nd (second) vehicle for which the cost is mentioned above.
Incase the guest is opting for INNOVA as per the unwritten syndicate rule; INNOVA will do the main transfer & sightseeing of Kalimpong & Darjeeling only. Lachung & Pelling sightseeing will be done by NON AC Tata Sumo / Mahindra Maxx / Hard Top vehicle which may have front / side facing seat. Gangtok sightseeing will be done by NON AC Maruti Van / Similar (one vehicle for every 04 paying Pax). Also while opting for INNOVA please inform the guest to travel light with minimum baggage of one piece per person. In case of excess baggage the guest will have to opt for an extra vehicle for carrying the excess baggage. The cost for this will be collected directly from the guest.
COST BASED On
- STANDERD HOTEL
- Per Person
- Extra Person / Child With Bed (CWB) sharing the Room on mattress
- All Transfer & Sightseeing by 01 NON AC Tata Sumo / Similar & Except Gangtok local sightseeing by NON AC Maruti Van / Similar (04 pax in a vehicle)
- Meal Plan as per the details mentioned in the Hotel norms.
THE FOLLOWING POINTS ARE TO BE NOTED FOR CHILD RATE
- Children above 10+ years will be charged 100% as per Adult Rate (EPSR)
- Children of 5+ to 10 sharing parent’s room will be charged as per CWB or CNB
- Children below 5 years Complimentary
(Hotels are very strict with the child policy. Please carry the age proof so that it can be produced when asked for)
Process Of Making Advance Payment
50 % of the total package cost must be deposited as an advance in our company's account to confirm the package. Remaining 50 % of the package cost will be collected on arrival (First day of the Tour).
Customers must carry the issued confirmation letter on their trip as it contains important information like confirmed hotel, Cab Details and Service contact Numbers.
PROCESS OF MAKING ADVANCE PAYMENT:
Payments can be be done through our website www.akkcrusier.com by using Net banking/Credit Card/Debit Card and Wallets via EBS, CC-Avenue, , Paytm, Atom etc.
EMI OPTIONS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE IN OUR GATEWAYS:
Cash Deposit option at AKK CRUSIER’s offices
Cash deposit in any of our Banks such as PNB, ICICI, SBI, BOI, UNION BANK OF INDIA etc.
CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY:
There is no contract between AKK CRUSIER and the client until the company has received initial deposit amount of specified tour package.
In case, customer wishes to cancel his/her booking before 15 days of the travel date because of whatsoever reasons, including accident, sickness, or any other personal reasons, non-payment of the balance payment, the Company is liable to recover Cancellation charges from the Client. All the cancellations must be communicated in written.
Advance amount 50% is also non-refundable in case the cancellation is done within 15 days of the travel dates or No Show scenarios.
The Company deserves the right to change the package cost depending on the economical status of the market as per the Government policy.
Services will be provided to the customers as mentioned in the booking voucher only.
Any complimentary services (If not provided) cannot be claimed in form of cash or alternative service.AKK CRUSIER have the right to cancel your Invoice due to insufficient Advance Amount i.e. 50% of the total tour Package Cost.
AMENDMENT POLICY (PREPONE & POSTPONE):
In case client wishes to prepone /postpone his or her travel dates, we request you to kindly reach us 15 days prior to journey date via e-mail.
The customers can prepone /postpone their tour once without any additional charges (if intimated before 15 days of travel date in written). However postponing & preponing second time will attract additional charges.
Also note that few service providers (Hoteliers, Transporter etc.) may apply postpone/prepone charges even after meeting above requirement. In such cases postpone/prepone charges will deducted from the advance amount deposited.
In all prepone or postpone scenarios, the services and the costing will be subject to availability of Hotel/Tranasprotation and season/off season time.
We do not accept any changes in plan within 15 days of travel date. However in rare cases like adverse climatic conditions or strikes, package can be postponed which will be intimated to you beforehand.
The validity to utilize your Advance payment in prepone/postpone scenarios is 1 Year from the date of advance payment.
The advance payment and the invoice Number allotted to you, are transferable i.e. you can pass on your booking to any of your friends/ relatives. (Please Note: In order to transfer your booking you must meet the above terms and conditions first).
