Day 01:

Meet upon arrival at Kathmandu airport by STE, Kathmandu representative and transfer to the Hotel. After getting refreshed, and having lunch, proceed for walking tour to Kathmandu durbar square visiting, ancient palace, living goddess temple Kumari temple, Hanuman Dhoka and Kastamandap temple. Overnight stay at a hotel. (D)

Proceed on sight seeing tour to Swoyambhunath stupa also known as monkey temple, Patan city known as city of fine arts, Pashupatinath temple the holiest shrine of the Hindu people and Boudhnath stupa. Overnight stay at a hotel. (B,D)

We spend the day in Gangtok (1600m) for sightseeing, acclimatization and trek permits – AM: Ganesh Tok View Point, Enchay Monastery, Handicrafts Centre, and Flower Show (if available). PM: Institute of Tibetology and Rumtek Monastery (24km/ 1hr drive each way from Gangtok). Overnight at Hotel Netuk House OR Norkhill. (B,L,D)

Drive to Yuksom via Rabongla (1750m; 160km; 8hrs). The drive is through typical Sikkimese countryside. We pass terraced rice fields, orange orchards, cardamom and ginger plantations. We drop down to the Teesta valley, climb up to Rabong la and again drop down to the Rangit valley before we proceed to Tashiding and Yuksom.
Overnight at Hotel Tashi Gang. (B,L,D)

Trek begins. Yuksom to Tshoka (3200m; 15km; 6hrs). The trek from Yuksom begins through a tropical jungle, which changes into a temperate one by the time you reach Tshoka. The first few hours are a gradual climb, high on the right bank of the Prek Chu (river). We cross three icy cold streams over bridges till we reach the one across the Prek Chu. We stop for hot lunch at the last of the three streams. From the Prek Chu Bridge to Tshoka is a steep climb of about an hour. Overnight at Tented Camp. (B,L,D)

Dzongri to Thangsing (3030m; 7km; 4hrs). From Dzongri we descend to the Prek Chuk and cross over to Thangsing, which is located at the head of the beautiful valley of Onglathang. The descent is through thick forests of rhododendron and silver firs and we stop for hot lunch on the bank of a cool mountain stream. Overnight at Tented Camp. (B,L,D)

Thangsing to Chemathang (4500m; 6km; 4hrs). The trek is all along the gentle valley through which flows the Prek Chu. High mountains surround the valley on both sides. The snow-clad peaks of Narsing, Tenzing Kang and Pandim, are so near, that you feel you can touch them. Several small streams flowing from the mountain crisscross the valley and the lush meadows are home to several yak herders’ sheds. We will reach Lake Samity, in Chemathang by lunchtime. The lake lies in a small valley, at the foot of Pandim and is fed by the melting snows from it. It is a sacred lake and a place of pilgrimage for devout Buddhists. We camp by the serene lake for the night.
Overnight at Tented Camp. (B,L,D)

Thangsing to Bakhim (3000m; 12km; 5hrs). We take the alternate route to Bakhim, avoiding the steep climb to Dzongri. The route is high on the right bank of the Prek Chu and passes through a moss and lichens filled jungle of rhododendrons, magnolias, oak and other denizens of the sub
temperate zone. We halt for hot lunch at Pithang before descending to Bakhim.
Overnight at Tented Camp. (B,L,D)

Bakhim to Yuksom (12km; 5hrs). Bakhim is situated just below Tshoka and we return to Yuksom by the same route as before. We make an early beginning from Bakhim so that we reach Yuksom by lunchtime. After lunch we can take in some of the sights of Yuksom. Yuksom occupies a special place in Sikkimese history. It was here that the first Chogyal or Religious King of Sikkim was crowned in 1642. This place is called orbugang and it is situated on a small hillock near the center of the village.
Overnight at Hotel Tashi Gang. (B,L,D)

Drive to Darjeeling via Pemayangste (120km; 8hrs). We stop to visit Pemayangste Monastery on the way. Pemayangste is about two hours away from Yuksom. The drive is through typical Sikkimese countryside along the Rangit River valley till we cross the Teesta at Melli, and begin the climb to Darjeeling.
Overnight at Hotel The Elgin. (B,L,D)

Sightseeing in Darjeeling (2134m). AM – Tea Garden, Tibetan Refugee Centre and H.M.I./Zoo. PM – Toy Train Ride to Ghoom, Railway Museum and Ghoom Monastery. Overnight at Hotel The Elgin. (B,L,D)