THE QUEEN OF HILLS

DARJEELING

Darjeeling one of the most famous hill station in India, is located in the state of West Bengal. Darjeeling (Alt. 2134m), the quintessential hill station is draped over the ridge with panoramic views of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Its undulating hills are covered with tea plantations, which has a reputation for producing best tea. The word Darjeeling has come from Tibetian means A Place Of Thunderbolt. It has also made a name for itself as a desirable destination for the nature lovers tourists. A well-developed tourist infrastructure an high light such as the view of the mount Kanchenjunga range and mount Everest attract travelling from all around the world and there are countless tourist places here including great viewpoints, monasteries & religious shrines, tea estates, museums, art galleries, parks & gardens, waterfalls and lot more. Take a look at the ones that we love to visit.

SIKKIM

Gangtok is the capital and largest town of the Indian state of Sikkim. Gangtok is located in the eastern Himalayan range, at an altitude of 5,800 feet (1,800 m) and covers an area of 2.54 square km. The town’s population of 98,658 belongs to different ethnicities such as Nepalis, Lepchas and Bhutia, Gangtok is at the centre of Sikkim’s tourism industry. In 1894, Thutob Namgyal, the Sikkimese monarch under British rule, shifted the capital from Tumlong to Gangtok, increasing the city’s importance. Gangtok A new grand palace along with otherGangtok state buildings was built in the new capital, In 1975, after years of political uncertainty and struggle, including riots, the monarchy was abrogated and Sikkim became India’s twenty-second state, with Gangtok as its capital after a referendum. The beauty painted Pagoda-like wooden house, whipping prayer flags, Lamas spinning wheels, views of snow cover peaks and smiling faces of the local people will make you understand that you have entered in to mystic town Gangtok.

ITINERARY

INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS:

TERMS AND CONDITION

Day 1 :

Gangtok: Welcome to Sikkim

Your 5 days Gangtok, Darjeeling tour itinerary starts amidst the cool mountain breeze & the stunning landscapes.

Upon your arrival at Bagdogra (IXB) Airport, our agent’s representative will escort you to your hotel in Gangtok. Revel in the warm welcome you receive from the hotel staff, complete your check-in procedure and take some rest in your room.

Spend the first day of your Darjeeling-Gangtok vacation leisurely. Check out your refreshing surroundings, munch away steaming momos, take a stroll on the hilly roads or simply relax and breathe in the cool mountain breeze.

End the first day of your Gangtok-Darjeeling tour with a peaceful overnight stay at your hotel.

Distance from Bagdogra Airport to Gangtok: 126 km

Travel Time (Bagdogra Airport to Gangtok): Approx. 4 hours

Day 2 :

Full day Gangtok excursion

Hop off to Tsomgo Lake, and seek Baba Harbhajan’s blessings at the most popular temple of North Sikkim on the second day of your Gangtok Darjeeling trip itinerary.

Wake up to a beautiful day, have a filling breakfast & proceed for the sightseeing tour. Set off on your excursion to Tsomgo Lake near Gangtok. Known for changing colours, the Tsomgo Lake is amongst the most visited tourist attraction in Gangtok. Further, visit the famous Baba Mandir built in fond memory of Late Major Baba Harbhajan Singh.

Return to your hotel and end this tiring day of your Gangtok-Darjeeling holiday with a revitalising dose of sleep.

Distance from Gangtok to Tsomgo Lake: 40 km

Travel Time (Gangtok to Tsomgo Lake): Approx. 1.5 hours

Optional: Request for an inclusion of an excursion to Nathula Pass to make your Sikkim tour all the more happening (charges extra).

Day 3 :

City tour of Gangtok & transfer to Darjeeling

Explore the enticing tourist attractions of Gangtok and experience the true essence of this wonderland.

Post a fresh & delicious breakfast, proceed for a half day city tour of Gangtok. First up on this day of your Darjeeling-Gangtok trip itinerary is a visit to the Dro-dul Chorten Stupa. Next, visit the Research Institute of Tibetology, and Directorate of Handicraft & Handloom.

In the evening, transfer to Darjeeling. Breathe in the delicious aroma of tea as you ride through the winding roads to this charming little hill town on your 5 days Sikkim Darjeeling holiday.

Upon reaching your hotel, complete your hassle-free check-in formalities and head to your room. The third day of your exciting Sikkim Darjeeling tour comes to an end with some refreshing sleep at the hotel.

Distance from Gangtok to Darjeeling: 98 km

Travel Time (Gangtok to Darjeeling): Approx. 4 hours

Tip: Get to Keventer’s Restaurant and try their finger licking range of culinary delights.

Day 4 :

Darjeeling city tour

Wake up early morning & get to Tiger Hill to for the phenomenal sunrise over Mt. Kanchendzonga. Stop by at the alluring Ghoom Monastery & check out the elegant Batasia Loop, a quirky Toy Train railway track that spirals around the Gorkha War Memorial.

Return to your hotel and have breakfast. Set out for a full day city tour of Darjeeling. Advance to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute & Tenzing Rock, visit the largest high altitude zoo in India - PNZ Zoological Park (entry charges). Sip on a hot cup of refreshing Darjeeling tea and go for a delightful ride on the Darjeeling Ropeway.

End the day’s sightseeing by paying a visit to the divine Japanese Temple and Peace Pagoda. Return to your hotel and call off the last day of your revitalising Darjeeling & Gangtok tour package with some sleep.

Tip: Shop for woolen shawls & carpets, carved wooden items, leather jackets, coats & pretty ornaments from the Tibetan Refugee Center.

Day 5 :

Departure from Darjeeling

Say goodbye to the two gems of the North East and head home with pleasant memories of your adventures in your Darjeeling & Gangtok vacation.

Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast at your hotel and proceed towards the Bagdogra Airport (IXB). Board your train/flight for your onward destination with heart-warming memories of your alluring Sikkim: Gangtok & Darjeeling trip.

Distance from Darjeeling to Bagdogra Airport: 65 km

Travel Time (Darjeeling to Bagdogra Airport): Approx. 2.5 hours

Overview

BOOKING Your contract is with RL Tours and Travel Agency. A contract exists between us when we have confirmed you on our tour / hotel booking / or any other travel related services of your choice and we have received your booking request and deposits. All correspondences in respect of Tours / Travel Service bookings should be addressed to RL Tours and Travel Agency.
RL Tours and Travel Agency reserves the right to re-arrange an itinerary to suit hotel availability without changing the hotel number of days in each destination and without compromising any services.
The vehicle used is Ac or Non Ac and is available for point to point services only and is not at disposal. Clients are requested to follow the itinerary.

PAYMENTS For the services contracted, a 50% advance payment should be made to hold the booking on a confirmed basis and the balance amount should be paid before the commencement of your tour. We hold the right to decide upon the amount to be paid as an advance payment, based on the nature of services and the time left for the commencement of the services. PAYMENT OPTIONS Payment can be made by Bank Transfer, Cash payment to our office, or by Demand Draft / Cheque. All payments should be free and clear of any withholding tax and deduction. Bank charges, if any, for remittance (by remitting bank or by intermediary bank) would be strictly borne by the payer. RIGHTS TO AMEND THE ITINERARY IF REQUIRED Tour once commenced will strictly go as per the itinerary finalized. In case of events and circumstances beyond our control, we reserve the right to change all or parts of the contents of the itinerary for the safety and well-being of our esteemed passengers. POLICY REGARDING CANCELLATION / NO SHOW / EARLY DEPARTURE In case of cancellation of tour/travel services due to any avoidable/unavoidable reason/s we must be informed in writing. Cancellation charges would be effective from the date we receive the letter in writing and cancellation charges would be as follows:

Cancellation Policy
Cancellation charges per person
• 30 days & prior to arrival – 10% of the tour/service cost.
• 20 days to 18 days prior to arrival – 20% of the tour/service cost.
• 14 days to 16 days prior to arrival – 25% of the tour/service cost.
• 10 days to 08 days prior to arrival – 50% of the tour/service cost.
• 07 days & less, prior to arrival or no show – NO REFUND.

Please note – Irrespective of the above-mentioned cancellations slabs – in case of cancellation of tour services after the booking is made with us – a minimum of 10% service charges would be applicable. In case you cancel the trip after commencement refund would be restricted to a limited amount which too would depend on the amount that we would be able to recover from the hoteliers we patronize. For unused hotel accommodation, chartered transportation and missed meals etc. we do not bear any responsibility to a refund. REFUND Regarding refund of unused/unutilized services (which are paid for and canceled in advance) the refund amount would be worked out based on the cancellation policy as described above and the money would be accordingly refunded to the person who has made the payment to us. Please note that the refund process may take 2 – 4 weeks due to banking procedures. If the refund is made to the credit card account OR Bank account, the bank charges would be debited from the refund amount. OUR LIABILITIES & LIMITATIONS Please note that after the finalization of the tour/service cost, if there are any hikes in entrance fees of monuments/museums, taxes, fuel costs or guide charges by the Govt. of India, the same would be charged as extra. RL Tours and Travel Agency act only in the capacity of agent for the hotels, airlines, transporters, railways & contractors providing other services & all exchange orders, receipts, contracts & tickets issued by us are issued subject to terms & conditions under which these services are provided by them. All itineraries are sample itineraries, intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. Numerous factors such as weather, road conditions, the physical ability of the participants, etc. may dictate itinerary changes either before the tour or while on the trail. We reserve the right to change any schedule in the interest of the trip participants’ safety, comfort & general well-being. Our rates are based on the prevailing rates as negotiated by us with the hotels, airlines, etc. Hotels and Airlines retain the right to modify the rates without notice. In case of such changes, the rates quoted before the modification can be changed by us according to the modifications by hotels or airlines. All hotel bookings are based on the usual check-in and checkout time of the hotels unless indicated in the itinerary. We shall not be responsible for any delays & alterations in the program or expenses incurred – directly or indirectly – due to natural hazards, flight cancellations, accidents, breakdown of machinery or equipment, breakdown of transport, weather, sickness, landslides, political closures or any untoward incidents. We shall not be responsible for any loss, injury, or damage to person, property, or otherwise in connection with any accommodation, transportation, or other services, resulting–directly or indirectly – from any act of GOD, dangers, fire, accident, breakdown in machinery or equipment, breakdown of transport, wars, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, pilferages, epidemics, medical or custom department regulations, defaults, or any other causes beyond our control. We do not have any insurance policy covering the expenses for accidents, sickness, loss due to theft, or any other reasons. Visitors are advised to seek such insurance arrangements in their home country. All baggage & personal property/s at all times are at the client’s risk. HEALTH Any person who has a contagious disease is forbidden to travel, any person found during the tour with such a disease will be asked to leave the tour and will have to make arrangements to return home. PASSPORTS & VISAS To travel to India from overseas countries except for the citizen of Nepal & Bhutan, one needs a 06-month valid passport and a valid Visa. And processing of Passport and Visa are not included in the tour cost.