PhotoTour "The Cham dance of Sikkim in the monastery of Rumtek. 26 February-March 11, 2014"
Photo Tour "The Cham dance of Sikkim in the monastery of Rumtek. 26 February-March 11, 2014"
Photographic Tour (Leisure Category)
Time: 26 February-March 11, 2014 year
Duration: 13 nights / 14 days
Destination covered:
Gangtok | Ravangla | Darjeeling | Kalimpong
Features: Monasteries Tour | Floral Tour | Pilgrim Centers | Scenic Landscapes
The TOTAL COST of a TOUR to Sikkim on 14 DAYS WOULD BE $ 1347.
To book a place in the photo tour of Sikkim (India), please fill in this form.
Reservations for this tour to Sikkim takes place when you make a down payment of 30% of the program price, i.e. 404$.
If you make an advance payment receipt is sent/receive, as well as a contract for the provision of tourist services, confirming the funding and reservation of your participation in the fototure on Sikkim.
An advance payment may be transferred by using payment Bank systems. Bank details will be sent to administrator when receiving a photo Project in fototure on Sikkim. The remaining sum must be paid on arrival at the place of party begin a tour, in this case-on arrival in Gangtok.
The cost of a tour to Sikkim include:
1. accommodation in double rooms in hotels with breakfast during a tour to Sikkim.
If you want accommodation in single rooms-extra $ 318 for the whole route.
2. all transfers during a tour to Sikkim in comfortable vehicles.
3. transfer from/to the airport is Bagdogra.
4. support of the organizers from the beginning to the end of the tour to Sikkim, from the stairs to the plane.
5. Travel support local English-speaking guides and bearers of culture along the route in Sikkim.
6. all taxes and tolls on route ourselves in Sikkim.
The cost of a tour to Sikkim are not included:
1. Airfare to Delhi airport of the country and back.
2. Airfare Delhi-Bagdogra-Delhi. Tickets order 70-120 $ per round trip.
The earlier bought tickets-the cheaper they are.
Attention! We provide assistance when purchasing air tickets Delhi-Bagdogra-Delhi. Please contact the Director Nina Lozenko.
3. Indian visa is $ 40. Is drawn up independently.
4. medical insurance-is made by each Member of the tour in Sikkim individually.
5. food during the entire tour to Sikkim-about 150-200 $ for the duration of your trip.
6. entrance tickets to the monasteries. About $ 20 for the whole period of the tour.
But not the fact that the money is actually needed. On past experience, we never took.
That is why this item in the cost of tour to Sikkim is not included.
7. tickets for the toy train (Toi Train). About $ 10.
8. tip.
9. personal spending.
ENTRY for FOTOTURE on SIKKIM is POSSIBLE UNTIL 15 FEBRUARY 2014.
The detailed programme of the photo tour to Sikkim:
February 26th: On arrival at Bagdogra Airport the Guests will be received by one of the representative. Thereafter, they will proceed towards Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. The drive from Bagdorga till Gangtok will take 5 hours approximately. During the journey we will make a short halt at Rangpo, a small town between Sikkim and West Bengal and here the Guests will obtain Inner Line Permit to enter Sikkim. After that the journey continues towards Gangtok and on reaching there, the Guests will be transferred to the hotel. Following some hours of rest, in the evening there will be a short orientation walk in order to familiarize the area.
February 27th: Today the day begins with our visit to Dophenling Monastery situated less than a kilometer from Gangtok on Nathula highway, this monastery is the only one belonging to Gelukpa School of Buddhism. Following this our next stop will be Enchey monastery belonging to Nigmapa School of Buddhism. Built in 1840 this monastery resembles Chinese Temple of Gyanak Riwo Tsenga. Later, taking a ride on Gangtok Ropeway we will visit Do-drul Chorten best known for its gold topped dome. This Chorten was built by Trulshik Rinpoche in 1945 to ward off foreign invasion and to commemorate the victory of good over evil.
February 28th: Day begins with early morning visit to Rumtek Monastery. Resembling the architecture of Tsurphu monastery of Tibet, the Rumtek monastery is the seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa head of Kagyupa School of Buddhism and is one of the largest monasteries of Sikkim. Here we will witness the Chaam dance performed by monks wearing masks and religious attire. These dances represent the victory of the good over evil and also symbolize the exorcizing of the evil spirits of the year and the welcoming of the good spirits of the New Year.
March 1st: Starting the day with ease today we will visit Tashi View point which offers the best view of Mt. Khangchendzonga and its ranges. Later we will visit Gonjang Monastery founded by Tingkye Gonjang Rinpoche, which follows the tradition of Nyingmapa School of Buddhism. This will then be followed by visit to Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms which was established with the motive to preserve and promote traditional Sikkim’s crafts. And later we will visit Flower Exhibition Centre where ornamental Himalayan flora which when in blossom are a riot of colors.
March 2nd: Leaving Gangtok the journey will today proceed towards southern Sikkim. Along the way we will stop to visit Pal Zumrang Kagyud Monastery situated on the opposite hill of the town. This Buddhist center is the seat of the 12th Zumrang Gharwang Rinpoche belonging to the Kagyupa School of Buddhism. Following this we will drive through Temi Tarku the only tea estate of Sikkim before arriving Ravangla. On reaching Ravangla we will check into the hotel and spent the evening on self leisure.
March 3rd: Our first visit of the day will be Sri Siddhesvara Dham a pilgrimage and cultural center in the sacred hill of Solophok where 108 feet statue of Lord Shiva along with 12 Jyotirlings stands. This will be then followed by Shridi Sai Mandir dedicated to Shridi Sai Baba. Later, we will then visit Ngadag Monastery belongs to Nyingmapa School of Buddhism. Thereafter, while returning we will visit the sacred hill of Samdruptse where the 135 feet statue of Guru Padmasambhava stands.
March 4th: Today we will visit Karma Raptenling Monastery founded by His Holiness the 9th Karmapa Changchub Dorji in 1730. This monastery was the first Kagyupa Monastery built in Sikkim. Next we will visit Thekchenling Monastery and Buddha Park where 148 feet statue of Lord Buddha stands. This statue was built to commemorate the 2550th anniversary of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana. Later, in the evening we will visit Bon Yung Dung Monastery the only monastery of Bon Sect (Shamanist) in Sikkim to witness the evening prayer.
March 5th: Today we will visit Rabdentse, though the place much in ruin today was the second capital of Sikkim during the reign of Namgyal Dynasty. Thereafter, we will visit Pemayangtse Monastery, which was established as a high class monastery and was entrusted with the task to perform all religious functions of the erstwhile monarch. This monastery follows the Nyingmapa School of Biddhism. After this we will visit Khecheopari Lake. Located, at the middle of the forest this lake is considered to be wish fulfilling by the locals and often visits during auspicious occasions.
March 6th: Starting the day with ease will leave for Darjeeling and the journey will at least take 5 hours. Often regarded as the Queen of Hill, Darjeeling since the ages has been one of the popular tourists’ destinations. Located at an altitude of about 2,143 meter the town offers magnificent view of mighty Himalaya and snowcapped mountains. On reaching Darjeeling we will check into hotel and after some hours of rest, in the evening we will take a stroll around the town to familiarize the area.
March 7th: Starting very early in the morning we will today visit Tiger Hill. The hill top at an elevation of about 2590 meter is famous for its breathtaking view of morning sunrise over grandeur Mt. Kanchendzonga and accompanying snowcapped mountain peaks. However, the visibility of sunrise will completely depend upon the weather condition prevailing at that time. There after we return to hotel and the remaining day shall be off.
March 8th: Today we will visit Yiga Cholang Monastery belonging to Gelugpa School of Buddhism. Built by Lama Sherab Gyants in 1875 this monastery is the largest of all the monasteries of Darjeeling followed by popular Drukpa Kagyud Monastery. Later, we will visit Dhirdham Temple, which look a lot like the great Pashupatinath Temple of Nepal. Then we will visit Nipponzan Myoholi Bhuddhist temple which is popularly known by the name Japanese temple.
March 9th: We will begin our day with a joyful safari on Toy Train which has been declared as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This will be then followed by visit to Batasia Loop and DHR Museum at Ghoom. Thereafter, we will proceed towards Kalimpong and the journey will at least take 3 hours. On reaching Kalimpong we will check into hotel and after some hours of rest in the evening we will take a stroll around the town to familiarize the area.
March 10th: The last day of our tour will begin with visit to Kurkootey House, where Helena Ivanovna Roerich a Russian philosopher lived in the past and which is now the international center to understand the philosophy of Living Ethics. Thereafter, we will visit Deolo Hill which provides panoramic view of the hills that rises from the river valley. Then we will visit Tharpa Choling Monastery which belongs to Gelugpa sect of Buddhism followed by Zangdogpalri Fobrang Monastery in Durpin Dara belonging to Nyingmapa sect.
March 11th: Finally our tour ends and we depart early morning for Bagdogra Airport to board flight for further onward journey.