Shakti - Sikkim
Kolkata - Bagdogra - Yangsum - Sangdyanglee - Radhu Kandu - Bagdogra - Kolkata
Duration:7 Days / 6 Nights
Day 1
ARRIVE KOLKATA
Arrive Kolkata (Calcutta), after clearing Immigration & Customs formalities; you will reach the arrival hall. Here you will meet your Banyan Guide and be transferred to your hotel. Overnight: Peerless Inn, Superior Room.
Day 2
KOLKATA
Today you will take a sightseeing tour of Kolkata, which will include the charity of Mother Teresa (must do), the Botanical Garden, Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum and the Kali Temple.
Calcutta is a city of glaring contrasts - a curious blend of the old and the new, partly feudal, partly born out of growing urbanisation and partly un-definable. It is a medley of the east and the west, a graft of a European city imposed on the Asian landscape that gives Calcutta its charm, confusion and excitement. Being only about 300 years old, Calcutta has few great historical monuments. It is a city though a city that shocks on first impression but eventually the visitor usually falls in love with it. Overnight: Peerless Inn, Superior Room. B
Day 3
KOLKATA - BAGDOGRA (by Air) - YANGSUM
Today you will be driven to the airport to board your flight to Bagdogra. (9W 2480 - 1220/1320 Hrs) On arrival at Bagdogra airport, you will be collected and driven to Yangsum Village near Rinchenpong in South Sikkim. At an altitude of 1950 metres, Rinchenpong, whose name means 'meeting place' in the local dialect is a pretty and un-spoilt small Himalayan town. Yangsum Farm is a small locally run 'home stay' that has stunning views of the Himalayas. Shakti have taken an old wooden Sikkimese house (one of the main buildings of Yangsum) and have taken the property back to its original glory. Though simple, the property is charming and comfortable with two bedrooms (one upstairs and one down), each with its own en-suite bathroom and a private dining area. Both the dining area and the upstairs room have stunning views of the Kanchenjunga massif. Shakti will provide its own linen, furniture, food and service in both of these rooms. If you party needs more than two rooms, Shakti has access to Yangsum Farm's other rooms and though these are not exclusively ours, we will again provide our own linen, food and service. In the early evening, you will be given an introductory briefing of your tour by yourEnglish speaking accompanying guide. This will be followed by drinks and snacks around the fire and under the stars and then a delicious dinner. Overnight: Village House at Yangsum Farm - Double/twin Room. Village altitude: 1500m.BLD
Day 4
YANGSUM - SANGDYAANG LEE
If the weather is clear, your guide will wake you at dawn with a hot drink of your choice and some homemade biscuits. You will not regret getting out of bed for a view of the Kanchenjunga massif. This will be followed by breakfast and a tour of the property with Thendup, the owner. Today's walk begins with a gentle climb along a lush jungle trail passing a few isolated houses and hamlets (mostly belonging to Nepali immigrants) along the way. Passing the Rangeet river in the valley below you will continue onto the Magi Darra, a stunning viewpoint of the entire valley and the newly constructed Gurung monastery. After this you will follow the trail up to Poison Lake passing neatly cultivated fields and village houses along the way. This trail affords stunning Himalayan views and will give you an insight into the lives of the local villagers. You will then arrive at Sangdyang Lee House, which also offers fantastic views of the Kanchenjunga massif. Sandyang Lee is a modern structure belonging to a local politician. We chose it as not only are there few old structures (in a region that bears the full brunt of the monsoon between June and September) around, but it has a stunning location, is very comfortable (with three en-suite bedrooms) and first and foremost has a wonderfully welcoming and interactive family. Overnight: Sangdyang Lee Village House - Double/Twin Room. Village altitude: 1800m, distance travelled: 9 km, time: 6 hoursBLD
Day 5
SANGDYAANG LEE - RADHU KHANDU
After this morning's breakfast, you will follow the trail down via Rinchenpong monastery and along a ridge with stunning mountain views continuing through the charming village of Bhasmay. You will then arrive at Kaluk village where our vehicles will be waiting to take you onto the 'stairway to heaven', a one kilometre uphill climb! You will be rewarded for your efforts with mind blowing views over Pemayangste hill and on to the Great Himalaya range.
After lunch on the ridge of Durpin Darra you will hike along the newly laid trail that leads to Chyaan Darra and then continue uphill to the charming village of Hee where you will have afternoon tea enjoying an almost 180° view of the Himalaya (if the weather is clear). Continue walking gently downhill for around thirty minutes until you reach a stunning waterfall. From the waterfall the trail continues gently upwards for around forty minutes until you reach Radhu Khandu village. The house at Radhu Kandu is the most special of the three, a charming traditional Sikkimese house with two bedrooms and outside toilets and showers (built by Shakti), the family are fantastic (the owner being a particular character), the location is sublime and after a long walk, there is nothing better than having tea in the living room which has 270° views of the area. Overnight: Radhu Kandu Village House - Double/Twin Room. Village altitude: 2200m, distance travelled: 11.5 km, Time: 7 hoursBLD
Day 6
RADHU KHANDU
After breakfast, you will go on a walk around the village with the charismatic owner of the village house, Krishna Lal. After this you will continue uphill (through a wildlife sanctuary) to the enchanted lakes, a series of three beautiful lakes one after the other up the mountain side. After a picnic lunch, you will then walk along the flat to visit the local cave which the locals consider to be a home for holy spirits. Continue back to Radhu Kandu village where you will arrive back mid afternoon. Overnight: Radhu Kandu Village House - Double/Twin Room. Village altitude: 2200m, distance: 8 km, time: 4-5 hours. BLD
Day 7
RADHU KHANDU - BAGDOGRA - KOLKATA - ONWARDS
After breakfast, you will walk back down to the road head (around twenty minutes). From here you will proceed to Bagdogra airport for flight to Kolkata. (9W 2481- 1355/1455 Hrs). Arrive Kolkata and you will be transferred to International airport for onward flights. BB
