About the itinerary
In the local parlance, this journey is an experience into "the heart of Paradise". Legends says that the spirits of Lepchas reach the Mayel Lyang and local communities are full of stories of people taking rebirth after this experience!
We visit some imposing monasteries. The original Phodong monastery has been rebuilt and is today one of the most beautiful monasteries in Sikkim. It contains old mural paintings and houses around 260 monks. Sikkim oldest monastery, the Tholung Monastery, was built during the first visit of Guru Lhastsun Chempo. This monastery is surrounded by hot springs and sacred caves.
We trek to Lingthem village, famous for its spectacular views of the Khangchendzonga Range. The walk uphill is strenuous but as one treads higher into the temperate region, views emerge out of the hidden mountains, mesmerizing the onlooker by the beauty nature has to offer.
Walking through the countryside, we cross terraced paddy fields and cardamom forest. We enjoy the traditional Lepcha lifestyle and have spectacular mountain views of Khangchendzonga.
The charming village of Tingvong is located on a small hillock overlooking the yawning valleys and sun-kissed mountains of Dzongu. Crystal-clear streams flow through the village.
Kalimpong is the last destination of this impressive trip through Sikkim. It is renowned for its beautiful surroundings and the good weather conditions.

Itinerary:
Day 1 Gangtok:
Arrive Bagdogra/NJP drive to Gangtok [4 hrs 30 min drive]

Overnight ~ Hotel/Guest House

Day 2 Gangtok:
Gangtok sightseeing. Morning visit Handicraft Centre, flower show and Institute of Tibetology.
In the evening visit the Rumtek monastery.

Overnight ~ Hotel/Guest House

Day 3 Dzongu:
Gangtok dive to Dzongu in North Sikkim. En route stop midway at Kabi Lungchok [site of the blood brotherhood treaty between Lepcha's and Bhutia], visit the Phodong and Labrang monastery. Reach Namprikdang.

Overnight ~ Homestay.

Day 4 Dzongu:
Namprikdang hike uphill for 3 hr to Lingthem Village. Lunch at Lingthem village.
In the evening explore Lingthem and interaction with local people. Visit the handicraft center and monastery of Lingthem.

Overnight ~ Homestay

Day 5 Dzongu:
Hike downhill to Passingdang and drive to Tingvong village. Lunch at the village. In the evening explore the village. Walk to Tingvong monastery and interact with the local people.

Overnight ~ Homestay

Day 6 Dzongu:
Hike to Kusong village. Pass through paddy field and cardamom forests. Observe the spectacular mountain views of Khangchendzonga and Lepcha lifestyle. Return to Tingvong village.

Overnight ~ Homestay

Day 7 Dzongu:
Tingvong drive to visit Lingzya monastic school for an interaction with the monks. On the way stop at Rukshyot waterfalls [highest waterfall in Sikkim] and the pristine surrounding. Hike to Bay village.

Overnight ~ Homestay

Day 8 Dzongu Trek:
Trek to Tholung Monastery [2 hrs walk]. This ancient monastery is believed to be built by spirits. The sacred objects and artifacts are opened for tourists once in every three years. Return to Bay village in the afternoon.

Overnight ~ Homestay

Day 9 Dzongu:
Hike down to Lingzya and drive to Hee Gyathang and meet with the local NGO members and interact with them. Go for a Village Walk in the evening.

Overnight ~ Homestay
 
Day 10 Kalimpong:
Drive to Kalimpong via Dikchu and Singtam. In the evening visit flower nurseries in Kalimpong.

Overnight ~ Hotel

Day 11 Kalimpong:
Visit the Lepcha Museum and interact with intellectual Lepchas who have been working for the welfare of Lepcha tribal community.

Overnight ~ Hotel

Day 11 Departure:
Kalimpong to Bagdogra

How this particular trip makes a difference to the local community / environment :This trip is rich in its local interaction. During this impressive trip we often stay in home stays. This promotes village tourism and helps the local communities benefit fully from the economic opportunities of tourism. This also provides the best possible cultural experiences for our guests. The concept of Home stays was introduced in the rural areas of Sikkim with an aim to facilitate alternative source of income directly for the rural people in a sustainable way. The system of Home stay brought in a very efficient way of sharing the income from tourism among several families. Depending on the number of visitors, the hosts have agreed upon a system where they circulate the guests amongst themselves so that everyone benefits out of tourism. A productive way of complementing rather than competing with each other!

Numerous village walks give you a good insight in the traditional life of the Lepchas and Buthias living in North-Sikkim.

Cultural activities in Sikkim are part of all our trips, in order to support and preserve Sikkim's age old culture lively. In Hee Gyathang, a cultural evening program is organized by the locals. Your interest in these performances and the economic benefits of these sharings, prompts the locals to strike a balance between cultural heritage and financial requirements. It encourages young kids to also learn the traditional music and dance arts. Hence ensuring that these cultural treasures are being kept lively in the future as well.

The Sikkimese people especially Lepchas and Bhutias are famous for their weaving and wood carving. Buying these souvenirs will not only give your family back home a special and exclusive presents, you also support the local craftsmen.

The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology we visit is promoting research on the religion, history, language, art and culture of the people of the Tibetan cultural area which includes Sikkim. The NIT's library holds one of the largest collections of Tibetan works in the world outside Tibet as well as a museum of Tibetan iconography and religious art. The library has published the Bulletin of Tibetology since 1964 and numerous books over the years. We ensure contributions towards funds that are used for renovation and maintenance of works and artifacts.

In North Sikkim we work together with a local organisation promoting sustainable tourism. This ecotourism initiative was born from the desire of a group of Lepcha youth who had concerns for the upcoming generation of Dzongu. They were keen to explore alternatives for the educated youth that would help provide opportunities for self employment and in the process help the Lepcha community to protect their vanishing identity.

To begin the work in Dzongu, partnerships were forged with NGOs, local authorities and community representatives. Several community consultations as well as awareness and training programs were conducted for the local residents by our local partners like Eco Tourism and Conservation Society. The extensive community mobilization process has brought about some changes in the thinking of local people and positioned them to conduct tourism that is locally operated and where benefits can accrue to all levels of the community.