Sikkim & Darjeeling Tour (GPD Tour) - Gangtok(3), Pelling(2N), Darjeeling(2N) : 07 Nights 08 Days

Planned Sikkim & Darjeeling Tour this summer (starting from April) though could not execute because of other assignments. However may help in your planning:

Day 1: Bagdogra Airport / NJP Station to Gangtok, 130kms in 4 Hrs. – Drive to Gangtok (Alt 5550Ft / 1675M), the Capital of Sikkim. Check in at Hotel. Free Evening, Overnight at Gangtok  

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Day 2: Full day Gangtok City tour (Timing 8.30AM to 4.30PM). Visit Rumtek Monastery, Botanical Garden, and Santi View Point, Sikkim Research Institute of Tibetology, Dodurl Chorten, Government Institute of Cottage Industry (Closed on Sunday, 2nd Saturday), Orchid House Flower Show. After lunch visit Tashi View Point, Ganesh Tok and Bakthang Falls. Back to hotel and free evening to roam around M G Marg Mall for shopping. Overnight at Gangtok

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Day 3: Tsongo Lake with Baba Mandir (Alt 13000ft/3950M) Excursion - 52kms in 3hrs (One way). Drive to Tsongo Lake after breakfast to enjoy Snow and Yak Ride at the high altitude Alpine Lake and proceed further to Legendary Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir. Back to Hotel for late Lunch. Afternoon free for personal activities. Overnight at Gangtok
Optional tour to Nathula Pass (14000Ft / 4200M) on China Border (Allowed for Indian Nationals only)
Please Note: Nathula Pass (Indo Chinese Border) and Baba Mandir : Subject to the availability of Permits.It is in an elevation of 14700ft and is accessible from Gangtok Sikkim which is a restricted tourist destination. This is one of the demanding tourist destination the permits are only issued by the army in 24hrs advance and limited vehicles are allowed for five days in a week i.e. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays to visit this destination.  

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Day 4: Gangtok to Pelling, 130kms in 4.5hrs – Check out from Gangtok and drive to Pelling in West Sikkim (Alt 7175Ft / 2150M) via Rabangla. Enroute Optional visit to Temi Tea Garden and Sumdruptse Statue & Char Dham at Namchi. On arrival check in at Hotel. Free evening. Overnight at Pelling

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Day 5:    Full Day Pelling City Tour (Timing: 8.30AM to 4.30AM). Local tour in Pelling with visits to 8 popular tourist points – Darap Village and Valley, Rimbi Waterfalls, Rock Garden, Kunchenjungha Water Falls and Khecheopalri Holy Lake. After lunch visit Pemayangtse Monastery, Helipad View Point, Rubduntse Palace Ruins and Bird Sanctuary. Free evening Overnight at Pelling

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Day 6:    Pelling to Darjeeling, 80kms in 3hrs – Check out from Pelling and drive to Darjeeling (Alt 6825Ft / 2050M). Enjoy scenic beauty of Rangeet River Valley on the way. On arrival check in at Hotel. Free evening. Overnight at Darjeeling

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Day 7:    Full Day Darjeeling City Tour. Early morning tour in Darjeeling with visits to – Tiger Hill Sunrise Point, Batasia Loop and Ghoom Monastery (Timing 4.00AM to 7.30AM). Free time for personal activities between Breakfast and Lunch. 
Post Lunch City Tour - visit 7 points (Timing: 1.30PM to 5.00PM) - Darjeeling Zoo and Mountaineering Institute (Closed on Thursday), Tea garden, Tenzing Rock and Gombu Rock, Tibetan Refugee center (Closed on Sunday) and Lebong Race Course Area. Free evening at Mall for Shopping. Overnight at Darjeeling

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Day 8:   Darjeeling to Bagdogra Airport / NJP Station, 90kms in 3hrs – Check out from Darjeeling and drive back to NJP/Bagdogra Via Mirik. Farewell and tour ends.

Kerala Trail – AMK - Deliberation

Decision on timing and places:

We decided that we need to go for a short trip. Where to go was matter of discussion and availability. We had around six days on hand. Being in Chennai, South India, we were deliberating on following options:

1.  Kerala > Kochi – Munnar* – Thekkady* – Peermedu – Kumarakom* – Kochi*

2. South India > Yercaud*, Ooty*, Mudumalai, Mysore*, Medikari*, Thala kaveri, Bangalore*, Vellore Sripuram Golden Temple.

3. Tamilnadu > Pondicherry, Pitchavaram, Chidambaram, Vaitheswaran Koil*, Nagore, Velankanni, Thanjavur* Rameswaram*. Suchindram, Kanniyakumari*, Madurai*, Kodaikanal*, Trichy*.

4. Coorg > Coorg & Mysore

5. East – West Coast > Thiruvannamalai, Yercaud*, Mudumalai, Coimbatire*, Guruvayur, Kaladi, Cochin*, Alleppey, Thiruvananthapuram*, Kumarakam, Kottayan*, Munnar*, Palani, Tiruchi*

6. Others > Other options were to go to only one place like Kodaikanal or Vythiri or Ooty etc.

We originally had plans to do this in Christmas vacation but it was too late and most of things were booked as also everything was at premium so we planned for Pongal holidays but that too was more or less booked. Finally we said forget about vacation let us go ahead whenever we get. So that was on timing.

On places, we thought Tamilnadu we can do in our own car covering 1-2 at a time on weekends so why to spend one week time on this trip. So finally we started zeroing down on Kerala.

Decision on mode and places:

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Jaipur – Fort Trio

Jaipur is called the Pink City. It is founded by King Sawai Hai Singh in 1727 A.D. The city is rich with heritage forts built during the royal era. The three forts are the Amber, Jaigarh and Nahargarh.

Many people would like to visit Jaipur just to primarily see its three famous royal forts. The city was founded in 1727 A.D. and became the home of these three magnificent and historical structures. These are the Amber, Jaigarh and Narhargarh. These forts are enjoyed by many tourists because of its grandeur monuments and buildings.

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German - Some important phrases

Some important German phrases which can be your saver during your Germany visit

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Amsterdam – Quick guide

A quick guide for Amsterdam providing summary for all attraction with Tram access. You can print this and keep it for ready reference for your visit to Amsterdam.

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A few days in Perth

(Contributed by D Wright - One of the ex-contributer of our site ) (27 Sep 2008)

Even though the city of Perth isn't as well known as other cities in Australia, the city has many sights and activities for tourists to participate in. Bordered by the Indian Ocean, you can spend your day visiting one of the city's many stunning beaches, rent a charter boat and go deep sea fishing or you can stroll along the boardwalks and visit some of the many shops and restaurants.

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Broome and Down the West Australian Coast

(Contributed by D Wright – One of our ex-contributors) (15 Sep 2008)

Planning for this holiday had involved little more than booking Australian travel insurance, a flight from Sydney to Broome and a rental car which we intended to drive all the way down the coast to Perth, stopping frequently along the way. To avoid needing to be anywhere we made hotel reservations online using Wotif, always a couple of days in advance but we never had any problems with availability.

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When in Sydney, Australia

(Contributed by D Wright – One of our ex-contributors) (30 Aug 2008)

Though not Australia’s official capital city, Sydney is the capital of Australia. The city is filled with many historic sights, a vibrant nightlife and features exciting attractions and restaurants. Whether you want to take a long stroll in one of the Sydney's many parks or you want to visit an art museum or two, you will always find something interesting to do during your stay.

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Bahrain National Museum

Opened: 15th December 1988.
Contains: The main building contains nine exhibition halls, classroom theatre, gift shop and cafeteria

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New York on Budget

You don't need big bucks to enjoy the Big Apple big time. Travel like a New Yorker on the subway. Eat like a New Yorker on the street. And see the city like a New Yorker by visiting public spaces, landmarks and famous places, many of which can be enjoyed for free. Here are some strategies.

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Travel-maniac - Travelling my hobby

Travelling is one of my hobby.

I have travelled lot of Europe - Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Cologne, Berlin, Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, Bregenz, Luzern (Titlis, Pilatus), Interlaken (Jungfrau), St Moritz, Venice, Florence, Rome.

On other side of Atlantic, I have been to New York.

In middle east have enjoyed Dubai & Abu Dhabi. Flying trip to Qatar and Oman. Explored Bahrain in detail.

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Bahrain - Traditional places tour

We at our office are planning to have a tour of Bahrain covering Traditional Places.

Our tentatively planning is to cover following places:

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Venice Accommodation-Our Experience

In Venice we stayed at B & B Residenza Degli Angeli. It is essentially an apartment of 3 rooms. 1 with private bathroom and the other 2 share the bathroom on the floor !!! All rooms are equipped with air conditioning and satellite TV. Furniture is in Venetian style. Really beautifully decorated. This B&B is located 5 minutes walking from the infamous Rialto Bridge and 20 minutes from St. Mark's Square.

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Rome Accommodation – Our experience

In Rome, we stayed at Downtown Accommodation. We booked this directly with owner Isa ( isajiang@virgilio.it ). They have their own site www.downtownaccomodation.com where most of the details are available.

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Florence Accommodation – Our experience

In Florence we stayed at Bed & Bed Peterson (BBP). We booked BBP through florenceby.com
Address: Via Guido Monaco 25, Firenze, Italy, 50144
Telephone: +39 3488428160
email: peterson@florenceby

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