Day 4: Pelling - Darjeeling (75 KMS 4 HOURS APPROX.)
Breakfast at the hotel and proceed for half-day sightseeing in Pelling visiting Pemayangtse Monastery, Rabdentse Ruins and Skywalk.
Pemayangtse Monastery:- 2.5 kms from Pelling and standing at 2085 m. The Perfect Sublime Lotus, perched on a wooded hilltop, commands the most sublime view of the Khangchendzonga. Built during the late 17th century, it is one of the oldest and most important monasteries of the Nyingmapa order of Buddhism in Sikkim. To the present day, it is only the monks of this monastery who enjoy the title of ‘Tasang’ or pure monks. The importance of this monastery grew with time and reached its peak when only monks from this monastery could anoint the reigning sovereign of the land with holy water. Pemayangtse Monastery follows the Mindroling tradition besides holding the lineage of Lhatsun Chenpo. Mindroling Monastery was founded by Minling Terchen Gyurme Dorje whose famous daughter Jetsun Migyur Paldon lived near Pemayangtse and taught there during her exile. Her stone throne is still to be seen in this monastery, which has 108 monks. The main attraction of the monastery is the wooden replica of Zangdog Palri, the celestial abode of Guru Padmasambhava, built by Serdup Lhundrup Dorje Rinpoche in 1971. The annual chaam (monk dance) is held here on the 28th and 29th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar.
Rabdentse - Sikkim’s second capital. The ruins of Rabdentse are worth exploring. The winding track through the forest brings you to a small set of ruins of the early town and eventually to the ruins of the palace with Chorten (stupa) nearby.
SKYWALK - The Glass Skywalk is India’s first - ever skywalk, set in the picturesque town of Pelling in Northeast Sikkim. Built at an astounding height of 7200 feet, this colossal structure allows tourists to look down several thousand feet into the air, from the peak to the very bottom of the mountains. The Glass Skywalk is not for the faint - hearted or for people with vertigo, as walking on transparent glass at such heights can be spine-chilling! The Pelling Skywalk is a transparent foot - over bridge made out of glass that is suspended hundreds of feet in the air. Since its inauguration in November 2018, the skywalk has become a major hub for tourists owing to the unique concoction of thrill and peace that it offers. There are several attractions that can be viewed from over the bridge, including waterfalls, lush forests and monasteries. It is located adjacent to the marvelous statue of Chenrezig, which is a famous Buddhist pilgrimage site. The skywalk overlooks the magnificent Kanchenjunga, as well as the Teesta and Rangit rivers, which flow alongside, adding another dimension to the serenity of the place.
DARJEELING
Standing high in the Himalayas at an altitude of 2134 m, ‘Dorje Ling’, or place of the Thunderbolt, offers breathtaking views of snow - capped mountain peaks, with the Kanchendzonga rising higher than all the others. Often referred to as the “Queen of the Hills”, it remains just as alluring with its tiny waterfalls, little villages and a narrow - gauge railway track. Surrounded by world - famous tea gardens and snow - capped mountains, Darjeeling remains one of the most exotic destinations. Graeme Westlake, in his book ‘An Introduction to Hill Stations of India’, refers to Darjeeling as having “A view scarcely unrivalled on Earth”.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.