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SIKKIM
- The Land of Orchids also known as Denzong, the Rice Bowl, the
"Land of the
Mountain
crests" lies between the kingdom of Bhutan in the east, Nepal to its
west and on its northern border town, the plateau of Tibet. This small
stretch of rugged land may just be a speck on the world map but its
size belies its richness and diversity of culture, customs, heritage,
flora and fauna.
Sikkim – one of the most beautiful nooks in the Himalayas,
offers visitors nature in all its grandeur. The world’s 3rd highest
mountain Mt. Khangchendzonga (28,156 ft) and it’s attendant peaks
- Pandim, Narsing, Kabru, Talung, Siniolchu, Pau-Hunri, Simvo, and
Jopuno present a surreal vista unmatched in the world and which local
legends will have you believe resembles an alter of the Gods.
Leaving behind the sweltering plains of the Ganges, you will travel
up through orchid-laced subtropical forests of the Himalayan foothills,
steep gorges, verdant hillsides dotted with terraced rice paddies
that turn from a brilliant emerald green to a soft golden hue with
the passing of the seasons. Amidst the high peaks nestle fabulous
natural lakes worshipped by the people of Sikkim and about which legends
abound.
Crowning hilltops are fabled centers of Buddhist worship and learning,
such as the monasteries at Rumtek, Enchey and Pemayangtse, to mention
only a few. Awe inspiring Stupas and Chortens are set amidst fluttering
prayer flags, and numerous prayer wheels spun by clear mountain streams
tinkle melodiously to remind you that you are in the abode of the
Gods. Come, explore the wonder that is SIKKIM.
DARJEELING
& KALIMPONG - The Tea Capital "The place of the Thunderbolt"
is popular hill - resort in Eastern India. Also known as "The Queen
of the Hills", Darjeeling lies perched at a height of 2,134 meters
with a panoramic view of the mighty Himalayan peaks of the Mt. Khangchendzonga
cluster. It has attracted many generations of visitors to enjoy the
joys of the cool and healthy climes of the mountains. Darjeeling was
the very first "hill sanitarium" developed by the British to escape
from the hot Indian summers of Gangetic Bengal.
Toy Train : By the late 1800s, Darjeeling had gained in importance
as a hill station but the only means of transportation of goods to
and from the town was by bullock carts using the Hill Cart
Road beginning
in the plains at Siliguri. An agent of the East Bengal
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Railway,
Franklyn Prestage, came up with the plan for a narrow gauge rail link
between Siliguri and Darjeeoling. Construction started in 1879 and
the first train pulled by the ‘gutsy’ little steam-engine and three
coaches puffed into Darjeeling on 4th July, 1881. Nicknamed ‘Toy Train’
they have been making daily journeys for over a century. Not quite
the fastest means of reaching Darjeeling from the plains - the journey
takes around 8 hours - the trip is more of an experience. A joy ride
on the train is included in your sightseeing tours. Famous Tea Gardens
of ‘Darjeeling’ and ‘excellent tea’ have become synonymous. Tea drinkers
the world over must constantly bless the memory of the person who
decided around 1840 that the climate of the Darjeeling region was
very conducive to the growth of tea. Huge forest areas were cleared
and tea was planted. Chinese experts were called in to teach the art
of tea making and thousands of Nepalese were hired to work in the
tea gardens. Darjeeling Tea become so famous for its aroma and delicacy
of taste that it was soon named the "Champagne of the East".
Kalimpong , "The Governor’s Fort" as the Lepchas, the
aboriginal people of the region called it Kalimpong, nestles at a
modest altitude of 1,250 meters, is an excellent spot for a restful
and quiet holiday. Kalimpong has a number of houses which speak of
the town’s heritage and gracious living in earlier decades of this
century when it was the main trading post between Tibet and British
India. Today it is a flourishing floriculture center as the climate
has proved to be extremely cnducive to this activity. |
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© 2003 Druk Expeditions 
