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Monastries

Sikkim has nearly 200 monasteries or Gompas belonging to the Nyingma and Kagyu.

Devoted and loyal Lamas in red robes, recite primordial mantras to the beat of drums while lights sparkle from pretty lanterns positioned before the statues of the Great Guru Padmasambhava. Feel the tranquility and calmness of being close to the Almighty while taking a tour of the monasteries.

We, at Himalayan Safaris, make arrangements and plan your trips to various monasteries. Since we know the place in and around, we guide you to have a peaceful time at the monasteries. Options include the following:

East Sikkim

• The Enchey Monastery: The seat of the Nyingma, it was built 100 years ago on land blessed by Lama Druptob Karpo, the Tantric master who could fly.

• Rumtek Monastery (Dharma Chakra): This is the seat of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa Lama, of Kagyu order, one of the 4 major Tibetan Buddhist sects, since 1960s. This monastery is home to some of the world's most unique religious scriptures and sacred objects.

West Sikkim

• Sanga-Choling Monastery: The seat of the Nyingma, it was built 100 years ago on land blessed by Lama Druptob Karpo, the Tantric master who could fly.

• Dhubdi Monastery: It came into existence after the crowning of the first Chogyal and is considered an ideal place for meditation.

• Pemayangtse Monastery: This monastery is meant only for the “ta-sang” lamas (pure monks). It is said that this place was designed by Lhatsun Chhembo, the pioneer of Buddhism in Sikkim and is known for the seven-tiered painted wooden structure on the top floor depicting the features of the Mahaguru's heavenly palace” Santopalri ”. It took Dungzin Rimpoche five years to finish it all by himself.

What Our Client Says

  • "As tour manager of Joe Far Tours I want to thank you for the great services my group received during Oracle-festivals from March 11 - 20, 2011. We stayed in the best hotel of town with good central heating and excellent food and service, had new cars with friendly and helpful drivers and a very experienced local guide Tashi. Besides that you personally came to check everything! Your service even included a reserved area with chairs during festival, lunch and hot tea.

    Thanks again and I am looking forward to your services in Changthang in July 2011."

    Prof. Hans Först
    Executive Director-Tours
    Joe Far Tours/Vienna/Austria

  • "I arrived in Ladakh with only six precious days and no semblance of a plan. Odpal George and his team at Himalayan Safaris worked with me on short notice to set up a fantastic tour, including a 3-day trek from Likir to Lamayuru. Their service and local knowledge were top notch, and I assumed that their prices would be high -- but after checking around town with other tour operators, I realized they were right in line. I highly recommend working with Himalayan Safaris."

    Dan Fineman

  • Himalayan Safaris and Odpal George are excellent. They handled our Leh experience comprehensively, taking care of our every need, while remaining very flexible in ensuring we got the best experiences in spite of weather changes (it rained in Leh). Peter, the trek guide, was fantastic along the trek, chatty, knowledgeable about the trek area, the flora and fauna. He made good decisions on how to keep the trek experience high as the weather changed. Stenzin, our main guide at the gompas, was a fountain of knowledge. Even the drivers Egbol and Naxir, where efficient and courteous.

    Vincent Fabella

  • I wanted to take this opportunity to thanks you, your brother Peter and your staff for a delightful stay in Ladakh. It was a pleasure to get to know Tashi and we all enjoyed seeing the scenery, temples and towns of the region. I especially appreciated you and your company's flexibility in helping us with our changing plans.

    Finally, we so enjoyed our stay at your hotel in Sabu. The rooms were great and well designed. The food was wonderful and the staff was friendly and experienced. You and Peter have clearly put a lot of thought into it.

    We had a wonderful experience with you and would recommend it to anyone.

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    Real Estate Development