Boston Flora

Tag: Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary

  • Saturday, May 16 – Satuday, May 30 – The Sikkim & Darjeeling Himalayas

    Landscapes and Floral Botanic gardens, deep gorges, and the Valley of the flowers, all on view with this Pacific Horticulture Tour May 16 – 30, 2020.

    Come and explore the spectacular landscapes and flora of Sikkim and the Darjeeling Himalayas! See tea plantations around Darjeeling – of British Hill station fame – and the foothills of the Himalayas. Visit botanic gardens and orchid gardens, then head to Sikkim which is filled with Old World charm. Learn about the art and heritage of the Tibetan culture of Sikkim. Then drive toward the higher Himalayas through narrow valleys and winding mountain roads, where waterfalls leap into deep gorges, en route to Lachung. This will be our base to explore two spectacular natural areas, the Yumthang “Valley of the Flowers” (below) and the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary which blooms during April and May. Our route is within sight of Kanchenjunga, at 28, 169 feet, the 3rd highest peak in the world. We’ll also explore the Thangu Valley which is carpeted with alpine flowers in May, and Tsomgo Lake, a glacial lake in eastern Sikkim.

    Come join us as we discover the foothills and mountains of Himalayan India with the Pacific Horticulture Society’s Greg Graves and Alister Adhikari. Complete tour brochure and itinerary are available at https://www.pacifichorticulture.org/tours/the-sikkim-darjeeling-himalayas-2/

  • Saturday, April 18 – Saturday, May 2 – The Sikkim & Darjeeling Himalayas: Landscapes and Flora

    Travel with Pacific Horticulture Society April 18 – May 2, 2015 to the far north of India where the spectacular scenery and cooler climate of the hill country first beckoned early British travelers. At 6,000 feet Darjeeling and Changtok cling to hilltops with views of the Himalayan Mountains beckoning around every turn of the road. Sikkim, an Indian state, is bordered by Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. – See more at: http://www.pacifichorticulture.org/tours/the-sikkim-darjeeling-himalayas/#sthash.Ra9Wjnr9.dpuf.

    Itinerary includes:

    Makaibari Tea Estates where tea is produced within an integrated forest management system.
    Lloyd Botanic Garden in Darjeeling featuring indigenous Himalayan plants, alpine plants and ferns, and plants and trees from China, Japan, and beyond as well as traditional British style glass conservatories housing many of the garden’s extensive orchid collections.
    A trip on the nearly hundred-year old Darjeeling Himalayan Railway providing a breathtaking view of neighboring cities from the narrow-gauge tracks that cling to the hillsides and a chance to experience life as it’s been since the 1800s.
    Yumthang, the “valley of flowers,” and the site of the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary.

    Other stops on this 15-day tour provide insight into the people of this high country who call this area of the world their home and include visits to cultural, historic, and craft centers in Darjeeling, Changtok, and Kalimpong. PHS Board member Paul Graves will accompany the trip.