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Darjeeling and Gangtok Classic
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7-Day Darjeeling and Gangtok Classic

The two hill capitals in one loop — Tiger Hill and the tea gardens on the Bengal side, then across to Gangtok for Tsomgo Lake and the monasteries, with Kalimpong on the way between.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Bagdogra to Darjeeling

    Pick up and the climb up the Hill Cart Road. Evening on Chowrasta.

    Meals
    Dinner
    Stay
    Darjeeling
    Darjeeling — view 1
    Darjeeling — view 2
    Darjeeling — view 3
  2. Day 2: Tiger Hill and Darjeeling

    Sunrise at Tiger Hill, Batasia Loop and Ghum, then the zoo and HMI.

    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
    Stay
    Darjeeling
    Darjeeling — view 1
    Darjeeling — view 2
    Darjeeling — view 3
  3. Day 3: Darjeeling

    Toy Train joy-ride, Happy Valley tea estate and the Rangeet ropeway.

    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
    Stay
    Darjeeling
    Darjeeling — view 1
    Darjeeling — view 2
    Darjeeling — view 3
  4. Day 4: Darjeeling to Gangtok

    Drive across via Kalimpong. Deolo Hill and Durpin Monastery on the way.

    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
    Stay
    Gangtok
    Gangtok — view 1
    Gangtok — view 2
    Gangtok — view 3
  5. Day 5: Tsomgo Lake

    Day trip up the Nathu La road to Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir.

    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
    Stay
    Gangtok
    Gangtok — view 1
    Gangtok — view 2
    Gangtok — view 3
  6. Day 6: Gangtok

    Rumtek Monastery, Tashi View Point, Do Drul Chorten and the ropeway.

    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
    Stay
    Gangtok
    Gangtok — view 1
    Gangtok — view 2
    Gangtok — view 3
  7. Day 7: Departure

    Drive down to Bagdogra.

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Darjeeling — view 1
    Darjeeling — view 2
    Darjeeling — view 3

Trip Highlights

  • Tiger Hill sunrise over Kanchenjunga
  • Toy Train joy-ride to Ghum
  • Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir
  • Rumtek Monastery and the Gangtok ropeway
  • Happy Valley tea estate

What's included

  • Accommodation as per the itinerary, on twin sharing
  • Daily breakfast and dinner
  • All transfers and sightseeing by private vehicle with a local driver
  • Darjeeling Himalayan Railway joy-ride ticket where the itinerary names it
  • Driver allowance, fuel, tolls and parking

What's not included

  • Airfare or train fare to Bagdogra / NJP
  • Lunch throughout
  • Ropeway, zoo and museum entry tickets
  • Tea estate factory tour fees
  • Anything the itinerary does not name

Pickup point

Bagdogra Airport or New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station

Cancellation policy

Cancel 30 days or more before departure — full refund minus a ₹2,000 processing fee.

Cancel 15 to 29 days before departure — 50% of the trip cost is refunded.

Cancel 7 to 14 days before departure — 25% of the trip cost is refunded.

Cancel within 7 days of departure — no refund.

Toy Train joy-ride seats are booked against your name and are non-refundable once issued. The train is cancelled outright in landslide season; when that happens we refund the ticket and drive the same route instead.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Tiger Hill sunrise worth the 4am start?

On a clear winter morning, yes — Kanchenjunga catches the light first and Everest is visible on the far left. On a cloudy morning you will have driven an hour to look at fog. October to December gives you the best odds. We keep a spare morning in the longer trips for a second attempt.

Can I book the full Toy Train ride from NJP to Darjeeling?

The full seven-hour run is unreliable and often cancelled. What works is the Darjeeling to Ghum joy-ride — two hours, the Batasia Loop, and the steam engine on the scheduled service. That is what we book. If the full run is operating on your dates we will tell you.

When should I come for the Kanchenjunga view?

Mid-October to December, and again in March and April. The monsoon from June to September closes the sky completely and brings landslides on the Hill Cart Road. January is clear but very cold, with frost on the road above Ghum.

Is Darjeeling good with young children?

Yes, apart from the Tiger Hill start. The zoo, the ropeway, the toy train and the Chowrasta promenade all work well. The town is steep and the traffic on Hill Cart Road is heavy, so plan on walking short distances rather than long ones.

Do I need a permit for Darjeeling or Kalimpong?

No. Both are in West Bengal and need no permit for anyone. If your trip continues into Sikkim, that does need a permit and we arrange it separately.

Ready to book Darjeeling and Gangtok Classic?

Tell us your dates and group size and our team will confirm availability, hold the rooms and send you the invoice and vouchers.

Darjeeling and Gangtok Classic

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Darjeeling Tea Garden and Toy Train Trip

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Darjeeling Tea Garden and Toy Train Trip

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Darjeeling Tea Garden and Toy Train Trip

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Sandakphu Trek — Sleeping Buddha View

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Sandakphu Trek — Sleeping Buddha View

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Sandakphu Trek — Sleeping Buddha View

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Mirik and Darjeeling Weekend

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Mirik and Darjeeling Weekend

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Mirik and Darjeeling Weekend

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Tiger Hill Sunrise and Darjeeling Heritage

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Tiger Hill Sunrise and Darjeeling Heritage

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Tiger Hill Sunrise and Darjeeling Heritage

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