DomesticFamily

6-Day Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Lava

Adds the quiet side of the hills to the standard Darjeeling week — Kalimpong for the monasteries and nurseries, then Lava and Lolegaon for the pine forest and the canopy walk.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Bagdogra to Darjeeling
Pick up and the drive up. Evening on the Mall.
Meals
Dinner
Stay
Darjeeling
Day 2: Tiger Hill and Darjeeling
Sunrise at Tiger Hill, Batasia Loop, Ghum, the zoo and HMI.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Darjeeling
Day 3: Darjeeling
Toy Train joy-ride, Happy Valley tea estate and the ropeway.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Darjeeling
Day 4: Darjeeling to Lava
Drive via Kalimpong — Deolo Hill and Durpin — then up to Lava.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Lava
Day 5: Lava and Lolegaon
Lava Monastery, the Neora Valley edge and the Lolegaon canopy walk.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Lava
Day 6: Departure
Drive down to NJP or Bagdogra.
Meals
Breakfast

Trip Highlights

Lava and Lolegaon — pine forest and the canopy walk
Kalimpong: Deolo Hill, Durpin Monastery, the cactus nurseries
Tiger Hill sunrise
Neora Valley National Park edge
Toy Train joy-ride to Ghum

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, Kalimpong and Lava?

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

Book This Tour

₹21,999₹26,000

Save ₹4,001

+ tax as applicable

Runs on any date you choose — tell us when and we will confirm availability.

Tour Option

Twin Sharing₹21,999

Darjeeling, West Bengal

Sunrise at Tiger Hill, tea all day.

Know Before You Go

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.

All questions →