Gangtok · West Sikkim · Darjeeling
Gangtok, Pelling & Darjeeling
- NJP / Bagdogra
- Gangtok
- Tsomgo Lake
- Pelling
- Darjeeling
Price on request
The tea hills
Darjeeling: tea gardens, the toy train and Tiger Hill
A ridge town above the clouds, a heritage railway still under steam, and sunrise over Kanchenjunga from Tiger Hill.
Darjeeling is the hill station everyone has heard of, and it earns it. The town spreads along a ridge at about 6,700 ft, its tea gardens falling away on every side, and on a clear morning Kanchenjunga stands across the horizon close enough to count the ridges.
It is in West Bengal, across the Teesta from Sikkim, and needs no permits, which makes it the easiest addition to a Sikkim trip. We plan it on its own or as part of a circuit with Gangtok, Pelling or Kalimpong.
Registered with Sikkim Tourism Reg. No. 77/DoT&CAv/S/20/TA
What to see
Places worth your time
- 01
Tiger Hill
Sunrise over Kanchenjunga, with Everest on the horizon on the clearest days. A pre-dawn start of around 4 am.
- 02
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
The UNESCO-listed toy train. The joyride to Ghum and back passes the Batasia Loop. Seats sell out in season.
- 03
Batasia Loop
A spiral of track with a war memorial and gardens, and a fine view of the range.
- 04
Tea estates
Happy Valley and the gardens around town — walk the rows, see the factory in season, taste the first flush.
- 05
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute & zoo
Tenzing Norgay’s institute and the Padmaja Naidu zoo, side by side.
- 06
Peace Pagoda & Ghum Monastery
Two calm sites on the edges of town, each with its own view.
- 07
Mirik
A lake town about two hours away, an easy day out through the tea country.
Itineraries
Darjeeling tour packages
Every itinerary can be changed to your dates and pace. Prices on request.
Gangtok · Kalimpong · Darjeeling
Gangtok, Kalimpong & Darjeeling
- NJP / Bagdogra
- Gangtok
- Kalimpong
- Darjeeling
Price on request
When to go
Seasons
March – May
Spring
First flush tea and comfortable days; the main season.
June – September
Monsoon
Persistent cloud; the views often close in entirely.
October – December
Autumn
The clearest mornings of the year for Tiger Hill.
January – February
Winter
Cold, quiet and often very clear, with frost on the ridge at dawn.
Getting there
About three hours by road from Bagdogra airport or NJP railway station, climbing through Kurseong.
From Gangtok about four to five hours, and from Pelling about four, which makes Darjeeling a natural last stop before flying out of Bagdogra.
Permits & documents
No permit is needed for Darjeeling, for Indian or foreign nationals.
From our office in Namchi
Local tips
- Book the toy train joyride as soon as your dates are fixed. In April, May and October it sells out.
- Tiger Hill is busy and cold at dawn. Go anyway — but take a warm layer and a flask of tea.
Travel guide
Read before you go
Travel guide
Best time to visit Sikkim
When to visit Sikkim, Darjeeling and North Sikkim, month by month: spring flowers, monsoon closures, autumn views and winter snow, from a local tour operator.
Travel guide
How to reach Sikkim
How to get to Gangtok and Sikkim: by train to New Jalpaiguri (NJP), by air to Bagdogra or Pakyong, and by road on NH10, with honest drive times.
Questions
Darjeeling: frequently asked
Do you organise Darjeeling trips even though you are based in Sikkim?
Yes. Darjeeling is about three hours from our office and a regular part of our circuits. We arrange hotels, vehicles and the toy train joyride when seats are available.
Can I combine Darjeeling with Sikkim?
Easily. Gangtok, Pelling and Darjeeling make a classic seven- or eight-day circuit. See our combined tours.
Talk to a local
Tell us where you want to go
Send your dates and the number of travellers. We reply with a written, day-by-day itinerary and an itemised quote — and it costs nothing to ask.
- +91 80162 57040
- WhatsApp the office
- Lower Ghurpisey, Namchi, South Sikkim 737126, India
Registered with Sikkim Tourism Reg. No. 77/DoT&CAv/S/20/TA