Darjeeling

Drive from Bagdogra to Darjeeling(3.5 hours)

Shared jeep INR 250-400 or private taxi INR 2,500-3,500. Winding mountain roads with tea garden views

Check into hotel near Chowrasta(30 minutes)

Windamere Hotel for heritage (INR 5,000-8,000) or Hotel Dekeling for budget (INR 1,000-2,500)

Chowrasta (Mall Road) evening stroll(1.5 hours)

Pedestrian square at the intersection of four roads. Horse rides INR 200-400. Momos from street vendors INR 50-100

Dinner at Glenary's(1.5 hours)

Darjeeling institution since 1935 — bakery downstairs, restaurant above with mountain views. Continental and Indian (INR 300-600)

Tiger Hill sunrise(2 hours)

Shared jeep from Darjeeling 4 AM (INR 300-400). Arrive early for best spot. Kanchenjunga (8,586m) and sometimes Everest visible on clear days. Entry INR 30. Best Oct-Nov and Mar-May

Batasia Loop and War Memorial(45 minutes)

Stop on return from Tiger Hill. Toy train spiral with 360-degree Himalayan views. Entry INR 30

Ghoom Monastery (Yiga Choeling)(30 minutes)

15th-century Tibetan Buddhist monastery at 2,258m. 5-meter Maitreya Buddha. Free (donations welcome)

Toy Train joy ride: Darjeeling-Ghum return(2 hours)

UNESCO steam railway. INR 500-1,500. Book at irctc.co.in. The loops, zigzags, and tea garden views are unforgettable

Lunch at Kunga Restaurant(1 hour)

Best momos in Darjeeling — steamed, fried, and soup. INR 60-120. Near Chowk Bazaar

Happy Valley Tea Estate tour(2 hours)

Working estate since 1854. Factory tour: withering, rolling, fermenting, drying. INR 100-150 with tasting. Buy first flush directly (INR 500-2,000/100g). Mon-Sat 8 AM-4 PM

Observatory Hill and Mahakal Temple(1 hour)

Sacred hilltop where Shiva temple and Buddhist shrine share space. Prayer flags everywhere. Panoramic Kanchenjunga views on clear mornings. Free. 10-min walk from Chowrasta

Lunch at Keventer's(1 hour)

Iconic breakfast/lunch spot on Nehru Road — their ham on toast and sausages with mountain views are legendary (INR 200-400)

Nathmulls tea shop(45 minutes)

On Laden La Road since 1931. Tea tasting and buying — the most trusted tea merchant in Darjeeling. Ask for the first flush tasting (free with purchase)

Chowk Bazaar market(1.5 hours)

Local market below Chowrasta — fresh produce, spices, Tibetan goods, and warm clothing. More authentic than tourist shops

Lunch at Sonam's Kitchen(1 hour)

Tiny Tibetan cafe below Keventer's — the best thukpa (noodle soup) in town (INR 80-150)

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Zoo(2 hours)

Founded by Tenzing Norgay. Everest museum, mountaineering equipment display. Zoo has red pandas and snow leopards. Entry INR 100 foreigners. Closed Thursdays

Evening at a Darjeeling cafe(1 hour)

Windamere Hotel serves high tea in colonial style (INR 500-800). Or Gatty's Cafe for budget chai and views

Drive to Tonglu/Tumling viewpoint(2 hours)

On the Singalila Ridge — closer to Kanchenjunga than Tiger Hill. Hire a jeep (INR 2,000-3,000). The sleeping Buddha silhouette of the mountain range is visible on clear days

Return via Jorpokhri(30 minutes)

Mountain lake at 2,550m — one of the few lakes where the Himalayan salamander is found. Peaceful stop

Rock Garden and Ganga Maya Park(1.5 hours)

Terraced garden with waterfalls and bridges, 3 km below Darjeeling. Entry INR 30. Good for photography. Taxi INR 200 one way

Evening: try local Tongba (millet beer)(1 hour)

At Joey's Pub or any local bar — hot millet beer sipped through a bamboo straw. A Himalayan tradition (INR 100-200)

Drive to Mirik(1.5 hours)

Shared jeep INR 100-200 or private INR 1,500-2,000

Mirik Lake boating and walk(1.5 hours)

1.5 km lakeside promenade. Boating INR 100-200. Horse rides INR 200. Surrounded by pine and dhupi trees

Sumendu Lake garden(45 minutes)

Manicured gardens along the lake. The arched bridge is picturesque. Free

Lunch at a Mirik cafe(1 hour)

Nepali thali — dal bhat, achar, and gundruk (INR 100-200)

Tea garden walk near Mirik(1 hour)

Walk through the tea gardens on the hillside above the lake. Stunning scenery

Last tea shopping at Nathmulls(30 minutes)

Gift packs of first flush and second flush (INR 500-5,000)

Transfer to Bagdogra airport(3.5 hours)

Private taxi INR 2,500-3,500. Or shared jeep INR 250-400. Leave 5 hours before your flight

Drive from Bagdogra(3.5 hours)

Shared jeep INR 250-400 or private INR 2,500-3,500

Chowrasta evening stroll(1.5 hours)

Momos INR 50-100

Tiger Hill sunrise(2 hours)

4 AM jeep. INR 300-400

Toy Train joy ride(2 hours)

INR 500-1,500

Happy Valley Tea Estate(2 hours)

INR 100-150. Buy first flush

HMI and Zoo(2 hours)

INR 100 foreigners. Closed Thursdays

Drive to Makaibari, Kurseong(1 hour)

30 km downhill toward Kurseong. Private taxi INR 1,500-2,000

Makaibari Tea Estate tour(3 hours)

World's first tea factory (1859). Biodynamic farming tour, factory visit, and premium tasting. INR 500-1,000. The Silver Tips Imperial is one of the world's most expensive teas

Lunch at Makaibari village(1 hour)

Simple Bengali meal prepared by local families (arranged through the estate, INR 200-300)

Kurseong town walk(1 hour)

Quieter hill town with colonial churches, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose museum, and Mary's Hill viewpoint

Drive to Kalimpong via Teesta Bridge(2.5 hours)

Dramatic descent to the Teesta River then climb up. Shared jeep INR 200-300

Zang Dhok Palri Phodang (Durpin Monastery)(1 hour)

Tibetan monastery with valley views. Free. The largest prayer wheel in the region

Dr. Graham's Homes(45 minutes)

Boarding school founded in 1900 by a Scottish missionary. Beautiful campus on a hill — chapel, houses, and views. Visit by permission

Lunch at Gompu's Bar & Restaurant(1 hour)

Kalimpong institution — momos, thukpa, and cold beer (INR 150-300)

Pine View and Deolo Hill viewpoints(1 hour)

Panoramic views of Kanchenjunga, Teesta Valley, and Kalimpong town. Best before 3 PM for clarity

High tea at Windamere Hotel(1.5 hours)

Colonial-style high tea with scones and Darjeeling first flush (INR 500-800)

Drive to Manebhanjang(1 hour)

Trek starting point. Register at the Singalila National Park office. Entry INR 200 foreigners. Hire a guide (mandatory, INR 500-800/day)

Trek Manebhanjang to Tumling (11 km)(5 hours)

Or take a Land Rover jeep safari (INR 5,000-7,000 per jeep, seats 4). The trail passes through rhododendron forests (blooming Mar-May). Moderate difficulty

Overnight at Tumling trekkers' hut(1 hour)

Basic accommodation with blankets and meals (INR 500-800 all-inclusive). Hot dal, rice, and chapati after the trek

Trek Tumling to Sandakphu (12 km)(5 hours)

Gradual climb through Singalila National Park. Red panda habitat (rare sighting). The last 2 km is steep

Sandakphu summit panorama(1 hour)

3,636m — see Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu. The sleeping Buddha silhouette of the Kanchenjunga range is clearest from here. Best views at sunrise

Return by jeep to Manebhanjang(3 hours)

If trekking down, allow 6-7 hours via different route through Gurdum. Jeep is faster

Spa or massage(1.5 hours)

Several ayurvedic massage parlors on Laden La Road (INR 500-1,000)

Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre(1 hour)

Carpet weaving, thangka painting, and woodcarving by Tibetan refugees. Products for sale. Important to support. Free entry. 1 km from Chowrasta

Lunch at Park Restaurant(1 hour)

Another Darjeeling classic — Chinese and Tibetan (INR 150-300)

Sunset walk from Chowrasta to Bhutia Busty monastery(1.5 hours)

Downhill walk to the Tibetan monastery with Kanchenjunga backdrop. Peaceful evening light

Makaibari estate tour(3 hours)

INR 500-1,000. Silver Tips Imperial tasting

Ayurvedic massage(1.5 hours)

INR 500-1,000

Trek to Tumling (11 km)(5 hours)

Through rhododendron forests. Moderate. INR 200 foreigners entry

Overnight at Tumling(1 hour)

Trekkers' hut INR 500-800

Overnight at Sandakphu hut(1 hour)

INR 500-800. Hot meals included

Trek Sandakphu to Phalut (21 km)(6 hours)

Or skip Phalut and return directly. Phalut offers the closest non-climbing view of Kanchenjunga's west face

Drive Darjeeling to Gangtok via Teesta Valley(4 hours)

Shared jeep INR 300-500 or private INR 3,000-4,000. Beautiful descent to Teesta River then climb

Check into Gangtok hotel(30 minutes)

MG Marg area. Netuk House (heritage, INR 3,000-5,000) or budget options INR 800-1,500

MG Marg evening stroll(1.5 hours)

Gangtok's pedestrian main street — cafes, shops, and views. Try a plate of sha phaley (Tibetan fried bread with meat, INR 50)

Dinner at The Dragon, MG Marg(1 hour)

Sikkimese and Tibetan cuisine — momos, thukpa, and gundruk soup (INR 200-400)

Rumtek Monastery(2 hours)

Largest monastery in Sikkim, 24 km from Gangtok. Seat of the Karmapa lineage. Entry INR 20. Photography restricted in main halls. Taxi INR 1,000-1,500 round trip

Ganesh Tok and Tashi viewpoint(1.5 hours)

Two hilltop viewpoints above Gangtok with Kanchenjunga panoramas. Entry INR 10 each. Clear mornings only

Lunch at Taste of Tibet, MG Marg(1 hour)

Authentic Tibetan — thenthuk, shaptra, and butter tea (INR 150-300)

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology(1 hour)

Research center with Tibetan Buddhist manuscripts, thangkas, and statues. Entry INR 20. Near the orchid garden

Do Drul Chorten (stupa)(30 minutes)

Largest stupa in Sikkim with 108 prayer wheels. Peaceful circumambulation

Drive to Tsomgo Lake(2 hours)

40 km from Gangtok at 3,753m. Foreigners need a Protected Area Permit (arrange through hotel or travel agent, INR 200-500). The road passes through stunning mountain scenery

Tsomgo Lake(1.5 hours)

Frozen in winter, emerald green in summer. Yak rides around the lake INR 300-500. At this altitude, walk slowly — oxygen is thin

Baba Mandir(1 hour)

15 km beyond Tsomgo, near the Chinese border. Temple honoring an Indian Army soldier with a mystical legend. Extraordinary mountain setting