Sikkim with Darjeeling - Kalimpong

Day 1: Arrival at Bagdogra – Transfer to Darjeeling

• Arrival Point: Bagdogra Airport (IXB) / NJP Railway Station

• Travel Time: ~3.5–4 hours (70 km)

• Activities:

  • Enjoy a scenic drive through lush tea gardens and hills.

  • Check in to your hotel in Darjeeling.

  • Evening at leisure: explore local cafés or take a relaxed walk on Mall Road.

• Overnight: Darjeeling

 Day 2: Darjeeling Local Sightseeing

• Start Early (~4:00 AM) for Tiger Hill Sunrise (weather permitting)

• Sightseeing Highlights:

  • Tiger Hill – Watch the sun rise over Mt. Kanchenjunga

  • Batasia Loop – A unique railway loop with panoramic views

  • Ghoom Monastery – One of the oldest Tibetan monasteries in Darjeeling

  • Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

  • Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park

  • Darjeeling Ropeway (optional)

  • Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center

  • Tea Estate Visit

  • Mall Road & Local Market for souvenirs

• Overnight: Darjeeling

 Day 3: Darjeeling to Pelling + Sightseeing En Route

• Travel Time: ~4.5–5 hours

• Activities:

  • Drive to Pelling through scenic mountain roads.

  • En route stop at Lamahatta Eco Park or Temi Tea Garden (optional)

  • On arrival, begin sightseeing (as time permits):

    • Skywalk & Chenrezig Statue

    • Sangachoeling Monastery

    • Rimbi Waterfalls

• Overnight: Pelling

 Day 4: Pelling to Gangtok via Ravangla

• Travel Time: ~5–6 hours

• Activities:

  • Visit Khecheopalri Lake – sacred and wish-fulfilling

  • Stop at Kanchenjunga Waterfall

  • Continue towards Gangtok via Ravangla:

    • Visit Buddha Park (Tathagata Tsal) – a peaceful garden with a towering Buddha statue

  • Arrive in Gangtok and check in

• Overnight: Gangtok

 Day 5: Gangtok Local Sightseeing

• Full Day Sightseeing:

  • Tashi Viewpoint – Panoramic views of the Himalayas

  • Ganesh Tok & Hanuman Tok – Popular hilltop temples

  • Do Drul Chorten Stupa

  • Namgyal Institute of Tibetology

  • Flower Exhibition Centre

  • Enchey Monastery

  • Explore MG Marg in the evening for shopping & local cuisine

• Overnight: Gangtok

 Day 6: Gangtok to Zuluk via Tsomgo Lake, Nathula Pass & Baba Mandir

• Travel Time: ~6–7 hours (scenic mountain road)

• Activities:

  • Visit the stunning Tsomgo (Changu) Lake – a glacial high-altitude lake

  • Pay respects at Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir

  • Visit the historic Nathula Pass (Indo-China border) – permit required

  • Continue the journey towards Zuluk, a hidden gem in East Sikkim known for its winding roads and raw Himalayan beauty

• Overnight: Zuluk (homestay experience)

 Day 7: Zuluk to Kalimpong via Aritar

• Travel Time: ~6–7 hours

• Activities:

  • Morning views of the iconic Zig-Zag roads of Zuluk

  • Visit Thambi Viewpoint and Lungthung for breathtaking Himalayan panoramas

  • Stop at Aritar Lake and monastery en route

  • Arrive in Kalimpong, a peaceful hill town known for monasteries, flower nurseries, and colonial-era charm

  • Sightseeing in Kalimpong:

    • Durpin Monastery

    • Pine View Cactus Nursery

    • Deolo Hill – stunning view point

• Overnight: Kalimpong

 Day 8: Kalimpong to Bagdogra – Departure

• Travel Time: ~3 hours

• Activities:

  • After breakfast, check out and drive to Bagdogra Airport/NJP Railway Station for your return journey with wonderful memories of Sikkim and North Bengal.

Flight Booking Tips:

• Opt for Flexi Tickets: When booking your flights, consider choosing flexi tickets. This option allows you to reschedule or cancel flights with minimal or no additional charges.
• Why Flexi Tickets?: Flexi tickets offer flexibility in case of unexpected events like:
  • Natural calamities (landslides, heavy rains)
  • Government travel restrictions
  • Political unrest or disturbances
  • Personal emergencies or changes in plans

Flexi tickets provide peace of mind, ensuring you are prepared for any travel uncertainties.