Are you planning your next trip to Darjeeling? Here is everything you need to know for your next Darjeeling trip.

This article is the ultimate Darjeeling guide including itinerary, budget, stay options, food options, things to remember, and every other thing that you must know. 

How to plan a Darjeeling trip?

A perfect Darjeeling trip can include exploring places around Darjeeling that are worth experiencing once in a lifetime. Here is how you can plan a Darjeeling trip in different ways. 

If you are planning a family or couple trip, it is suggested to consider a relaxed and exertion free trip. In this case a 5 day trip can work best for you where you can explore Kurseong, Darjeeling, Lamahatta, and Tinchule. The itinerary for which is given ahead.

Another way of planning a trip to Darjeeling which most people prefer is exploring Darjeeling and places around on a bike/scooter. Undoubtedly, you can make your trip more adventurous and memorable when exploring on bike/scooter. In this case, a perfect 5 days plan can include exploring Kurseong, Darjeeling, Lamahatta, Tinchule, Lepchajagat, and Sittong. 

Ahead is a detailed day-by-day plan for both the cases mentioned above. But before that, let us know how you can reach Darjeeling.

How to reach Darjeeling?

Darjeeling is situated in the North-east region if India in West Bengal. There are majorly two ways to reach Darjeeling.

• By Flight: Being a hilly region containing some extremely elegant and high mountains, the nearest airport to Darjeeling is the Bagdogra Airport (IXB) which is about 90 kilometres away from Darjeeling. To reach Darjeeling you can book a ticket to the Bagdogra Airport and then hire a taxi to reach Darjeeling the same day.
• By Train: One of the best and the most considered way to reach Darjeeling is via railways. To reach Darjeeling by train you can book a ticket from your boarding station to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP). New Jalpaiguri also known as Siliguri is the last plain region before you start to enter in the hilly areas of North East heading towards Darjeeling.

Considering New Delhi as a common base location, you can consider booking tickets for the Avadh Assam Express (15910) from New Delhi (NDLS) to New Jalpaiguri. 

Complete Tour Plan for Darjeeling Trip 

As most people prefer, we will consider reaching Siliguri to start our Darjeeling trip. The day you reach Siliguri can be considered as day zero as you can relax or explore the city on that day. 

We will discuss a five day trip plan exploring Darjeeling and places around it. However you can customize this trip plan according to your preference and what might suit you the best.

Day 1

Your destination for the first day of your trip will be Kurseong. Early in the morning, have your breakfast in Siliguri and hire a taxi from Siliguri to Kurseong which can cost your anywhere between Rs 500 – Rs 1000 per person. 

Alternatively, you can also rent a bike/scooter from Siliguri for your trip ahead. The complete details for renting a vehicle is given ahead.

Kurseong is at a distance of approximately 30 kilometres from Siliguri and you can reach there within an hour considering you do not face traffic jams on the way.

Upon reaching Kurseong you will check-in to your hotel and get ready to explore the city. After having your lunch you can head towards some famous spots in Kurseong that include: 

• Dow Hill – Dow hill is a preserved dense forest with some unimaginable spots amidst the vicinity of the sky touching pine trees which is worth experiencing. Explore the jungles, enjoy some hot momos platter and click some amazing pictures at dow hill.

• Eagle’s Craig – Eagle’s Craig is th highest point in Kurseong which a lush green environment. Witness a magnificent view of the entire city and spend some time with your loved. It suggested to visit Eagle’s Craig at sunset time to enjoy a beautiful sun setting behind the mighty mountains that proves to be a pleasure to the eyes.

• Giddha Pahar View Point – One of the most unexplored and underrated view points of Kurseong is the Giddha Pahar View Point. Experience the magical spread of vast tea gardens along with an unforgettable view of the might mountain ranges at this place.

However, it it suggested to visit this point at sunrise on Day 2 as you can might witness the best sunrise at the perfect time.

Day 2

As mentioned above, early in the morning on day 2, you can visit the Giddha Pahar View Point in Kurseong if you are fond of experiencing a magical sunrise.

After this, you may have your breakfast and set out for your next destination of the day – Darjeeling, The Queen of Hills. An important suggestion which must be considered here is to start your journey early in the morning as the route from Kurseong to Darjeeling often experiences heavy traffic between the active hours of the day, specifically from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Upon reaching Darjeeling, check-in to your hotel room, and have your lunch. Ahead of this you can set out to explore Darjeeling for the rest of the day. Here are some good places to visit in Darjeeling which you consider:

• Observatory Hill – The Observatory Hill is a famous view point which extends to connect with the mall road. On a day with clear skies and good sunlight you can enjoy a magnificent view of the mighty Kanchenjunga peak and its sleeping Buddha formation from this view point. Take a walk at the observatory hill as it is generally not so crowded even during the day time.

• The Mall Road – The mall road is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Darjeeling. If you are visiting the Observatory Hill View Point, you can access the mall road which is situated at a walking distance from here. Shop for local and traditional materials, try riding on a horse back, click memorable photographs and much more. However there are a few key things mentioned at the end of the article which you must remember to ensure you don’t end up spending uselessly at the mall road.

• Tiger Hill – The highest point of Darjeeling is the Tiger Hill. This place has become a major tourist attraction as a lot of people wish to witness the mighty Kanchenjunga which are most clearly visible from the Tiger Hill.

A unique experience to try out is witnessing a gorgeous sunrise from the Tiger Hill. As the first rays of sun fall on the peak of Kanchenjunga, it’s light orange color is worth the wait. However, Tiger Hill is a quite famous tourist attraction and therefore you must make your bookings for the place a day before. The complete details regarding this is mentioned in the article ahead. 

Apart from these major locations, you can also visit places such as Batasia Loop and Darjeeling Zoo if you are left with some extra time in the day. 

While a lot of people visit Darjeeling to experience a toy train ride, it is often not worth the money you spend. A toy train ride can cost you around Rs 1,500/ person and it’s experience is often not up to the mark. 

Day 3

Your third day on this trip will start quite early as you will be exploring the highest peak of Darjeeling, the Tiger Hill. After returning from Tiger Hill, check out from your hotel room and head out to your next destination for the day. 

On the third day you will be traveling to two major destinations – Lamahatta and Tinchule. Take the route via Peshok to reach Lamahatta in about 3 hours. However, you will not stay in Lamahatta for the day, rather explore the beautiful Eco Park here and will stay in Rungli for the day.

Lamahatta Eco Park 

Lamahatta is a famous tourist attraction known for its lush green pine trees and along with the wonders of natural beauty in its best form. The Eco Park in Lamahatta gives you a unique yet tourist like experience.

However, the place usually starts getting crowded in the evening after 12 PM. Hence, if you want to experience the place in solitude it is best to explore it early in the day. 

While roaming amidst the huge pine forests of Lamahatta, trek to a hidden Buddhist sacred lake about 1 KM from the Eco Park. Spend some quality time here in peace whether you are with your partner, friends, or family.

Rungli, Rungliot Tea Estate, Tinchule

Take the road ahead from Lamahatta to reach the Rungli Village. Rungli lies in the Tinchule region which is in the Takdah district of North-East. 

However, the roads leading to Rungli might not be well maintained and therefore you can expect a little offroading. After reaching Rungli, check in to your hotel room/homestay and after resting for a while set out to explore the beautiful Rungli village. The Rungli village spreads over a very short area but has a lot to offer for you. Explore the daily routine of the local people here, spend time at small waterfalls and interact with locals. 

You don’t need any type of public transport or vehicle to explore the village, rather just walk down the streets of Rungli and enjoy its mesmerising beauty. 

Day 4

After exploring Rungli, you will set out for your next destination on day 4 which is Lepchajagat. It is recommended to start early in the morning at around 8 or 9 am so that you do not find much traffic on the roads. Lepchajagat is around 27 kilometers away from Rungli and will take you approximately 2 hours to reach. 

However, Lepchajagat is quite a famous tourist destination and hence we recommend booking a stay in Chataidhura, an offbeat spot 2 kilometers before Lepchajagat. On your fourth day, check in to your hotel at Chataidhura, have your lunch and set out for a mini trek in the Chataidhura village.

However, the trek in the Chataidhura village is quite unexplored and hence it recommended to ask the locals for the “Hawa Ghar” route which is the actual trekking path. On this day, you will explore the local, small, yet cute village of Chataidhura. On your trek, you will come across a more than 100 years old rock climbing stone, and ultimately the “Hawa Ghar” built by the british almost 100 years ago. 

Upon reaching the summit of the trek, you will have a scenic view of Darjeeling, Merik, Kurseong, and Sittong from the top. However, it is reommended to finish this trek before sunset as the trekking area is quite offbeat and with low residential population there are chances of wild animals roaming around after sunset. 

Once the sun goes down, and the clear skies light up, you can also enjoy star gazing in Chataidhura and ever record amazing time lapses for an unforgetable memory.

Day 5

On your fifth day, you can set out to explore Lepchajagat which honestly has just the pine tree forests to offer. Spend some time, click some photos, and return to your hotel before your checkout time. Upon checking out from your hotel on Day 5, your next destination will be Sittong.

If you are an offbeat explorer, Upper Mamring can be a lovely spot for your to explore in Sittong. Upper Mamring is a small village about 27 kilometers away from Chataidhura. However, the last 10 kilometers before reaching the Upper Mamring village are quite difficult as you will go through extreme offroading and difficult to drive roads. 

Hence, it is recommended to drive safely and constantly ask locals for directions. However, once you reach the village, it is worth the pain you will take to reach here. The village seems to be a hidden spot away from the rush of the outer world.

With more than 80% of the population following Christianity, the people of this village are too humble and down to earth. Not to be described in words, your experience in Upper Mamring will be a memorable one. Stay in Upper Mamring for the day and end your trip by setting out back to Siliguri the next morning.

Itinerary for Darjeeling Trip

Here is a complete itinerary for your trip to Darjeeling. We have curated a 5 day Darjeeling itinerary excluding your time spent in reaching Darjeeling from your location.

Day 1 – Siliguri to Kurseong

Day 2 – Kurseong to Darjeeling

Day 3 – Darjeeling to Lamahatta and Tinchule

Day 4 – Tinchule to Lepchajagat

Day 5 – Lepchajagat to Sittong

This 5-day itinerary can be an ideal one for an adventurous trip to Darjeeling and places around it. However, we admit the fact that getting to stay just one day at every spot might be quite hectic for some people. In such a case, you can consider excluding places like Sittong and Tinchule and from your itinerary and spend a few extra days in Darjeeling, Kurseong, or Lepchajagat which are more famous among tourists.

Darjeeling Travel Budget

Darjeeling can be mildly expensive when exploring as a traveller. Considering that you are renting a bike/scooter, with two people going on the trip, here is the total estimated budget of your trip for 5 days. 

Bike Rent – Rs 500/day * 5      = Rs 2,500

Petrol       – Rs 2000 (Overall)  = Rs 1,000

Stays       – Approx                   = Rs 5,000

Food        – Rs 600/day * 5       = Rs 3,000

Total Budget                          = Rs 11,500 per person

Henc, you can easily enjoy a Darjeeling trip for Rs 11,500 for 5 days. We have not included the cost of reaching Siliguri from your location and vice versa in this budget. 

Things to Remember on your Darjeeling Trip

Darjeeling is undoubtedly a lovely location to travel and explore. However, this fact cannot be denied that while travelling certain offbeat places near Darjeeling, you must keep certain things in check to ensure your safety. 

Here are a few things that you must keep in check on your trip to Darjeeling and places around it,

• Darjeeling can be pretty challenging at some places for bikers. Hence, only consider renting a bike/scooter when you are experienced enough to deal with tough situations in biking. 
• Do not consider bike early in the morning as the wet roads in the North-east can be quite dangerous and prone to accidents. 
• When travelling in places like Lamahatta and Tinchule, ensure that your fuel tank has enough to reach your next destinations. In case you run out of fuel, ask locals for fuel who sell then locally at their houses. 
• Darjeeling has less vegetarian food options available. Hence, if you are vegetarian, travel with a mindset of compromising food quality for a few days.
• Do not consider roaming into the wild after sunset as certain areas around Darjeeling can be prone to wild animals who wander the place at night.
• Google maps can often mislead you in the mountains. Therefore, constantly ask the locals for directions who are quite helpful and humble here.

Conclusion

To sum up, Darjeeling is one of the finest locations to explore in the North-east. However, to make the most of your trip, a well-planned itinerary and budget is an important factor. 

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