Photo: Aashh Subba / UnsplashDarjeeling
West Bengal, India
Tea gardens on steep slopes, a century-old toy train, and sunrise over Kanchenjunga. A classic hill town that pairs well with Sikkim.
- Backpacker / day
- ₹1,800–3,000
- Mid-range / day
- ₹5,800–11,300
- Best time
- October to December and March to May
- Ideal length
- 3–4 days
Day by day
4-day itinerary
₹7,200–12,000per person on a backpacker budget (estimate), excluding travel to get there
- 1
Day 1: Arrive and the Mall
The drive up from Bagdogra or NJP, then an evening walk around Chowrasta and the Mall.
- 2
Day 2: Tiger Hill and Batasia Loop
A pre-dawn trip to Tiger Hill for sunrise over Kanchenjunga, Ghum Monastery, and a toy train joy ride around the Batasia Loop.
- 3
Day 3: Tea and mountaineering
A tour and tasting at Happy Valley Tea Estate, then the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and the zoo, known for red pandas.
- 4
Day 4: Peace Pagoda and onward
A morning walk to the Japanese Peace Pagoda, then on to Gangtok or back down to the plains.
When to go
- Jan—
- Feb—
- Mar★ Best
- Apr★ Best
- May★ Best
- Jun—
- Jul—
- Aug—
- Sep—
- Oct★ Best
- Nov★ Best
- Dec★ Best
October to December and March to May.
Money notes
Toy train joy rides cost much more than the shared jeep fare but are the way to experience the railway. Tiger Hill sunrise trips are usually shared jeeps booked through your guesthouse.