Darjeeling, Gangtok & Pelling
The eastern Himalaya's three classic bases with toy train, monasteries and mountain sunrises.
Trip at a glance
- Duration7 days / 6 nights
- Starts inDarjeeling
- RouteDarjeeling · Gangtok · Pelling
- Places3 destinations
- StateSikkim, India
- Ideal forFamily holidays, Hill-station holidays
- Trip stylePrivate, customisable
- Package codeNX-14OEQO
Best time to visit: March to May and October to December
Trip overview
The eastern Himalaya's three classic bases with toy train, monasteries and mountain sunrises.
The route spends 2 nights in Darjeeling, 2 nights in Gangtok and 2 nights in Pelling, so you get time for the main sights without changing hotels every day. It suits family holidays and hill-station holidays, and every day can be shortened, swapped or extended.
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Darjeeling
- Arrive via Bagdogra Airport (IXB) and transfer to your hotel
- Check in and settle in
- Later: Padmaja Naidu Zoo: Red pandas and snow leopards
Day 2Darjeeling: Toy train joy ride and Ropeway
- Toy train joy ride
- Ropeway
Day 3Darjeeling to Gangtok
- Travel from Darjeeling to Gangtok by private vehicle
- Check in at your Gangtok hotel
- Tsomgo (Changu) Lake: Glacial lake at about 3,750 m (permit)
Day 4Gangtok: Banjhakri Falls and Ropeway
- Banjhakri Falls: Park and waterfall
- Ropeway
Day 5Gangtok to Pelling
- Travel from Gangtok to Pelling by private vehicle
- Check in at your Pelling hotel
- Lake walk
Day 6Pelling: Kanchenjunga views and Pemayangtse Monastery
- Kanchenjunga views: Sunrise from the ridge
- Pemayangtse Monastery: One of Sikkim's oldest monasteries
Day 7Depart from Pelling
- Breakfast and hotel check-out
- Transfer to Bagdogra (IXB) for your journey home
How this version is planned
- Daily drives kept short, with stops for children
- Family rooms, connecting rooms or extra beds requested and confirmed in the quote
- One active day followed by a slower morning
- Child-friendly sights and meals noted for each stop
- Realistic drive times on hill roads
This is a suggested itinerary. Sightseeing order may change with opening days, weather and local conditions; your final plan is in your written quote.
Good to know
- Darjeeling: Leave for Tiger Hill around 4 am; clear mornings are most likely in October–November.
- Gangtok: Carry ID photos and copies; permits for Tsomgo and Nathula are issued a day ahead.
- Pelling: Get a room facing the mountain; the sunrise view is the reason to stay.
Questions about this trip
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West BengalDarjeeling
Darjeeling, the queen of the hills, is famous for its tea and for sunrise views of Kanchenjunga from Tiger Hill.
SikkimGangtok
Gangtok is Sikkim's clean, lively capital on a ridge facing Kanchenjunga.
SikkimPelling
Pelling sits on a ridge in West Sikkim facing Kanchenjunga at close range.
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