Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, the Dooars and Bhutan · a planner replies within one working day
Try "Gangtok", "toy train", "rhino", "Bhutan permit"
A seven-night loop that links Gangtok, the Buddha Park at Ravangla, Pelling's Kangchenjunga views and the tea gardens and toy train of Darjeeling. It is the classic first trip to the Eastern Himalaya, done at a pace that leaves time to look around.
Most first trips to the region squeeze Gangtok and Darjeeling into a week with long drives between them. This plan puts West and South Sikkim in the middle, so every drive is 5 hours or less and you see the best-known view of Kangchenjunga from Pelling as well as the classic one from Tiger Hill.
You start in Gangtok, Sikkim's capital, cross to Ravangla for the Buddha Park, spend two nights in Pelling for the monasteries and the old capital, and then leave Sikkim for Darjeeling, its tea estates and its toy train. The highest point is Tiger Hill at about 2,570 m on the optional dawn trip; the highest night is Darjeeling at about 2,050 m.
Highlights
Three ways to do it
Budget
₹19,500 pp
A full week on a careful budget, with early jeep starts.
Ask for BudgetValue
₹36,000 pp
The tier most families choose.
Ask for ValueComfort
₹62,000 pp
Heritage stays and the same driver in Sikkim.
Ask for ComfortIndicative, per person, twin sharing, for the whole package. Mix tiers night by night if you like. Your written quote lists every cost.
Day by day
Pick-up at NJP or Bagdogra in the morning and drive up the Teesta valley via Rangpo, where foreign travellers get the Sikkim ILP. Reach Gangtok at about 1,650 m by mid-afternoon. In the evening walk MG Marg, the pedestrian high street, and try momos and thukpa at one of the cafés.
Morning at Rumtek Monastery across the valley. Back in town, visit Enchey Monastery, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology and Do Drul Chorten. End at Ganesh Tok or Tashi viewpoint for the view of the range if the sky is clear. Optional day trip to Tsomgo Lake needs a permit arranged through a registered agency; check current status before you travel.
Drive south via Singtam to Temi Tea Garden and walk among the tea bushes. Continue to Ravangla at about 2,100 m. Visit Buddha Park in the afternoon light and, if time allows, drive down to Ralang Monastery. Ravangla is cold at night; ask for a heater.
An early walk around Buddha Park if the sky is clear, then drive down to Legship and up to Pelling. After lunch visit Pemayangtse Monastery and walk the forest path to the Rabdentse ruins, Sikkim's second capital. Evening at the helipad ground in Upper Pelling.
Sunrise on Kangchenjunga from Pelling. Drive to Khecheopalri Lake, the sacred lake in the forest, and on to Kanchenjunga Falls and Rimbi waterfall. Afternoon at the Chenrezig statue and skywalk, or walk up to Sangachoeling Monastery for the view over the town.
Drive down via Legship to Jorethang on the Rangeet, cross into West Bengal and climb through tea country to Darjeeling at about 2,050 m. Foreign travellers should keep their ILP until they leave Sikkim and follow any exit checks at the border. Afternoon on the Mall and Chowrasta, with tea at one of the old tea rooms.
Optional 4 am drive to Tiger Hill for sunrise on Kangchenjunga, then Ghum Monastery and the Batasia Loop. Ride the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway joy ride from Darjeeling to Ghum and back, then visit a tea estate such as Happy Valley for a walk and tasting. Evening free.
Drive down via Kurseong or the Rohini road to Siliguri. Reach NJP or Bagdogra by early afternoon. Book onward trains or flights for after 3 pm to allow for traffic around Siliguri.
Included
Not included
Where you sleep
A small resort of wooden cottages in a garden outside Ravangla, one of the older tourist stays in South Sikkim. It is a good base for …
A long-running resort in Upper Pelling with terraced cottages facing the Kangchenjunga range. It is our usual Value pick when families want space and a view …
Small family-run guesthouses and lodges line the lanes of Upper Pelling, many with rooftop views of Kangchenjunga. They are the cheapest way to stay in Pelling …
A heritage hotel on the ridge just below Pemayangtse Monastery, a short drive from Upper Pelling. It is the quietest Comfort choice in West Sikkim, with …
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Questions travellers ask
Yes, at a comfortable pace. Each place gets at least one full day, and no drive is longer than about 5 hours. You will not see North Sikkim on this plan; that needs at least three more nights with permits from Gangtok. To slow down further, add a night in Rinchenpong or Yuksom.
Indicative per-person prices on twin sharing are about ₹19,500 in the Budget tier, ₹36,000 in Value and ₹62,000 in Comfort, including rooms, breakfasts, dinners and transport. Toy train tickets, permits for Tsomgo Lake, entry fees and lunches are extra. Prices rise in October and around New Year.
Yes. It is about 75 km and 3.5–4.5 hours via Legship, Jorethang and the road up through tea country to Darjeeling. A reserved car costs about ₹4,500–5,500. Sikkim taxis can drop you in Darjeeling, but local sightseeing there is usually done in a Darjeeling-registered car.
Foreign nationals need the Sikkim Inner Line Permit for Gangtok, Ravangla and Pelling, issued at Rangpo or online, and should keep it until they leave Sikkim. Darjeeling needs no permit. Tsomgo Lake has extra rules for foreigners and needs an agency. Check current status before you travel.
You can. Starting in Darjeeling and ending in Gangtok works just as well and lets you finish with Gangtok's restaurants and shops. If you plan to add North Sikkim, finish in Gangtok, since tours to Lachung and Lachen start there. Train and flight times may decide the direction.
No. Toy train tickets are not included because seats must be booked by name on the Indian Railways website and sell out quickly. The joy ride between Darjeeling and Ghum takes about 2 hours and costs around ₹1,500–2,000 per person depending on the coach. Book early and check current status before you travel.
October to early December has the clearest mountain views and dry roads. March to May brings rhododendrons, warm days and the first flush tea in Darjeeling. December to February is cold but often clear. June to September is the monsoon, with frequent landslides and little chance of seeing the range.
Yes. Pelling and Darjeeling have quiet, romantic rooms with mountain views, and the pace leaves free evenings. Upgrade to Comfort for heritage hotels in Pelling and Darjeeling. October, November, March and April are the best months, and booking a mountain-facing room makes the most difference.
It is unlikely. The highest night is Darjeeling at about 2,050 m and the highest point is Tiger Hill at about 2,570 m. Most people feel only the cold and some breathlessness on steep streets. If you add Tsomgo Lake at 3,750 m, go slowly, drink water and come down if you feel unwell.
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