Darjeeling Itineraries (2–5 Days)

2N/3D Darjeeling Package: Complete Core Experience

The most popular duration balancing comprehensive sightseeing with manageable time commitment.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Orientation

• 10:00 AM: Pickup from Siliguri/NJP (or earlier/later based on train arrival)

• 1:00 PM: Darjeeling arrival, hotel check-in, lunch (self-arranged)

• 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Mall Road exploration, Chowrasta Square, St. Andrew’s Church, Keventers café, shopping, Observatory Hill viewpoint

• 7:30 PM: Hotel dinner (included), briefing for Tiger Hill trip

Day 2: Tiger Hill & Full Darjeeling Sightseeing

• 3:30 AM: Tiger Hill departure

• 4:30 AM – 5:30 AM: Sunrise viewing over Mt. Kanchenjunga (8,586m), Mount Everest visible on clear days

• 5:30 AM – 7:00 AM: Return via Ghoom Railway Station (toy train spotting), Ghoom Monastery (Yiga Choling Gompa with 15-ft Maitreya Buddha), Batasia Loop (landscaped gardens with DHR track spiral)

• 7:30 AM: Hotel breakfast

• 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Morning sightseeing session

  • Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (red pandas, snow leopards, entry ₹50)

  • Himalayan Mountaineering Institute & Museum (Tenzing Norgay history, entry ₹50)

  • Tenzing Rock & Gombu Rock (mountaineering practice spots)

  • Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre (handicrafts, carpets, woodwork—closed Sundays)

• 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Lunch break (self-arranged, ₹250-400 per person)

• 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM: Afternoon sightseeing session

  • Happy Valley Tea Estate (tea processing, tasting, plantation walks)

  • Peace Pagoda & Japanese Temple (Buddhist stupa with valley panoramas)

  • Natural History Museum or Dhirdham Temple

  • Darjeeling Ropeway base (optional ₹200 cable car ride)

• 7:00 PM: Return hotel, free evening

• 8:00 PM: Dinner (included)

Day 3: Leisure Morning & Departure

• 8:00 AM: Breakfast at hotel

• 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Options based on preference:

  • Option A: Toy train joy ride (Darjeeling-Ghoom-Darjeeling 2-hour loop, ₹1,000 extra)

  • Option B: Mall Road final shopping for Darjeeling tea, woolens, handicrafts

  • Option C: Mahakal Temple & Observatory Hill spiritual visit

  • Option D: Lloyd Botanical Gardens (orchid houses, Himalayan plants)

• 12:00 PM: Hotel checkout

• 12:30 PM: Depart for Siliguri/NJP

• 3:30 PM: Drop at station/airport for onward journey

Package Pricing (2N/3D)

Budget Tier:

• Hostel/basic lodge: ₹3,350-4,550 per person (2-8 people groups)

• 2-star budget hotel: ₹5,500-7,500 per person (2-4 people)

Mid-Range Tier:

• Standard 2.5-star hotel: ₹7,000-9,500 per person

• Includes better meals, upgraded vehicle

Premium Tier:

• 3-star quality hotel: ₹9,500-12,500 per person

• Superior locations, room amenities, flexible timing

Kolkata packages add ₹600-2,400 for train costs

What’s Included

• Transport: Pickup/drop, Tiger Hill trip, full-day sightseeing vehicle

• Accommodation: 2 nights (twin-sharing basis)

• Meals: 2 breakfasts + 2 dinners (MAP plan)

• Sightseeing: Tiger Hill, 7-8 main Darjeeling points

• Driver allowances, parking, basic travel assistance

What’s Excluded

• Lunches (₹500-800 total for 2 days)

• Entry fees (zoo ₹50, HMI ₹50, others ₹20-50 each = ₹150-250 total)

• Toy train ride (₹1,000)

• Ropeway cable car (₹200)

• Personal shopping, tips

Best For

• Kolkata weekend travelers (Friday night train, return Monday morning)

• Small families (2 adults + 1-2 kids) on mid-range budgets

• Couples seeking balanced sightseeing without exhaustion

• First-time Darjeeling visitors wanting comprehensive experience

• Budget-conscious travelers maximizing value per day

Why This Duration Works

• Covers all “must-see” attractions without feeling rushed

• Full Tiger Hill experience plus complete 7-8 point sightseeing

• Allows one leisure morning for personal preferences

• Fits weekend + 1 vacation day for working professionals

• Most cost-effective per-day rate (₹2,500-4,500 per person per day)

3N/4D Darjeeling Package: Relaxed & Comprehensive

Adds breathing room with Mirik excursion or extended local exploration, ideal for families and leisure travelers.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Mall Road Evening

• 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: NJP/Bagdogra pickup (flexible timing based on arrival)

• 2:00 PM: Darjeeling hotel check-in, lunch (self-arranged)

• 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Relaxed Mall Road exploration, Chowrasta, Observatory Hill, St. Andrew’s Church, local cafés

• 7:30 PM: Hotel dinner, rest for early Tiger Hill start

Day 2: Tiger Hill & Full-Day Darjeeling Sightseeing

(Same as 2N/3D Day 2)

• 3:30 AM – 7:30 AM: Tiger Hill sunrise, Ghoom Monastery, Batasia Loop

• 8:00 AM: Breakfast at hotel

• 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM: Comprehensive 7-8 point sightseeing covering zoo, HMI, tea estates, Peace Pagoda, Tibetan Centre, ropeway base, Natural History Museum

• 7:30 PM: Hotel dinner

Day 3: Mirik Lake Excursion

• 8:00 AM: Breakfast at hotel

• 9:00 AM: Depart for Mirik (50 km, 2-hour scenic drive via Kurseong)

• 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM: Mirik activities:

  • Sumendu Lake boating (paddle boats ₹300-500, popular with families/kids)

  • Arched footbridge connecting lake sides (iconic photo spot)

  • Pashupati Nagar (India-Nepal border market with duty-free goods, woolens, electronics)

  • Orange orchards and cardamom plantations walks

  • Local restaurants for Nepali/Tibetan lunch (momos, thukpa, ₹250-400 per person)

• 3:30 PM: Return drive to Darjeeling

• 6:00 PM: Arrival at hotel, free evening for last Mall Road shopping

• 7:30 PM: Dinner at hotel

Alternative Day 3 (Without Mirik):

• Morning toy train joy ride + tea garden factory visit

• Afternoon Rock Garden, Ganga Maya Park, or nearby monastery circuit

• Relaxed pacing for seniors or families with small kids

Day 4: Leisure Morning & Departure

• 8:00 AM: Breakfast, checkout

• 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Final activities:

  • Mahakal Temple & Observatory Hill spiritual circuit

  • Lloyd Botanical Gardens (entry ₹20)

  • Last tea shopping at Nathmulls, Golden Tips stores

  • Café time at Glenary’s or Keventers

• 12:00 PM: Depart Darjeeling for Siliguri/NJP

• 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Drop for train/flight connections

Package Pricing (3N/4D)

Budget Tier:

• 2-star hotel: ₹6,500-8,500 per person (4-6 people groups)

• Basic Mirik inclusion

Mid-Range Tier:

• 2.5-3 star hotel: ₹8,000-11,700 per person (2-4 people)

• Comprehensive Mirik, better meals

Premium Tier:

• 3-star quality hotel: ₹11,000-15,000 per person

• Superior locations, activity support (toy train booking assistance)

Kolkata travelers add ₹600-2,400 train costs

What’s Included

• Transport: All transfers, Tiger Hill, full-day sightseeing, Mirik excursion

• Accommodation: 3 nights (twin-sharing)

• Meals: 3 breakfasts + 3 dinners (MAP plan)

• Sightseeing: Tiger Hill, 7-8 Darjeeling points, full Mirik trip

• Driver, parking, permits, basic travel assistance

What’s Excluded

• Lunches (₹750-1,200 for 3 days)

• Entry fees (₹150-300 total)

• Mirik boating (₹300-500)

• Toy train, ropeway (if not included in tier)

• Personal expenses

Best For

• Families with kids (Mirik boating big hit with children)

• Mid-week vacation travelers not rushed by weekend constraints

• Couples wanting relaxed pacing with leisure mornings

• First-timers who want to “see everything” without exhaustion

• Those who prefer 4-day trips over 3-day cramming

Key Advantages Over 2N/3D

• Mirik excursion adds variety (lake, border market, different landscape)

• No single rushed day—each day has clear focus

• Extra morning allows toy train or spiritual circuit

• Better for families and seniors (less tiring)

• Higher perceived value (only ₹1,500-2,000 more for extra night and Mirik)

4N/5D Darjeeling Package: Extended Exploration

Enables Darjeeling-Gangtok combo possibilities or in-depth Darjeeling-only experiences with nearby hill stations.

Option A: Pure Darjeeling Extended (4N Darjeeling)

Day 1: Arrival & Mall Road
Day 2: Tiger Hill & full Darjeeling sightseeing
Day 3: Mirik Lake excursion
Day 4: Toy train joy ride, tea garden factory visit (with advance arrangement), Rock Garden/Ganga Maya Park
Day 5: Leisure morning, final shopping, departure

Pricing: ₹11,000-17,000 per person depending on hotel tier

Best for:

• Slow travelers wanting zero rush

• Tea enthusiasts (more time in estates, factory visits, cupping sessions)

• Writers, photographers needing multiple days for creative work

• Families with elderly members requiring rest days

Option B: Darjeeling-Gangtok Combo (2N Darjeeling + 2N Gangtok)

Day 1: Arrival Darjeeling, Mall Road evening
Day 2: Tiger Hill, Darjeeling full sightseeing
Day 3: Morning Mirik, afternoon transfer to Gangtok (4 hours), MG Marg evening
Day 4: Gangtok local sightseeing (Tashi Viewpoint, Ganesh Tok, Do Drul Chorten, Namgyal Institute)
Day 5: Morning Gangtok leisure or Tsomgo Lake excursion (if permits allow), afternoon Bagdogra drop

Pricing: ₹13,000-19,000 per person (land package)

Best for:

• First-time Northeast visitors wanting two distinct destinations

• Travelers from distant cities (Mumbai, Delhi) justifying long-distance travel with multi-destination coverage

• Those interested in both tea gardens (Darjeeling) and monasteries/MG Marg (Gangtok)

Option C: Darjeeling-Kalimpong Circuit (2N Darjeeling + 2N Kalimpong)

Day 1: Arrival Darjeeling
Day 2: Tiger Hill + Darjeeling sightseeing
Day 3: Transfer to Kalimpong (2.5 hours), Deolo Park, Durpin Monastery
Day 4: Kalimpong local (Dr. Graham’s Homes, flower nurseries, Pine View Nursery, Mangal Dham Temple)
Day 5: Return to Siliguri via Mirik stop, departure

Pricing: ₹12,000-18,000 per person

Best for:

• Offbeat travelers avoiding Gangtok crowds

• Flower/orchid enthusiasts (Kalimpong famous for nurseries)

• Budget-conscious multi-destination seekers (Kalimpong less expensive than Gangtok)

What’s Included (4N/5D Packages)

• Transport: All transfers, Tiger Hill, sightseeing in all destinations

• Accommodation: 4 nights across locations (twin-sharing)

• Meals: 4 breakfasts + 4 dinners

• Comprehensive sightseeing in each destination

• Inter-city transfers (Darjeeling-Gangtok/Kalimpong)

What’s Excluded

• Lunches (₹1,000-1,600 for 4 days)

• Entry fees across destinations (₹250-400 total)

• Tsomgo Lake/Nathula permits and entry (₹2,000-3,000 extra if added)

• Optional activities

Best For

• Week-long vacation planners from Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi

• Families wanting comprehensive Northeast introduction

• Couples/honeymooners seeking variety

• Those who prefer slower travel over packed itineraries

• Multi-generational family groups needing flexible pacing