4 Nights / 5 Days
Gangtok, Changu Lake & Darjeeling
Gangtok · Changu Lake · Baba Mandir · Darjeeling · Tiger Hill
Ideal for: First-time visitors who want both Sikkim and Darjeeling
West Sikkim & Darjeeling
Darjeeling & Pelling Tour: Tea Gardens, Tiger Hill and Kanchenjunga Views
- 4 Nights / 5 Days
- Starts & ends: Bagdogra / NJP / Siliguri
- Private tour
Tour overview
Two of the best Kanchenjunga viewpoints in the Eastern Himalaya: Darjeeling's tea gardens and Tiger Hill sunrise, then the monasteries and lakes of Pelling in West Sikkim.
If you want big mountain views but would rather avoid the very high passes, this is the trip. Darjeeling sits at about 2,040 m and Pelling at about 2,100 m, and both face the Kanchenjunga massif – the third-highest mountain on Earth.
The route links the two by road via Jorethang, so there is no backtracking. It also pairs well with a few nights in Gangtok if you have more time.
Ideal for: Couples, families and anyone who wants mountain views without high altitude. Places covered: Darjeeling, Tiger Hill, Batasia Loop, Pelling, Pemayangtse, Khecheopalri Lake.
Highlights
- Tiger Hill sunrise over Kanchenjunga (weather permitting)
- Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train joy ride (UNESCO World Heritage; tickets subject to availability)
- Batasia Loop, Ghoom Monastery, Peace Pagoda and a working tea estate
- Pemayangtse Monastery and the Rabdentse ruins, the second capital of the old Sikkim kingdom
- Pelling Skywalk and the Chenrezig statue at Sangachoeling
- Khecheopalri Lake, sacred to Buddhists and Hindus
Day-by-day itinerary
Distances, drive times and altitudes are approximate and vary with road and weather conditions. Points marked optional are extra.
Day1
Arrive at Bagdogra / NJP and drive to Darjeeling
≈ 70–75 km · 3–3.5 hrs · Darjeeling ≈ 2,040 m
Pickup and drive up through tea gardens via Rohini Road or Kurseong. Evening on the Mall (Chowrasta).
Day2
Darjeeling: Tiger Hill and town sightseeing
Pre-dawn start · local day
Early drive to Tiger Hill for sunrise, then Ghoom Monastery and Batasia Loop on the way back. After breakfast: the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and zoo, the Peace Pagoda and a tea garden. Toy train joy ride if tickets are available.
Day3
Darjeeling to Pelling
≈ 70–80 km · 4–5 hrs · Pelling ≈ 2,100 m
Drive down to the Rangeet river at Jorethang and up into West Sikkim. Stops at viewpoints along the way. Overnight in Pelling with Kanchenjunga views on clear mornings.
Day4
Pelling sightseeing
Local · 6–7 hrs
Pemayangtse Monastery, Rabdentse ruins, the Pelling Skywalk and Chenrezig statue, Sangachoeling, Khecheopalri Lake, Kanchenjunga Falls and Rimbi Falls.
Day5
Pelling to Bagdogra / NJP
≈ 135–145 km · 5–6 hrs
An early start for the drive back to the plains, timed for your flight or train.
What's included
- Private vehicle with an experienced hill driver for the full itinerary
- Pickup and drop at Bagdogra Airport (IXB), NJP Railway Station or your Siliguri hotel
- Fuel, driver allowance, tolls and parking on the planned route
- Arranging protected-area permits through registered channels (where the route needs them)
- Hotel booking assistance in your preferred category (budget, standard or premium)
- Trip support on call and WhatsApp before and during your tour
Not included
- Hotel tariff and meals (quoted separately according to the hotels you choose)
- Government permit fees, entry tickets, ropeway, camera and activity charges
- Flights, train tickets and travel insurance
- Extra sightseeing or detours outside the agreed itinerary
- Costs caused by landslides, road closures, weather or permit cancellations (extra nights, re-routing)
- Personal expenses: tips, laundry, porterage, shopping
Inclusions are our standard format. Your final quote lists exactly what is and isn't included.
Permits & important notes
- Indian nationals don't need any special permit for Darjeeling or Pelling.
- Foreign nationals need a Restricted Area Permit to enter Sikkim (Pelling). It is usually issued at the Melli or Rangpo check posts or obtained in advance; carry your passport and visa.
Best time for this tour
October–December for crisp, clear mountain views; March–May for spring flowers and pleasant days. Winter mornings at Tiger Hill are cold. Monsoon (June–September) often hides the peaks.
Read before you go
Request a quote for this tour
Takes under a minute. We reply by phone or WhatsApp with a plan and price – or chat with us on WhatsApp right away.
Darjeeling & Pelling (West Sikkim): FAQs
Is Tiger Hill worth the early start?
On a clear morning, yes – sunrise light on Kanchenjunga is unforgettable. On cloudy days the view can be hidden entirely. We check the forecast the evening before and adjust the plan if needed.
Can we add Gangtok to this tour?
Yes. A popular 7-night combination is Darjeeling (2) – Pelling (2) – Gangtok (3) with Tsomgo Lake. Ask us for a combined quote.
Is the toy train included?
Toy train tickets are sold by Indian Railways and often sell out in peak season. We can help you book; the fare is not part of the vehicle quote.
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Tell us your dates. We'll plan the rest.
Share your travel dates, group size and where you are arriving. We'll suggest a route, the right vehicle and a clear quote — no obligation.