A 5-day curated journey through the Darjeeling hills. Start in Kurseong - the quiet tea town. Move to Darjeeling for Tiger Hill sunrise, Batasia Loop, and the colonial heritage. End in Kalimpong for monasteries, nurseries, and Teesta river views. Stay at locally-run homestays with real Google reviews.
The itinerary.
Kurseong
- 10:00Pickup from Bagdogra Airport (IXB)
- 10:30Drive to Kurseong (60 km, 2.5 hrs). The 'Land of White Orchids' - quieter than Darjeeling, famous for tea estates.
- 14:00Check in at Hill 66 (4.7 rating). Lunch on your own.
- 15:30Walk through Makaibari or Ambotia tea estate - see tea plucking, processing, and taste fresh Darjeeling tea.
- 18:00Eagle's Craig viewpoint for sunset views.
- 19:30Dinner on your own.
Darjeeling
- 07:00Breakfast. Check out.
- 08:00Drive to Darjeeling (30 km, 1.5 hrs) via the winding hill road.
- 10:00Check in at Lumanti Farms (4.8 rating).
- 11:00Darjeeling Mall Road - Chowrasta square, shopping, Keventers for breakfast/snacks.
- 14:00Peace Pagoda - Japanese Buddhist temple with Kanchenjunga views.
- 17:00Glenary's Bakery for tea and cakes - a Darjeeling institution since 1935.
- 20:00Early night - Tiger Hill at 4 AM tomorrow.
Darjeeling
- 04:00Drive to Tiger Hill (11 km, 40 min). Watch sunrise over Kanchenjunga - the third-highest peak in the world. On clear days, you can see Everest.
- 06:30Batasia Loop - the famous spiral where the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (toy train) loops around a war memorial.
- 09:00Breakfast at hotel.
- 11:00Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park - snow leopards, red pandas.
- 14:00Optional: Darjeeling Himalayan Railway joy ride (toy train, UNESCO World Heritage).
- 17:00Free evening. Explore Observatory Hill or Nehru Road market.
Kalimpong
- 07:00Breakfast. Check out.
- 08:00Drive to Kalimpong (75 km, 2.5 hrs) along the Teesta river valley.
- 11:00Check in at White Orchid Homestay (4.8 rating).
- 12:00Durpin Monastery (Zang Dhok Palri) - panoramic views of Kanchenjunga.
- 14:00Visit Kalimpong's famous flower nurseries - orchids, cacti, gladioli.
- 16:00Dr. Graham's Homes - a heritage school with stunning views.
- 18:00Kalimpong market - cheese, dried meat, Tibetan crafts.
Bagdogra
- 07:00Breakfast. Check out.
- 08:00Drive to Bagdogra Airport (75 km, 2.5 hrs) via Teesta river.
- 11:00Arrive Bagdogra Airport. Trip ends.
The properties.
What you'll get.
- 4 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Airport pickup and drop-off (Bagdogra)
- All transfers in private vehicle
- All parking and toll charges
- 24/7 WhatsApp support
- Flights to/from Bagdogra
- Lunch and dinner
- Entry fees
- Toy train ticket
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
A few things worth knowing.
BEST TIME: October-May. Oct-Nov for clearest Kanchenjunga views. March-April for rhododendrons.
GETTING THERE: Fly to Bagdogra (IXB). Delhi 2.5hrs, Kolkata 1hr, Mumbai 3hrs, Bangalore 3.5hrs.
WHAT TO PACK: Warm layers (Darjeeling is cold year-round, 5-15C in winter), rain jacket, comfortable walking shoes.
FOOD: Momos, thukpa, Darjeeling tea, Tibetan cuisine. Glenary's and Keventers in Darjeeling are iconic.
MOBILE: Good coverage in Darjeeling town. Patchy in Kurseong and Kalimpong outskirts.
Stay options in Darjeeling.
Prefer to plan your own trip? Browse verified stays in the cities this tour covers.