Blog · India
Darjeeling and Gangtok: planning your first trip
Darjeeling and Gangtok are an easy pair: tea gardens and Kanchenjunga views, then Sikkim's capital and its high lakes.
Getting there
Fly into Bagdogra or take a train to New Jalpaiguri (NJP), both near Siliguri. From there it is a drive of a few hours up to Darjeeling. Our tours start with this transfer and end with the drive from Gangtok back to Siliguri.
Darjeeling
Start early for the Tiger Hill sunrise over Kanchenjunga (weather permitting), then visit Ghoom monastery, the Batasia loop, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and a tea garden. A joy ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is worth booking ahead.
Gangtok
Gangtok has monasteries, viewpoints and the M.G. Marg promenade. The big excursion is Tsomgo (Changu) Lake and Baba Mandir at high altitude. It needs a permit, arranged a day ahead, and can close in bad weather.
How many nights
- 3 nights: Darjeeling and Gangtok at a quick pace.
- 4 nights: adds Tsomgo Lake.
- 5–6 nights: adds Kalimpong or Pelling.
- 7–9 nights: adds North Sikkim (Lachung and Yumthang).
When to go
October to early December has the clearest mountain views. March to May brings rhododendrons and pleasant weather. The monsoon (June to September) often hides the peaks and can cause road delays.
Questions travellers ask
Can foreign nationals visit Sikkim?
Yes, with a Restricted Area Permit, and some high areas have extra rules for foreign nationals. We check the current rules for your nationality before confirming the itinerary.
