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Please suggest: We are Five - M 51yr and F47yr and F30yr + 2 (male children 18yr, 14yr). Arranging Scorpio vehicle throughout journey
*Reach NJP 2215hrs 2 May 2014, if possible (safety permits)proceed to Gangtok
*3rd May- 0930 hrs to 1630hrs local Gangtok Ranka monastery, Rumtek monastery, Choran stupa, Tashi veiwpoint, Banjakhri waterfalls, Bakhthang waterfalls, Ganeshtok, Zoo, Hanumantok etc...
*4th May- Nathula pass,Changulake and Babamandir evening Ropeway
*5th May- Gangtok to pelling ( 120 kms )to see Hanging bridge and Kanchenjunga range and others night stay pelling
*6th May- after seeing Kanchenjunga range proceed to Darjeeling ( 75 kms) to see toy train and ropeway night stay at Darjeeling
*7th May- Tiger hill Proceed to Sandakphu (60 kms) night stay at Sandakphu
*8th May * see entire Everest range proceed to Mirik ( 70 kms) via tumling. Night stay at Mirik
*9th May* to NJP via teesta bridge to reach 1400hrs NJP
Dr AV Ramana (April 2014)
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Your itinerary needs some changes.
You should not travel in the mountains that late at night. There can be blinding fog or mist. Secondly if it is a West Bengal registered vehicle (which is likely), you won't be allowed entry into Gangtok and will get stranded at Deorali (2kms below Gangtok). There are some vehicle restrictions in some parts of Sikkim including Gangtok and Pelling.
You can not do local sightseeing in these places with other state vehicles. You will need to take a local Sikkim vehicle instead. So talk to your travel agent to sort these out. Otherwise you can get into deep problems.
On 3rd, start early and then you can do half day local sightseeing. You should ideally increase your vacation period by one more night.
On 4th you may not be able take the rope way, as Tsomgo, Baba Mandir and Nathula would take almost the full day. If you don't include Nathula, then it's possible.
Rest is okay, but Scorpio although can make it to Sandakphu, the owner may not agree. You may be asked to take a Jeep or Land Rover from Mane Bhanjan because of the gravel road.
By the way, you won't get Teesta bridge on your return from Mirik. You will cross it while going to Gangtok from NJP.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) April 2014
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Hi Raj, Like you had said, i have amended the trip. Here is the final itinerary:
NJP on 21st morning
21 and 22 Gangtok
23 depart Gangtok, stay in Kalimpong
24 - Kalimpong
25 morning depart Kalimpong and reach Darj by noon and sightseeing
26 tiger hills and other Darj sightseeing
27 June early morning leave Darj to Siliguri and reach by 9 am
Q) Can I take the jungle safari from ** SGUJ to TDH at 10 am and then can I finish the safari and return by evening to take the 9pm train from NJP. Need help with toy train planning and if not the above then can I stay back on 27th in Darj and just book one of the Toy train rides? 27 night depart from NJP to Kolkata.
Abhinandan Sangam (April 2014)
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Jungle safari to Tindharia is seasonal and not always available. You can't plan in advance on that. Take 10:15am toy train on 27th from Darj to Kurseong (takes about 3 hours... book in advance). Take lunch at Kurseong tourist lodge and relax for a while. In the afternoon you can go down to Ambootia tea garden, Makaibari tea estate and Giddapahar view point, or just take a 2-3 hour local sightseeing tour. All taxi drivers offer that and would charge around Rs. 1200. Come back and freshen up at tourist lodge and then take a cab to NJP by 6pm.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) April 2014
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Hi Raj, Thanks for sharing all these wonderful pieces of information on your site. We (6 adults and 2 kids) are planning a 5n6d trip to darjeeling(2 nights) and gangtok(3 nights).Here is our itinerary. Please comment on this:
DAY 1: Morning: Arrive in NJP.
Afternoon: Transfer to darjeeling via mirik in taxi.
Overnight @ darjeeling.
DAY 2: Early morning: 3 point tour
Late Morning: toy train ride.
afternoon: shopping.
overnight @ darjeeling
DAY 3: Morning: Mixed point tour.
Afternoon: Transfer to gangtok in taxi.
Overnight @ gangtok
DAY 4: full day 10 point tour in gangtok.
overnight @ gangtok.
DAY 5: Visit tsogma lake and nathula.overnight @ gangtok
Day 6: Check out and transfer to njp via zoological park.
Some specific questions that we need to ask:
1. Can we adjust kalimpong somewhere?
2. In this program,do we get time for paragliding?
Best Regards,
Manish Vijay (May 2014)
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This is a good itinerary. For Kalimpong you need an additional day.You can even make a day trip to Kalimpong from Darjeeling, but you need to add one more day. On day-2, you can easily do Paragliding in the afternoon, and then come back and do shopping.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) May 2014
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Hey Raj, You are an excellent help, out of nowhere I could decide for the East for
my Honeymoon. I shall reach Bagdogra airport @ 12:20 PM on 10-Jun-14 and will depart back @ 16:30 Hrs on 18-Jun-14. Out of 8 Nights I have, I want to split with Darjeeling(2N)-Lachung(2N)-Gangtok(4N). Here is the itenary I could put together based on many inputs on your website.
Day-1 ( 10-June/Tues)
Arrive Bagdogra @ 12:20 Hrs in Noon, and go Darjeeling ( from airport via Mirik ), rest of day @ leasuire
Day-2 ( 11-June/Wed)
Day trip for mixed-point tour in Darjeeling
Day-3 ( 12-June/Thurs)
Visit the 3-point tour ( Tiger Hill, Ghoom Mo nastery, Bhatasia Loop).
Leave for Lachung by afternoon 2:00 PM, night halt @ Lachung
Day-4 ( 13-June/Fri)
Start @ morning for Yumthang, Yumi Samedong, night halt @ Lachung
Day-5 ( 14-June/Sat)
Leave for Gangtok early in the day, rest of day @ leisure
Day-6 ( 15-June/Sun)
Custom Day-1 Tour as described on your website
Day-7 ( 16-June/Mon)
Custom Day-2 Tour as described on your website
Day-8 ( 17-June/Tues)
Tsongmo lake, Baba Mandir, and Nathula pass - Any chances, Nathula Pass
will be closed ?
Day-9 ( 18-June/Wed)
Depart for Airport - To catch the flight @ 16:30 Hrs
I have following questions
1) Does the itneary look reasonable?
2) Does the order make sense, shall i instead start with Gangtok keeping weather in perspective?
3) Does it require advance booking for hotels and tour operator or any (if applicable)?
4) Can we take a toy train ride on the day of arrival in Darjeeling ?
5) Are the local Taxi drivers trustwothy, can we keep all our bagage with them while visiting Mirik Lake or other places while transfer to new town?
6) Is this going to be a very busy season and are things going to be very pricey ?
7) Would you suggest to substitute Lachung with Kalimpong OR Pelling ?
8) Can we get snow closely anywhere in entire above itenary?
9) Keepin weather in view, any general guidelines that you would want to share.
Thank you very much in advance for all the very help :-)
Chunilal Sachdev (May 2014)
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Itinerary is okay. From Darjeeling, start earlier for Lachung (by 12 noon). Do advance hotel booking. You won't likely get the toy train ride on day-1. It'll be too late. Taxi drivers are generally trustworthy. Take a pre-paid taxi from the airport, note the car no., driver name and his mobile. You can expect good tourist flow till mid June after which the off season gradually sets in. Unlikely you will get snow anywhere (may be some in Nathula if you are lucky).
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) May 2014
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Hi Raj!
Found your site really useful. We (4 adults & 3 kids) are visiting Gangtok & Darjeeling in June. We will reach Bagdogra around 2:00 P.M. on 17th June and planning to visit Gangtok first. We have to catch the return flight from Bagdogra at 12:30 P.M. on 22nd June. We are planning as per the following itinerary -
On 17th - Bagdogra to Gangtok via pvt car.
On 18th - Local sight seeing at Gangtok
On 19th - visit to Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir & Nathula Pass
On 20th - Proceed to Darjeeling and visit Teesta village in route.
On 21st - Early Morning visit to Tiger Hill, Ghoom Monastery and then
visit local points at Darjeeling
On 22nd - Leave early at 6: 30 A.M. from Darjeeling and proceed to Bagdogra in between visit to Mirick Lake.
My questions are -
1. Whether we should visit to Nathula Pass or not as as kid is 1 year old and I have heard that visitors may face breathing problem there.
2. What other sight seeing can be done on 20th while coming Darjeeling from Gangtok.
3. Whether it is possible to visit Mirik lake on 22nd, if we have to reach airport by 11:30.
Please advice.
Thanks & Regards
Mamta Jain (May 2014)
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Breathing problem is quite common at Nathula and if you are concerned about that, then you should avoid Nathula pass. Secondly its monsoon time and the route to Nathula may get closed if it rains heavily. Road is quite bad.
On the day you reach Darjeeling, you can plan to take a toy train ride and/or walk up to the Mahakal Temple in Observatory Hill from the Mall road.
On the day of your departure, if you start by 6:00am, you can go to Bagdogra via Mirik and can spend about 1 hour at the lake area. But don't stop in between (like at Simana or Pashupati). Keep in mind that Marik to Bagdogra takes about 1.5 hours, so time your start from Mirik accordingly. From Mirik, ask the driver to take the final stretch of the road via Matigara and not via Balasun bridge. They take the short cut but a part of that road is horrible. You will need to discuss your plan with the driver when booking the car. They won't otherwise stop at Mirik for that long.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) May 2014
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Dear Raj
I am visiting Darjeeling and Gangtok with family from Delhi. I found your website most useful for planning my trip and was able to book toy train ride at Darjeeling also. I understand that during my transfer from Darjeeling to Gangtok on 3rd June, I have the option to go through Kalimpong and visit some of the Highlights there. Your expert views and suggestions on the same will be highly appreciated. Thanks in Advance and Best Regards
Sanjay Jain (May 2014)
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Kalimpong will require a detour of about 1 hour (one way) from Teesta bazaar area, so a total of about 6.5 hours from Gangtok to Darjeeling via Kalimpong plus local sightseeing time in Kalimpong (another 4 hours with lunch etc, but visit places selectively). Possible, but may be hectic with family.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) May 2014
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Hi Raj,
Greetings. I am planing to go Darjeeling and gangtok on my honeymoon in December. I have planned accordingly:
Day 1: Arrive NJP around 9:00 am and onward to gangtok. Some sight seeing
for rest of the day and overnight stay.
Day 2: Visit tsongmo lake, bab mandir and Nathula.
Day 3: start at 7:30 am for local sight seeing til 1:30 and move to Darjeeling.
Day 4: Darjeeling city tour.
Day 5: Tiger hill and other sight seeing in the city.
Day 6: Tour around Darjeeling and tea state internal view.
Day 7: checkout at 7:30 am and move to Mirik. Visit Mirik and back to NJP as the train is at 10:30 PM. I have planned like this because i want to make it a relax and joyfull trip and also like to stay more in Darjeeling.
Now i need your suggestion about how effective this journey plan. Also if you can share your experience about an approx cost for this itinerary. I need private budget taxi for all transfers from NJP and to NJP including city tour except lake, mandir and nathula tour (I prefer by share taxi). I Darjeeling i prefer Villa resort as per your ratings and review and the same kind of hotel in Gangtok. Is there any good and reasonable tour operator who cn customize the tour in both the city accordingly. Thanks in Advance
Prashant Pratik (July 2014)
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Hi,
This itinerary is quite okay. Tsomgo, Nathula permit needs to be done one day in advance and in the morning. You should work through the operator to get the permit done in advance. Your last day at Mirik can be tiring unless you book a room. I suggest you book the hotels directly ... there are several nice hotels in Darjeeling, Gangtok and also in Mirik who offer good discounts to Darjeeling Tourism Card holders. For the tours, you can go through Ashmita Trek & Tours... they are good and they too offer good discounts to Darjeeling Tourism Card holders. The operator can give you the budget estimate.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) July 2014
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Hello sir
i am just going through your website. You have done a wonderful work.Really appreciate you for this. Sir i want to visit Darjeeling for my honeymoon in the mid of September 2014. I am planning to stay 3 nights in darjeeling and then a day's visit to Kalimpong. And then 2 nights stay in Gangtok. And from Gangtok back to Bagdogra airport. I will be travelling from Hyderabad. Please suggest me if it is advisable to travel to Gangtok first and then move on to Kalimpong and then to Darjeeling or first to Darjeeling and then so on to Gangtok. My main aim is not touring but to have an ample amount of good relaxed time with my wife without the need to keep travelling here and there.
Also please advise on the hotels which I have found on some websites. the name is Summit Grace Hotel & Spa, near Jalpahar road. I would appreciate if you can provide me with the email id of this hotel so that I can contact them for tariffs.
Else let me know the best choice according to you in the 4/3 star category for my honeymoon. I want to make it a memorable one for my wife. Awaiting your reply in this regards. Thank you.
Yaseen Burhan (July 2014)
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You can start with Darjeeling (go via Mirik for great scenic route through tea gardens), then to Kalimpong and Gangtok. In Darjeeling try to stay at Cedar Inn or Windamere, much better than Summit Grace. Btw, both hotels offer good discounts to Darjeeling Tourism Card holders.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) July 2014
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Thank you very much for your advice and info, Will definitely go through the schedule you have stressed on. I have also checked viceroy hotel tariffs. They have a Monsoon & Wellness Package which comes quiet in my budget as well. And i have read your review about viceroy hotel on the tourism page. Let me know if i can opt for the viceroy hotel. And for gangtok I am going by your advice and opting for sonam delek hotel. Is it advisable for me to stay in kalimpong one night ?? or should i jus wrap up the tour in one day after checking out from darjeeling. Sorry to bother you so much Mr.Raj. But really need advice from a specialist like you. Awaiting your reply. And thanks a zillion.
Rregards
Yaseen Burhan (July 2014)
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Viceroy is good as well, but not so much good views as the others. But it's still a good choice. Stay one night in Kalimpong ... visit Deolo hills amongst other tourist attractions.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) July 2014
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Hi Raj,
Thanks a lot for your suggestions. I am planning to visit Gangtok & Darjeeling trip from 8th to 12 of Sept. Below is the itinerary. As I got to know about this blog very late, I have done my bookings :( Anyway plz suggest if any on the below
8th Spet 10:00 AM - NJP (Train from Kolkota). Then we are planning to take taxi for Gangtok. Please suggest if I can see some places on the way. (I read mirik lake & Nepal border are on the way) Reach Gangtok & rest in with shopping on MG marg.
9th Sept: Local Sight seeing in gangtok.
10 Sept: Tsomgo lake nathula pass
11 Sept: Start towards Darjeeling and local sight seeing in Darjeeling and any places on the way.
12 Sept: 3 point trip in Darjeeling. I have 2 questions here. As the 3 point trip completes 9:00 am can I still look for some other places, or is it better to start towards NJP as my train is at 7:30pm back to Kolkota.
Thanks a lot in advance
Santosh (August 2014)
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Hi, you can't visit Mirik on your way to Gangtok. On your return from Darjeeling, come down to NJP via Mirik. Take a 2 kms detour from Sukhiapokhri to a place called Jorpokhri (stop for 30-45 minutes, nice lake and great views on a clear day), then stop at a place called Simana (Nepal border, good views), you will then pass by the entrance to Pashupati market on Indo-Nepal border... you may skip that, pass by lovely tea gardens. Just before entering Mirik, ask the driver to take you to Mirik Monastery and then come down to the lake. Take your lunch at the restaurant of Hotel Jagjeet. Ones by the lake side are't great ... but Restaurant of Hotel Park is manageable. From Mirik, NJP is 1.5 hrs. Ask the driver to stop at Tingling view point, 8kms after Mirik... this is the best place in the whole of Darjeeling district to get tea garden views. Note that such stops and detours will cost extra. So work it out with the driver before you start. It's best to take a car from a reliable tour operator like Ashmita Trek & Tours. They offer good discount to Darjeeling Tourism Card holders.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) September 2014
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