A 5-day Gangtok and Darjeeling tour from Kolkata is the classic way to cover both the capital of Sikkim and the Queen of the Hills in one trip. The journey starts with an overnight train or flight from Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri (NJP) / Bagdogra, and from there a hill cab takes over for the winding 4-5 hour climb to Gangtok, before looping down to Darjeeling and back. Below is a realistic day-by-day plan, the places you actually cover, inclusions, an indicative price range, and the best time to go.
Most travellers reach the base in North Bengal first. Bagdogra airport and NJP railway station are roughly 125 km / 4-4.5 hours from Gangtok and about 70 km / 3 hours from Darjeeling. Safar Kolkata arranges the entire road leg from the moment you land at NJP/Bagdogra, so you only book the Kolkata-to-NJP train or flight separately. If you prefer to drive the whole way, an SUV from Kolkata to Siliguri is also possible, but the 560 km / 12-13 hour haul is best done by train.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
This itinerary assumes you arrive at NJP/Bagdogra on Day 1 morning. The road order (Gangtok first, then Darjeeling) keeps the long airport transfer at the start and ends you near NJP for an easy departure.
| Day | Route / Places Covered | Approx. Distance & Drive Time | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive NJP/Bagdogra, drive to Gangtok via Teesta riverside road; evening free at MG Marg | 125 km / 4.5 hrs | Gangtok |
| Day 2 | Tsomgo (Changu) Lake, Baba Mandir, optional Nathula Pass (permit needed) | 40-55 km one way / 2.5 hrs each side | Gangtok |
| Day 3 | Gangtok local: Rumtek Monastery, Banjhakri Falls, Ganesh Tok, Tashi View Point, Flower Show; then drive to Darjeeling | Local sightseeing + 100 km / 4.5 hrs transfer | Darjeeling |
| Day 4 | Tiger Hill sunrise, Batasia Loop & War Memorial, Ghoom Monastery, Peace Pagoda, Himalayan Zoo & HMI, Tea Garden, Mall Road | 30-40 km local circuit | Darjeeling |
| Day 5 | Drive down to NJP/Bagdogra for return train/flight to Kolkata | 70 km / 3 hrs | — |
What each day feels like
- Day 1 (Gangtok arrival): The Teesta and Rangeet river road is scenic the whole way. Reach Gangtok by mid-afternoon, settle in, and stroll the pedestrian-only MG Marg for momos, thukpa and shopping.
- Day 2 (Tsomgo Lake day): A high-altitude glacial lake at about 12,400 ft, often frozen in winter. You need a permit (arranged by the operator) and a registered local vehicle for this stretch. Carry warm layers even in summer.
- Day 3 (Rumtek + transfer): Rumtek is one of Sikkim’s most important monasteries. After the morning circuit you descend toward Darjeeling, crossing back into West Bengal at Rangpo/Teesta.
- Day 4 (Darjeeling highlights): An early 4 am start for the Tiger Hill sunrise over Kanchenjunga, then the famous Batasia Loop and the toy-train town circuit. Try to ride a short stretch of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (the toy train) if schedules allow.
- Day 5 (departure): A relaxed downhill drive to the plains for your onward journey to Kolkata.
Planning around a specific train or flight? You can book your hill-tour cab and NJP transfer here and we will align pickup with your arrival time.
Inclusions
- Air-conditioned cab for the full road leg (AC is usually off in the hills as it gets cold)
- All NJP/Bagdogra transfers and inter-town transfers (Gangtok to Darjeeling)
- Experienced hill driver familiar with mountain roads
- Fuel, tolls, driver allowance, parking and night halt charges
- Assistance with Tsomgo Lake / Nathula permit paperwork
- Sightseeing as per the day-wise plan
Exclusions
- Kolkata to NJP/Bagdogra train or flight tickets
- Hotel accommodation and meals (can be added as a package on request)
- Nathula Pass permit fee and the mandatory local jeep for Tsomgo/Nathula (foreign nationals are not permitted at Nathula)
- Monument entry tickets, toy train fare, ropeway and zoo tickets
- Anything not listed under Inclusions; personal expenses and tips
Indicative Price Range
Pricing depends on car type, group size and whether you add hotels. The figures below are the cab/transport component only for the 5-day road circuit starting and ending at NJP/Bagdogra. Per-person rates assume the cab cost is shared.
| Car Type | Seats (comfortable) | Indicative Cab Cost (5 days, transport only) | Approx. Per Person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hatchback (WagonR / similar) | 2-3 | Rs 16,000 – 20,000 | Rs 6,000 – 8,000 |
| Sedan (Dzire / Etios) | 3-4 | Rs 19,000 – 24,000 | Rs 5,500 – 7,500 |
| SUV (Innova / Xylo) | 5-6 | Rs 26,000 – 34,000 | Rs 5,000 – 6,500 |
| Tempo Traveller | 9-12 | Rs 38,000 – 50,000 | Rs 4,000 – 5,000 |
For a full package including hotels and meals, a typical per-person budget runs about Rs 12,000 – 18,000 (3-star) for the 5 days, excluding your Kolkata train/flight. Note: the local registered jeep for the Tsomgo Lake / Nathula leg is charged separately as per Sikkim tourism rules.
All fares are indicative 2026 ranges and vary with season, fuel rates, traffic, road conditions and car availability. Peak-season (autumn and summer holidays) rates are higher.
Best Season to Visit
- March to mid-June (best overall): Clear days, blooming rhododendrons, comfortable 10-20 C in the hills. Best Kanchenjunga views at Tiger Hill. Book early for peak summer.
- October to December (best for clear mountain views): Crisp post-monsoon skies after Durga Puja, excellent for Tsomgo Lake and snow on the higher passes by December.
- July to September (monsoon): Lush and cheap, but landslides on the Teesta road and toward Tsomgo can disrupt plans. Travel with buffer time.
- January to February: Cold and possible snow at Tsomgo and Nathula; carry heavy woollens. Some high roads may close after snowfall.
Local tips from a Kolkata operator
- Carry photo ID originals (Aadhaar/passport) for the Tsomgo and Nathula permits.
- Tiger Hill needs a 4 am start in winter, around 4:30-5 am in summer; dress in layers.
- AC barely matters in the hills, but a reliable diesel SUV handles the gradients far better than a small hatchback for groups of four-plus.
- Keep a day’s buffer in monsoon; the Sevoke-Teesta road is prone to slides.
- Network can be patchy beyond Gangtok; download offline maps and share your driver’s number with family.
This Himalayan circuit pairs well with our wider Kolkata tour packages if you want to add a day or two of city sightseeing before heading north. For door-to-station pickup on departure day, our Kolkata airport taxi service can drop you at the airport for your Bagdogra flight, and we also run point-to-point outstation cabs across the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days are enough for Gangtok and Darjeeling from Kolkata?
Five days is the sweet spot: it covers Gangtok local plus Tsomgo Lake, and Darjeeling’s Tiger Hill and town circuit without rushing. Six days is more relaxed if you want to add Pelling or Lachung.
What is the indicative price of a 5-day Gangtok Darjeeling tour from Kolkata?
The cab/transport component runs about Rs 16,000-34,000 depending on car type, or roughly Rs 5,000-8,000 per person. A full package with 3-star hotels and meals is typically Rs 12,000-18,000 per person, excluding Kolkata train or flight tickets.
Do I need a permit for Tsomgo Lake and Nathula Pass?
Yes. Tsomgo Lake and Nathula need a protected-area permit and a registered local jeep, which we help arrange. Nathula Pass is closed on certain days and is not open to foreign nationals.
What is the best time to visit Gangtok and Darjeeling?
March to mid-June for flowers and pleasant weather, and October to December for the clearest Kanchenjunga views. Avoid peak monsoon (July-September) due to landslide risk on the hill roads.
How do I reach the starting point from Kolkata?
Take an overnight train or a short flight from Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri (NJP) / Bagdogra. From there our hill cab handles all transfers and sightseeing for the full 5 days. You can book the tour cab here.
