Collect luggage at New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and meet your pre-booked driver; confirm mobile and hotel details before departure. Road transfer to Darjeeling takes about 3.5–4 hours depending on traffic and roadworks.
Check in at your Darjeeling hotel and relax a short while; request a room with a mountain-facing view if available. Most hotels follow check-in from 12:00–14:00 so plan accordingly.
Have a relaxed lunch at Glenary's (popular for continental, bakery items and a comfortable ambience); open daily roughly 7:30am–10:00pm. Good place to acclimatise and try local sandwiches, soups and Nepalese momo variations.
Visit Happy Valley Tea Estate for a guided walk and tea tasting; the estate usually welcomes visitors 9:00am–4:00pm, so plan a short 1–2 hour tour and tasting to learn about orthodox Darjeeling tea. It's an ideal first activity to understand the region's famed tea culture.
Stroll Chowrasta and Mall Road for light shopping, Tibetan crafts and views of the hillside; the pedestrian area is open throughout the day and lively at sunset. Perfect for capturing photos and buying teas/tibetan handicrafts.
Enjoy dinner at Kunga Restaurant, known for authentic Tibetan and Nepalese cuisine (open typically 11:00am–10:00pm). Try thukpa, momos and local stews — good for a hearty first-night meal.
Leave very early for Tiger Hill to catch the sunrise over Kanchenjunga and the Himalayan range; Tiger Hill access is open well before dawn and this viewpoint is a signature Darjeeling experience. Expect crowds and cold — carry warm clothing and arrive early for best views.
Visit the Batasia Loop and War Memorial on the descent from Tiger Hill; this famous railway loop offers great panoramic views and photo ops with the toy train in the foreground. Site is open all day; morning light is best for photos.
Breakfast at Keventer's for classic Darjeeling bakery items, eggs, and tea; Keventer's typically opens around 7:00am–8:00am. Try a local fried egg with toast and a pot of Darjeeling tea to warm up after the sunrise.
Visit the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoo and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) which are adjacent and open roughly 9:30am–4:30pm; see high-altitude species (snow leopard, red panda) and mountaineering exhibits. Allocate 2–3 hours to cover both comfortably.
Have a Tibetan/Nepalese lunch at Tibet Kitchen (open roughly 11:00am–10:00pm); known for varied momo styles and hearty soups that suit mountain weather. Good mid-day refuel before afternoon sightseeing.
Take the toy train short joy-ride to Ghoom and back (check live DHR schedule before booking; timings vary and are subject to rail operations). It's a UNESCO heritage experience and offers a nostalgic ride through key sections — plan 1–2 hours including wait time.
Visit the Japanese Peace Pagoda and the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre (both usually accessible around 9:00am–5:00pm); peaceful spots for photography, prayer wheels and hand-crafted Tibetan goods. The self-help centre is ideal to see local crafts being made and support community businesses.
Dinner at Sonam's Kitchen for homely Tibetan and Nepali dishes served in a cosy setting (generally open until 10:00pm). A great final dinner in Darjeeling town with warm local flavours.
Set off for Mirik (approx 2 hours by road, ~50 km via NH10 and hill roads) for a day excursion to its famous lake and tea gardens. Morning departure avoids heavy mid-day traffic and gives more time at the lake.
Walk the Sumendu Lake boardwalk and take a paddle boat (boating available roughly 9:00am–5:00pm) to enjoy serene views surrounded by pine and cardamom plantations. Ideal for relaxed photos, birdwatching and short nature strolls.
Have lunch at a recommended local eatery near the lake serving Nepali and Bengali dishes (most open 11:00am–9:00pm); try local trout if available and seasonal vegetable preparations. Simple, fresh food that complements the calm lakeside setting.
Explore nearby tea gardens and pine groves around Mirik for scenic photography and quieter rural hill vistas; many small estates welcome visitors informally but organised tours need prior contact. This peaceful countryside is great for slow walks and tea tasting if available.
Drive back to Darjeeling, arriving by early evening; use the journey to rest and enjoy changing valley views. Evening arrival gives time to freshen up before dinner.
Enjoy a relaxed dinner at Glenary's for variety — continental, bakery and local options; great for a comforting meal after a day out. Glenary's tends to be open long hours (approx 7:30am–10:00pm).
Short morning drive to Kurseong (about 45–60 minutes) to visit Dow Hill (Eagle's Crag viewpoint) and the Dow Hill Forest; Dow Hill museum/parks often open 9:00am–4:00pm. The area offers excellent viewpoints and peaceful forest walks.
Return towards Darjeeling for a more in-depth Happy Valley tea estate tour and tasting (estate visits normally 9:00am–4:00pm by appointment); learn plucking, processing and grading of Darjeeling tea and sample fresh brews. Tours are best pre-booked with the estate or through your hotel.
Lunch at a charming local cafe or hotel tea lounge (several around Happy Valley and Mall Road open 11:00am–3:00pm); pair simple sandwiches or local thalis with Darjeeling tea. This is a relaxed, scenic meal after the tea tour.
If you didn’t visit earlier, stop at Dow Hill Forest and the local small museum (if open 9:00am–4:00pm) for wildlife & colonial history exhibits and canopy walks. Light trekking here is pleasant for nature lovers and photographers.
Return to Darjeeling and spend the early evening shopping for tea, handicrafts and woollens on Mall Road and Nehru Road; most shops open 9:30am–8:30pm. Good opportunity to buy final gifts and packaged teas for travel.
Dine at The Park Restaurant or another recommended hotel restaurant for a slightly upscale meal with multi-cuisine options (usually open evenings till 10:30pm). A neat way to end the trip with a comfortable sit-down dinner.
Early breakfast at your hotel or a quick stop at Keventer's for tea and baked goods; complete hotel check-out and settle any bills (most hotels request check-out by 11:00am). Keep travel documents handy for the drive back to NJP.
Quick final walk at Chowrasta/Mall Road to pick up packaged Darjeeling tea, handicrafts and woollens; many shops open from mid-morning so this slot is ideal. Pack fragile items carefully for train travel.
Depart Darjeeling mid-day for NJP to reach the station with time to spare ahead of your train; travel time is roughly 3.5–4 hours depending on conditions. Plan buffer time for security checks and ticket formalities at NJP.
Stop en route near Siliguri for a quick lunch at a reputable highway restaurant or dhaba; expect standard Indian and Bengali options and use this to stretch and refresh. Most eateries along the highway operate 10:00am–9:00pm.
Arrive NJP, collect luggage and complete boarding formalities for onward train/coach travel; if you have time, visit the station stalls for small last-minute snacks or chai. Safe onward journey and keep contact for any follow-up transfers.