Darjeeling – Tea Garden – Siliguri – Kolkata 4‑Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Exploration in Darjeeling

Morning: Board the early **Kolkata – Siliguri Express** (approx. 9 hrs) and enjoy the scenic ride through the plains. Arrive in Siliguri, then take a shared taxi to Darjeeling (≈2 hrs).

Afternoon: Check‑in at **Zostel Darjeeling** (budget dormitory, ₹1,200/night). After a quick freshen‑up, stroll to the historic Darjeeling Mall (Chowrasta) Square and sip tea at a local café.

Evening: Ride the iconic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train) from Darjeeling to Ghum for sunset views, then return to the homestay for a light dinner of momos and thukpa.

Day 2: Tea Garden Immersion (Tinchule / Lamahatta / Sittong)

Morning: After breakfast, travel by private cab to **Tinchule Tea Garden** (≈1 hr). Check‑in at the **Tinchule Tea Garden Homestay** (₹1,500/night) and enjoy a guided walk among the tea bushes.

Afternoon: Continue to **Lamahatta Tea Estate** (≈30 min) for a cultural interaction with the tea‑garden families and a tasting session of fresh Darjeeling tea at the Lamahatta Homestay.

Evening: Head to nearby **Sittong** for a sunset view over the rolling tea hills, then return to your Tinchule homestay for a traditional Nepali dinner.

Day 3: Siliguri – City Highlights & Departure Prep

Morning: Depart early for Siliguri (≈3 hrs by cab). Check‑in at **Hotel Nandini** (budget double, ₹1,100/night) and drop luggage.

Afternoon: Visit the Salugara Monastery and the historic **North Bengal Science Centre**; enjoy a quick street‑food lunch featuring Litti‑Chokha.

Evening: Explore the bustling **Siliguri Market** for souvenirs, then relax at the hotel’s rooftop with a view of the Himalaya foothills before an early night.

Day 4: Return to Kolkata by Train

Morning: Check‑out and board the **Siliguri – Kolkata Express** (approx. 10 hrs). Grab a packed breakfast from the hotel.

Afternoon: Enjoy scenic views of the Ganges plains from the train, with a light lunch served on board.

Evening: Arrive at **Howrah Station**, Kolkata. Transfer to your home or next destination, concluding the trip.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Kolkata → Siliguri (train) – 9 hrs, ₹600 (2nd class)
• Siliguri → Darjeeling (shared taxi) – 2 hrs, ₹800
• Zostel Darjeeling (accommodation) – 1 night, ₹1,200
• Darjeeling Mall & Café – 1 hr, ₹150
• Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train) – 2 hrs, ₹300
• Tinchule Tea Garden Homestay – 1 night, ₹1,500
• Tinchule Tea Garden walk – 2 hrs, ₹200 (guide)
• Lamahatta Tea Estate visit – 2 hrs, ₹250 (tea tasting)
• Sittong sunset view – 1 hr, free
• Darjeeling → Siliguri (cab) – 3 hrs, ₹1,200
• Hotel Nandini (accommodation) – 1 night, ₹1,100
• Salugara Monastery entry – 1 hr, ₹100
• North Bengal Science Centre – 2 hrs, ₹120
• Siliguri → Kolkata (train) – 10 hrs, ₹650 (2nd class)
• Meals (average per day) – 3 days, ₹1,200

Total Estimated Cost: ₹9,420 (excluding personal shopping and optional activities).

Tips

To extend the trip, add an extra night in Darjeeling for a sunrise trek to Tiger Hill and a visit to the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park. If you need to shorten it, skip the Sittong sunset and head straight from Lamahatta to Siliguri, saving a few hours of travel and reducing accommodation costs by one night.