Kolkata to Darjeeling Leisure Tour (Dec 26‑30)

Day 1: Journey & Arrival

Morning: Board an early Bagbagra Airport flight (₹4,500) or a comfortable AC 2‑tier train to New Jalpaiguri (₹1,200). Enjoy light snacks and scenic views en route.

Afternoon: Transfer by shared taxi to Darjeeling (≈₹500). Check‑in at a budget hotel near the Mall Road and unwind with a tea break.

Evening: Stroll along the bustling Mall Road, sampling street food and shopping for local handicrafts.

Day 2: Local Exploration

Morning: Visit the iconic Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and adjacent Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (combined entry ₹300).

Afternoon: Ride the historic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train) to Ghum (₹250) and explore the serene Ghoom Monastery.

Evening: Enjoy a relaxed dinner at a local restaurant, trying the famous momos and thukpa.

Day 3: Sunrise & Tea Gardens

Morning: Depart before dawn for Tiger Hill to witness a breathtaking sunrise over Kanchenjunga (₹150 for shared jeep).

Afternoon: Tour the picturesque Happy Valley Tea Estate, learning about tea processing and tasting fresh brews (₹200).

Evening: Return to town for a leisurely walk in the Darjeeling Bazaar, picking up souvenirs.

Day 4: Day Trip to Mirik

Morning: Take a shared taxi to Mirik Lake (₹300 round‑trip) and enjoy a boat ride amid pine‑covered hills.

Afternoon: Explore the nearby orange orchards and relax at the lakeside café.

Evening: Head back to Darjeeling, savoring a traditional Nepali dinner at a rooftop eatery.

Day 5: Return to Kolkata

Morning: Pack up, check out, and catch a taxi to Bagbagra Airport (or New Jalpaiguri station) for the return journey.

Afternoon: Fly back to Kolkata (₹4,500) or board the train (₹1,200), reflecting on the trip’s highlights.

Evening: Arrive home, with memories of misty mountains and tea‑scented breezes.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Bagbagra Flight (Round‑trip) – 2 hrs each way, ₹9,000
• AC 2‑Tier Train (Round‑trip) – 10 hrs each way, ₹2,400
• Shared Taxi Transfers (Darjeeling) – 1 hr total, ₹1,000
• Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train) – 2 hrs, ₹250
• Himalayan Mountaineering Institute & Zoo – 3 hrs, ₹300
• Tiger Hill Sunrise Jeep – 4 hrs, ₹150
• Happy Valley Tea Estate Tour – 2 hrs, ₹200
• Mirik Lake Day Trip – 6 hrs, ₹300
• Meals (5 days) – Approx. 3 meals/day, ₹3,000
• Budget Accommodation (4 nights) – ₹1,200/night, ₹4,800
• Miscellaneous (Entry fees, souvenirs) – ₹500
• Total Estimated Cost per Person – ₹22,900 (flight option) / ₹16,300 (train option)

Tips

To stay within the ₹20,000 budget, opt for the train instead of the flight and choose budget guesthouses or hostels. If you wish to extend your stay, add a day at Kalimpong for its monasteries and scenic viewpoints; alternatively, shorten the trip by skipping the Mirik day trip and using the saved funds for a nicer dinner or souvenir shopping.