3-Day Darjeeling Itinerary

1. Day 1: Tiger Hill
   30 minutes (14.4 km) from Darjeeling city center

   Wake up early for a morning hike or jeep ride to Tiger Hill, known for its stunning panoramic views of Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest mountain peak. The sunrise views here are legendary, and it’s worth the early wake-up call to witness them.

2. Day 2: Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and Ghum Monastery
   12 minutes (5.4 km) from Tiger Hill

   No trip to Darjeeling is complete without a ride on the famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take the morning train from Darjeeling to Ghum for stunning views of the mountains and tea plantations. After reaching Ghum, explore the Ghum Monastery, which houses a 15-foot statue of Maitreya Buddha and ancient Tibetan manuscripts.

3. Day 3: Japanese Peace Pagoda and Happy Valley Tea Estate
   22 minutes (7.6 km) from Ghum Monastery
   Go to visit the Japanese Peace Pagoda, built to promote peace and Buddhism in the world. Situated on the slopes of the Jalapahar hills, the pagoda provides breathtaking views of the mountains and the valley below. After that, head to Happy Valley Tea Estate, one of the oldest tea estates in Darjeeling. Take a guided tour of the estate and tea factory to see how tea is made and sample some of the finest Darjeeling tea.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Tiger Hill (2 hours, free)
• Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and Ghum Monastery (3 hours, ₹550 for first-class train ticket, ₹50 for Ghum Monastery entry fee)
• Japanese Peace Pagoda and Happy Valley Tea Estate (4 hours, ₹100 for Peace Pagoda entry fee, ₹100 for Happy Valley Tea Estate tour and tea tasting)
Total Estimated Costs: ₹900

Useful Tips

For those with more time, consider exploring the vibrant markets of Darjeeling or visiting the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park to catch a glimpse of the rare snow leopard. For those with less time, skipping Ghum Monastery or Happy Valley Tea Estate is an option to ensure more time at the other attractions or just taking the Himalayan railway ride.