7-Day Family Friendly Darjeeling Itinerary

1. Day 1: Tiger Hill
   20 minutes (8.2 km) from Darjeeling town

   Watch the sunrise over the stunning Kanchenjunga peak, the third highest mountain in the world.

2. Day 2: Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
   10 minutes (2.1 km) from Tiger Hill

   Learn about Himalayan mountaineering and visit the Everest Museum. Meet Tenzing Norgay's family.

3. Day 3: Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
   15 minutes (2.4 km) from HMI

   Take a stroll through the zoo to spot rare and endangered species like the red panda and snow leopard.

4. Day 4: Mirik Lake
   1 hour 30 minutes (49.2 km) from Darjeeling town

   Enjoy a boating experience on the crystal waters while surrounded by the serene landscape.

5. Day 5: Happy Valley Tea Estate
   15 minutes (2.1 km) from Darjeeling town

   Explore the tea factory, learn how tea leaves are processed and enjoy a guided tour of stunning tea gardens.

6. Day 6: Mahakal Temple
   15 minutes (3.5 km) from Happy Valley Tea Estate

   Visit this sacred shrine and enjoy spectacular views of the town and surrounding mountains.

7. Day 7: Japanese Peace Pagoda
   30 minutes (5.6 km) from Mahakal Temple

   Take a scenic walk up to this iconic monument and enjoy 360-degree views of Darjeeling and the Himalayan peaks in the distance.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Tiger Hill (1.5 hours, free entry)
• Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (1 hour, INR 50 adult, INR 20 child)
• Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (1.5 hours, INR 60 adult, INR 20 child)
• Mirik Lake (3 hours, boat ride INR 300 for 4 people)
• Happy Valley Tea Estate (2 hours, INR 100 adult, INR 30 child)
• Mahakal Temple (1 hour, free entry)
• Japanese Peace Pagoda (1 hour, free entry)
Total Estimated Costs: INR 530 adult, INR 90 child

Useful tips

If you have an extra day, you can visit the Singalila National Park which is also home to popular trekking routes.
If you're traveling with kids, you can make a stop at the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Museum after visiting the HMI.
If you're a foodie, try out the local momos and thukpa soup which are popular among locals.
If traveling during the winter season, make sure to carry warm winter clothes as the temperatures can drop below freezing.