Visit Tiger Hill for a stunning view of the mountains and watch the sunrise. Then head to the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park to see a variety of fauna including red pandas. Finally, explore the Japanese Peace Pagoda, a magnificent Buddhist temple.
In Gangtok, visit the Nathu La Pass, which connects India and China. It provides glorious vistas of the Eastern Himalayas. Next up, visit the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, which holds historic Tibetan artefacts. In the evening, take a leisurely stroll through the M.G. Marg, Gangtok's central boulevard, hosting an array of street food vendors and shops.
Visit the serene Buddhist monastery Lava Jamgyong Kongtrul Monastery. From there, hike through the Rhododendron forests with spectacular views of the mountain landscape to reach the Changey Falls. Visit the mystical 108-year-old Canopy Walk at Loleygaon for a mesmerizing view of the hills covered with clouds.
Visit the beautiful Deolo Hill, standing at 1,704m with a stunning view of the surroundings. Explore the Flower Market and take some pictures against the picturesque backdrop and then later head towards the Kali Temple, a famous Hindu shrine. Also stop to visit the well-known Dr. Graham’s Homes, which was established in 1900 and is a residential school for local children.
Explore the Batasia Loop, where a toy train comes to a complete loop, before proceeding to the Happy Valley Tea Estate, a decades-old tea factory offering a tour that provides an insight into the tea-making process, Afterward, visit the Ghoom Monastery, a charming Buddhist monastery which is over 100 years old. Finally, explore Darjeeling's historic centers, including the Mall Road, Bhutia Market, and Chowrasta.
In the morning, visit the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (also known as the toy train), a century-old miniature rail system that's a UNESCO World Heritage site. A visit to the Rock Garden and Ganga Maya Park is another must-see. Finally, visit the well-known Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center. The organization helps Tibetan refugees in education and living by producing handicraft products which one can buy from their shop.
If you have more time, you can visit Yumthang Valley, which is one of the highest places in the Indo-China border. If you have less time, then you can choose to skip Gangtok and spend more time in Darjeeling.
Additionally, be mindful that the Nathu La pass is open only for Indian nationals and with a permit, and visitor restrictions may be in effect due to the weather. It is best to check whether it will be open on the intended visiting date. Also, be aware that the toy train ride gets booked up quickly, so be sure to book it in advance.