7-Day Family Friendly Itinerary for Gangtok, Darjeeling, Pelling, and Kalimpong in June 2023

  1. Day 1: Gangtok
    32 minutes (19.7 km) from Bagdogra Airport

    Visit the Enchey Monastery, a 200-year-old Tibetan Buddhist monastery known for its mesmerising architecture and peaceful surroundings. Then, take a cable car ride to the top of the Tashiling Secretariat hill for an amazing view of Gangtok city.

  2. Day 2: Darjeeling
    3 hours 42 minutes (97.5 km) from Gangtok

    Wake up early to catch the sunrise over the Himalayas from Tiger Hill. After breakfast, visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute to learn about the history of mountaineering in the region and see the preserved specimens of local flora and fauna in the museum. End the day with a scenic ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as the “Toy Train”.

  3. Day 3: Pelling
    3 hours 33 minutes (117.3 km) from Darjeeling

    Start the day by visiting the Pemayangtse Monastery, one of the oldest and most important monasteries in Sikkim. Then, head to the Rabdentse Ruins, an ancient capital of the Kingdom of Sikkim and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. End the day by taking a peaceful stroll around the Khecheopalri Lake, which is considered to be a sacred lake by both Buddhists and Hindus.

  4. Day 4: Kalimpong
    2 hours 10 minutes (75.6 km) from Pelling

    Visit the Zang Dhok Palri Phodang Monastery, a beautiful and peaceful monastery that houses many important Buddhist relics. Next, explore the exotic flower and orchid gardens at the Kalimpong Nursery. End the day by visiting the Deolo Hill, the highest point in Kalimpong, for a panoramic view of the surrounding landscapes.

  5. Day 5: Gangtok
    2 hours 10 minutes (73.9 km) from Kalimpong

    Visit the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology to learn about the rich cultural heritage of Sikkim and the Himalayas, and see the impressive collection of rare Tibetan and Sanskrit manuscripts, thangkas (Tibetan silk paintings), and artefacts. Then, head to the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms to see the skilled artisans at work and buy some souvenirs.

  6. Day 6: Gangtok
    1 hour 15 minutes (36.4 km) from Bagdogra Airport

    Take a relaxing day trip to the Tsomgo Lake, a glacial lake at an altitude of 12,400 feet surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Next, visit the Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir, a shrine dedicated to a brave Indian soldier who lost his life near the Nathu La Pass. End the day with a visit to the Gangtok Ropeway for a breathtaking aerial view of the city.

  7. Day 7: Darjeeling
    3 hours 42 minutes (97.5 km) from Gangtok

    Start the day with a visit to the Ghum Monastery, the largest monastery in Darjeeling and home to a 15-foot-high statue of Maitreya Buddha. Then, head to the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park to see the rare and endangered animals such as the Bengal tiger, snow leopard, and red panda. End the day with a visit to the Happy Valley Tea Estate to taste the world-famous Darjeeling tea and learn about the tea-making process.

Time and Costs Estimates:

  • Enchey Monastery (1 hour, free)
  • Cable Car Ride (30 minutes, INR 120 per person)
  • Tiger Hill (2 hours, INR 50 per person)
  • Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (1.5 hours, INR 40 per person)
  • Toy Train (2 hours, INR 1,300 per person)
  • Pemayangtse Monastery (1 hour, INR 20 per person)
  • Rabdentse Ruins (1 hour, INR 50 per person)
  • Khecheopalri Lake (1 hour, free)
  • Zang Dhok Palri Phodang Monastery (1 hour, INR 10 per person)
  • Kalimpong Nursery (1.5 hours, free)
  • Deolo Hill (1 hour, free)
  • Namgyal Institute of Tibetology (2 hours, INR 10 per person)
  • Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms (1 hour, free)
  • Tsomgo Lake (3 hours, INR 2,200 per vehicle)
  • Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir (30 minutes, free)
  • Gangtok Ropeway (30 minutes, INR 110 per person)
  • Ghum Monastery (1 hour, free)
  • Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (2 hours, INR 30 per person)
  • Happy Valley Tea Estate (1.5 hours, INR 100 per person)
  • Total Estimated Costs: INR 4,210 per person
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