13-Day Northeast India and Darjeeling-Gangtok Itinerary with Train Travel to Darjeeling

Day 1: Assam Arrival

Guwahati, Assam, India on May 27, 2025

6:00am

Flight from Bangalore to Guwahati

Take an early morning direct flight from Bangalore to Guwahati (approx. 3.5 hours).
INR4000, 3h30m

9:30am

Transfer & Breakfast

Arrival at Guwahati Airport, transfer to hotel followed by breakfast at Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok.
INR2500, 1h0m

11:00am

Kamakhya Temple Visit

Visit the revered Kamakhya Temple, an important pilgrimage site known for its ancient rituals and city views.
INR50, 2h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at Khorikaa Restaurant

Savour authentic Assamese dishes like fish tenga and pitika.
INR500, 1h0m

2:30pm

Drive to Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

Travel 50 km (approx. 1.5 hours) to Pobitora Sanctuary, famed for its one-horned rhinoceroses.
INR1200, 1h30m

4:00pm

Check-in at Wildlife Resort

Stay in eco-friendly lodges near the sanctuary surrounded by nature.
INR3500, N/A

5:00pm

Evening Jeep Safari

Enjoy a jeep safari spotting rhinos and diverse birds (Safari hours: 3pm-6pm).
INR1800, 2h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Lodge

Dinner featuring local Assamese cuisine in a serene atmosphere.
INR400, 1h0m

Day 2: Kaziranga Safari

Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India on May 28, 2025

6:00am

Drive to Kaziranga National Park

Early 3-hour drive (115 km) to Kaziranga, the UNESCO World Heritage park.
INR2000, 3h0m

9:00am

Check-in at Wild Grass Lodge

Comfortable eco cottages close to the park entrance.
INR4000, N/A

10:30am

Breakfast at Lodge

Tasty meal with local produce.
INR600, 1h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at Lodge

Enjoy fresh local cuisine.
INR600, 1h0m

3:00pm

Afternoon Jeep Safari

Safari to spot rhinos, elephants, and buffalo in the park’s western or central range (3pm-6pm).
INR1800, 3h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Lodge

Relax with evening meal after safari.
INR500, 1h0m

Day 3: Haflong Scenic Drive

Haflong, Assam, India on May 29, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Lodge

Enjoy breakfast before departure.
INR400, 1h0m

8:00am

Drive to Haflong

Scenic 5-hour drive (165 km) to Assam’s hill station Haflong.
INR3000, 5h0m

1:00pm

Lunch En Route

Stop at local dhaba for Assamese meal.
INR350, 0h45m

1:45pm

Check-in at Dolil Nongpoh Resort

Comfortable stay with beautiful views.
INR3000, N/A

3:30pm

Explore Haflong

Visit Haflong Lake and tea gardens.
Free, 2h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at Resort Restaurant

Enjoy local tribal cuisine.
INR500, 1h0m

Day 4: Transfer to Meghalaya

Shillong, Meghalaya, India on May 30, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Resort

Breakfast to start the day.
INR300, 0h45m

8:00am

Drive to Shillong

7-hour journey (260 km) to Meghalaya’s capital.
INR3500, 7h0m

3:00pm

Check-in at The Heritage Club - Tripura Castle

Colonial charm in central Shillong.
INR4000, N/A

4:30pm

Explore Police Bazaar

Visit shops and markets for crafts and snacks.
Free, 1h0m

6:30pm

Dinner at Dylan’s Café

Enjoy Khasi and continental dishes.
INR600, 1h0m

Day 5: Cherrapunji Exploration

Cherrapunji, Meghalaya, India on May 31, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

Breakfast before day trip.
INR350, 1h0m

8:00am

Drive to Cherrapunji

2-hour (55 km) drive to famous monsoon town.
INR1500, 2h0m

10:30am

Visit Nohkalikai Falls & Mawsmai Caves

Witness India's tallest plunge waterfall and limestone caves.
INR100, 2h0m

12:30pm

Lunch at Orange Roots Café

Organic Khasi cuisine with fresh ingredients.
INR600, 1h0m

2:00pm

Double Decker Living Root Bridge Trek

A 4 km trek to unique living root bridges.
Free, 3h0m

5:30pm

Drive back to Shillong

Return 2 hours to Shillong.
INR1500, 2h0m

8:00pm

Dinner at City Hut Family Dhaba

Traditional Khasi dishes to end the day.
INR450, 1h0m

Day 6: Mawlynnong & Dawki Day Trip

Mawlynnong & Dawki, Meghalaya, India on June 1, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

Early breakfast for day excursion.
INR350, 1h0m

8:00am

Drive to Mawlynnong

3-hour drive (85 km) to famed clean village.
INR2000, 3h0m

11:00am

Explore Mawlynnong

See living root bridge, skywalk tower and village life.
INR50, 2h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at Village Homestay

Taste authentic Khasi home-cooked food.
INR400, 1h0m

2:30pm

Drive to Dawki

Short 30-minute drive to the crystal-clear Umngot River.
INR700, 0h30m

3:00pm

Boat Ride on Umngot River

Peaceful boat rides on crystal clear river.
INR600, 1h0m

4:30pm

Return to Shillong

3.5-hour drive back for overnight stay.
INR2500, 3h30m

8:30pm

Dinner at Trattoria

Continental and local cuisine dinner.
INR700, 1h0m

Day 7: Local Shillong Sights

Shillong, Meghalaya, India on June 2, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

Start with filling breakfast.
INR350, 1h0m

9:30am

Shillong Peak

Visit for panoramic views of the city and hills.
INR20, 2h0m

12:00pm

Elephant Falls

Explore the beautiful three-tier waterfalls.
INR10, 1h0m

1:30pm

Lunch at City Hut

Enjoy authentic Khasi dishes.
INR400, 1h0m

3:00pm

Ward’s Lake

Relax in landscaped gardens surrounding the lake.
INR10, 1h0m

4:30pm

Police Bazaar Shopping

Shop handicrafts and souvenirs.
Free, 2h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Dylan’s Café

Local and international cuisine in a relaxed setting.
INR600, 1h0m

Day 8: Train Journey & Darjeeling Sights

Darjeeling, West Bengal, India on June 3, 2025

6:00am

Early Travel to New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Station

Drive approx. 3.5 hours from Shillong to NJP station for train departure.
INR3500, 3h30m

10:00am

Ride Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train)

Take the memorable narrow-gauge Toy Train 3-hour ride to Darjeeling through spectacular hill scenery.
INR600, 3h0m

1:30pm

Check-in at Mayfair Darjeeling

Settle in a hotel offering splendid views of the Himalayas.
INR7000, N/A

2:00pm

Lunch at Sonam’s Kitchen

Enjoy Tibetan specialties such as momos and thukpa.
INR650, 1h0m

3:30pm

Ghoom Monastery and Batasia Loop

Visit the historic Buddhist monastery and iconic railway loop garden.
INR50, 2h0m

6:00pm

Mall Road Stroll

Leisurely walk and enjoy shopping in Darjeeling’s popular street.
Free, 1h30m

7:30pm

Dinner at Kunga Restaurant

Dine on Tibetan and Nepalese dishes.
INR650, 1h0m

Day 9: Darjeeling Highlights

Darjeeling, West Bengal, India on June 4, 2025

4:30am

Sunrise at Tiger Hill

Witness breathtaking sunrise views over Mt. Everest and Kanchenjunga.
INR200, 3h0m

7:30am

Breakfast at Café Mayfair

Enjoy continental breakfast with hill views.
INR600, 1h0m

9:30am

Peace Pagoda Visit

Explore the serene Japanese Peace Pagoda on a hilltop.
Free, 1h0m

10:30am

Happy Valley Tea Estate Tour

Learn about tea processing and taste world-famous Darjeeling tea.
INR100, 1h30m

12:30pm

Lunch at Glenary’s

Treat yourself to bakery delights and fusion cuisine.
INR700, 1h0m

2:00pm

Rock Garden

Visit the terraced garden with small waterfalls amid tranquil nature.
INR40, 1h0m

3:30pm

Free Leisure Time

Relax or explore local cafes and shops at your own pace.
Optional, 3h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Glenary’s

Enjoy local and continental dinner specialties.
INR700, 1h0m

Day 10: Leisure & Lava Excursion

Darjeeling, West Bengal, India on June 5, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

Leisurely breakfast at hotel.
INR600, 1h0m

9:30am

Day Trip to Lava

Visit 15 km away lava village, gateway to Neora Valley, amid stunning views.
INR500, 2h0m

12:00pm

Lunch in Lava

Enjoy Nepalese and Tibetan dishes in local cafés.
INR600, 1h0m

1:00pm

Return to Darjeeling

Drive back to Darjeeling town.
INR500, 1h0m

2:00pm

Free time for shopping or spa

Relax or enjoy personal activities in Darjeeling.
Optional, 5h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at Kunga Restaurant

Savour Tibetan/Nepalese cuisine.
INR650, 1h0m

Day 11: Transfer to Gangtok

Gangtok, Sikkim, India on June 6, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast and Checkout

Breakfast and prepare for journey to Gangtok.
INR600, 1h0m

8:30am

Drive to Gangtok

Approx. 4-hour scenic mountain drive (95 km) to Sikkim’s capital.
INR2500, 4h0m

12:30pm

Check-in at The Elgin Nor-Khill

Elegant heritage accommodation with valley views.
INR6000, N/A

1:00pm

Lunch at Taste of Tibet

Enjoy Tibetan delicacies like momos and thenthuk.
INR500, 1h0m

3:00pm

Explore MG Marg and Bailey Bridge

Stroll the vibrant pedestrian street and visit popular suspension bridge.
Free, 2h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Café Live & Loud

Savour Sikkimese dishes with live music ambiance.
INR700, 1h0m

Day 12: Gangtok Spiritual Tour

Gangtok, Sikkim, India on June 7, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

Relaxed breakfast before a day of sightseeing.
INR600, 1h0m

9:00am

Enchey and Rumtek Monasteries

Visit the 200-year-old Enchey Monastery and the famous Rumtek Monastery 20 km away.
INR150, 3h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at Local Restaurant

Sample fresh local Sikkimese fare.
INR600, 1h0m

2:30pm

Relaxation & Shopping

Free time to shop handicrafts or relax.
Free, 3h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Baker’s Café

Enjoy fusion dishes at this lively café.
INR700, 1h0m

Day 13: Departure

Gangtok or Bagdogra, India on June 8, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast & Checkout

Breakfast and final preparations for departure.
INR600, 1h0m

8:00am

Drive to Bagdogra Airport

4-hour transfer to Bagdogra Airport for onward flights.
INR3500, 4h0m