Darjeeling & Gangtok tour: Kanchenjunga sunrise, tea estates

Watch the sun rise over Kanchenjunga from Tiger Hill, then ride the Toy Train through the hills.

A six-day guided tour of Darjeeling and Gangtok with private AC transport, an English-speaking guide, and accommodation in your choice of hotel category. The itinerary covers Tiger Hill at sunrise, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, tea estates, Ghoom Monastery, and in Gangtok, Rumtek Monastery, Tsomgo Lake, Tashi Viewpoint and Enchey Monastery. Airport pickup is included; monument entry fees and all transport between sites are arranged.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and transfer to Darjeeling

• Land at Bagdogra airport
• Transfer to Darjeeling
• Check in at hotel

Day 2 — Darjeeling sightseeing

• Sunrise at Tiger Hill
• Visit Ghoom Monastery
• Ride Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
• Visit Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center
• Tour Tea Estate
• Explore Natural History Museum
• Visit Japanese Peace Pagoda

Day 3 — Travel to Gangtok via Kalimpong

• Depart Darjeeling for Gangtok
• Stop at Kalimpong town
• Visit MacFarlane Memorial Church
• Visit Dr. Graham's Homes
• Visit Durpin Monastery
• Walk in Deolo Park
• Arrive and check in at Gangtok hotel

Day 4 — Gangtok local exploration

• Visit Tsomgo Lake
• Visit Baba Mandir
• Explore M G Road (The Mall)

Day 5 — Gangtok cultural tour

• Visit Rumtek Monastery
• Visit Bakthang Waterfall
• Visit Tashi Viewpoint
• Visit Ganesh Tok
• Visit Enchey Monastery
• Explore Directorate of Handicraft and Handloom

Day 6 — Departure from Gangtok

• Check out from hotel
• Transfer to Bagdogra airport

The Experience

The tour starts before dawn at Tiger Hill, where you watch the sun rise over the snow-capped Kanchenjunga Range — the moment weather permits. From there the day moves through Ghoom Monastery, its prayer flags catching the mountain breeze, then onto the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway for a ride on the narrow-gauge Toy Train through valleys and villages. A stop at the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center shows carpet weaving and handicraft work, and the afternoon takes you through the emerald tea plantations where the air carries the scent of freshly picked leaves. The Natural History Museum and the Japanese Peace Pagoda, a white stupa on a hilltop with views across the Himalayan peaks, round out the Darjeeling portion.

The drive to Gangtok passes through Kalimpong, a colonial-era town where you stop at the MacFarlane Memorial Church with its neo-Gothic architecture and stained glass, Dr. Graham's Homes, Durpin Monastery, and Deolo Park. The route covers roughly 130 kilometers over three hours. Once in Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, the second half of the tour spreads across two full days: Tsomgo Lake, a high-altitude alpine lake ringed by mountains; Baba Mandir, a shrine to a revered soldier; M G Road, the pedestrian mall lined with shops and cafes; Rumtek Monastery, a major Tibetan Buddhist site with ornate murals and golden stupas; Bakthang Waterfall; Tashi Viewpoint overlooking snow-capped peaks; Ganesh Tok, a hilltop temple; Enchey Monastery with its prayer flags and frescoes; and the Directorate of Handicraft and Handloom, where artisans display textiles and woven goods. The final morning is the return drive to Bagdogra airport, roughly 125 kilometers.

A private AC car or van carries you throughout, with the same English-speaking guide leading the sightseeing days in each city. Bottled water is provided in the vehicle. Monument entry fees, guide services, and all transport between sites are included. You choose your hotel category at checkout — 3-star, 4-star, or 5-star — or book the tour without accommodation. Airport pickup on arrival is part of the package. The itinerary runs six days and five nights.

What’s included

• Private AC transport for airport pickup, all sightseeing and excursions as listed.
• English-speaking guide for sightseeing days in each city.
• five nights' accommodation in your selected hotel category (3-star, 4-star, or 5-star, or tour price without hotels).
• monument entry fees and activity charges for Tiger Hill, Ghoom Monastery, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center, the Natural History Museum, the Japanese Peace Pagoda, and all Gangtok sites including Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir, Rumtek Monastery, Bakthang Waterfall, Tashi Viewpoint, Ganesh Tok, Enchey Monastery and the Directorate of Handicraft and Handloom.
• bottled drinking water in the car.
• government taxes.
• airport assistance on arrival.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Agora Voyages Pvt. Ltd.

Is this one for you?Choose the private tour format if you want the flexibility of a dedicated guide and driver who can adjust the pace at each stop — the itinerary is fixed, but the time spent at monasteries, viewpoints and tea estates stays in your hands. If you prefer to travel without accommodation, the tour-only option lets you book your own hotels or stay with family in the region.

Top questions

What time does the Darjeeling portion start each day?

The first morning begins before dawn for the Tiger Hill sunrise, which is the earliest start. Other days follow a standard sightseeing schedule after breakfast at your hotel, though exact times depend on your hotel's location and sunrise timing on the day you visit.

Is the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway ride included in the tour price?

Yes, the Toy Train ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is included. Monument entrances and activity charges mentioned in the itinerary are covered; you do not pay separately at the gate.

What is Tsomgo Lake like when you arrive?

Tsomgo Lake is a high-altitude alpine lake surrounded by towering mountains and forests. The water is clear enough to reflect the sky, and the setting is quiet and remote — a full contrast to the towns and monasteries elsewhere on the tour.

Do I need to arrange my own transport from Bagdogra airport?

No. Airport pickup on arrival is included in the tour price. A member of the team will meet you at Bagdogra and transfer you to your hotel in Darjeeling. The return transfer to the airport on the final day is also included.

Can I visit Rumtek Monastery and Enchey Monastery on the same day?

Both monasteries are in Gangtok and appear in the itinerary on the same day, along with Bakthang Waterfall, Tashi Viewpoint, Ganesh Tok, and the Directorate of Handicraft and Handloom. The guide and driver manage the route and timing so all stops fit into the day.

Are there camera or photography fees at the monasteries and temples?

Some monuments may charge a camera fee; this is not included in the tour price and would be paid on-site if applicable. The guide will let you know which sites have such charges when you arrive.