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Thanks Raj for the update. Thanks a lot once again for such an unbiased informative detailed website. I have also referred your website in my facebook and twitter. Just want to take your opinion on the itinerary that I have prepared after reading through your site.
Day 1 - Reach NJP at 8AM. Take a cab to Mirik. En-route visit Tingling View Point. Check in to Hotel Jagjeet. Afternoon visit the Lake, Bokar Monestry and Kawley Dara and Rameetay Dara. Evening visit the market.
Day 2 - Early morning visit Devi Stan. Start from Mirik at 11AM for Darjeeling. En-route visit Thurbo Tea Estate, Pashupati Market, Simana, Jorpokhri( have lunch) , Lepchajagat, Ghoom Rock, Ghoom Monestry. Check in to Shangri-La Hotel. Evening at mall.
Day 3 - Half Day Mixed Point Tour covering Japanese Temple, Natural History Museum, Ava Art Gallery, Himalayan Zoo, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Tea Garden, Tibetan Refugee Centre, Tenzing Rock. Evening at leisure.
Day 4 - Full Day Trip to Takdah. Since this Thursday we should be able to visit the hut. Visit Rungli Rungliot,Gielle Bhanjyang Bazaar, Durpin View Point, Orchid Gallery. Then proceed to Tinchuley View Point. From there back to Lamahatta Village. Have lunch. Proceed to Peshoke Tea Garden View Point to view Tribeni. On way back visit Rock Garden, Ganga Maya.
Day 5 - Morning go around Darjeeling. Afternoon Toy Train Ride to Ghum at 13.20pm. Evening shopping.
Day 6 - Morning at leisure. Start from Darjeeling early for return trip. Enroute visit Kurseong- ( Eagle Craig View point, Dow Hill and Giddapahar View Point). Reach NJP to board return train.
I have kept Tiger Hill out of my itinerary as we will not be able to wake up so early with my daughter instead will view the sunrise from the Mall Road view as you have suggested. Kindly let me know if any changes should be done to this itinerary as I will be traveling with my 3 year old daughter. I would like to avoid all points which requires a lot of uphill walk. Also want to know if I should visit Manebhanjang while coming from Mirik to Darjeeling as I am not clear whether there is any attraction there. Thanks -
Anindya Lahiri (February 2015)
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On day2, drop Pashupati market - 1km walk, mostly low quality stuffs, Chinese makes and fakes. Carry packed lunch from Hotel Jagjeet. At Jorpokhri the only place for lunch is at the new GTA Lodge where they mostly make the meals against orders from in-house guests. You may not always get food there when you land up. There is nothing much to see in Manebhanjan other than the old Land Rovers left by the British (some 40 of them still exist). These Land Rovers are used to transport tourists to places like Sandakphu and Phalut, and also for making trips to Singalila National Park.
On day3, try to include the Ropeway (cable car).
On day4, drop Rock Garden and Ganga Maya - you can't do that much on a day. Rest of your itinerary is fine.
P.S: Both hotel Jagjeet and Shangrila offer attractive discounts on Darjeeling Tourism Card
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com), February 2015
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My family (2 Adults, 1 Child 14 yrs) is traveling to Darjeeling-Sikim from 20-Mar-2015 to 27-Mar-2015. I have 2 days in Darjeeling, reaching bagdogra at 2:15 pm on 20th and leaving darjeeling for gangtok on 22 March.
I wish to cover maximum sightseeing in these 2 days. So I need your suggestion of which would be better:
1) Day 1 - Bagdogra - Mirik (stay at Jagjeet, Mirik)
2) Day 2 - Start at 9:00am and finish Mirik sight seeing, Nepal border and Pasupati Market and reach Darjeeling by around 1:30pm. After lunch finish Darjeeling local sightseeing from 2:30 pm to 5:30pm and stay overnight at Darjeeling.
3) Day 3 Early morning visit Tiger hill and related sight seeing and then leave for Gangtok after breakfast at around 9:30 am.
Option 2:
Day 1 - Bagdogra to Darjeeling.
Day 2 - Early morning goto Tiger Hill. Then after breakfast full day trip to Mirik Lake, Nepal border and Pasupati Market.
Day 3 - Darjeeling local sight seeing in morning from 9:30 am to 1::30pm and leave for Gangtok after lunch.
Your suggestion would help.
Shailesh Patel (February 2015)
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Your plan-1 is better with slight changes. On day-2 at Mirik, start by 8am, visit the lake and the monastery, and then head for Darjeeling via Simana etc. You can drop Pashupati market (nothing much there) and instead cover Jorpokhri (a beautiful place with a lake and lots of swans) along the way with only 2kms diversion. On reaching Darjeeling, relax and visit the Mall and stroll along the Mall road (make a full circle) and view Kanchenjunga from the Mall road view points. On day-3 visit Tiger hill, Batasia loop etc early in the morning, come back to hotel, freshen up and start the half day 7-point local sightseeing tour by 9:30am. Later in the afternoon, proceed for Gangtok.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com), February 2015
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Hello Raj uncle,
Going through your suggestions my mother and I have planned a 4 days trip to Darjeeling from 31st March to 3rd April 2015.
31st March: reaching NJP at 8 am. then reaching Darjeeling via Mirik.(hotel booked ) Rest of the day roaming about in the Mall area and visiting the Mahakal Temple.
01st April: 3 point tour in the morning and toy train ride (booked) at 13:20 hours.
02nd April: Mixed point tour.
03rd April: check out from hotel. Back to NJP.
Please suggest how to include Jorpokhri in my tour and other alterations that will be better. Also if GTA 's call for bandh on 2nd April is on, how to avail the mixed point tour on 3rd April. We will be boarding the Darjeeling Mail at 8:00 pm. I will be highly grateful if you give your valuable suggestions. Thanking you in advance.
Satarupa Roy (March 2015)
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Hello,
You have made a nice itinerary. You can cover Jorpokhri easily on your way to Darjeeling Via Mirik. From Mirik when you come to a place called Sukhia, you will need to take a detour of only 2kms (uphill 10 minutes) to reach Jorpokhri. If the strike takes place on 2nd April, you can take the mixed point tour on 3rd. Start by 8am. Keep a watch on time. It's up to you how much time you spend at each place. If the hotel doesn't allow late check out, you can check out before you start the tour and ask the front desk staff to keep your luggage. So go with a plan. Get back by 2pm, take your lunch and start for NJP by 3pm. Good luck!
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) March 2015
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Hi Raj. Your page was very helpful and got a lot of information about the place. I am planning to visit Darjeeling-Sandakphu from 29th April-3rd May. I have planned my stay as follows:
29th april - reach NJP at around 9 in the morning and go to Darjeeling from there. Do some local site seeing in the evening.
30th april - Tiger hill sunrise early morning then toy train joyride by the 10.40 train then visit zoological park and other places in Darjeeling.
1st May - Leave for Manebhanjan in the morning and move to Sandakphu from there. Night stay at Sandakphu.
2nd May - Go to Phalut and return on the same day and stay at Sandakphu.
3rd May - Leave early morning from Sandakphu and reach NJP by 5 in the evening. My train is scheduled at 5.30 in the evening.
Is it a feasible itenerary? Or can I skip Phalut if it is too jam packed. Please suggst some changes if possible. And one more thing,as I am alone can I get a shared jeep/land rover from Manebhanjan to Sandakphu and vice versa so that it is in budget or do I have to hire a full jeep by myself? Thanks for your help :)
Saurabh Singh (April 2015)
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Hi, Good plan... go ahead. Shared jeeps from Manebhanjan are occasional. Once you reach Manebhanjab, check at the Jeep stand for the timings. You won't get one for your return early in the morning. Visiting Phalut may also be a problem if you don't have a vehicle of your own. Better to reserve one.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) April 2015
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Hi,
We are planning to visit Kalimpong and Darjeeling in May 2015. My itinerary is :
1st day - reach Kalimpong in afternoon half day sight seeing
2nd day - day trip to Lava, Lolegaon, Rishyap
3rd day - transfer to Darjeeling
4th day - sightseeing in Darjeeling
5th day -move to Bagdogra via Mirik
Can you please suggest if a day trip to Lava Lolegaon and Rishyap is possible? I have a 10 yrs old daughter - would she be able to trek the route from lava to Rishyap?
Sulagna Das (April 2015)
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Hi, drop Rishyap... not a good idea to cover on the same day as Lava and Loleygaon. More over you require a Jeep type vehicle for Rishyap (the road is extremely bad). You won't have time for treks.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) April 2015
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Dear Shri Raj,
We are a family of 3 me,my friend and his wife and all are Sr.Citizen within age group 79,75 and 72 respectively.We generally travel together on our own arrangement and do not undertake any tour under any tour operators.In fact,my friend prepares all the itineraries and ask me for my opinion which is I generally confirm.This time tour fixtures have also been done by him.Suddenly,per chance Your article about visiting Sandakfu attracted my attention and went to it thoroughly and discussed with my friend to visit Sandakfu and if possible to Fhalut at the expense of visiting lolegaon.rishop etc.Our 1st destination is Mirik, then Darjeeling,Kurseong.
Now please guide me wherefrom to start our journey from the above 3 places though your suggestion is to start the journey from Manehanjan as found in your article.We start from Kolkata on 26th April,2015 and intend to reach Mirik on the afternoon of 27th April and stay for the night Come back Darjeeling and stay for 28 and 29th April and from there to Kurseongl for one night snd so on to other places as per fixed itineraries.We are to return to NJP by the evening time on 5th of May to board the train at about 9.00 PM to reach Kolkata on 6th May,morning hrs.
Rough estimate about the jeep fare,hotel charge at Sandakfu and Falut from your end shall be of immense help to us.We stay for one night at sandakfu and if you advise us to visit Falut,then we my do it or abandon it if you find it not so urgent.Expecting reply from you before we start on 26th April,2015 to Mirik first.
With Thanks,
Yours sincerely,
Nalini Ranjan Ghosh (April 2015)
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Good day,
You should visit Sandakphu from Mirik. From Mirik, the Route is via Sukhia to Manebhanjan. Otherwise once you reach Darjeeling, you will need to come back all the way to Sukhia. I hope you are aware of the bone rattling journey all the way from Manebhanjan to Sandakphu and then to Phalut. It's a gravel road and full of boulders. You will need a jeep or a Landrover from Manebhanjan. If you get good clear sky at Sandakphu and views of the peaks, you can skip Phalut. I have mentioned indicative transport and other rates in my article. Accommodations are mostly modest lodges and will be within Rs. 600-700 per double room.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) April 2015
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We, a family of four with two senior citizens have planned to visit kalimpong and darjeeling (from 30th may to 4th June).we have already booked the hotels at kalimpong, lava and darjeeling. We wish to spend more time in kalimpong, lava, lolegaon etc than darjeeling. though we have booked tickets for toy train's joy ride on 3rd june, 1.20pm's trip. Please suggest us your valuable comments. This is our itinerary:
29th may- boarding in teesta torsha exp.
30th may- arriving in NJP around 3am.after refreshment will start our journey towards kalimpong via mongpoo at 7a.m. covering half of the kalimpong's sight seeing (morgan house, pine view nursary etc.) and also visit famous haat bazar. Stay at kalimpong.
31st may- covering another half day sight seeing of kalimpong (dealo etc.) and visit lolegaon. Stay at kalimpong.
1st june- leave kalimpong and go to lava via algarah, rishyop, pedong etc (suggestion needed). stay at lava.
2nd june- visit neora valley jungle by jeep.(don't know jeeps are allowed or not) and cover lava's sight seeing ( chhangee falls etc). Return to kalimpong and halt.
3rd june - start the journey towards darjeeling via teesta bazar, takdah. board at hotel at mall road and go to darjeeling stn for joy ride. Can we cover any spot after joyride?
4th june- leave the hotel and start the journey to njp (train podatik exp. at 9pm) via chatakpur, karsheang and mirik. (is it possible comfortably ? suggestion needed).
M Sen (May 2015)
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Your itinerary has some flaws. It doesn't make sense to go to Loleygaon from Kalimpong in the second half and return. You won't be able to see anything. You should stay overnight at Loleygaon and proceed to Lava next morning. Also cut off Rishyop and Pedong from the plans, time is too short. Before visiting Neora Valley, take forest entry permit from Lava.
After the toy train ride, you can visit Ava Art Gallery or Japanese Temple/Peace Pagoda or Bengal Natural History Museum etc. Cut out Chatakpur, bad roads.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) May 2015
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Hi Raj
have gone through your forum. It is indeed very helpful. I have a problem with my itinerary. Need your help please. I am travelling to Darjeeling Kalimpong and Takda with my 75 year dad who is a cancer patient and whose wish is to see Kanchenjhanga for the 6th time from darjeeling.I intend to travel sometimes in end of june or early July. Would the rains be much of a hindrance?
I have planned 4 days in Darjeeling Mirik included. 2 days in Kalimpong with a day trip to Lava Lolegaon and 2 days at the Saino homestay in Takda. Is this itinerary ok? Thanks
Ranjini Mitra (June 2015)
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Hi, the itinerary is quite okay. However with a 75-year old senior, you may reconsider the day trip to Lava Loleygaon, unless of course he is physically fit enough to take the stress of the day-long journey. If you decide to go ahead, ask the driver to take the main road via Algara to cover both Lava and Loleygaon, and not take any shortcuts via Melli or otherwise. You may have to pay a bit more, but you can avoid bad roads. At Saino, ask the staff beforehand to help your father climb the steep steps. You must take the car right up to the base of the stairway, local taxis may not always agree to drive up the short steep gravel road from the market area. Don't set high expectations of being able to view Kanchenjunga. June-end/July is monsoon time and other than rains, the sky remains mostly cloudy and snow peaks barely visible.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) June 2015
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Dear Sir,
Thank you for this great forum which is very helpful and informative in nature. We are a group of four, including two children. Our tour programme is given below:
20.12.15 Bagdogra to Takdah
21.12.15. Takdah/ Tinchule/ Lamahatta sight seeing tour and night halt at Takdah.
22.12.15 Takdah to Kurseong( local sight seeing and night halt)
23.12.15. Kurseong to Kalimpong( local sight seeing) Evening reaching Darjeeling.
24.12.15 to 26.12.15 Darjeeling.
26th evening train from NJP.
We are planning to stay at Saino inn, Singell home stay and Hidhlander's Inn. Kindly suggest if this plan is all right or needs to be modified? Looking forward for your valuable comments, With Regards,
Pritam Banerjee (June 2015)
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You should plan to visit Kalimpong from Takdah instead of Kurseong in order to optimize your journey time. For that you need one more day in Takdah. Rest is okay.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) June 2015
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Raj,
We (2 couples) are planning to visit Darjeeling from 2-5 October,2015. We would really really appreciate if you could give your feedback for the itinerary.
2-Oct - reach Darjeeling by 6-- check-in to hotel n free to explore Mall and Chowrasta etc
3-Oct - go to tiger hills to see sunrise and trek back. Rest in hotel and 7-point afternoon half day trip
4-Oct - toy train joyride in the morning. Check out and move to Tinchuley/Takdah and enjoy stay at tea estate
5 Oct - flight from baghdoghra at 5.. So checkout by 2 from tea estate and return to Delhi.
Is there anything else we can do or should do instead of the 7-point tour, as we are young couples in late 20s... Is it worthwhile to visit kalimpong and make only half way toy train journey till Ghum? Only 8 joyride seats available for 4/10/2015. Totally depending on your feedback for the trip.. Thank you so much,
Anika Bhurji (September 2015)
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Not sure if you would have energy after 13kms trek from Tiger Hill to do 7-point. Instead get back by car, and do paragliding - walk down to the GTA tourism office on Mall road (Silver Fir building) to check availability of paragliding. You don't have time for Kalimpong. Instead go one way by toy train up to Ghum and take a car to visit Lamahatta (nice place with landscaped garden with lovely views ... little over 1 hour from Ghum) and proceed to Tinchuley/Takdah from there (Tinchuley would be about 30 mins via Peshoke tea estate).
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) September 2015
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Dear Mr. Raj, I have gone through your superbly informative sites on Darjeeling and nearby places. We, 2 families (4 A + 2 kids <5y) are planning to visit this area in Mid April. After going through your site what I have found that Tinchuley, Chota Mangwa, Takdah and Lamahata are very much nearby and can be covered hopefully in 2 days time. Then, Lepchajagat, Jore Pokhari and Mirik are on the same road towards NJP while coming back. We have 4 N & 5 D (NJP to NJP) in hand, i.e. after reaching NJP @ 10am. and to getting return train from NJP @ 7 pm. I have chalked a plan based on your information - will you pls. give your valuable advices on it??
D1 - Reaching NJP by 10am. (Padatik Exp.) and start for Lepcha Jagat directly by a car via Mirik and Jore Pokhari en-route. Reaching LJ by evening and Night Stay @ Lepcha jagat
D2 - Next morning after B/f start for Tinchule. Visiting Ghoom, Lamahata en-route and to reach at Tinchule by afternoon. Roaming around till evening.
D3 - Start early after b/f for local tour of Tinchule, Takdah, Chota & Bara Mangwa during the day. Night stay @ Tinchule.
D4 - Can we do Darjeeling full day tour if start early?? If yes, then Night Stay @ Darjeeling. If not Start for Pedong in early morning. Reach Pedong by noon and roaming around in Pedong. Night Stay @ Pedong. Where to stay in Pedong? Is Pedong worthy for staying?
D5 - To catch Saraighat Exp. @ 7.30pm. when should we start from Pedong? Can we visit any other spot en-route to NJP from Pedong?
Now, my questions are -
- what may be the car hire charges for the entire tour? Do we really need to book a car exclusively? If not, then how can we book it in economic way? I found the car expenses is the biggest part of any tour-expenses, so I want to maintain it in a moderate way.
- I have not found any info about Pedong, but heard that name. So, what is your suggestion - should we visit it or any other place (like Darjeeling)? There will be 2 kids under 5 with us and we are not trekkers-type.
- I have never visit Darjeeling, but heard from friends that nowadays it is very nasty, crowded and lost all its charm. They advised me to visit some other offbeat places. Since, We have D4 & D5 in our hand, can we cover Darjeeling peacefully? I know, we can't cover it fully - but atleast the main attractions?
- Is our plan correctly made or need any modification? Should We book hotels / home-stays in advance or find on the spots in all the places?
Oli Dutta (January 2016)
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You will find info about Pedong here (suggest you skip it). On day4 you can do a Darjeeling or Kalimpong full day tour. On day5, visit Mongpu on your way back to NJP. You will need a private taxi for all your travels (take them point to point). While shared jeeps are available between several locations, I won't recommend that with kids, plus you can't optimize time. In high season, you won't get any decent accommodation unless you book months in advance.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) January 2016
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Dear Mr Raj , I plan to visit Darjeeling from 20th Feb to 23rd feb with my wife & 2 kids 12 n 4 yrs old. I will be landing to Bagdogra on 20th Feb 11.30 am, from there I plan to come to Darjeeling while seeing/ halting at Mirik / tea estate. I need to reach New jalpaigurhi on 23rd night for travelling to Calcutta. I wish a stay where children would enjoy and if possible a visit/stay at tea garden. Can you help me to guide if there any good hotels/ tea estates on route from Bagdogra to Darjeeling ? whether we should directly go to Darjeeling or stay at mirik/ tea estate? toy train ride better in morning or afternoon, so that I can book it prior.thanks for your time.
Anup Vijay Shah (February 2016)
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Your time is short, so no need to stay at Mirik or Tea Estate. When you take the Mirik route via Bagdogra, you will see enough tea gardens along the way. Stop at Timling View point (few kms before Mirik) to get best views of tea gardens. But if you want to stay overnight at Mirik to enjoy the lake and do some boating + pony rides for your kids, then stay at Hotel Jagjit (you can use your Darjeeling Tourism Card in this hotel to get discounts). Take a morning toy train joyride for better views.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) February 2016
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Dear Raj, First of all I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for creating and maintaining such a useful and wonderful site. Me and my family(8 members-adults) are planning to visit Darjeeling end of September this year. I have made a draft itinerary for this trip and would like to have your valuable feedback on this:-
Day-1 Will get off at NJP at 8.00/9.15 AM
• Take cab from NJP for Darjeeling (3.5hrs)
• Reach hotel and have lunch
• After lunch leave for Rock Garden and Ganga Maiya Park (30-40 mins), etc.
• Chowrasta Mall exploration
• Tea at Nathmull’s Sunset lounge
• Shopping
• Dinner
Day- 2 Wake up early go for Tiger Hill (4.00am-5.20am)
• Visit Ghoom Monastery (6am)
• Batasia Loop
• Lloyds Botanical Garden
• Back to Hotel freshen up
• Leave for Ropeway ride(say 9.30 am)
• Visit the Zoo (closes 4.30pm)
• HMI
• Tenzing & Gombu Rock
• After lunch visit Happy Valley Tea Estate closes 4.00 pm (1.30pm-2.30pm)
• Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center
• Visit the observatory hill @ Mall
• Rest in mall.
• Shopping
• Dinner
Day-3 After Breakfast leave for
• Takdah(28kms-1.30hrs) (Orchid Centre & Rungli Rungliot Tea Gardens-2 kms from takdah)
• Tinchuley -Orange Orchards of Nirmal's, Tinchuley View Point, Peshoke Garden View Point
• Lamahatta (1hr from Tinchuley)
• Lunch at Lamahatta
• Mongpu (Museum of Rabindranath Thakur and Cinchona plantation)
• Back to Darjeeling
• Dinner
Day -4 After Breakfast
• Take toy train from Darjeeling Station @ 10.40 am
• Dhirdham temple
• Peace Pagoda
• Japanese temple
• Lal Kuthi
• Lunch
• Shruberry Nightingale Park
• Evening at Mall
• Shopping
• Dinner
Day -5 Leave for NJP via Lepchajagat, Jorpokhri, Simana and Mirik (Sumendu Lake, Rai Dhap, Deosi Dara, Monastry, Devi Sthan)
• Have lunch at Jagjeet, Mirik
• Leave for NJP at around 3 pm (55kms-1 hr 20mins)
• Board Darjeeling Mail
Kindly point out if there is any flaw in my itinerary or if you could suggest any changes. I plan to hire a private car / taxi during the stay.
Thanks in advance!
Poullomi Datta (April 2016)
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Great itinerary. On day2, your plans would depend on time it takes in ropeway. There is usually long queues. On day4, combining Mongpu would be hectic, but possible. On your last day start early if you want to cover all that you mentioned, particularly in Mirik.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) April 2016
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Hi Raj, this is Ravi from andhra pradesh. its very nice that I could get very valuable information from ur site. Very much thankful to you. I wil b visiting along with my wife n 2 year kid. We wil be reaching njp in early hours of 12 may by garibrath exp. I have made some plan to cover Darjeeling n kalimpong.
12 may - njp to Darjeeling. Check into hotel. Local tour of Darjeeling after brkfast. Night stay. 13 may - 3 point tour in early hours. Return to hotel for brkfast. After that, toy train upto ghum and travel to kalimpong by taxi. Night stay at kalimpong.
14 may - local tour of east and west kalimpong and night stay at hotel.
15 may - kalimpong to njp via mirik...depart to guwahati at 2145h by guwahati exp.
I want you to suggest whether said itinerary is good or not.. otherwise make some suggestions so that we don't strain. I also request you to see whether any chance of visiting Lachung in this.
M Ravichandra (May 2016)
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Hi, nice itinerary. No change required. Lachung is not possible as it requires two days (with overnight stay) from Gangtok.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) May 2016
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Hi Raj -- its a lovely,vivid representation of the hills reading thru' your blog. We a 16 member (including kids aged 3 yrs & 6 yrs)will be visiting Darj (Reaching NJP on 12th Aug around 9:30 am and wayward journey from NJP around 9pm on 14th Aug). Please guide us the best and least time consuming way of reaching Hills from NJP and way back considering the following points:
1) Rainy Season so roads/ routes to avoid
2) Kids travelling --less winding/turning preferable
3) Other tourist spots like Mirik/ Lamahata etc if can be covered both in our up & down journey as a stopover for Lunch also. Would be of great help in making our trip of huge success.
# Note: Suggestion on taking 'Toy Train - Joyride' -- Is it worth taking the trip, considering we have less time.
Suchandra Pal (June 2016)
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Hi, reach Darjeeling via Mirik (stop at Mirik lake for a while, weather permitting). On 14th you can make a half day trip to Lamahatta in the 1st half. Get down to NJP via Kurseong/Rohini. If you want, on 13th you may take the first 2-hour toy train joyride at 8am (that way you can save most of the day for leisure).
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) May 2016
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Hi Raj,
Your research work on Darjeeling has been my travellers' guide since the time I fell in love with this little hilltown that offers priceless peace and relaxation to my body and soul... Thank you, Sir, for all these...
This August(11th to 15th),I shall be visiting Darjeeling for the first time in monsoon and I have booked Hotel Broadway for my stay... Can you please throw some light on the places we can visit on foot? We have planned not to hire a taxi during our stay there and are planning to take a joyride and visit a few places of interest by the daytime, on foot,if possible... Will there any leech related risk during this time of the year? Should we carry woolens or any other specific gear,apart from an umbrella, to combat the conditions over there? Please help me with your valuable suggestions... Regards,
Sabyasachi Bose (July 2016)
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Hi, here are several places you can visit as you walk: The Mall (chowrasta), Mahakal Temple at Observatory Hill behind the Mall, Bengal Natural History Museum, HMI/zoo (a bit far but walking distance from the Mall), Japanese Temple & Peace Pagoda (again a bit far but walkable), Bhutia Busti Monastery (would be a tiring uphill walk on your return) etc. If you stick to the paved roads, there are usually no problems with leeches. Carry light woolens mainly for nighttime and early mornings.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) July 2016
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Hi,
We are planing a trip to Darjeeling and nearby places for 6 days duration 2-9 Sep,2016. We have planned a rough itinerary please provide your inputs
2 Sep-Board Darjeeling mail from Kolkata to NJP at 10 pm
3 Sep - NJP to Kalimpong , reach Kalimpong in afternoon half day sight seeing (night stay at Kalimpong)
4 Sep - day trip to Lava, Lolegaon (night stay at Kalimpong)
5 Sep - transfer to Darjeeling, mixed point sightseeing, dinner at Glenary's (night stay at Darjeeling)
6 Sep - 3 point sightseeing in Darjeeling, tiger hill, breakfast at Keventers, toy train ride, stroll in mall, observatory hill trip (night stay at Darjeeling)
7 Sep - take joy train to Kurseong/transfer to Kurseong sightseeing then transfer to Mirik (night stay at Mirik)
8 Sep - sightseeing in Mirik enroute Jore Pokhari transfer to NJP,board train to Kolkata at 8 pm
Please provide your valuable inputs. Specially if joytrain is available from Darjeeling to Kurseong, is it a good option. Thanks,
Amrita (August 2016)
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Your points 7 & 8 are doable but note that Mirik and Jorpkhri are not on the same route as Kurseong. You need to come to the plains at Sukna and take a different route up to Mirik and further up towards Darjeeling for Jorpokhri. You will waste a lot of time & money on traveling. Better take a 2-hours joy ride at Darjeeling. While returning to NJP, go down via Jorpohkri and then Mirik. Darjeeling Kurseong toy train is available and is otherwise a good option.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) August 2016
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9th Oct - Reach NJP and overnight stay at Siliguri
10th Oct - Drive to DRJLNG via Mirik/Jorpokhri. Rest a while at Drjlng, spend sometime at Mall, visit Mahakal temple and Tea at Sunset lounge
11th Oct - 3 point tour and toy train at 13:00. Tickets already booked
12th Oct - 7 points, Lamahatta. Drive to Kalimpong and nightstay
13th Oct - sightseeing at Kalimpong and go back to NJP to catch a bus to Kolkata.
What else can be done on 11th after toy train ride. I think it will be done maximum 4:00pm right?
Is Lamahatta possible after doing 7 points? Or will we be late to Kalimpong.
Looking forward to your opinion on the itinerary and any additional suggestions you may have
Oendrilla (September 2016)
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Hi, after 4pm nothing much can be planned in Darj. You should have taken an earlier toy train ride or the one at around 4pm. Plan some shopping. Lamahatta is on the way to Kalimpong, so certainly doable ... plan only some 45 minutes of leisure time in and around the roadside garden.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) September 2016
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Hi Raj, I made a tour plan from dhaka based on your excellent post. Can you please comment in it is possible to maintain this timing?
17 Feb, Friday: reach Kalimpong by noon. Half day tour. Stay in Kalimpong.
18 Feb, Saturday: Early morning start for Darjeeling (3hrs); Tour in Darjeeling. stay in Darjeeling.
19 Feb, Sunday: sunrise at tiger hill. Then start for Sandakphu (should be 6 hours). Stay at Sandakphu.
20 Feb, Monday: Got to Phalut. Local site seeing. Stay in Sandakphu.
21 Feb, Tuesday: Early morning start for shiliguri.
Thanks in advance :)
Debangshu Paul (January 2017)
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Hi, yes quite doable but in February, routes to Sandakphu and Phalut often remain closed due to snow and it will be biting cold out there. It's not a good time to plan for Sandakphu & Phalut around that time.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) January 2017
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Hi Sir,
I will arrive Darjeeling early afternoon for 3 days in march. So my plan is to take a toy train ride for two hrs after that observatory hill and mahakal temple and near by market for shopping.
Day 2 - 3-point tour covering Tiger Hill, Ghoom Monastery and Batasia Loop. Later the day Japanese Temple & Peace Pagoda, Dhirdham Temple, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and the Zoo, Darjeeling Ropeway, Happy Valley Tea Estate, Rock Garden & Gangamaya Park Tour
Day 3 - mirik visit
Please advise if the above can be a smooth one ?
Annusri (February 2017)
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Hi, toy train ride covers Batasia Loop, and the 3-point tour will again take you there. You may like to therefore fine tune this unless you like to visit Batasia again. On a 3-point tour however you get time to see the local Batasia market that sets up just outside the loop and try out some hot local snacks if you want. Rock Garden / Ganga Maya could easily take half a day. So your day-2 may not be doable (particularly when the ropeway takes a long time due to long queues). You ideally need one more day. Rest is fine.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) February 2017
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Dear Sir,
Thumbs up to your site which really helped me rather urged me to plan a trip to Darjeeling and Gangtok. I am planning to visit Darjeeling during first week of April. Its 3 of us. Myself, My husband and 4 yr old daughter.
My plan is :
Day 1: Will be arriving at Darjeeling around 7 PM. Havent planned anything for the day.
Day 2 - 3 point tour ( Tiger Hill, Batasia Loop and Ghoom) in the morning. And 7 point-tour covering ( HMI, Zoo, Ropeway, Tibetan REfugee Center, Rock Garden, Ganga Maya Park, Bengal Natural History Museum)
Day 3 - Toy train ride (have booked it for 7.40 AM) and Mirik Lake visit
Day 4- Check out from Darjeeling.
Is this plan fine/? or hectic? Kindly suggest.
Thanks in advance
Vishnupriya (March 2017)
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Your plan is good. Day-2 is little hectic but manageable. On day-3 get off the toy train at Ghum (instead of returning all the way) and ask the car to wait at Ghum station for your trip to Mirik, you can save a lot of unnecessary travel (Note... from Darjeeling one needs to pass through Ghum to get to Mirik). You can carry or take your breakfast on the way.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) February 2017
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Dear Raj, Very nice write up for the visitors. Thanks. I shall be taking a private taxi from Bagdogra Airport. My flight will reach at 1.10 PM. I expect to reach Darjeeling by 4 PM.
(1) Will it be advisable to visit some locations on that day ? If so, please name that nearest destination.
(2) The next day I have booked toy train tickets starting @10 AM. Is there any such package which helps me before 10 AM and after 1 PM.
Arjun (May 2017)
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Hi, go to Darjeeling via Mirik ... visit the lake at Mirik, further along the way 'Simana' view point on Indo-Nepal border, if possible take a 3km detour to Jorpokhri... another nice lake (time it so that it doesn't get dark before you reach Jorpokhri).
You can take a half-day 5-point or 7-point package tour after 1pm or alternatively visit Rock Garden/Ganga Maya park.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) May 2017
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Can the following tour be done ?
day 1 - darjeeling to kalimpong, kalimpong sightseeing, kalimpong to lava , nightsay at lava
day 2 lava- neora valley , kolakham village , changgey water fall, jamyong kontrull monastery, go to loleygaon - visit canopy walk , go to rishop night stay rishop
day 3 rishop - sightseeing, tiffindara sunsrise view point, rishop to siliguri/njp
I have one senior citizen with me along with 6 other persons
p.s I have made a 3 day Darjeeling tour based on your recommendations and since I found your website immensely helpful I am asking you whether this tour itinerary is practically possible or not. your little advice can help me immensely. thanks in advance. Big fan of your page, very detailed descriptions. keep up the good work
Purabi Das (May 2017)
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Day1 is okay ... start early and do selective sightseeing at Kalimpong. Day2 is not practical. For Rishyap you need to come back towards Lava again. In fact combining Loley Gaon with Neora Valley is not recommended. You need an extra day.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) May 2017
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Hi! Your blog is highly descriptive and am sure of great help to tourists! We (5 of us) checked into Crescent resort yesterday and will be doing a local sightseeing today. We have 2 more days to go.. we are interested in seeing Tinchuley, Pedong, Lepchajagat, Sandakphu and Makaibari tea estate. Could you suggest how to spread out these places in the next two days? Or some other place you want to suggest instead of the ones mentioned above. We checkout on the 1ST OF June. Thanks
Prof K Chaudhury (May 2017)
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Hi, places you mentioned are too scattered and in different directions. Sandakphu itself will take two full days (2D/1N) from Darjeeling. I suggest you make a day trip to Takdah and Tinchuley on one day, and full day trip to Kalimpong on another day (you can also quickly cover Pedong from Kaimpong, but then start the day early in the morning). On the way to Kalimpong, go via Lamahatta and stop there for a while (nice manicured roadside garden). Select your places in Kalimpong rather than trying to cover all (do east or west Kalimpong). You may go through the link Kalimpong Sightseeing to plan your visits in Kalimpong.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) May 2017
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Hi Raj, I am going to visit Darjeeling and Bara Mangwa. my tour plan is as follows.
Day 1: Reach NJP at 8 am and then proceed to Darjeeling. freshen up at dajeeling and then explore chowrasta mall etc. Night Stay at Darjeeling.
Day 2: start early for 3 Point tour. then after breakfast proceed to Bara Mangwa. Night Stay at bara mangwa.
Day 3: visit tinchuley, takdah, lamahatta, chota mangwa etc and back to Bara mangwa. Night stay at Bara mangwa.
Day 4: Proceed to NJP via MIRIK lake, Jorepokhri, simana etc.
Now kindly tell me is this plan good? is it possible from Bara Mangwa to reach NJP via Mirik?? kindly help me with your valuable suggestion..
Ujjwal Das (June 2017)
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Mirik is on a different route... you need to come all the way back up to Ghum and then proceed to Mirik (will take about 3.5 hours by car to reach Mirik from Bara Mangwa). Otherwise the plan is okay.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) June 2017
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Thumbs up to your site which really helped me rather urged me to plan a trip to Darjeeling. I am planning to visit Darjeeling during first week of March. Its 8 of us.
Day 1 :- Will be arriving at Darjeeling around 11 AM. And 7 point-tour covering ( HMI, Zoo, Ropeway, Tibetan Rffugee Center, Rock Garden, Ganga Maya Park, Bengal Natural History Museum)
Day 2 :- 3 point tour ( Tiger Hill, Batasia Loop and Ghoom) in the morning. Toy train ride
Day 3 :-Mirik visit and shift to NJP.
In this plan we can see mount Kanchendzonga? Is this plan fine? or hectic? Kindly suggest.
Amit Samanta (November 2017)
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The plan is good. Kanchenjunga snow peaks are usually clearly visible around that time.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) November 2017
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Dear Raj, I found your site is so helpful. We are 4 friends moving from Dhaka on 28th and hopeful to reach Darjeeling on 29th with a plan to be back to Dhaka on 2nd Jan.
My plan is :
Day 1: Will be arriving at Darjeeling around 5 PM. Have booked a hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2: 3 point tour ( Tiger Hill, Batasia Loop and Ghoom) in the morning. And 7 point-tour covering ( HMI, Zoo, Ropeway, Tibetan Refugee Center, Rock Garden, Ganga Maya Park, Bengal Natural History Museum), Tea Garden
Day 3: Toy train ride (have not booked yet) in the morning and Mirik Lake visit. overnight stay at Mirik.
Day 4- Will start for Kalimpong and will be back to Siliguri by 1 pm to catch the bus to Dhaka.
Is this plan fine & workable? Kindly suggest or help advise how to reschedule.
Thanks in advance.
Mithun (December 2017)
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Hello,
Day-4 plan is not quite workable. Mirik and Kalimpong are in different routes and quite far apart. You can instead start early, go to Kurseong, visit couple of attractions (see my page on Kurseong tourism), and start by 11am towards Siliguri.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) December 2017
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we will reach njp on 4th june at 21:45 pm. so i have planned to stay in njp at night and then on 5th june we can take private taxi to Darjeeling via mirik. then after visiting mirik we can got to pashupati market and other sight seeing on the way to darjeeling. Will this plan be correct or we first go to darjeeling from njp and then route to mirik. Kindly guide.
Rohit Chandra (March 2018)
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Yes, correct plan (to go next morning). But stay at Siliguri and not NJP for better hotel options.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) March 2018
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Hello Sir,
I am planning the trip like this -
Day 1: Reach Darjeeling from NJP and stay Night.
Day 2: Sightseeing and Toy train ride in Darjeeling and stay Night.
Day 3: Day trip to mirik and back to Darjeeling.
Day 4: Start for Kalimpong and Stay for that night.
Day 5: Start from Kalimpong, Reach Lava/Lolegaon and Back to NJP. We have train at 8 PM from there.
Please let me know your suggestion. Thanks.
Swarnendu Chakraborty (April 2018)
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Your itinerary is quite doable.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) April 2018
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Hi Raj,
I am planning to visit Darjeeling from 9th June to 13th June.
I am planning to travel 3 points + 7 points on 10th June.
On 11th June I am planning to take Toy train Joy ride
On 12th June planning for visit to Mirik.
Could you please suggest if we can visit a tea garden in any of this day visit?
I am traveling with my husband, 3 old people (in -laws + mother) and a kid.
Anindita (May 2018)
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Hi, as part of the 7-point tour, they usually take you to Happy Valley Tea Gardens. Otherwise you can visit the garden and the factory on 11th June in the 2nd half (assuming you take the joyride in the 1st half).
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) May 2018
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Dear Mr. Bhattacharya
First of all let me thank you for providing such elaborate information through the site. This is an one stop solution. I am planning a trip to Darjeeling this Durga puja with my family. My family includes my father, mother (both above 60 years old), my wife and my 6 years old child.
I have chalked down the itinerary as stated below. I need your suggestions on it.
Day 1: Reaching Darjeeling.
Day 2: First we would go for the 3-point (Tiger Hill, Ghoom Monastery & Batasia Loop) tour early in the morning and then get back to hotel. Later, after breakfast, we would start a mix-point sightseeing tour of Darjeeling, including Japanese Temple, Peace Pagoda, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling Zoo, Bengal Natural History Museum, Darjeeling Ropeway, Tenzing & Gombu Rock, Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center, Rangeet Valley Tea Garden, Happy Valley Tea Estate.
Day 3: This day, we would like to transfer to either Tinchuley or, Takdah for an overnight stay.
Day 4: Check out and transfer to NJP.
Please advice on the below mentioned.
(i) Should I increase a day in Darjeeling for sightseeing?
(ii) I am confused with the Day 3. My preferance is with Tinchuley.
(iii) Would I be able to reach NJP from Tinchuley?
Thanking you.
Joyjeet Chakraborty (June 2018)
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Yes, you should increase a day in Darjeeling... it can get hectic for the seniors... practically you have no time to enjoy and walk around the Mall area, eat out or do some shopping. You can choose either of Tinchuley or Takdah... From Tinchuley you can also make a half-day trip to Lamahatta through Peshoke tea gardens. From Tinchuley or Takdah you can reach NJP via Teesta bazaar / Kalijhora ... this is a regular alternative route.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) June 2018
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I am 68 years old and planned a tour of the above places with my wife(61 years), daughter and son from 17.11.18 to 23.11.18. I want to go to kalimpong by bus or by shared taxi. Which will be better for me? Due to fund problem I am not in a position to hire private car.
How I shall start my tour-- RISHYAP, LOLEGAON, PEDONG, KALIMPONG OR VICE VERSA-- WHICH YOU ADVISE. I am reaching NJP on 17.11.18 by padatik express and going back to sealdah on 23.11.18 by Darjeeling Mail. Please help me and oblige. With regards,
Mrityunjoy Chakraborty (August 2018)
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Hello, you can not visit all of these places using shared taxis or buses. A practical plan should include Lava as well if you want to maximise on shared taxis... the route can be ... NJP, Kalimpong, Loleygaon, Lava, Rishyap, Pedong, Kalimpong, NJP... but your time is too short for this. There are no shared taxis to Rishyap. It's closest from Lava (11kms, you need to take a jeep type vehicle... it's a boulder road and can be very bumpy for your age). I suggest you re-plan your itinerary and preferably exclude Rishyap if you can not afford private vehicle (and then you need not include Lava either).
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) August 2018
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First of all a big thanks to you for maintaining such a website with a lot of information. At present, I am facing a problem on tour plan.
I have a Darjeeling tour plan from 21st to 24th October 2018. I will reach on 21st October 2018 at morning (around 10 am -11 am). on the same day, I would like to visit the observatory hill and mahakal mandir and would like to spend time in the market area. On 22nd, I wish to visit the following places, 3-point tour in the morning and mixed point tour in daytime including the rock garden, gangamaya park, and the ropeway.
On day 3, my plan is to visit Kalimpong with sightseeing and back to Darjeeling. On 24th, I would like to leave Darjeeling with a great memory for NJP via Mirik.
I humbly request you to suggest me about my tour plan. is my plan good? I am really confused about my tour plan, particularly in a single day 3-point tour, mixed point tour with rock garden, gangmaya park, and ropeway.
Nabin Sen (September 2018)
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Hello, your tour plan is quite good. 22nd October can be hectic with full day tours from early morning, but doable. Note that as of now the ropeway is not operational... the lease contract of the company running the cable cars has not yet been renewed.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) September 2018
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