seeking Darjeeling info and advice

cat27

Hello all,

I am travelling to kolkata in December with my partner and then heading to Bagdogra where we will meet my parents and sister before heading to Darjeeling and Sikkim. As we have a limited time frame before flying to delhi and then training through Rajasthan I would love recommendations on the following itinerary especially darjeeling-Sikkim. We are low to med-budget travellers, i.e parents can afford to fly, etc but we will be training and taking cheaper options.

20th December-Arrive in kolkatta about lunchtime.(This is the only booked flight-other dates can change slightly)

21st Dec-Explore Kolkatta before taking overnight train to Bagdogra.

22nd Dec-Meet others and take Share Jeep from Bagdogra to Darjeeling, stay overnight.

23rd Dec-check out Darjeeling, get afternoon share jeep to pelling.

24th-26th-Explore pelling, maybe daytrip to yuksom

27th-travel back to Bagdogra

28th-fly to delhi.

30th dec-6th Jan-Train from Delhi through Rajasthan to Ahmdebad.

My main concerns are the limited time frame and travel times.
My sister who is in india recommended Sikkim as the less touristy option but parents would like a night in Darjeeling. I am keen to explore pelling and yuksom and stay away from the Gangtok as we are more interested in finding a relaxed spot. We want to see the beautfiul scenery, meet the people, go to markets, eat( im a chef and love trying new food), visit the lakes, national parks and maybe do a half day or less trek. I have noticed most itineraries go darjeeling-gangtok-pelling, is there a reason for this in terms of the roads or just the way most people go? So yeah any info would be great especially the travel times between these places as I have found distances but know roads may be windy or difficult and take a lot longer than expected.

Thanks a lot for any advice you can give.

millionswords

hi Cat27,

You would head to the NJP rail junction from Kolkatta and not to Bagdogra by rail if it be.

Then from NJP to Darj via Jeep.

[though your post is 2 months old, I thought this msg helps others]

MS

somnath

Hi,
Sorry I didn’t get any notification for this post (or I missed that?) !!!! Anyways, Priyank, any sort listed operator?

Cat27, welcome to Kolkata. You should have some more time to enjoy the places like Darjeeling / Pelling but you have really less time. As millionwods rightly explains the railway station is NJP (New Jalpaiguri).

Darjeeling to Pelling : yes you can go to Pelling – no need to do it via Gangtok. There are shared jeep service from Darjeeling but I am not sure why you preferred afternoon share jeep !

Most itineraries go Darjeeling – gangtok - pelling because more frequent jeep service. Darjeeling to Pelling shared jeep is not that frequent (if I am not wrong I’ve seen early morning service only; from chowrasta jeep stand). Pelling is a beautiful place and Yuksam needs a complete day. So I don’t think you’ll be able to cover entire sightseeing of Pelling as well as Yuksam on a single day.

What I can find you are going for just overnight stay at Darjeeling. It would be better (you’ve made your points clear… still, if you can).

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maheshbangali

Hello Somnath,

I have read your posts and must say you have tremendous knowledge about this region. I wanted to have your opinion on the itinery I plan to do for the month of Jan 10.
1)Is January a good time to visit Darjeeling, Gangtok? I plan to come with my kids aged (7 and 3)

My proposed itinery
1) NJP-Kurseong (1Night)
2)Kurseong to Darjeeling (3nights)Can you suggest some hotels in the 1-1.5k range?
3)If feasible stay at Gangtok for 3 nights. Not sure if I can do Gangtok because of sever cold, i Hvae read that it is -4 in January which I dont think the kids can withstand.
If not Gangtok then any other place I can cover?

I have done my Kolkata flight bookings and need to do the further train bookings. Can you advice please?

Thanks in advance.
Regards
mahesh