Travel time + route: Pelling to Bagdogra

KARMA KORMA

Hi all,

I'm hoping someone here might be able to tell me how long it would take to get from Pelling to Bagdogra? Also how I would do this? Can I go direct or would I have to go through Darjeeling?

I'm thinking that if I had to go through Darjeeling then I'd go there the day before the flight to make the journey easier. Might that be a more efficient use of time?

Thanks

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jiten shah

[QUOTE=KARMA KORMA;747015]Hi all,
Bagdogra to pelling is about 135 kms and it will take about 5 hrs The journey is really breathtaking. You get the texi from the airport and they charge about Rs. 2000 to 2400 per taxi depending on season. We stayed at Tashigang resort which is about 8 kms from Pelling in Gayzling near Yangtey.
We also saw Narbugang resort at Pelling, but as far as location is concerned tashigang has the best location. This hotel is on top having all the sides open and you get an excellent view of the snow mountains. One of the best property but under rated, very open from all the sides. Nice rooms. All rooms have a great view. The situation of the hotel is so nice that you feel like staying there for the full day without going for sight seeing.

The road from pelling to darjeeling is too narrow and during rains there are chances of land slides and road may be closed. It takes about 5 hrs from pelling to darjeeling. Darjeeling is now too bad and cogested. Lot of trafic and dirt.

KARMA KORMA

Thanks JS,

So I guess I can go direct from Pelling to Bagdogra then which is good. Can this be done in a shared Jeep? My budget won't stretch to taxi's unfortunately. And I looked at the Tashigang but I think that might also be a bit too much. We're really looking for around 1200-1400 a night.

Does anybody know if the route Darjeeling to Pelling (as I'd be going from Bagdogra to Darj for 3 days, then on to Pelling) goes past Namchi as I'd like to maybe stop off there to see the stautes. Can anyone help with this?

jaekae

Yes, you can go from Pelling to Bagdogra directly, without touching Darjeeling. At one point on the road, you'll see a turn that will take you to Darjeeling, but I think it's like another 3 hrs to Darjeeling from there - so it'll be a detour for you. Needn't go there, unless you really want to.

Shared jeep - well, the bulk of the tourist traffic is on the Bagdogra-Gangtok route, so it will be a little tougher to find a shared one from Pelling. Nevertheless, if you are reaching there in advance, you can try talking to some drivers there and see if you can find one. A 'dedicated' jeep cost me around 1600 last April.

Namchi - I'm not absolutely sure, but as far as I remember, we don't go past Namchi. If I remember right, we go from Nayabazaar towards Soreng. However, looking at the map, Namchi should be about a 1 hr detour (again just guessing), so you can check if you can do that on the way back.
Hope this helps!
- JK