West bengal and Darjeeling Questions

poecash · May 21st, 2007, 22:58

Hi, I have two questions:

I am planning a 5-6 day trip to Darjeeling and Pelling in later september. I would like to spend 2 nights in darjeeling, then go to Pelling for one night (two days) and back to Darjeeling for one night. Is this itinerary be doable?

Also, how much would a jeep cost to take me from the airport in Bagdogra to Darjeeling? And can I rent a Jeep to go to Darjeeling from Bagdogra or would I have to go to Silguri first?
Thanks.

tasuray · May 21st, 2007, 23:53

Hi,
Pelling requires at least two days for siteseeing.Don't waste time and money both to go to Pelling for one night.First day's first half will be journey time from Darjeeling. When you will reach Pelling there will no time for siteseeing.Second full day will spend for siteseeing (in 2 halves) and you can not leave for Darjeeling.

Percy · May 22nd, 2007, 00:17

Hi,

I don't think there are any direct shared jeeps from the airport to Darjeeling...

So, yes, tuk tuk to Siliguri for around Rs300 and catch a share jeep. It could take up to an hour to reach Siliguri, pending of traffic of course(!) to reach Siliguri.

OR

Tuk tuk to Darjeeling Mall for Rs120 flat and catch a shared jeep to Darjeeling. Traffic time around 20 mins from airport, once again pending on traffic.

The difference between Darjeeling Mall and Siliguri is that a seat is guranteed in Siliguri as it is a major junction hence many jeeps waiting for business, while Darjeeling Mall could be touch and go, though traveling time up to Darjeeling is shorter than departing from Siliguri. (Perhaps I was lucky enough to have caught a jeep at Darjeeling Mall with 2 empty seats)

As for your iternerary, I believe it's possible. 3 days is def. enough to see the main sights of Darjeeling as it stands and same as Pelling. I understand perhaps you are short on time but of course if you could spare more than just 5 days...

I am sure there are many Darjeeling/Sikkim experts on the forum that could give you a more definitive answer and I stand to be corrected on the above info!

(As of Jan 2007)

Hope this helps.

tacita · May 22nd, 2007, 01:20

there's a pre-paid taxi stand at bagdogra airport. i took a private taxi (not a shared jeep) to gangtok. i wouldn't be surprised if you can't also hire one to take you directly to darjeeling (DJ). i'm sorry i can't recall the cost to gangtok, but i imagine the drive to DJ would be roughly the same. don't know about shared jeeps, though but, yes, you can get one from siliguri, of course.

i agree with tasuray that one night in pelling won't do justice to the area. there's much to see near pelling and it would be a shame to miss it. the sunrises from pelling are spectacular and are said to rival (if not exceed) those from tiger hill, outside DJ. if you plan to try for tiger hill in DJ and the weather doesn't cooperate, don't despair - you can see a glorious sunrise from pelling. here are three pics i took in pelling. the first and third were taken from outside my hotel. the one in the middle was taken from sangha choeling, a nice hike up the hill from the helipad in pelling. the view in the other direction is an even better view looking in the same direction as the one with the prayer flags.

poecash · May 22nd, 2007, 02:33

Thank you all for replying. Janice, on another post you mentioned using a gangtok company to find a driver and car and that they plotted plotted the best route and timing. Can you share the name of the company with me, or point me in the right direction in terms of finding the company? Thanks.

aivlysweetie · May 22nd, 2007, 03:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by poecash

Janice, on another post you mentioned using a gangtok company to find a driver and car and that they plotted plotted the best route and timing. Can you share the name of the company with me, or point me in the right direction in terms of finding the company? Thanks.

hehe, i just asked janice the same info!

I'm also looking to go to Sikkim, but am wondering what would be the best place to go. So far Green Lake has sort of captivated my interest, but is this journey do-able in late June with the possibility of bad weather? I've been through Darjeeling before but will be traveling with folks who haven't been...where do you think we should spend more time, Darjeeling or roaming around Sikkim? We have about 6 or 7 days to spend (not long enough!). I think we'll (4 of us) plan to go part way through an organized agent, as I think this is the only way to get into North Sikkim. Also, has anyone been to nathula pass?

Thanks!

tacita · May 22nd, 2007, 04:07

sure, i'll PM it to you.

Debu · Jun 14th, 2007, 00:42

where to stay in TAKDAH?

May 21st, 2007, 22:58	#1
poecash Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: us Posts: 3	West bengal and Darjeeling Questions Hi, I have two questions: I am planning a 5-6 day trip to Darjeeling and Pelling in later september. I would like to spend 2 nights in darjeeling, then go to Pelling for one night (two days) and back to Darjeeling for one night. Is this itinerary be doable? Also, how much would a jeep cost to take me from the airport in Bagdogra to Darjeeling? And can I rent a Jeep to go to Darjeeling from Bagdogra or would I have to go to Silguri first? Thanks.

May 22nd, 2007, 01:20	#4
tacita Maha Mutant Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gotham Posts: 1,413	there's a pre-paid taxi stand at bagdogra airport. i took a private taxi (not a shared jeep) to gangtok. i wouldn't be surprised if you can't also hire one to take you directly to darjeeling (DJ). i'm sorry i can't recall the cost to gangtok, but i imagine the drive to DJ would be roughly the same. don't know about shared jeeps, though but, yes, you can get one from siliguri, of course. i agree with tasuray that one night in pelling won't do justice to the area. there's much to see near pelling and it would be a shame to miss it. the sunrises from pelling are spectacular and are said to rival (if not exceed) those from tiger hill, outside DJ. if you plan to try for tiger hill in DJ and the weather doesn't cooperate, don't despair - you can see a glorious sunrise from pelling. here are three pics i took in pelling. the first and third were taken from outside my hotel. the one in the middle was taken from sangha choeling, a nice hike up the hill from the helipad in pelling. the view in the other direction is an even better view looking in the same direction as the one with the prayer flags. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. ~Helen Keller

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May 21st, 2007, 23:53	#2
tasuray Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kolkata Posts: 310	Hi, Pelling requires at least two days for siteseeing.Don't waste time and money both to go to Pelling for one night.First day's first half will be journey time from Darjeeling. When you will reach Pelling there will no time for siteseeing.Second full day will spend for siteseeing (in 2 halves) and you can not leave for Darjeeling.

May 22nd, 2007, 00:17	#3
Percy Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Home bound Posts: 30	Hi, I don't think there are any direct shared jeeps from the airport to Darjeeling... So, yes, tuk tuk to Siliguri for around Rs300 and catch a share jeep. It could take up to an hour to reach Siliguri, pending of traffic of course(!) to reach Siliguri. OR Tuk tuk to Darjeeling Mall for Rs120 flat and catch a shared jeep to Darjeeling. Traffic time around 20 mins from airport, once again pending on traffic. The difference between Darjeeling Mall and Siliguri is that a seat is guranteed in Siliguri as it is a major junction hence many jeeps waiting for business, while Darjeeling Mall could be touch and go, though traveling time up to Darjeeling is shorter than departing from Siliguri. (Perhaps I was lucky enough to have caught a jeep at Darjeeling Mall with 2 empty seats) As for your iternerary, I believe it's possible. 3 days is def. enough to see the main sights of Darjeeling as it stands and same as Pelling. I understand perhaps you are short on time but of course if you could spare more than just 5 days... I am sure there are many Darjeeling/Sikkim experts on the forum that could give you a more definitive answer and I stand to be corrected on the above info! (As of Jan 2007) Hope this helps.

May 22nd, 2007, 02:33	#5
poecash Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: us Posts: 3	Thank you all for replying. Janice, on another post you mentioned using a gangtok company to find a driver and car and that they plotted plotted the best route and timing. Can you share the name of the company with me, or point me in the right direction in terms of finding the company? Thanks.

May 22nd, 2007, 04:07	#7
tacita Maha Mutant Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gotham Posts: 1,413	sure, i'll PM it to you.

Jun 14th, 2007, 00:42	#8
Debu Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Berhampore Posts: 4	where to stay in TAKDAH?

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