Explore North Bengal’s fascinating tourist destinations and their surroundings.
The region is a paradise for nature lovers with forests, lush green tea gardens, valleys and meandering rivers. The 6 nights 7 days package includes important tourist places in North Bengal like Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Charkhole, Lava, Rishop and Kolakham.
Meet and greet on arrival at NJP or Bagdogra Airport and transfer to Darjeeling – The Queen of Hills and one of the most magnificent hill resorts in the world. On arrival, check-in at the hotel. After freshen up in the afternoon, you will start your journey with two hours Joy Ride, a heritage ride by ‘DARJEELING HIMALAYAN RAILWAY’. DHR was built between 1879 & 1881. It was awarded the world heritage status by UNESCO. Joy Ride is a two hour journey starting from Darjeeling Station to Ghoom via Batasia Loop and back to Darjeeling.
Later in the evening visit Darjeeling Mall, feel the vibe of the place, enjoy a cup of authentic Darjeeling Tea with the chill mystic ambience. Overnight stay at Hotel in Darjeeling
*You have an option of travelling in a heritage toy train Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) from New Jalpaiguri railway station to Darjeeling. The train journey time between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling is around 7-9 hours and covers a distance of around 88 km. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was given the status of a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 1999.
As the chilly night continues to dominate over Darjeeling, this day calls to wake up even before the sun to witness the stunning view of sunrise from the view point along with a full day city tour Post breakfast. So, let’s prepare for early morning sunrise view from Tiger Hill view point:
TIGER HILL SUNRISE POINT – From the major town, Tiger Hill is one of the highest points of Darjeeling which is at a distance of 11 km and of the most visited places which no one misses in their Darjeeling Tour Itinerary. It is at an elevation of 2,590 m. It is popular for its breathtaking Sunrise view, for which a huge number of tourists gather to witness Sun rise from here and it also offers a superb panoramic view of Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga with some other peaks like Rathong, Kabru and Kokthang as well. Return back to hotel. After sumptuous breakfast set out for full day Darjeeling City Tour. Visit:
BATASIA LOOP – The British constructed one of the most famous places in Darjeeling – Batasia Loop. It is at a distance of 5km from the main town of Darjeeling. They created a war memorial at the center of the garden in honor of the Gorkha who sacrificed their lives in various wars and operations. The Toy Train here makes a complete loop and takes 360 degrees turn here. Covering an area of 50,000 sq ft, they decorate Batasia Loop with a well-manicured garden. This place also has a park, lots of restaurants and eateries as well. It’s an amazing place where the garden has beautiful streams and breathtaking falls, from where one can get a stunning view of a wide range of the Darjeeling’s fascinating view, and stunning Kanchenjunga will be a treat along with other Eastern Himalayan tops as well.
GHOOM MONASTERY – Yiga Monastery or Old Ghoom Monastery is one of the oldest Tibetan monasteries in Darjeeling build in the year 1850 below the Ghoom Railway Station. It follows the lineage of the Sakya Sect of Vajra Yana Buddhism and also has a small philosophical institute. This monastery has the biggest and the oldest statue of Buddha in Darjeeling being bought from Tibet.
JAPANESE TEMPLE AND PEACE PAGODA – Also known as Darjeeling Peace Pagoda, are on the Jalapahar hill. The Temple was built under the guidance of Buddhist monks from Japan in traditional Japanese style, and this place is the house of four avatars of Buddha. Close to it is the Peace Pagoda, where it showcases the four large avatars of Lord Buddha. The view from the top is magnificent, with the panoramic view of Darjeeling town and Mt. Kanchenjunga. During the visit, tourists can join for morning or evening prayers in the Temple, along with the monks.
PADMAJA NAIDU HIMALAYAN ZOOLOGICAL PARK (Closed on Thursday) – Located at an altitude of approx 7000 ft above sea level and spreading around 60 acre, this zoo, popularly called Darjeeling Zoo was inaugurated in the year 1958 with an intention to house a wide variety of animals along with breeding programmed of some of the rare and endangered Himalayan wildlife like – Red Panda, Himalayan Salamander, Tibetan Wolf, Clouded Leopards, Snow Leopard etc. Tourists can have a glimpse of some exotic wild animals like Asian Black Bear, Royal Bengal Tiger, Siberian Tiger, Yaks, Himalayan Tahr, Goral, Black Panther, Takin etc. Tourists have provision to dress like local and take pictures there. During Darjeeling Tour, this Zoo is a must visit destination.
HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINEERING INSTITUTE – Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is a place where everyone must visit in Darjeeling. It is on the premises of Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park. It was build in memory of Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary, who climbed Everest in 1953. This institute is now a boarding school for mountaineering students where you can get all the pieces of equipment for trekking.
THRILL RIDE ON THE ROPEWAY – Tour to Darjeeling hill station and without a ropeway ride? Never let that happen. The ropeway takes you out for a ride at an astounding elevation of 7001 ft, with a fascinating view of the valleys and hills around Darjeeling and the Rangeet Valley Passenger Cable Car is one of the best ropeway points to experience the panoramic views that the hill station of North East India is so famous for.
After full day Darjeeling excursion, return back to hotel in the evening. After freshen up visit Darjeeling Mall, Stroll alone the lane, take snap, do shopping and enjoy the cultural programme that happens every evening in the Mall. Night stay at the Hotel in Darjeeling
After breakfast check out from hotel and start for KALIMPONG TOUR. Kalimpong situated on the foothills of the Himalayas is a green destination at an altitude of 1243 meters / 4078 feet – It is a historical destinations with bustling market, colorful people and offers spectacular views of the Himalayan range – Check into hotel – Drive for sightseeing tour through scenic road to FOREST MUSEUM (Closed On Thursday), DEOLO HILL, HANUMAN MANDIR, DR GRAHAM HOMES, DURBIN MONASTERY, MANGALDHAM, PINE VIEW NURSERY (Cactus Only) – Back to Kalimpong Hotel – Evening free to roam around the Local market area – Overnight stay at Kalimpong
NATURE INTERPRETATION CENTRE (FOREST MUSEUM): Also known as Forest Museum, Nature Interpretation Centre was established and maintained by forest department since 1900. This Centre works toward spreading awareness on various environmental issues caused by the human activities such as global warming and animal extinction. The museum is famous for its dioramas which is basically a 3d miniature of the different ecological life residing in the area of Kalimpong. The dioramas are simple amazing pieces of art and science merged together. The Centre also displays photographs and books on ecology and environment.
DR GRAHAM’S HOMES – This missionary school was set up by Dr. J A Graham in 1900 as an orphanage & school for the destitute Anglo Indian children. It is located on the way to Deolo Hills.
DEOLO HILL – This is the major attraction in East Kalimpong. The tourism department has created 8 Acre lush parkland with manicured flower gardens and several view points with breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga, Durpin hill, Kalimpong Township and the valley with rivers flowing through them.
MANGAL DHAM – A temple complex built in the memory of late Guruji Mangal Das ji and dedicated to Lord Krishna.
DURPIN MONASTERY – This Tibetan monastery is located on the Durpin hill and hence such name. The actual name is Zang Dog Palri monastery. It was built in 1972 and has some rare Buddhist scripts that were brought here by Dalai Lama from Tibet. From the upper terrace of the monastery, you get magnificent views of Kalimpong town with Kanchenjunga in the background, the valley and the plains, Teesta & Reang Rivers flowing down, and lovely tea estates of Peshoke area.
PINE VIEW NURSERY (CACTUS NURSERY): Pine View Nursery is a cactus nursery situated on Atisha Road in Kalimpong. It is one of the popular nurseries in Kalimpong and one of the stoppage points in a standard Kalimpong local sightseeing tour. Pine View Nursery is a private commercial nursery established in 1971 and is known for its exotic collection of cactus.
In the morning after tummy full breakfast check out from hotel and proceed towards Charkhole. The Nature gifted all its wealth to Charkhole, a small hamlet located on the edge of the Himalayan mountain at an altitude of 5000ft. Surrounded by the deep and moist forest of huge pine, cypress, oak, Sal and Rhododendrons, Charkhole offers a splendid view of the mighty MT KANCHANJHANGA. The sweet melody of rare birds including Blue Frontel Redstart, Indian Robin, Green Beaked Tit, and Ashley Prinia will accompany you throughout the journey towards Charkhole. The best activity in Charkhole will be to climb up to Gamphus Dara Viewpoint for watching a spectacular sunrise. Stroll around the Charkhole village and buy some fiery red pickle from the tiny shops there. Overnight stay at Hotel / Homestay in Charkhole
Good morning with a cup of hot bed tea and post breakfast start for Rishop Tour enroute covering Lolegaon and Canopy walk.
CANOPY WALK – The most beautiful attraction of Lolegaon is the canopy walk. It is a dense forest with a walking trail and part of the trees have been joined together to form a 75 meter long canopy. It is a lovely walk through the forests – the chirping birds, buzzing insects and fleeting butterflies, the shades of dark and light as the sun barely made its way thru the dense forests and above all the smell of the jungle, all will add an aroma to your entire trip and the revelations are slow and full of surprises, the idea behind a walk maybe to simply explore a trail, or maybe to get a feel of the jungle. Or to climb on top of the cliff you have been eyeing for long days. Guest can follow the birds while the kids collect dry leaves for their scrap books.
LOLEGAON – a small tiny village located in the kalimpong Sub Division of Darjeeling District and one of the most beautiful places in the Darjeeling village tourism. One can cover this place on foot in barely couple of minutes!!! Tourist will be blessed by a giant statue of Lord Buddha in the Eco Tourism Park.
Reach Rishop at the afternoon. Whole day is free for personal enjoyment. Overnight stay at Rishop
Start for Kolakham Tour a small village nestled in Neora Valley Reserve Forest facing the Eastern Himalayan peak after breakfast. The place located at an altitude of 6500ft is a paradise for nature lovers. Kolakham Nature Retreat set amidst Oak, Rhododendron and Pine forests overlooking the snow-clad Himalaya, this is an ideal getaway for those who wish to explore pristine mountain wilderness. Wake up to the sweet melody of birds. The majestic view of Kanchenjunga from Kolakham village, the jungle trail in the Neora forest, the scenic beauty of Change waterfalls is once in a lifetime experience for anyone. Adventurous minded people can refresh their minds with a short trek around Kolakham. Visit Changi fall the prime attraction of Kolakham.
CHANGI FALLS – named as Changi, Changey or Chaney falls just 3 km jeep drive and 1.5 km walk down through nicely built staircases and rest hut takes you to the most beautiful falls in the deep forest of Darjeeling Hills. It is the only falls in the deep forest which can be reached by tourists by jeep ride and a walk down to around 250 stairs. In the deep forest of Neora Valley forest with sounds of rare tropical birds like Wagtail, Minivet and others make your journey a memorable one.
After breakfast start for NJP Railway Station/ BAGDOGRA airport with sweet memory.
