Discover the Enchanting Beauty of Sikkim and Darjeeling: A Mesmerizing Journey through the Mountains

Hello Viewers After completing My college examinations, my friends and I decided to plan a trip. We considered various destinations, including Kerala and Shimla. Ultimately, we settled on exploring the eastern part of India for this particular trip. Following our decision to explore the eastern part of India, we made the necessary arrangements for our journey. We booked both train and flight tickets that would take us to Siliguri, the chosen destination for our trip.

Siliguri To GANGTOK

In the morning, the day starts at Siliguri, and the journey begins from Siliguri to Gangtok by taxi, with the available timing from 6:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Upon arrival in Gangtok at 12:00PM, We check-in at a hostel. Later, we have lunch at a local restaurant, where they enjoy rice & chicken curry for a cost of ₹300. In the evening, we took a walk to a viewpoint and also experience the Gangtok Ropeway, which costs ₹130. However, there might be a waiting time of 1-2 hours for the ropeway. Afterward, we proceed towards Mall Road for some leisure time and had dinner at Khan Uncle, located on Mall Road. Finally, we returned to the hostel and took rest.

Gangtok Sightseeing ( Lake TSO, Nathula Pass, Harbhajan Temple)

Today, we woke up early in the morning and embarked on a visit to Lake Tsongmo, Nathula Pass, and Baba Temple. These places offered breathtaking views, with snow covering the surroundings and beautiful roads leading to them. To facilitate our journey, we had arranged a taxi for ₹11,000, which included the necessary pass. For taxi bookings, we had contacted Pemba at +91 8927917633

After our trip to Lake Tsongmo, Nathula Pass, and Baba Temple, we proceeded towards Mall Road. There, we had dinner at Hotel Tashi Dalek, where we indulged in a delightful culinary experience. The restaurant offered authentic Momo Thupka and Tibetan food, allowing us to savor the flavors of the region.

After enjoying our dinner at Hotel Tashi Dalek on Mall Road, we returned to our hotel to rest and unwind.

Gangtok Sightseeing

Today, we started our day by waking up early in the morning and getting refreshed. For breakfast, we hadp Masala Maggi at a local restaurant. Afterwards, we looked for a local sightseeing taxi to explore the nearby attractions. Our first stop was Bakthang Waterfall, followed by Tashi View Point, Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok, and various monasteries. We visited several other places as well, taking in the local sights and enjoying the scenic beauty of the region.

For lunch, we dined at a local restaurant. Afterward, we took a rest until 4 PM to relax and recharge. Later in the evening, we once again headed towards Mall Road. It's worth noting that Mall Road was not very crowded, and most shops closed around 8:30 PM. Despite the limited activity, we enjoyed the serene ambiance and took the opportunity to explore the area.

As it was our last day in Gangtok, we made the most of it by exploring the local sights, enjoying a delicious lunch, and taking some time to relax. Mall Road provided a pleasant experience, although it wasn't as bustling as usual. With our departure imminent, we cherished the memories we had created during our stay in Gangtok.

Gangtok to Darjeeling

The next day, we started our journey to Darjeeling by taking a shared taxi at 8 AM. The scenic views of tea farming along the way were delightful. We reached Darjeeling around 11 PM.

Upon arrival, we had pre-booked Nyano Ghar Homestay, where the owner, Richard, warmly greeted us and showed us our room. The view from the homestay was truly breathtaking, making us feel like we were in heaven. After freshening up with a bath, we headed to the market for lunch.

After a satisfying lunch, we embarked on a walk to the Observatory Hill View Point and Kanchenjunga View Point in Darjeeling. The scenic vistas were mesmerizing, offering stunning views of the surroundings. Later, we proceeded to Mall Road, where we indulged in the delightful street food of North East India. Similar to Gangtok, Darjeeling was Over Crowded, and most establishments closed around 8:30 PM. After enjoying our time in the city, we walked back to our homestay, had dinner, and rested for the night.

The next day, we woke up early at 4:30 am for local sightseeing. Our first destination was Tiger Hill to witness the breathtaking sunrise. After that, we visited the Ghoom Monastery, known for its serene ambiance, and the Batasia Loop, where we marveled at the UNESCO World Heritage site of the steam engine. We then proceeded to the Japanese Peace Pagoda, followed by the Darjeeling Zoo and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. We also explored the beautiful tea gardens and admired the Tenzing Rock. It was a day filled with cultural, natural, and historical experiences in Darjeeling.

Additionally, we visited the Tibetan Refugee Camp during our time in Darjeeling. Fortunately, it happened to be on a Sunday when a one-hour dance festival was taking place. We had the opportunity to witness and enjoy the vibrant and lively cultural performances by the Tibetan community. It was a wonderful experience to immerse ourselves in their traditional dances and celebrations.

Another option we considered was visiting Mirik from Darjeeling, which includes stops at Jorepokhari and Pashupati. It is a full-day trip that allows for exploring the scenic beauty and cultural attractions of the region. However, due to time constraints, we were unable to embark on this excursion. Nevertheless, it remains a great option for future visits to Darjeeling, offering an opportunity to immerse oneself in the natural splendor and cultural richness of the area.

After our full-day trip, we returned to Mall Road in the evening for some cafe hopping. We visited popular cafes like HOPE Cafe and Keventers, indulging in delicious treats and enjoying the cozy ambiance. We filled our bellies with delightful offerings from the local cafes before heading back to our homestay for a well-deserved rest.