East India
Darjeeling and Sikkim sit close together on the map but feel like different worlds: colonial hill-station tea country giving way to Sikkim’s monasteries and high mountain lakes. This route takes the slow road between the two, with a genuine sunrise at Tiger Hill and a day trip up to Tsomgo Lake, altitude permitting.
Airport pickup and the drive up into the hills. Evening free to walk along the Mall Road.
Pre-dawn drive to Tiger Hill for sunrise over Kanchenjunga, then a ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan toy train and a stop at a working tea estate.
Drive to Pelling, with clear-day views of Kanchenjunga from the town itself.
Visit Pemayangtse Monastery en route, then continue to Gangtok.
Morning at Rumtek Monastery, afternoon cable car ride, and evening along MG Marg.
Day trip up to the high-altitude Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir, conditions and permits allowing.
Drive back down to Bagdogra for your onward flight.
