Quick answer
Four days in Darjeeling covers the essentials without rushing. Day 1: arrive from Bagdogra and walk the Mall. Day 2: Tiger Hill sunrise, Ghum and Batasia Loop, then the HMI and zoo. Day 3: toy train joyride, Happy Valley tea estate and the Peace Pagoda. Day 4: drive out via Mirik Lake to Bagdogra for an afternoon flight.
The route
- Bagdogra
- Kurseong
- Darjeeling
- Tiger Hill
- Ghum
- Mirik
- Bagdogra
Day-by-day plan
- 1
Day 1
Bagdogra to Darjeeling
Morning: Land at Bagdogra or arrive at New Jalpaiguri. The drive is about 70 km and 3–3.5 hours via Rohini road and Kurseong.
Afternoon: Check in and rest, then walk up to Chowrasta.
Evening: Stroll the Mall and Observatory Hill; dinner on Nehru Road.
Stay: Mall Road or Chowrasta area
Many hotels are on steep lanes without car access. A soft bag is easier to carry up the steps.
- 2
Day 2
Tiger Hill, Ghum and the HMI
Morning: Leave around 4 am for the Tiger Hill sunrise. Stop at Ghum Monastery and Batasia Loop on the way back.
Afternoon: After breakfast and a rest, visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and the Padmaja Naidu zoo, then the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre.
Evening: Tea and cake at Glenary's.
Stay: Mall Road or Chowrasta area
The zoo and HMI are usually closed on Thursdays. Don't plan this day for a Thursday.
- 3
Day 3
Toy train, tea and the Peace Pagoda
Morning: Toy train joyride from Darjeeling to Ghum and back, about 2 hours with stops.
Afternoon: Tour and tasting at Happy Valley Tea Estate, then the Japanese Peace Pagoda.
Evening: Shop for tea on Nehru Road and Laden La Road.
Stay: Mall Road or Chowrasta area
Book the steam joyride on IRCTC as soon as your dates are fixed; it sells out first.
- 4
Day 4
Mirik and departure
Morning: Drive about 50 km and 2 hours through tea gardens to Mirik Lake.
Afternoon: Walk or boat on the lake, then drive about 55 km and 2 hours to Bagdogra.
Evening: Evening flight or train from New Jalpaiguri.
Book a flight after 4 pm on this day.
Is four days right for Darjeeling?
Yes. Three nights in town give you two mornings for Tiger Hill, so one cloudy sunrise doesn't spoil the trip, plus time for the toy train, a tea estate and the town at an easy pace. The Mirik route on the last day breaks the drive to Bagdogra.
How do you get to Darjeeling?
Fly to Bagdogra (IXB) or take a train to New Jalpaiguri (NJP). Both are about 70 km from Darjeeling, a 3–3.5 hour drive. Shared jeeps are cheap but crowded. A private car is far easier with luggage, children or elderly parents.
What does it cost?
From about ₹15,000 per person, twin sharing, for three nights in a 3-star hotel near the Mall with breakfast, a private car for transfers, Tiger Hill and Mirik, and a diesel toy train joyride. Flights are extra. Prices go up sharply during Durga Puja, Diwali and Christmas–New Year.
How to change the plan
- Add Kalimpong: a full-day trip of about 50 km each way, or a night there.
- Combine with Sikkim: drive 4–5 hours to Gangtok on Day 4 instead. See the 7-day Sikkim itinerary.
- Tea lovers: swap a town night for a tea-estate bungalow near Kurseong.
Visibility is best from mid-October to December. In spring, go up to Tiger Hill on the first clear morning rather than a fixed day.
See the best time to visit Darjeeling, the full list of things to do in Darjeeling and where to stay in Darjeeling.
Frequently asked questions
Is three days enough for Darjeeling?
Should I take the toy train from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling?
Can senior citizens manage this itinerary?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
