Darjeeling & Ghoom · way to travel

Long weekends in Darjeeling

Short trips that start and end at NJP or Bagdogra: Darjeeling and Ghoom, Kalimpong and Lava, Mirik and the tea gardens, Gangtok and Tsomgo, or a Dooars forest weekend.

Trips

Shoestring Darjeeling2 nights · Shared jeeps Darjeeling long weekend on a budget Darjeeling ₹6,000per person
about ₹2,000 a day

Value Darjeeling3 nights · Mixed Toy train and Tiger Hill Darjeeling ₹13,000per person
about ₹3,250 a day

Places

forest village2,400 m Chatakpur A forest-department eco-village at 2,400 m inside Senchal

lake2,250 m Jorepokhriजोरपोखरी Twin ponds, India's first salamander sanctuary and an honest update

village1,740 m Lamahatta Dhupi trees, prayer flags and a lake trail on the Peshok road

forest village2,120 m Lepchajagatलेप्चाजगत A forest village on the Ghoom–Sukhia road, named for the Lepchas

village1,150 m Mungpoo Tagore's hill retreat among India's first cinchona plantation

tea garden1,100 m Peshok Tea slopes above the meeting of the Teesta and the Rangeet

market town2,100 m Sukhia Pokhariसुखियापोखरी The market junction where roads split for Mirik and Sandakphu

village1,300 m Takdah An old army cantonment of bungalows, orchids and tea

Things to do

Viewpoints · 1 hourDawn over Kanchenjunga from the ridgeChatakpur · Free Treks and walks · Full day, about 4–6 hours one wayForest trail along Senchal to Tiger HillChatakpur · Guide ₹1,000–1,500 a day (indicative) ·… Wildlife and birds · 2–3 hoursEarly birding walk in Senchal forestChatakpur · Free · guide ₹500–1,000 (indicative) Food · 2 hoursTerrace farm and homestay kitchenChatakpur · Included in the homestay stay Wildlife and birds · 1 hourWalk around the twin ponds of JorepokhriJorepokhri · Free or a small fee Tea · 2–3 hoursWalk the Mim tea garden roadJorepokhri · Free Viewpoints · 2–3 hoursSimana viewpoint and a look into NepalJorepokhri · ₹600–1,200 for a local car Wildlife and birds · Half day to a full dayWhere the Himalayan salamander survives nowJorepokhri · Varies · ask locally

Treks and walks · 1.5–2 hours returnThe forest trail to Lamahatta's holy lakeLamahatta · Small park entry fee

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Shared jeep or private car, your choice

Homestays we have slept in

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