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Route · Darjeeling
Darjeeling to Kalimpong is about 50 km and 2.5–3 hours by road, down through Ghoom, Lopchu and Peshok to the Teesta at Teesta Bazar, then up the other side. Shared jeeps cost about ₹200–250 a seat. The drop to the river is one of the finest drives in the hills.
| From | To | How | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DARJEELING | KALIMPONG | Shared jeep | 2.5–3 h | ₹200–250 |
| DARJEELING | KALIMPONG | Reserved car | 2.5 h | ₹2,500–3,500 A C |
From our route pages. Fares change with fuel prices, season and demand: check current status before you travel.
Shared jeeps for Kalimpong leave from the motor stand at Chowk Bazaar in Darjeeling through the morning and early afternoon, departing when full. They run via Ghoom, Jorebunglow and the Peshok road down to Teesta Bazar, then climb to Kalimpong's motor stand. Morning departures are more frequent; get to the stand by 9 am.
A reserved car lets you stop at Lamahatta's eco-park, the Lopchu and Peshok tea gardens and the Lovers' Meet viewpoint above the Teesta–Rangeet confluence. Agree the stops before you leave. This is the best way to turn a transfer into a half-day of sightseeing for a family or a group of four.
Local tip: Sit on the left going down from Peshok for the best views of the Teesta valley and the river confluence.
Questions people ask
About 50 km by road, which takes 2.5 to 3 hours. The road descends from Darjeeling's ridge at about 2,000 m to the Teesta at roughly 200–250 m, then climbs again to Kalimpong at about 1,250 m. Shared jeeps cost about ₹200–250 a seat; a reserved car about ₹2,500–3,500.
Parts of the Teesta valley were badly damaged in the October 2023 flood, and the riverside roads around Teesta Bazar have had closures and diversions since. The Peshok road itself usually runs, but the crossing and the stretch along the river can be slow. Check current status before you travel.
Yes. Lamahatta is on the Peshok road, about 23 km from Darjeeling, so it fits easily on a reserved-car transfer. Allow an hour for the eco-park and the short climb to the small lake above it. With a shared jeep you would need to get off and pick up another jeep later, which is harder.
From the motor stand at Chowk Bazaar, below the market. Ask for the Kalimpong line; jeeps leave when full from early morning to early afternoon. Buy your ticket at the counter where there is one. In peak season and on Sundays, get there by 8 or 9 am.
Plan with a local
Where you want to go, how many of you, and roughly what you want to spend a day. A planner who lives in these hills replies within one working day with a route and every rupee written down.