About This Tour
Overview
This 7-night circuit links the four classic capitals of the Eastern Himalayas in easy two-night stays. Arrive at Bagdogra or NJP and climb to Darjeeling (93 km / 3 hrs), the "Queen of the Hills", where day two opens with the famous Tiger Hill sunrise over Kanchenjunga and Everest. The morning continues at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Zoological Park, Tenzing and Gombu Rocks, a tea estate (viewed from outside), the Japanese Temple and the Peace Pagoda. Drive to Pelling (75 km / 3 hrs) for two nights of west Sikkim's wonders — the sacred Khechipalri Lake, the cascades of Rimbi Falls, the glass skywalk above the valley, the farmhouses of Darap Village, the orange gardens and the Rabtense ruins. Continue to Gangtok (127 km / 5 hrs), Sikkim's capital, for the Flower Show, the handicraft emporium, the Institute of Tibetology and the Do Drul Chorten, followed by a full-day excursion to the high-altitude Changu Lake and New Baba Mandir. Finally, drop to Kalimpong (83 km / 3 hrs) for an afternoon of Mangal Dham, the panoramic ridge of Durpin Hill, a view of the golf course, and the town's famous cactus nurseries, before the return transfer to Bagdogra/NJP (80 km / 3 hrs).
Duration
7 Nights / 8 Days
Tour Type
Hill Station · Nature · Culture · Private
Region
West Bengal (Darjeeling) · West Sikkim · East Sikkim · Kalimpong
High Altitude
Changu Lake (12,400 ft) · Kanchenjunga Views
Highlights
Tiger Hill · Skywalk · Monasteries · Gardens
Languages
English, Hindi, Nepali, Bengali
Top Experiences
Highlights
Tiger Hill Sunrise
Golden dawn over Kanchenjunga and Everest from Tiger Hill, then the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Zoological Park and the Peace Pagoda
Pelling's Sacred Lake & Skywalk
Khechipalri's wishing lake, the Rimbi Falls, India's glass skywalk above the valley, and the farmhouses of Darap Village
Gangtok's Monasteries & Tibetology
The Do Drul Chorten, the rare manuscripts of the Institute of Tibetology, the Flower Show and the handicraft emporium
Changu Lake & Baba Mandir
A full-day climb to the frozen high-altitude lake at 12,400 ft and the revered New Baba Mandir shrine
Kalimpong's Ridge Views
Mangal Dham's shrine, the sweeping panorama from Durpin Hill, the golf course outlook and the famous cactus nurseries
Queen of the Hills
Darjeeling's world-famous tea estates, Tenzing and Gombu Rocks, the Japanese Temple and two-night comfort in every hill capital
Visual Journey
Four Capitals of the Eastern Himalayas
What's Covered
Includes / Excludes
✓ Included
- 7 nights accommodation at the hotels mentioned (or similar) on the specified meal plans
- Transportation — Wagon R (or similar) for 2–3 pax; Innova/Xylo (or similar) for 4–6 pax
- All parking charges, road taxes & toll taxes
- Meeting & assistance on arrival at Bagdogra airport / NJP station
- Tiger Hill sunrise excursion & Changu Lake day trip with permits assistance
- Experienced local driver for all hill transfers & sightseeing
✕ Excluded
- Airfare / train fare
- Personal expenses (medical, phone calls, laundry, etc.)
- Entry fees at monuments & guide services
- Lunch & dinner (unless specified on the meal plan)
- Government service tax (5% extra) & any travel insurance
- Anything not explicitly mentioned in the inclusions
Day by Day
Itinerary
Day01
Bagdogra / NJP – Darjeeling
93 km / 03 Hrs · Overnight Darjeeling
✦ Arrival Day
- Arrival at Bagdogra Airport / NJP Railway Station — meeting and assistance
- Transfer to Darjeeling (93 km / 3 hrs), the "Queen of the Hills" at 2,134 m
- Check-in and evening at leisure amid the tea gardens and mountain air
- Overnight at the hotel in Darjeeling
Day02
Darjeeling — Tiger Hill Sunrise & City Tour
HMI · Zoological Park · Tenzing & Gombu Rock · Tea Estate · Peace Pagoda
✦ Full Day
- Early morning visit to Tiger Hill for sunrise over Kanchenjunga and the Himalayan range
- City tour: Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Zoological Park, Tenzing Rock, Gombu Rock
- Tea Estate (viewed from outside) and the Japanese Temple
- Evening visit to the Peace Pagoda
- Overnight at the hotel in Darjeeling
Day03
Darjeeling – Pelling
75 km / 03 Hrs · Overnight Pelling
✦ Scenic Transfer
- After breakfast, transfer to Pelling (75 km / 3 hrs) in West Sikkim
- Pelling sits at 2,000 m with sweeping views of Kanchenjunga
- Check-in and evening at leisure
- Overnight at the hotel in Pelling
Day04
Pelling — Lakes, Falls & Skywalk
Khechipalri · Rimbi Falls · Skywalk · Darap Village · Orange Garden · Rabtense
✦ Full Day Sightseeing
- City tour: the sacred Khechipalri Lake, famed as a wishing lake
- Rimbi Falls and the Skywalk above the valley
- Darap Village with its farmhouses, the Orange Garden and the Rabtense ruins
- Overnight at the hotel in Pelling
Day05
Pelling – Gangtok
127 km / 05 Hrs · Half-Day Sightseeing · Overnight Gangtok
✦ Transfer + Half Day
- Transfer to Gangtok (127 km / 5 hrs), the capital of Sikkim at 1,750 m
- Half-day sightseeing: the Flower Show, Handicraft emporium, Institute of Tibetology and Do Drul Chorten
- Overnight at the hotel in Gangtok
Day06
Gangtok — Changu Lake & Baba Mandir
Full-Day Excursion · 12,400 ft · Overnight Gangtok
✦ High Altitude Day
- Full-day excursion to Changu Lake (about 40 km / 2 hrs each way), a glacial lake at 12,400 ft
- Visit the revered New Baba Mandir
- Return to Gangtok in the evening (warm layers recommended at altitude)
- Overnight at the hotel in Gangtok
Day07
Gangtok – Kalimpong
83 km / 03 Hrs · Mangal Dham · Durpin Hill · Cactus Nursery
✦ Transfer + Afternoon Tour
- Transfer to Kalimpong (83 km / 3 hrs), the ridge town of West Bengal
- Afternoon tour: Mangal Dham, Durpin Hill panorama, the Golf Course (viewed from outside) and a Cactus Nursery
- Overnight at the hotel in Kalimpong
Day08
Kalimpong – Bagdogra / NJP — Departure
80 km / 03 Hrs · Airport / Station Transfer
✦ Departure
- Transfer to Bagdogra Airport / NJP Railway Station (80 km / 3 hrs)
- Connect your onward flight or train
- End of the Splendors of the East tour
Where You Stay
Hotels
Darjeeling — 4★ Heritage Hotel
2 nights in the Queen of the Hills
2 Nights Total
Pelling — 4★ Kanchenjunga View Hotel
2 nights facing the snows
2 Nights Total
Gangtok — 4★ Mountain Resort
2 nights in the Sikkim capital
2 Nights Total
Kalimpong — 3★ Ridge Hotel
1 night on the panoramic ridge
1 Night Total
We will arrange and confirm your hotel stays as per the trip and budget — hotel options are not fixed and can be customised to your preference. Contact us for details
Good to Know
FAQ
1
What is the best time for this tour?
Spring (March–May) and autumn (October–November) offer the clearest skies over Kanchenjunga — ideal for the Tiger Hill sunrise and the Pelling views. Winter (December–February) brings crisp, snow-dusted peaks and possible Changu Lake access restrictions, while the monsoon (June–September) sees misty valleys and occasional road delays.
2
What visa and permits do I need?
An Indian tourist visa is required for most nationalities (e-visa available online). Foreign visitors need an inner-line permit for Sikkim — required for Pelling, Gangtok and the Changu Lake excursion — which we arrange as part of your booking. Passport and visa copies are needed for the permit process.
3
Is the Tiger Hill sunrise always visible?
The sunrise depends on mountain weather — on clear mornings the whole Kanchenjunga range turns golden. If clouds block the dawn, the excursion still includes the scenic drive and viewpoints, and the rest of the day's city tour is unaffected.
4
What should I pack for the hills and Changu Lake?
Layers are key: a warm fleece or down jacket for early-morning Tiger Hill and the 12,400-ft Changu Lake, comfortable walking shoes, a light rain jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and basic medication. Modest dress is appreciated at monasteries and temples, and shoes are removed inside shrines.
5
How demanding are the drives?
Hill drives are scenic but winding: 3 hrs Bagdogra–Darjeeling, 3 hrs Darjeeling–Pelling, 5 hrs Pelling–Gangtok, 3 hrs Gangtok–Kalimpong and 3 hrs back to Bagdogra. Private vehicles with experienced hill drivers and frequent comfort stops keep it relaxed.
6
Can I extend this trip?
Yes — popular extensions include the Darjeeling toy train to Ghoom, North Sikkim (Lachen, Lachung and Gurudongmar Lake), Zuluk's old silk route, or an extra night in a Darjeeling tea-estate bungalow. We'll happily tailor the route and nights to your dates.
Full Route
Tour Map