Quick overview
- Total: 7 nights / 8 days (or compress to 6N7D)
- Start point: NJP railway / Bagdogra (IXB) airport
- Best season: March-May, October-November, December for snow lovers
- Mid-range budget: ₹45,000-65,000 per person
- Pace: Comfortable, not rushed
Day-by-day plan
Day 1 — Arrival in Darjeeling: Pickup from NJP/IXB, 3-hour drive to Darjeeling (2,045m). Check-in. Evening walk at Mall Road and dinner at Glenary's.
Day 2 — Darjeeling sightseeing: Pre-dawn Tiger Hill sunrise, Batasia Loop, Ghoom Monastery, Happy Valley tea estate. Optional toy train joy ride. Evening leisure.
Day 3 — Darjeeling to Gangtok: Scenic 4-hour drive via Teesta. Stop at Tinchuley/Kalimpong for lunch. Check-in at Gangtok. Evening at MG Marg.
Day 4 — Tsomgo Lake & Baba Mandir: Day trip to 12,400 ft Tsomgo Lake. Yak ride at the lake, visit Baba Mandir. Optional Nathula Pass (with permit, ₹3,500 per person extra).
Day 5 — Gangtok sightseeing + Rumtek: Rumtek Monastery, Hanuman Tok, Tashi View Point, flower exhibition. Evening shopping at MG Marg.
Day 6 — Gangtok to Phuentsholing (Bhutan border): 6-hour drive. Cross Bhutan immigration (we arrange permits). Overnight at Phuentsholing or push to Thimphu.
Day 7 — Phuentsholing/Thimphu day glimpse: Half-day Thimphu (Buddha Dordenma, Tashichho Dzong), late return to Bagdogra OR continue Bhutan for an extended 10-day plan.
Day 8 — Departure: Drop at NJP/IXB.
Budget breakdown (mid-range, per person)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Hotels (7 nights) | ₹24,000 |
| Private SUV with driver | ₹13,000 (split for 2) |
| Breakfast + select meals | ₹6,000 |
| Sightseeing & permits | ₹4,500 |
| Bhutan SDF (1 night) | ₹1,200 |
| Misc (tips, snacks) | ₹3,000 |
| TOTAL per person | ₹51,700 ≈ ₹52,000 |
Variations of this itinerary
- Snow lovers — swap Bhutan glimpse for North Sikkim (Lachung + Yumthang) in winter.
- Honeymoon — add 1 night at Glenburn Tea Estate; upgrade to Mayfair Gangtok.
- Adventure — replace Gangtok with Pelling + Yuksom (Goecha La base).
- Wildlife — replace Bhutan with 2 nights at Dooars (Gorumara + Jaldapara).
- Slow travel — extend Bhutan from 1 day to 4 nights (10-day itinerary).
We tweak this itinerary every week based on traveler feedback. Tell us your travel month and one preference, and we'll send the version that fits.
What you'll come back with
- Three different Himalayan vibes — heritage tea hill, modern monastery capital and Bhutanese culture.
- Two countries (India + Bhutan) on a single trip.
- A balance of city walks, scenic drives and high-altitude moments.
- Roughly 700-900 photographs and at least one moment that'll stay with you for years.
Seven days is the perfect Northeast India introduction. Most travelers come back to do North Sikkim or a deeper Bhutan circuit next. WhatsApp us your travel month and we'll build it for you.
Plan with our team
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