You don’t realise how tired you are until the mountains slow you down.
The moment you step out of New Jalpaiguri (NJP) station, the air already feels different—lighter, cooler, almost reassuring. Somewhere beyond the traffic and tea stalls, Darjeeling waits. Not as a checklist destination, but as a perfect Darjeeling 7-day itinerary from NJP. Suppose you’re a student planning for a week-long vacation among the hills or a professional who has saved all the paid leaves for such a vacation; a vacation in Darjeeling can be the right choice.
However, if you’ve been searching for a Darjeeling 7-day itinerary from NJP that doesn’t impress and actually lets you feel the hills, this guide is written for you. Think of it less as a rigid plan and more as a companion—one that walks with you through misty mornings, slow lunches, unexpected viewpoints, and quiet evenings where the mountains do most of the talking.
Table of Contents
Day-Wise Darjeeling 7-Day Itinerary from NJP
This itinerary is designed the way most travellers wish they had travelled—unhurried, practical, and layered with moments you don’t usually find in generic plans.
Day 1: NJP to Darjeeling – The Journey Sets the Mood
Your Darjeeling 7-day itinerary officially starts at NJP. It is among the busiest rail gateways, located in eastern India. New Jalpaigudi (NJP) witnesses more than 12 million passengers every year. A major chunk of these are enthusiastic tourists who are here to visit North Bengal and Sikkim. Irrespective of the chaotic scene around the NJP station, the spirit to explore the hills is something special, driving countless tourists to visit every year.
From NJP, you’ll drive uphill for around 3.5–4 hours, depending on traffic and weather. The road curves through tea estates, river valleys, and forested stretches where mobile networks start to fade—and honestly, that’s a blessing.
By the time you reach Darjeeling, the temperature at one of these best mountain holiday spots to visit near Kolkata usually drops by 8–10°C compared to Siliguri, especially between October and March.
Check into your hotel, freshen up, and head for a gentle walk along Mall Road. You can put there, enjoy the vibe, explore local markets, enjoy a hot cup of tea, and try local foods. Save your energy for the real deal tomorrow.
Day 2: Sunrise, Tea, and the Soul of Darjeeling
This is the day for experiencing the true beauty of the place.
So even if you have to wake up early today, in the end, you won’t regret it!
Tiger Hill at sunrise is one of those views that photographs never fully capture. On clear days, the first light hits Mount Kanchenjunga, transforming the snow into pink and gold. If you’re lucky enough with clearer skies during mornings (about 15–20 days a year), you might end up witnessing the towering Everest, far away.
Try finishing your breakfast so that you can venture out exploring Darjeeling’s true beauty:
- Batasia Loop, where the toy train curves dramatically against a mountain backdrop
- Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that still runs on a narrow-gauge track laid in the 1880s
In the afternoon, visit Happy Valley Tea Estate. Darjeeling tea contributes less than 1% of India’s total tea production, yet it commands some of the highest prices globally. Walking through the estate, you understand why—every leaf is handled with care.
Evening?
You can explore the Mall Road again. Maybe grab a cup of coffee and spend quality time with near ones.
If you have week-long time or beyond to explore the hills, this blog might interest you: 19 Hill Stations in Bengal That Will Make You Forget Shimla & Manali
Day 3: Monasteries, Wildlife, and Quiet Corners
Start the day by visiting the Ghoom Monastery – among the oldest Tibetan monasteries in the region. The experience gets surreal with chants, butter lamps, and the smell of incense.
Next, check out:
- Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, home to red pandas and snow leopards
- Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, which tells the story of mountaineering in the Eastern Himalayas
Darjeeling isn’t loud about its achievements. It simply carries them.
By late afternoon, visit Peace Pagoda. Sit there quietly. Watch the clouds move. This is where many travellers realise Darjeeling isn’t about ticking boxes—it’s about pauses.
Day 4: Darjeeling to Kalimpong – Changing Landscapes
Now it’s time to venture beyond Darjeeling. You can hire a cab or drive yourself to Kalimpong, about 50 km away. The journey itself is joyful as the road passes alongside the scenic Teesta River, winding through the valleys and greenery.
Compared to Darjeeling, Kalimpong is quieter and less inhabited. After reaching there, visit:
- Durpin Monastery for panoramic valley views
- Zang Dhok Palri Phodang Monastery, peaceful and uncrowded
By evening, walk through local markets where life feels lived-in, not curated.
Day 5: Kalimpong to Mirik – Lakes and Tea Gardens
Start the day again with breakfast. After that, plan a visit to Mirik. It is a beautiful hill town offering serene scenic views and surrounded by tea estates.
The drive itself is a highlight—rolling gardens, workers plucking tea leaves, and roads that feel stitched into the hills.
In Mirik:
- Walk around Sumendu Lake
- Visit nearby tea gardens
- Enjoy a slower lunch with a view
Mirik doesn’t try to impress you. It simply lets you breathe.
Day 6: Mirik to Darjeeling either via Lepchajagat or Lamahatta.
We will suggest that you return to Darjeeling via Lepchajagat or Lamahatta.
These villages are nestled in the clouds, offering peace due to the silence of the mountains. Along with that, the surrounding woods and trails bring you a perfect mix of tranquillity and adventure. The places are less inhabited and less travelled; hence, they offer an offbeat experience.
In the evening, you can start for Darjeeling again.
Day 7: Darjeeling to NJP – Leaving Without Really Leaving
Morning comes too quickly.
After breakfast, begin your descent back to NJP. The hills slowly flatten, but something stays with you. Maybe it’s the quiet. Maybe the rhythm.
By the time you reach NJP, you’re already planning your return.
Best Places Covered in This Darjeeling 7-Day Itinerary from NJP
This itinerary blends classics with calm:
- Darjeeling
- Tiger Hill
- Kalimpong
- Mirik
- Lepchajagat / Lamahatta
Together, they offer culture, nature, and breathing space—without exhaustion.
How to Reach Darjeeling from NJP
NJP remains the most practical starting point for any trip to Darjeeling. The transportation between NJP and Darjeeling is simple:
- By Taxi: Most comfortable, 3.54 hours
- Shared Jeep: Extremely affordable, high frequency
- Toy Train: Picturesque and slow, ideal for toy train lovers
NJP is the most viable point from which to start any trip to Darjeeling.
Cost & Budget for Darjeeling Trip from NJP
Here’s a realistic breakdown (per person):
- Budget tourists: INR 2,000-3,000 per day
- Mid-range tourists: INR 4,000–6,000 per day
- For those who can spend more: INR 8,000+ per day
Costs vary by season, but Darjeeling remains more affordable than many Himalayan destinations.
Best Time to Follow This Itinerary
- March to June: Pleasant, ideal for sightseeing
- October to December: Clear views, crisp air
- July to September: Monsoon—lush but risky due to landslides
For first-time visitors, spring and autumn work best.
Final Words on Darjeeling 7-day itinerary from NJP
A Darjeeling 7-day itinerary from NJP isn’t about covering everything. It’s about covering enough—enough to fall in love, enough to slow down, enough to realise why these hills have drawn travellers for over a century.
If you rush, Darjeeling feels like a destination.
If you stay, it becomes a memory.
And memories, as you know, always call you back.
Yes. Seven days allow you to explore Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Mirik without rushing.
The NH110 route via Siliguri is the most common and reliable.
Absolutely. The pace suits families, including seniors and children.
Yes. The shared transport and budget hotels make it affordable.
Peak seasons see crowds, but early mornings and offbeat detours keep things peaceful.
From here, you can comfortably plan short trips to Kalimpong (around 2.5 hours away), known for its monasteries and quieter pace, and Mirik, a peaceful lakeside town surrounded by tea gardens. If you prefer less touristy spots, Lepchajagat and Lamahatta are perfect for nature walks, forest stays, and uninterrupted mountain views. With a little more time, you can even extend your journey towards Kurseong or parts of North Sikkim, depending on road conditions and permits.
