Darjeeling, Kalimpong & Lava
Darjeeling sits at about 2,000 m in the eastern Himalayas, surrounded by tea gardens, with Kanchenjunga on the horizon on a clear morning. Combine it with Kurseong and Mirik on the way up, and Kalimpong and Lava for a quieter few days.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and the nearest airport is Bagdogra, both near Siliguri. From there it's roughly a 3-hour drive up to Darjeeling by shared or private taxi. Kurseong is on the way, and Mirik is a scenic side route.
Things to do in Darjeeling
Go up to Tiger Hill before dawn for sunrise over Kanchenjunga, ride the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (a UNESCO World Heritage site) or its short joy ride to the Batasia Loop, visit the Japanese Peace Pagoda, walk Mall Road and Chowrasta, and spend time in a tea garden.
Kurseong, Mirik, Kalimpong & Lava
Kurseong is a calm town on the way up, beautiful in the fog. Mirik has a lake ringed by pine forest and tea estates. Kalimpong is a separate hill town a couple of hours from Darjeeling, and Lava beyond it is a small, quiet village with a monastery and forest walks – ideal if you want to escape the crowds.
Best time to visit
October to December gives the clearest mountain views. March to May is pleasant, with spring flowers. The monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rain, thick mist and occasional landslides – beautiful, but plan buffer time.
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