First, 2 nights in Gangtok
MAYFAIR Spa Resort & Casino, Gangtok
A 48-acre forest resort below Gangtok — carved-wood villas with valley views, an award-winning spa, a heated pool and a casino, minutes from MG Marg.
Gangtok · Resort · Luxury★★★★★
Luxury Accommodation7 NightsBest SellerLuxury
Sikkim & Darjeeling Grand Circuit — Luxury
About This Journey
Sikkim & Darjeeling Grand Circuit — Luxury
Seven nights through Sikkim's Buddhist monasteries and mountain towns, crossing into West Bengal for Darjeeling's tea gardens and Tiger Hill's sunrise view of Kanchenjunga. It's the classic version of this circuit, moving from Gangtok's monasteries and MG Marg through Ravangla and Pelling before the state-line crossing into Darjeeling.
Gangtok opens the trip with its monasteries, the ropeway over the town and the evening promenade at MG Marg, before the road runs south via the Namchi statues to Ravangla, then on to Pelling, where Pemayangtse monastery, the Rabdentse ruins and the Khecheopalri lake sit within reach of the glass-floored Skywalk. The final stretch crosses into Darjeeling for Tiger Hill's sunrise and a proper tea garden visit before departure.
- 01
Tiger Hill sunrise over Kanchenjunga
The classic Darjeeling early-morning outing — weather permitting, a clear view of Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak, catching first light from Tiger Hill's viewpoint above town.
- 02
Pelling's cluster of Buddhist sites
Pemayangtse monastery, the Rabdentse ruins and Khecheopalri, a lake held sacred by both Buddhists and Hindus, sit close together near Pelling — a genuinely dense stretch of Sikkim's spiritual landmarks in a single day.
- 03
A real tea garden day in Darjeeling
Beyond the town itself, the itinerary includes proper time at a working tea garden — the hillside rows that give Darjeeling tea its name, and a different, slower register from the mountain-town pace of the Sikkim leg.
Chapter Two — Where You'll Stay
4 Real Stays, In Order
Handpicked along your own route — not a hotel chain repeated city to city.
Next, one night in Ravangla
Buddha Retreat, Ravangla
A small Yangthang Heritage hotel below Ravangla with Kanchenjunga-view rooms — minutes from Buddha Park, short drives to Ralang and the Temi tea garden.
Ravangla · Resort · Premium★★★
Next, 2 nights in Pelling
The Elgin Mount Pandim, Pelling
A former royal guest house on a ridge below Pemayangtse in Pelling — Bhutanese-style rooms with Kanchenjunga views and sunrise on the snow.
Pelling · Resort · Luxury★★★★
Finally, 2 nights in Darjeeling
Glenburn Tea Estate
A working tea estate above the Rungeet river near Darjeeling since 1859 — planters' bungalows, full-board estate food, and guided tea and factory walks.
Darjeeling · Resort · Luxury★★★★★
Chapter Three — Day by Day
Real Sikkim & Darjeeling Attractions in This Itinerary
6 of your 8days — the full itinerary follows below. Scroll to travel the route.
Day 2 · Gangtok
Gangtok — the Monasteries, the Ropeway and MG Marg
A full day around the capital. Rumtek first, the largest monastery in Sikkim and the Karmapa's seat, on a hill facing the town. Then the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, with one of the best collections of Tibetan texts and art outside Tibet, and the nearby Do-drul chorten. The afternoon takes in the Enchey monastery above the town, the ropeway across the ridge, and time on MG Marg and in the Lal Bazar market.
Day 3 · Gangtok → Ravangla
Gangtok to Ravangla, via the Namchi Statues
A drive south and west of about four hours, crossing the Teesta and climbing into South Sikkim. The stop on the way is Namchi: the forty-five-metre statue of Guru Padmasambhava on Samdruptse hill, and the Char Dham complex at Solophok, where the four corner temples of India are rebuilt at full size around a statue of Shiva. Both sit on hilltops with wide views. You reach Ravangla, on its ridge facing Kanchenjunga, by evening.
Day 4 · Ravangla → Pelling
Ravangla to Pelling
A drive of about three hours west along the ridges, through forest and small villages, with Kanchenjunga ahead most of the way on a clear day. There is time to stop at a viewpoint or a roadside monastery. You reach Pelling, in the far west of the state, by early afternoon, and check in with the mountains filling the windows. If the sky is clear, the sunset light on the snow from the hotel lawn is worth waiting for.
Day 5 · Pelling
Pelling — Pemayangtse, Rabdentse, Khecheopalri and the Skywalk
A full day in west Sikkim. Pemayangtse first, one of the oldest monasteries in the state, with a seven-tiered wooden model of a celestial palace on its top floor. A short walk downhill reaches the forest ruins of Rabdentse, the old royal capital. The afternoon is the sacred Khecheopalri Lake, still and leaf-free in its ring of trees, and the glass skywalk on the ridge, which runs out over the valley to a large statue of Chenrezig.
Day 6 · Pelling → Darjeeling
Pelling to Darjeeling — Crossing into West Bengal
A drive of about four hours, dropping out of Sikkim through Jorethang and crossing the Teesta into West Bengal. The road climbs again on the far side, through tea gardens and pine forest, with Kanchenjunga still visible behind on a clear day. You reach Darjeeling by mid-afternoon, the ridge-top town busier and more built-up than the Sikkim hills just crossed. The evening is for the Mall and Chowrasta, Darjeeling's pedestrian square.
Day 7 · Darjeeling
Darjeeling — Tiger Hill Sunrise and a Tea Garden
A pre-dawn drive to Tiger Hill for sunrise over Kanchenjunga, with the convoy of jeeps that makes the same trip every clear morning. The return stops at Ghum monastery and the Batasia Loop war memorial. Back in town for a late breakfast, the rest of the morning is Happy Valley Tea Estate, a short walk from the Chowk Bazaar, for the factory tour and a tasting. The afternoon is free for the Mall.
Chapter Four — The Full Itinerary
8 Days, In Full
Every day, start to finish — including the transfers the day-by-day chapter above skipped.
Gangtok
Arrive in Gangtok
The drive up from Bagdogra airport or the New Jalpaiguri railhead takes about four to five hours, climbing out of the Bengal tea plains and up the Teesta gorge into Sikkim. Foreign visitors have their Sikkim permit checked at Rangpo on the way in. You reach Gangtok in the afternoon. The evening is for MG Marg, the traffic-free central avenue, where the town comes out to walk and the cafes fill up.
Gangtok
Gangtok — the Monasteries, the Ropeway and MG Marg
A full day around the capital. Rumtek first, the largest monastery in Sikkim and the Karmapa's seat, on a hill facing the town. Then the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, with one of the best collections of Tibetan texts and art outside Tibet, and the nearby Do-drul chorten. The afternoon takes in the Enchey monastery above the town, the ropeway across the ridge, and time on MG Marg and in the Lal Bazar market.
Gangtok → Ravangla
Gangtok to Ravangla, via the Namchi Statues
A drive south and west of about four hours, crossing the Teesta and climbing into South Sikkim. The stop on the way is Namchi: the forty-five-metre statue of Guru Padmasambhava on Samdruptse hill, and the Char Dham complex at Solophok, where the four corner temples of India are rebuilt at full size around a statue of Shiva. Both sit on hilltops with wide views. You reach Ravangla, on its ridge facing Kanchenjunga, by evening.
Ravangla → Pelling
Ravangla to Pelling
A drive of about three hours west along the ridges, through forest and small villages, with Kanchenjunga ahead most of the way on a clear day. There is time to stop at a viewpoint or a roadside monastery. You reach Pelling, in the far west of the state, by early afternoon, and check in with the mountains filling the windows. If the sky is clear, the sunset light on the snow from the hotel lawn is worth waiting for.
Pelling
Pelling — Pemayangtse, Rabdentse, Khecheopalri and the Skywalk
A full day in west Sikkim. Pemayangtse first, one of the oldest monasteries in the state, with a seven-tiered wooden model of a celestial palace on its top floor. A short walk downhill reaches the forest ruins of Rabdentse, the old royal capital. The afternoon is the sacred Khecheopalri Lake, still and leaf-free in its ring of trees, and the glass skywalk on the ridge, which runs out over the valley to a large statue of Chenrezig.
Pelling → Darjeeling
Pelling to Darjeeling — Crossing into West Bengal
A drive of about four hours, dropping out of Sikkim through Jorethang and crossing the Teesta into West Bengal. The road climbs again on the far side, through tea gardens and pine forest, with Kanchenjunga still visible behind on a clear day. You reach Darjeeling by mid-afternoon, the ridge-top town busier and more built-up than the Sikkim hills just crossed. The evening is for the Mall and Chowrasta, Darjeeling's pedestrian square.
Darjeeling
Darjeeling — Tiger Hill Sunrise and a Tea Garden
A pre-dawn drive to Tiger Hill for sunrise over Kanchenjunga, with the convoy of jeeps that makes the same trip every clear morning. The return stops at Ghum monastery and the Batasia Loop war memorial. Back in town for a late breakfast, the rest of the morning is Happy Valley Tea Estate, a short walk from the Chowk Bazaar, for the factory tour and a tasting. The afternoon is free for the Mall.
Darjeeling
Darjeeling — Departure
A free morning, for a last walk on the Mall or a return trip to Chowrasta before the crowds build. Bagdogra airport is about three hours away by road, with wide connections to Kolkata, Delhi and beyond; New Jalpaiguri's rail junction is a similar distance. It suits a shorter trip that stays entirely in the Darjeeling hills.
Guest Stories
What Our Travelers Say
Real words from real journeys — rated 5.0 across 310 Google reviews.
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An absolutely flawless experience. We felt like royalty from the moment we landed in Delhi until our departure.
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Truly exceptional — Brijesh, our tour planner, was incredibly attentive, professional, and meticulous in organizing a flawless itinerary.
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Mentions guide Brijesh
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Nothing short of magical. Brijesh crafted a seamless itinerary that balanced sightseeing, culture, and relaxation, making our journey truly special.
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Mentions guide Brijesh
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Everything went beyond our expectations. Our driver Rajesh kept us comfortable in every city, and Vicky was endlessly knowledgeable.
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From the moment we landed until we left, our driver Manish made us feel so taken care of — he made the trip even more memorable.
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Brijesh is a super good man! A comfortable journey through six cities, exactly to our desires and limits.
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Mentions guide Brijesh & Manish
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Excellent hotels and tour guides. Our driver Manish was superb in every way — reliable, and full of local knowledge.
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Mentions guide Manish
Chapter Five — Terms & Conditions
Straightforward, In Writing
Cancellation windows, refund timing, and rescheduling terms for this journey follow our one sitewide policy — nothing package-specific to dig through.
Read the Return & Refund PolicyFrequently Asked
Before You Book
Is Kanchenjunga visible year-round from Tiger Hill?
Views depend heavily on weather and season — the clearest months are generally October to December and again in spring, but cloud cover can obscure the view on any given morning. It's a highlight, not a guarantee.
How does the Sikkim-to-Darjeeling crossing work?
It's an overland drive from Pelling across the state line into West Bengal — a scenic transfer day rather than a border formality, since both Sikkim and Darjeeling sit within India.
Chapter Six — Similar Journeys
More of Sikkim & Darjeeling, Privately
Other ways to see it
Routes in Sikkim & Darjeeling
Before you go
Planning Sikkim & Darjeeling
Travel Tips
Private Tour or Group Tour in India? An Honest Comparison
First-Time IndiaPlanning GuideTravel Tips
Travel Tips
Getting Around India: Trains, Flights or a Private Car?
First-Time IndiaPlanning GuideTravel Tips
Travel Tips
Eating Well in India Without Getting Ill: A Practical Guide
First-Time IndiaFood & CulturePlanning Guide
Why Choose Us
The Same Trust, Sized to This Trip
01
Planning, Built Around You
This route was shaped around Sikkim & Darjeeling's real places, not lifted from a fixed template.
13 years — Brijesh Sharma, Bespoke Itinerary Specialist
02
Handpicked Hotels
Every stay on this trip was chosen in person, not off a ratings page.
4 real stays, 3–5★
03
A Private Fleet, Always Yours
One driver, air-conditioned, for the whole route — no shared shuttle.
Premium sedans & SUVs · One driver, the whole trip
Kashmir to Kanyakumari
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