Welcome to the Darjeeling District, where the Himalayas rise like a blue wall and the air smells faintly of citrus and tea. This 7-day itinerary blends Sittong’s serene village life—nicknamed the Orange Valley—with Darjeeling’s storied hill-station charm, colonial architecture, and legendary tea gardens.

Darjeeling’s tea boom began in the mid-19th century; its estates still handcraft leaves prized the world over. Ride the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway “toy train,” greet dawn at Tiger Hill, and wander monasteries that hold centuries of Buddhist heritage. In Sittong, wake to birdsong, walk to hidden view points, and sip fresh-brewed orthodox tea right where it grows.

Practical notes: The best skies for mountain views are October–April; Sittong’s orange season peaks roughly November–January. Roads can be landslide-prone during the monsoon (June–September). Altitude is moderate (Darjeeling ~2,045 m), so pace yourself and hydrate. For trains and flights, start with Trip.com Flights, Kiwi.com Flights, and for rail within India, Trip.com Trains.

Sittong (often spelled “Sitong”)

Tucked in the Kurseong region, Sittong is a cluster of misty villages draped in orange orchards and cardamom slopes. It’s unhurried and authentic—perfect for morning walks to Ahaldara View Point for Kanchenjunga views and for spotting hornbills in the Latpanchar stretch of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Why go: Village life, birding, sunrise viewpoints, and home-cooked Nepali–Lepcha cuisine (think gundruk soup, alu-dum, sel roti, and farm-fresh vegetables).
• Top nearby sights: Ahaldara View Point, Namthing Pokhri (salamander lake), Latpanchar forest trails, and Rabindra Bhavan at Mungpoo (Tagore’s summer residence and museum).
• Eats & drinks: Most meals are at homestays—ask for millet-based tongba (for adults), churpi with chilli, and steamed momos. For a simple roadside bite, try tea-and-snack stalls around Ahaldara that serve piping-hot thukpa.

Where to stay (Sittong): Browse rustic cottages and homestays with orchard views on VRBO or check small lodges and guesthouses via Hotels.com. Aim for properties near Ahaldara for the sunrise.

Darjeeling

Darjeeling pairs Himalayan horizons with the hum of a historic hill town. Built by the British as a summer retreat, it’s now a tapestry of Tibetan, Nepali, Lepcha, and Bengali cultures—best explored on foot along Chowrasta, up to Observatory Hill, and through bustling Nehru Road.

• Essentials: Tiger Hill sunrise, Batasia Loop, Ghum Monastery, Happy Valley Tea Estate (factory tours usually Tue–Sun), Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (closed on Thursday).
• Cafes & bites: Glenary’s Bakery for buttery croissants and coffee; Keventer’s rooftop for hot chocolate and sausages; Kunga for Tibetan thukpa and momos; Hasty Tasty (veg) for dosas and chaat; Ara by Bellevue for cocktails with a view; Gatty’s Cafe for live music nights.
• Fun fact: The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage line since 1999, still chugs on steam for special rides.

Where to stay (Darjeeling): Find heritage stays and view rooms on VRBO and browse hotels—from classic hill-station properties to boutique hideaways—on Hotels.com. Look around Mall Road or Gandhi Road for easy walking access.

Day 1: Arrival to Sittong (Afternoon arrival assumed)

Afternoon: Fly into Bagdogra (IXB) or arrive by train to NJP, then drive 2.5–3.5 hours to Sittong (roughly 60–70 km). Private taxis typically cost INR 3,500–5,000 ($42–60). Price-check flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If you prefer rail to Siliguri/NJP, see Trip.com Trains.

Evening: Check into your Sittong homestay, sip first-flush Darjeeling tea on the balcony, and take a short village stroll. Dinner at your homestay—ask for a Nepali thali with rice, dal, seasonal greens, and gundruk ko achar (fermented leafy relish). It’s simple, filling, and hyper-local.

Day 2: Sittong Sunrises, Forest Walks, and Village Life

Morning: Pre-dawn drive or walk to Ahaldara View Point for a 180° panorama—on clear days, Kanchenjunga glows pink. Return for a homely breakfast (try sel roti with aloo tarkari). Head to Namthing Pokhri, known for the rare Himalayan salamander, then continue to Latpanchar for easy forest trails and birding—look for the rufous-necked hornbill, minivets, and laughingthrushes.

Afternoon: Drive to nearby Mungpoo to see Rabindra Bhavan, the bungalow where Rabindranath Tagore spent summers. It’s a quiet, evocative stop with manuscripts and photographs. Lunch back at the homestay—momos, thukpa, and sautéed fiddlehead ferns in season.

Evening: Sunset walk through orange orchards (peak fruiting Nov–Jan). Warm up with a clay tumbler of tongba (millet brew; adults only) around a small bonfire. Early night—tomorrow you transfer to Darjeeling.

Day 3: Sittong to Darjeeling + Mall Road Wander

Morning: Depart Sittong after breakfast for Darjeeling via Peshok Road (approx. 2.5–3 hours, INR 3,000–4,500/$36–55 by private taxi). Pause at Lovers’ Meet View Point for the Teesta–Rangeet confluence.

Afternoon: Check in, then amble along Chowrasta (Mall Road) and up to Observatory Hill, dotted with prayer flags. Coffee and pastries at Glenary’s Bakery—the rum balls and croissants are classics.

Evening: Dinner at Kunga (small, cash-friendly, delicious Tibetan soups and momos). Cap the night with a tea flight at a heritage boutique near the Mall—ask for first flush, second flush, and an autumnal to appreciate the contrast.

Day 4: Tiger Hill Sunrise, Ghum & Batasia, HMI and Zoo

Early morning: Join a guided sunrise trip to Tiger Hill for the famous Kanchenjunga glow and, on the luckiest mornings, a distant Everest silhouette.

Trip to Tiger Hill Darjeeling (Viator)

Morning: On the return, stop at Batasia Loop to watch toy trains spiral and pay respects at the war memorial, then visit Ghum Monastery (Samten Choling) with its serene Maitreya statue. Breakfast afterward at Keventer’s—order hot chocolate and the classic breakfast plate; vegetarians can opt for grilled paneer sandwiches.

Afternoon: Explore Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (snow leopards, red pandas) and the adjoining Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, where Tenzing Norgay’s Everest legacy lives on. Note: the zoo/HMI are typically closed on Thursday.

Evening: Try to snag seats on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway steam or diesel “joy ride” (2 hours Darjeeling–Ghum–Darjeeling; book at the station). Dinner at Shangri-La Restaurant & Bar for momos and Nepali curries, or Ara by Bellevue for cocktails and small plates with a view.

Day 5: Old Town Stories, Tea Estate Visit, and Sunset Sips

Morning: Walk Darjeeling’s layered history—colonial lanes, bazaars, and viewpoints—on a guided storytelling stroll.

Colonial Heritage Walking Tour in Darjeeling (Viator)

Afternoon: Visit Happy Valley Tea Estate for a factory tour and tasting (usually Tue–Sun; confirm timings locally). Learn how withering, rolling, oxidation, and firing shape the cup you love. Lunch nearby at Hasty Tasty—a reliable veg spot for dosas, chhole bhature, and sweet lassi.

Evening: Shop for teas and handicrafts along Nehru Road and the Mall—ask for single-estate first flush and a smoky muscatel second flush. Dinner at The Park for Indian-Chinese favorites (crispy chilli baby corn, hakka noodles) and a cold beer.

Day 6: Choose Your Adventure: Tonglu Day Trek or Mirik Scenic Drive

Option A — Day Trek: Lace up for a full-day guided hike to Tonglu on the Singalila ridge, with sweeping views and rhododendron forests in season. You’ll start near Manebhanjan (permit formalities for Singalila National Park are handled there; carry ID/passport and expect modest fees). Packed lunch, water, sun protection, and layers are essential.

Mystic Darjeeling to Tonglu Day Trek (Viator)

Option B — Scenic Drive: Prefer wheels to boots? Take a full-day countryside drive to Mirik for lake walks, tea garden viewpoints, and orange orchards (in season), with photogenic stops en route.

The Land Mark Tour: Darjeeling to Mirik (Viator)

Evening: Back in town, cozy up at Gatty’s Cafe for live music, wood-fired pizza, and a nightcap. Alternatively, hit Taste of Tibet for a final round of momos and shapta (stir-fried meat with peppers).

Day 7: Peace Pagoda, Last Sips, and Departure (Afternoon departure assumed)

Morning: Stroll to the Japanese Peace Pagoda and adjacent Nipponzan Myohoji monastery for a serene farewell. Coffee at Glenary’s or a quick chai at a street stall. Pick up final tea tins—look for whole-leaf grades and airtight packaging.

Afternoon: Depart to Bagdogra (2.5–3.5 hours) or NJP. You can prebook a car or use a transfer service:

Private Transfer Darjeeling Hotels To Bagdogra Airport IXB Drop (Viator)

For flights, compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you’re connecting by rail, check schedules on Trip.com Trains.

Where to Book Your Stays

Sittong: Orchard-view homestays and hillside cottages on VRBO and small lodges via Hotels.com. Choose near Ahaldara or Latpanchar for nature access.

Darjeeling: Heritage hotels, boutique stays, and view rooms around the Mall and Gandhi Road area on VRBO and Hotels.com. Book early in peak months (Oct–Dec, Mar–May).

Getting In and Around

Fly/Rail to gateway: Land at Bagdogra (IXB) or train to NJP/Siliguri. Search fares on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com, and trains on Trip.com Trains.

Transfers: IXB/NJP–Sittong: 2.5–3.5 hours by car; Sittong–Darjeeling: 2.5–3 hours; Darjeeling–IXB/NJP: 2.5–3.5 hours. Within Darjeeling, shared cabs are common (short hops INR 20–50 per seat); day hires run ~INR 3,000–3,800 depending on route.

Seasonal tips: For Tiger Hill and trekking days, dress in layers and carry rain protection in monsoon. For Singalila routes (Tonglu/Sandakphu), bring ID for park permits; fees are modest and camera fees may apply.

Optional extras if you have time: A dedicated Darjeeling full-day highlights tour:

Day_Trippers (Darjeeling Full Day Tour) (Viator)

This week in Sittong and Darjeeling balances village quiet with classic hill-station highlights—sunrises at Tiger Hill, tea tastings, and walks where prayer flags hum in the wind. With flexible days and strong food and stay suggestions, you’ll have everything you need to savor Darjeeling District at a human pace.