A visit to Indian Union Territory - Diu
Type of visit: Romantic, Honeymoon, Nature Love, Relax
Time required/recommended: 5-6 days
I visited: Dec - 2008 and now again in Nov - 2018
Tips: Best in Feb to March and Nov to Dec
It was a time for family outing combined with celebration of 10th anniversary of marriage. Destination was West Bengal and Sikkim.
Famous for 3”T” – Tea, Timber and Tourism, Darjeeling stands out in its beauty and rich scenic ambience.
After every trip review, I am generally asked two foremost questions, one is itinerary and other is budget. This time, I am presenting these two answers first.
Itinerary summary:
Day-1 (18.11.2018): Departure from Home to Bagdogra and drive to Gangtok.
Day-2 (19.11.2018): Tsomogo Lake, Elephant Lake, Baba Mandir
Day-3: (20.11.2018): Local Gangtok and Drive to Darjeeling
Day-4 (21.11.2018): Sunrise at Tiger Hill, Local Attractions at Darjeeling, Toy Train Ride
Day-5 (22.11.2018): Darjeeling to Kalimpong – Kalimpong Local attractions – Drive back to Darjeeling
Day-6 (23.11.2018): Drive to Bagdora Airport – Departure to Baroda
Budget Breakup:
- Flight from Baroda to Bagdogra: 2 Adult + 1 Child – 18000/-
- Cab Package from Bagdogra to all Itinerary and back to drop at Bagdogra – 18500/-
- Hotel at Gangtok – Royal Residency (18.11.2018 to 20.11.2018) (Family Deluxe Room with Breakfast) – 2800/- (Got a Great deal on Goibibo)
- Hotel at Darjeeling – Central Nirvana (20.11.2018 to 23.11.2018) – Club Room without meal plan – 8800/-
- Flight from Bagdogra to Baroda: 2 Adult + 1 Child – 18000/-
- Local Food and tickets: 2500/- Approx
Tips:
Book Hotel near to mall road at both places. This gives you chance to wander around mall area in evening and shopping by own. Book hotel self on Goibibo or Makemytrip. You can use coupons and wallet money to save cost on booking.
Day-1: (18.11.2018) Reaching the destination:
We took indigo flight from Baroda to Bagdogra via Delhi Airport. We had booked this a month prior.
It was an early morning flight at 7.10AM from Vadodara and we reached Bagdogra by afternoon 2.30PM. After collecting over baggage, we met our first day driver, who took us to our first stay destination, Gangtok.
Gangtok is approximately 5hr road journey from Bagdogra Airport via Siliguri. We selected this sequence (first up-north Gangtok and then back Darjeeling/Kalimpong) because while coming to holiday the road journey itself becomes your destination and we does not get tired or bored of long sitting hours in car.
Another reason to keep Darjeeling afterwards is that from Darjeeling to Bagdogra is 2.30hr road journey in return. So you do not have to rush on your last day if you stay at Gangtok on your departure day.
By 7.30PM we reached at our hotel at Gangtok and relaxed with the view of mountains from the window of our room.
Day-2: (19.11.2018): Tsomogo Lake and Babab Mandir:
In the spine chilling cold breeze of morning, we woke up with a fantastic view of valley from our hotel room window.
After the breakfast, our driver picked us up from hotel and we started towards Tsomogo Lake at 8.45AM.
Keep in mind to call your driver on time in morning when you have Tsomogo lake/Nathula in your itinerary, as uphill vehicles are allowed only till 10AM and passes are issued on id proofs for this visit. Tourist vehicles are required to come back from Tsomogo/Nathula by 3.00PM
We were lucky that this year snow fall started early in November and we could enjoy snow on the route and at Tsomogo Lake.
As I always say, the journey towards the destination is sometimes more interesting than the destination itself. The snow-capped road and mountains on the route made the journey remarkable.
Elephant Lake on route to Baba Mandir after Tsomogo Lake is yet another beautiful stoppage, but seldom ignored by tourists due to time restriction imposed by drivers/tour operators. But I recommend it more than Baba Mandir. We stayed for a good time here and enjoyed the feeling of heaven.
After returning from the heaven, driver dropped us at our hotel by 4.30PM.
After some relaxation, we embarked on shopping spree at Mall Road.
While booking the Hotel at Gangtok, I selected this Hotel (Royal Residency) because it was near to mall Road. Mall Road is must visit place in Gangtok in evening time. You will feel not less than visiting any East Asian Country. The beautiful people on the street and cool breeze combines the experience like never before.
Day-3: (20.11.2018): Local Gangtok and Transfer to Darjeeling
There are very few attraction local to Gangtok. Tourists mainly stay at Gangtok for Tsomogo, Nathula and for onward journey to Lachung (Yumthang Valley/Zero Point)
Hence we kept half day for Gangtok local tour and then in second half drive to Darjeeling. Generally tour operators, keep a day for transfer from Gangtok to Darjeeling or wise-a versa, which is not fully justifiable. Drivers on this day will try to drop you at Darjeeling as soon as possible, to get return passengers in their vehicle for extra money other than getting from their tour operators.
Do Drul Monestary, Banjhakri water falls, Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok are soem of the attraction, which can be visitied in half day trip at Gangtok.
Day-4: (21.11.2018): Exploring Darjeeling:
Generally on this day, travel agents give the itinerary of waking up early in morning around 3AM and proceed for Tiger Hills for seeing sunrise at Kanchenjunga (the third heist mountain of the world).
I had booked hotel after researching on google and makemytrip, which has beautiful view of Kanchenjunga from the hotel room itself. We rather denied driver to come at early morning. We got ready however, by 5.30AM and came down to small garden just below our hotel room.
We enjoyed a nice view of Sunrise and Kanchenjunga in morning 6AM.
Rather spending more time at hotel, we walked down on streets of Darjeeling in morning by our own and reached Darjeeling Railway station, which is origin / end of Darjeeling-Himalayan-Railway, Toy train, which was hardly a KM from our room.
I had booked Morning 8AM toy train from Darjeeling station to next station (Ghoom or Ghum).
Sitting on Darjeeling station, with a cup of tea, watching toy train getting ready for departure is unique experience which cannot be captured in words.
We embarked on toy train journey from Darjeeling station at 8.20AM and reached Ghum by 9AM.
This 40Mins toy train ride, passing through the city traffic, intersecting city roads many times, gives an unforgettable experience. The traffic management at Darjeeling is really appreciable. The toy train tracks are embedded in day to day commute route in Darjeeling.
We called our driver at Ghum station itself in morning and started day tour from here.
Ghum monastery, Batasia Loop are nearby to Ghum station which are worth visiting. Rock garden, now-a-days is not included by travel agents in normal itinerary, as it is down the hills and road toward rock garden is damaged a lot, with steep climbs and slopes. Vehicle and driver both should be skilled to travel this road. However this journey itself is adventures. Rock garden itself is very beautiful with waterfall. Must visit.
After rock garden you can spend time at Padmaja Naidu Zoo and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (situated in same complex with single entry ticket)
Evening, after arriving at room, and getting refreshed, we strolled down Darjeeling Mall area on walk. Sunset time is around 5.15PM, hence plan your day accordingly.
Local Food, Veg and Non Veg MOMOs are readily available in all restaurants on mall area. We also purchased local specialities like Dalle (a local Pickles), Darjeeling tea. Enjoy local cuisine around.
Day-5: (22.11.2018): Darjeeling to Kalimpong:
Kalimpong was a new addition to our itinerary from the last 2008 visit. But this was surprisingly amazing decision. The road journey to Kalimpong is full of scenic spots and greenery including view of Kanchenjunga along the way to Kalimpong.
Covered in white snow, the view of Kanchenjunga is a never forgettable experience.
Entire beauty of sight can not be captured other than in eyes and heart. Lamahatta, Triveni, View point and Teesta River running along your roadside, gives a marvellous feeling.
Science Centre, Delo Hill garden, Pine View Nursery (also called Cactus Park) are major attraction in Kalimpong. The whole day is spent in the arms of nature and adventure.
Day-6: (23.11.2018): Darjeeling to Bagdogra Airport:
We had a flight at 12.10PM on this day. Road journey from Darjeeling to Bagdogra Airport is around 3 Hrs. By keeping margin we started at 7:30AM from Darjeeling.
Before that in morning 6AM after getting ready we had a visit to Mahakal Mandir just above Mall area. This is a small temple but very calm and beautiful in the morning. You should stay near to Mall area and enjoy Mall and surrounding ambience on walk in every evening as we did. Enjoying strolling, cool breezy evening makes more out of your Holiday and adds to relaxation, rather than just running and covering points given in itinerary.
Early morning drive was enjoyable from Darjeeling to Bagdogra. Mr Pankaj, behind the steering was quite humble and friendly, which made our trip to Darjeeling more comfortable and enjoyable. He took alternate route, bypassing the normal Siliguri road. This alternate route was full of scenic spots, tea gardens, and valleys.
Truly a refreshing holiday and good way to celebrate 10 years of our marriage anniversary.
