Embark on an awe-inspiring journey to the hills of Sittong, Chatakpur, and Darjeeling, an unimaginable way to experience a slightly offbeat tour in North Bengal. We have curated the best itinerary for exploring Darjeeling and offbeat locations in North Bengal, including Sittong and Chatakpur.
Day 1 : Siliguri to Sittong
Load your belongings and make your way to New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Railway Station, Siliguri, or Bagdogra Airport. From there, begin your journey towards the highlands of North Bengal. The mountain road leading to Sittong is like a winding snake, offering a captivating experience. As you pass through the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, you’ll feel your heart thumping in anticipation. The road takes you through lush green cedar forests, leaving you breathless with its beauty. Find a comfortable homestay in Sittong through our website, where you can enjoy delicious food on the balcony while relishing the chilling breeze of the mountains.
Day 2 : Sittong Stay
Sittong is situated between River Teesta and Darjeeling Hill. You can either travel within Sittong village to enjoy the various attractions here or because it has a pretty vast geographical area, you may need to spend some time covering the area thoroughly. The other alternative is to explore the entire region beyond Sittong. You may visit:
- Ahaldara viewpoint
- Namthing Pokhri
- Mongpu
- House of Rabindranath Tagore
- Cinchona Plantation
- Orange orchards
- Sittong Monastery (Upper Ghaylear Longho Lepcha Buddhist monastery)
- Jogighat Bridge and Riyang river
Day 3 : Sittong to Chatakpur
After a pleasant stay in Sittong, it is time to travel to a gorgeous place in the Kalimpong Highlands at Chatakpur. If you are not satisfied enough with nature’s scenic aesthetics, you may choose to go via the dense Mahaldiram Forest towards Chatakpur for more touring experiences. Along the way, you can visit places like:
- Mahaldiram tea garden
- Simring Tea Garden
- Bagora Airforce viewpoint
- Pokriatar viewpoint
If you choose to go via Kurseong, you can experience some spots such as:
- Dow Hill Eco Park or Dow Hill Deer Park
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Museum
- Ambotia tea estate and Ambotia Shiv mandir
- Eagle’s Crag
- Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Museum
- Churches
Day 4 : Chatakpur Stay
Take entry to a homestay in Chatakpur, and fill your stomach with a heartful meal. Chatakpur has rejuvenating scenery and ambiences for every travelling soul. Enjoy your day in Chatakpur and roam around the village and its adjacent timber forest.
Day 5 : Chatakpur to Darjeeling
After staying at Chatkpur you should go to Darjeeling, one of the capital hills of these highlands in North Bengal. The road from Chatakpur to Darjeeling is one of the most attractive and gorgeous routes in West Bengal, India’s Darjeeling highlands. The road winds through the Singalila National Park’s lush green trees and provides stunning vistas of the snow-capped Himalayas.
Some sightseeing points on your way are
- Sonada Forest
- Batasialoop
- Ghoom Monastery
There are many beautiful and aristocratic-styled resorts, hotels, and homestays in Darjeeling which you can book on our website
Day 6 : Darjeeling stay
Darjeeling, affectionately known as the “Queen of the Hills,” is nestled among the undulating slopes, with the gleaming Mt Kanchenjunga towering over the azure sky. It is the ideal gateway for people looking to live in one with nature. This is the home of muscatel-flavoured Darjeeling tea, which is adored by tea enthusiasts all over the world. This is the home of the world-famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, where a century-old miniature steam engine chugs uphill, competing for space with fast-vanishing Land Rovers. “There are flowers everywhere. The days are cold, and the sun appears to be playing hide and seek with us.” – Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore. Darjeeling in the postmodern period undoubtedly consists of six T’s – Tea, Teak, Tourism, Toy Train, Tiger Hill, and Tourism.
Your sightseeing points in Darjeeling:
- Tiger Hill,
- Batasialoop,
- Ghoom Monastery,
- Japanese Temple and Peace Pagoda,
- Happy Valley Tea Estate,
- Observatory Hill,
- Ava Art Gallery,
- Dali Monastery or Druk Choeling monastery
Day 7 : Back to NJP
As your enchanting journey through the serene hills comes to a close after five days of tranquillity, it’s reluctantly time to bid farewell and return to the hustle and bustle of your daily life. Don’t fret, though, as we’ve got you covered with convenient options to make your way back to NJP or Bagdogra. Whether you prefer the freedom of renting a cab or the ease of arranging a Darjeeling tour package through your hotel or travel agent, we ensure a seamless and comfortable journey back, allowing you to cherish the memories and carry a piece of the hills with you as you depart.