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Choose the right Darjeeling and Sikkim package
BagdograDarjeelingGangtok
Classic Darjeeling and Gangtok
Three nights in Darjeeling for tea, the Toy Train and Kanchenjunga, then three in Gangtok for monasteries and Tsomgo Lake.
BagdograDarjeelingKalimpong+1 more
Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Gangtok Family Holiday
Two nights each in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Gangtok, with the Toy Train, a zoo, nurseries and a ropeway, at a pace for families.
BagdograDarjeelingGangtok
Darjeeling and Sikkim Friends' Group Tour
Two nights in Darjeeling and three in Gangtok for groups of friends, with Tiger Hill, the Toy Train, Tsomgo Lake and the cafes of MG Marg.
Need a different route or pace?
Tell us your travel dates, group size, starting point, preferred stay category and budget range. We will use those details to prepare a more relevant Darjeeling and Sikkim plan.
A family trip to Darjeeling and Sikkim can be wonderful. Children enjoy the Toy Train, the zoo, the ropeway, prayer flags and momos, and parents enjoy the views and the calm. But mountain roads are long, altitude affects the young and old differently, and weather can disrupt plans. A good family plan accounts for all of this.
What makes a plan family-friendly
- Fewer hotel changes. We use two or three bases, with at least two nights in each.
- Shorter drives with breaks. Hill roads are slow, so we split long stretches and add a stop in Kalimpong between Darjeeling and Gangtok.
- Lower-altitude choices. Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Gangtok are below about 2,100 metres. Tsomgo Lake and Nathu La are much higher, so we offer them only where it makes sense.
- Easy sightseeing. A Toy Train joyride, a ropeway, a zoo, a tea estate walk and a monastery visit.
- Rooms that fit a family. Interconnecting rooms or family suites, checked in advance.
- Flexible mornings. Tiger Hill means a start before dawn, which is hard for small children, so we make it optional.
Ideas children enjoy
- The Darjeeling Toy Train, with its hooting whistle.
- Red pandas and snow leopards at the Darjeeling zoo.
- The Gangtok ropeway.
- Spinning prayer wheels at a monastery.
- Visiting a flower nursery in Kalimpong.
- Momos, hot chocolate and fresh bread in a mountain cafe.
Choosing the season
March to May and October to early December are the best months. School holidays in May and June, and the Puja holidays in October, are crowded. The monsoon is not recommended for families, because of landslides and slippery paths. Winter is cold and quiet.
Where to begin
See the Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Gangtok family holiday, 6 nights. For a shorter option, look at the Darjeeling and Gangtok classic.
Send us the ages of the travellers and your dates and we will plan around them.
Plan smarter
Related guides
Best Time to Visit Darjeeling and Sikkim
Month-by-month advice for Darjeeling and Sikkim: spring blooms, the monsoon landslide season, the clear weeks of autumn and winter snow.
How to Reach Darjeeling and Sikkim
Flights to Bagdogra, trains to New Jalpaiguri and the hill roads onward to Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Gangtok and Pelling.
Darjeeling and Sikkim Weather Month by Month
Temperatures, rain, fog and snow across Darjeeling, Gangtok, Pelling and the high places of Sikkim, with notes on what to pack.
Helpful answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Darjeeling and Sikkim good for family holidays with children?
Yes, with sensible planning. Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Gangtok suit most families, with the Toy Train, zoo, ropeway and monasteries. Tsomgo Lake and Nathu La are above 3,700 metres, so we recommend a doctor's advice for young children and elders, and North Sikkim is better for older children.
Will I get altitude sickness in Sikkim?
Darjeeling, Gangtok and Pelling are below about 2,100 metres and rarely cause problems. Tsomgo Lake is near 3,800 metres, Nathu La above 4,300, Yumthang about 3,500 and Gurudongmar over 5,000. Take your time, drink water, avoid alcohol before high places and descend if you feel unwell. Gurudongmar needs special caution.
Are the roads in Sikkim safe?
Roads are narrow and climb through steep, landslide-prone slopes, and the NH-10 stretch from Siliguri to Gangtok along the Teesta river is closed from time to time after rain. Experienced local drivers matter a great deal. We avoid night driving, leave early in the day and keep spare days in the plan.