How to Book a Custom Darjeeling Tour Package from Kolkata
Booking a custom Darjeeling tour package from Kolkata is easy and allows you to tailor your trip based on your preferences—whether it’s nature, adventure, luxury, or offbeat travel. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you:
🛫 Step-by-Step Guide to Booking a Custom Darjeeling Tour from Kolkata:
🧳 1. Decide the Type of Trip You Want
- Luxury Tour – 4-star/5-star hotels, private transport.
- Budget-Friendly – Homestays, shared cabs, local experiences.
- Offbeat Experience – Hidden villages, tea garden stays, nature hikes.
- Family/Honeymoon/Adventure Specific – Choose based on your group.
🚄 2. Choose Mode of Travel from Kolkata
- Train: Book a train from Kolkata (Sealdah/Howrah) to New Jalpaiguri (NJP).
- Trains: Padatik Express, Darjeeling Mail, Kanchankanya Express.
- Flight: Direct flights from Kolkata to Bagdogra Airport (IXB).
- Car: Private cars or self-drive from Kolkata (approx. 12–14 hrs drive).
🧭 3. Select Key Destinations to Cover
Custom packages often include a mix of:
- Darjeeling – Tiger Hill, Toy Train, Mall Road, Japanese Temple.
- Mirik – Lake, orange orchards, boating.
- Kurseong – Tea gardens, peaceful retreat.
- Kalimpong – Cactus nursery, monastery, heritage walks.
- Offbeat – Tabakoshi, Lamahatta, Tinchuley, Lepchajagat.
🏡 4. Pick Your Stay Options
Choose based on your vibe:
- Luxury Resorts: Mayfair, Windamere, Cedar Inn.
- Tea Garden Homestays: Gopaldhara, Makaibari, or Tabakoshi.
- Budget Hotels: Centrally located in Darjeeling or Kalimpong.
📞 5. Contact a Reliable Travel Operator (from Kolkata or Siliguri)
Here are some operators that offer custom Darjeeling tour packages:
- MakeMyTrip, Yatra, Thomas Cook (for structured packages).
- Local Tour Operators:
- DBS Travels (Siliguri)
- Himalayan Voyages (Darjeeling)
- Nature Beyond (Kolkata & Siliguri)
Ask for:
- Custom itinerary
- Hotel options
- Pickup from NJP/Bagdogra
- Local sightseeing
- Optional: Darjeeling Toy Train Joy Ride tickets
📲 6. Online Booking & Customization
Most operators offer:
- WhatsApp support
- Custom packages via website forms
- Partial payment for booking
- Flexible cancellation policies
💰 7. Get Package Cost Estimates
- Budget trip (4D/3N): ₹6,500–₹9,000 per person
- Standard (with 3-star hotels): ₹10,000–₹14,000 per person
- Luxury (with 4-star+ & private cab): ₹18,000–₹25,000+ per person
📝 8. Confirm the Booking
- Get a written itinerary with:
- Dates, hotels, sightseeing points
- Driver details
- Cancellation/refund policy
- Make advance payment (~30–50%)
🌐 Want Me to Find Current Custom Tour Operators or Offers?
If you’d like, I can check live packages or WhatsApp contact details of top-rated Darjeeling tour planners from Kolkata or Siliguri. Just let me know!
Would you like sample itinerary, or contact details of a few trusted travel planners?
📅 Sample 4‑Day Darjeeling Itinerary from Kolkata
This flexible itinerary covers the highlights—tailored to your pace and interests.
Day 1: Kolkata → NJP/Bagdogra → Darjeeling
- Travel: Early morning flight/train to Bagdogra (IXB) or New Jalpaiguri (NJP) (3.5–4 hrs drive).
- On arrival: Transfer to your hotel, check-in, relax.
- Evening: Stroll along Mall Road/Chowrasta, enjoy local cuisine (momos, thukpa).
Day 2: Sunrise & Key Sights
- 4 AM: Head to Tiger Hill to witness a spectacular sunrise over Kanchenjunga and, on clear days, even Everest
- Return via Batasia Loop (war memorial + loop) and Ghoom Monastery
- Post-breakfast: Visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Padmaja Naidu Zoo (home to red pandas, snow leopards) s
- Late afternoon: Explore the Japanese Peace Pagoda and cable car ride
Day 3: Toy Train, Tea Estate & Gardens
- Morning: Take a scenic ride on the UNESCO‑listed Toy Train from Darjeeling to Ghoom, enjoy panoramic hill views
- Next stop: Visit Happy Valley or Goomtee Tea Estate—guided tours, factory visits, and fresh tea tasting
- Afternoon: Relax at Lloyd’s Botanical Garden or Observatory Hill & Mahakal Temple
- Evening: Shopping at local markets for Darjeeling tea, woolens, handicrafts.
Day 4: Offbeat or Leisure Day → Departure
- Option A: Excursion to Rock Garden (small car not allowed)
- Option B: Day trip to Mirik – lake, boating, orchards (can be arranged at extra cost) .
- Late afternoon: Transfer back to NJP/Bagdogra and onward to Kolkata.
🛎️ Customization Tips
- Extend duration: Add a day for sandakphu trek or Sikkim combo.
- Stay options:
- Mid-range: Hotel Himalayan Retreat, Montane Resort
- Heritage charm: Windamere Hotel near Observatory Hill
- Transport choice: Private car vs shared Sumo (jeep) – shared cost ~₹200/person; cab full day ~₹3–4 k
✅ Quick Checklist Before You Go
- Book early: Tiger Hill & Toy Train seats (esp. steam engine) via local operator or hotel.
- Pack smart: Layered clothing, sturdy shoes, rain protection (weather is unpredictable).
- Entry tickets: For Zoo, Institutes, Cable Car, etc.
Would you like me to suggest hotels, help with booking links, or find tour operators?
Here are some great options to help you choose hotels, find tour operators, and book online for your custom Darjeeling trip:
🏨 Recommended Hotels in Darjeeling
- The Elgin, Darjeeling (Heritage, 5★)
A colonial-style stay with ~25 rooms and suites, elegant period furnishings, and commanding views of lush gardens and Kanchenjunga - Windamere Hotel (Heritage, 4★)
Iconic since 1841, perched on Observatory Hill with historic architecture and beautiful mountain views - Mayfair Hill Resort (Premium 5★)
Part of a top-rated chain, offering modern amenities, spa, stunning views, and breakfast included - Sinclairs Darjeeling (Luxury 4–5★)
Located near Chowrasta, it features fitness facilities, games room, scenic cafe, and multi-cuisine dining - Summit Grace Boutique Hotel & Spa (4★)
Stylish mountain-view rooms, on-site spa, close to Japanese Peace Pagoda
How to Book:
- For heritage hotels like Elgin and Windamere, check their official websites for best rates and fewer fees.
- For contemporary options, use Booking.com, MakeMyTrip, or TripAdvisor for guaranteed availability and reviews.
- Example: MakeMyTrip lists The Elgin (
₹11k/night) and Chamong Tea Estate Retreat (₹11.6k/night)
📞 Kolkata/Siliguri-Based Tour Operators
GET IN TOUCH – North Bengal and Sikkim Expert and trustable Travels Planner – Customize according with your desire)
DBS TRAVELS (www.siliguritravels.com)
Raja Ram Mohon Roy Road, Ward 15, Hakim Para, Siliguri – 734001, West Bengal
+91 9933435779 / +91 9434086128
support@siliguritravels.com / travelsdbs@gmail.com
✅ What to Do Next
- Contact hotels:
- Visit hotel websites or booking portals to check availability for your planned travel dates.
- Look out for refundable rates and complimentary perks (breakfast, Wi‑Fi, spa).
- Reach out to operators:
- Email or WhatsApp Bengal Tour Plans and Mr. Haldar with your travel dates, group size, and preferences.
- Request comparisons from Kundu Special and Chalo Jai if you prefer Bengali-speaking guides.
- Contact North Bengal Tourism or AKK Cruiser in Siliguri for a tailored Darjeeling plan.
- Compare itineraries & pricing:
- Look for packages that include:
- Airport/railway pickup and drop (Kolkata → Siliguri/NJP/Bagdogra)
- Private cab with driver
- Hotel stays with meals
- Sightseeing (Tiger Hill, Toy Train, tea estates)
- Optional extras (Mirik, Kalimpong, homestays)
- Confirm cancellation terms, driver charges, and accommodation star levels.
- Look for packages that include:
✨ TL;DR
| Category | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Heritage luxury | The Elgin, Windamere |
| Modern luxury | Mayfair Hill, Sinclairs |
| Wellness boutique | Summit Grace |
| Tour operators | DBS TRAVELS (www.siliguritravels.com), Bengal Tour Plans, North Bengal Tourism |