A Short Trip To Darjeeling: When Locals Became Tourists

Preeti Singh and Pradip Sahani of Taste Of Siliguri take you along on their 3-day travel adventures in Siliguri! They are travel vloggers based out of Silguri and they explored Darjeeling with TripXL’s 3-day Darjeeling holiday package. It was an all-inclusive package covering their accommodation, food and transportation.

About Preeti Singh and Pradeep Sahni’s Journey

We are serial travellers! We love exploring new cultures, different landscapes and trying unique adventures. At Taste of Siliguri, we are always giving our audiences a peak into the beautiful and diverse culture of not only Siliguri but any place that we got to. This time in-between all the festivities and holidays, we wanted to plan a quick getaway which would not be as far and still be new for us. Once we landed on the destination, planning was a breeze all thanks to TripXL’s verified agency connections.

Darjeeling 3-Day Travel Plan

We’re big planners but for this trip our agenda was simple: we wanted to explore something close to home, without the hassle of extensive planning. Darjeeling felt like the perfect choice because we had done some surface level exploring in the past but never had the chance to fully explore this beautiful destination. And for the hassle-free part of the deal, TripXL came to our rescue. It was so easy for us to find and book our preferred accommodation, itinerary, transportation, basically everything for this trip to Darjeeling with TripXL’s verified agency connect. Easily the most stress-free planning we had ever done! Here’s how we spent our 3 days in Darjeeling:

Day 1: Monasteries, History, And The Serene Landscape

Since we were coming from Siliguri, we decided to explore first and check in later. The first stop as per our itinerary was one that we had crossed multiple times on our previous Darjeeling trips but never had the time to fully explore. It was the Ghum Monastery also called the Samten Choling Buddhist Monastery. Surrounded by dreamy clouds, the monastery looked heavenly from the outside. As soon as we entered, our senses were instantly soothed with its peaceful atmosphere and vibrant colours.

The next stop that we were taken to was the Batasiya Loop, which was just 5-7 minutes away from the monastery. We got our tickets and were super excited to check out this historical landmark. We paid our respects at the war memorial and captured some memories besides the toy train that takes you around the place.

Then came the Dali Monastery which was just 5 minutes away from Batasia Loop. While entering, we realised that there is so much to see in Darjeeling, especially if you’re coming from Siliguri by road. We had cruised passed these attractions so many times but were finally exploring them because of our curated package. The museum and the monastery both gave a wonderful glimpse into the culture and tradition of the place.

After exploring the monastery, we were taken straight to the Rock Garden in our private vehicle. We purchased the tickets and went inside. We were taken aback by the beautiful waterfalls amidst the hills that have been mindfully preserved to keep the natural charm alive.

After all this exploring, we decided to call it a day and headed straight to the hotel for some relaxation. Our package included a stay at the Udaan Dekeling Hotel, which was as dreamy as we had imagined. We checked into our home for the next 2 nights and ended the first day with a scrumptious dinner.

Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Siliguri For Every Traveller To Explore

Day 2: Scenic Beauty, Spiritual Experiences And Toy Train Adventure

Our 2nd day began with a lavish breakfast buffet, which we enjoyed thoroughly. Thanks to the expert guides at TripXL we were matched with the hotel keeping in mind our food preferences. After breakfast, we explored the heritage property a bit more and then got ready to tour more of Darjeeling. Apart from the great accommodation, TripXL also took care of our transportation and our cab was right outside the hotel to take us around.

After getting to know that the rope way and zoo were closed on this day, we headed straight to the Mahakal Temple to immerse ourselves in some spirituality. Trekking amidst prayer flags and participating in rituals was an experience that grounded us. Seeing cute monkeys outside added a fun element to this spiritual outing. The temple was definitely something that should be on your list for a trip to Darjeeling.

Next, it was time for The Joy Ride in the iconic toy train. The ticket price was just 1000 rupees which included a stop at the Batasia Loop for 15 minutes and then a stop at a museum in Ghum before returning to Darjeeling. We were super excited when this small yet beautiful journey began. As we reached the Ghum station, we got to know that it is the highest railway station in India. Before proceeding to the Railway Museum we wanted to grab a quick bite and fortunately there was an IRCTC canteen at the station. We got a sandwich and then went to the museum. It was interesting to see the railway models and displays. After that we got back on the train and as soon as we landed on the station we got lucky as there was a mesmerising view of Kanchenjunga waiting for us.

Right after that it was time for some more history and architecture for as we moved towards the Japanese Temple and Peace Pagoda. Since we were visiting during sunset, we were lucky to witness the beautiful chants and prayers that were being offered inside the temple. The Peace Pagoda, staying true to its name, radiated peaceful energy as the warm glow of the sun settled onto its white marble.

As we were soaking in the sunset, we realised how easy and smooth this trip had been for us. Thanks to TripXL we were matched with such good agents that everything was taken care of for us and we just had to relax and enjoy these precious moments.

After the sunset, we decided to go to the bustling Mall Road for some shopping. We would definitely recommend getting some Darjeeling tea to take back and there’s a wide variety of great quality woollen clothes that you can purchase.

Finally, it was time to head back to the hotel to end our exploration packed day. At the hotel, there was a scrumptious dinner buffet waiting for us. We enjoyed the food and with a full heart and stomach we went to sleep.

Suggested Read: Top Places To Visit In Siliguri For Couples

Day 3: Cable Car, Zoo And Endless Adventure

Our last day in Darjeeling also began with a hearty breakfast at the buffet in Udaan Dekeling. Then we packed our stuff and got ready to check out. Our cab was ready and waiting to take us to some final sightseeing spots before our trip back to Siliguri.

The activity that we were headed for next was the cable car ride amidst the beautiful valleys and hills of Darjeeling. Since it is a very popular tourist spot, we had to wait a bit, but it was all worth it when we finally got the chance to pass through the spellbinding views. The ride also had a little pit stop where people can step down to enjoy a quick bite and click some photographs. We often reminisce over the beautiful landscape that we saw on the ride.

The final stop of our Darjeeling trip was the popular Darjeeling Zoo and the adjoining museum. Seeing wild deer, tigers, and exhibits about Mount Everest and trekking made for an enriching experience. We were hesitant before visiting but we were so glad that we made the decided to go because the experience was truly memorable. This visit concluded our 3-day trip to Darjeeling and we started our journey back to Siliguri.

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Reflections On Trip To Darjeeling

Darjeeling, with its timeless charm and vibrant culture, left an indelible mark on our hearts. Every aspect of our journey—from the peaceful monasteries to the adrenaline-pumping adventures—revealed a different facet of Darjeeling. We returned home from our trip to Darjeeling not just with souvenirs, but with memories to cherish for a lifetime. For this wonderful excursion, TripXL proved invaluable, connecting us to reliable travel agencies and ensuring a hassle-free experience. We are truly grateful for their expert travel assistance.