Sikkim Darjeeling Tour Packages from Bangalore
From a city without a winter to frozen lakes and Kanchenjunga at dawn – a three-hour flight from KIA or a Kolkata stopover on the way, planned around Karnataka's school breaks.
Bengaluru sits about as far from Sikkim as any big Indian city can, and that distance shapes the whole trip. As of November 2026 Kempegowda International Airport has about three non-stop flights a day to Bagdogra, operated by IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India Express, each taking around three hours. Most land around midday or in the afternoon, which is too late for the five-hour drive to Gangtok in daylight. The first evening is therefore spent somewhere closer – a tea estate in Kurseong, the lake at Mirik or Darjeeling itself – and Gangtok comes later.
This page is written for travellers from Bengaluru and the rest of Karnataka. It covers what each trip length costs, how to choose between a non-stop flight, a one-stop through Kolkata and the very long train, three itineraries that begin on an afternoon arrival (one with two nights in Kolkata), how Karnataka's Dasara and April breaks line up with the hills, and how a city used to 18°C winters should dress for a frozen lake. Your trip is planned by our team in Ahmedabad and booked on WhatsApp or phone; we have no Bengaluru office. Every trip is private, with your own car and driver.
Updated November 2026 by the Vibrant Holidays team, Ahmedabad.
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Sikkim and Darjeeling package prices from Bangalore (2026–27)
Today our Sikkim packages start at ₹17,999 per person, with 24 available. The ranges below are per person, two adults sharing, and exclude the flight from Bengaluru. They include hotels with breakfast and dinner, all meals in Lachung, a private vehicle from Bagdogra or NJP and back, sightseeing as shown and the routine area permits. The Kolkata plan also includes the city hotel, a car for sightseeing and the train to New Jalpaiguri.
| Plan from Bengaluru | Standard (good 2–3-star) | Deluxe (3-star superior / 4-star) | Premium (best available, heritage or luxury) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 nights: Kurseong 1, Darjeeling 2, Gangtok 3 | ₹17,500 – 23,500 | ₹25,000 – 33,500 | ₹42,000 – 63,000 |
| 8 nights: Mirik 1, Darjeeling 2, Gangtok 4 with Lachung 1 | ₹23,500 – 30,500 | ₹32,500 – 43,000 | ₹54,000 – 80,000 |
| 8 nights: Kolkata 2, Darjeeling 2, Kalimpong 1, Gangtok 3 | ₹24,000 – 31,500 | ₹33,500 – 45,000 | ₹56,000 – 84,000 |
| 10 nights: the full loop with Lachung, Pelling and Darjeeling | ₹29,000 – 38,000 | ₹40,000 – 53,000 | ₹66,000 – 98,000 |
Airfare from Bengaluru, on top: with only a few non-stops a day, fares stay firmer than on the Delhi or Kolkata routes. As of November 2026 one-way non-stop fares for the next six weeks were showing about ₹8,800 – 11,500, so a return usually costs ₹17,000 – 24,000 per person. Diwali, Christmas week and mid-April can push it to ₹28,000 – 38,000. A one-stop through Kolkata is sometimes cheaper on peak dates and opens up the stopover plan below.
Paid on the spot unless included: the Nathu La supplement, the Zero Point extension above Yumthang, the Darjeeling toy train joy ride, the Tiger Hill early car, the Gangtok ropeway, Pelling skywalk tickets, jackets and boots hired at the snow points, lunches and tips. Each is a separate line on your quote.
Two couples, one car: the vehicle is the largest cost and does not change between two and six passengers. Bengaluru friends' groups travelling together save the most.
Getting from Bengaluru to Bagdogra and New Jalpaiguri
Non-stop flights from KIA (BLR), as of November 2026
- Who flies: IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India Express, about 23 flights a week between them, roughly three a day. SpiceJet has announced flights from December. The flight takes about three hours.
- When they land: departures are mostly late morning or midday. The Air India Express flight, for example, leaves at about 12.45 pm and lands about 3.45 pm. We check which flight lands earliest on your dates and plan the first night from there.
- Terminal: KIA has two terminals, and airlines are split between them. Check your ticket. From Electronic City, HSR Layout or Whitefield, allow two hours to the airport on a weekday morning; from Hebbal or Yelahanka, an hour.
- Coming home: the return flights leave Bagdogra in the afternoon. That gives you a calm morning drive from Darjeeling or Kurseong; from Gangtok, you leave by about 8 am.
- Pakyong: Sikkim's own airport still had no regular passenger flights in 2026, so every plan uses Bagdogra.
One-stop through Kolkata
Bengaluru to Kolkata is about 2½ hours with many daily non-stops, and Kolkata to Bagdogra is about an hour. A same-day connection gives a wider choice of morning departures from KIA, which can get you to Bagdogra earlier than the non-stop. Better still, stay two nights in Kolkata and take the train north; see the stopover itinerary below.
By train from SMVT Bengaluru
Several long-distance trains from SMVT Bengaluru (Baiyappanahalli) towards Assam and Tripura stop at New Jalpaiguri: the Agartala Humsafar, the Guwahati Express, the Kamakhya AC Express, the New Tinsukia Express and an Amrit Bharat service among them. Most run once a week and take about 41 to 47 hours, through Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Bengal. The Humsafar, for instance, leaves around 10 am and reaches NJP at about 4 am on the third day. It is a real expedition; retired couples who enjoy rail travel sometimes go this way and fly back. We arrange a Siliguri room for those small-hours arrivals.
From the airport to the hills
| From Bagdogra to | About | Works for a mid-afternoon landing? |
|---|---|---|
| Mirik | 1½ – 2 hours | Yes |
| Kurseong | 1½ – 2 hours | Yes |
| Darjeeling | 3 hours | Yes, arriving after dark in winter |
| Kalimpong | 3 – 3½ hours | Only in summer |
| Gangtok | 4½ – 5 hours | No; next morning |
Inside Sikkim you travel in a Sikkim-registered car with a permitted driver; in Darjeeling, a West Bengal car. We swap vehicles once and send both drivers' numbers the evening before.
Three itineraries that start with an afternoon landing
6 nights / 7 days – Kurseong, Darjeeling and Gangtok
- Day 1: Midday non-stop from KIA. Drive up the Rohini road to a tea-estate stay in Kurseong (under two hours); dinner and an early night.
- Day 2: Morning walk through the tea rows; drive to Darjeeling past Ghum. Afternoon toy train joy ride from Darjeeling to Ghum and back with a stop at Batasia Loop.
- Day 3: Tiger Hill at sunrise; the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and zoo (closed Thursdays), the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre, and the Mall.
- Day 4: Drive to Gangtok along the Teesta (about 4 hours); MG Marg in the evening.
- Day 5: Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir; Nathu La on Wednesday to Sunday if permitted.
- Day 6: Rumtek, Enchey Monastery, Banjhakri Falls, the ropeway and Hanuman Tok.
- Day 7: Leave Gangtok early for Bagdogra and the afternoon flight to Bengaluru.
8 nights / 9 days – snow at Zero Point and Yumthang in April
- Day 1: Fly to Bagdogra; drive to Mirik (about 2 hours) for a night by the lake.
- Day 2: Orange orchards and the Gopaldhara tea area; on to Darjeeling for two nights.
- Day 3: Darjeeling: Tiger Hill, Peace Pagoda, Happy Valley tea estate, the toy train.
- Day 4: Drive to Gangtok.
- Day 5: Permit day in Gangtok: monasteries and the Flower Exhibition Centre at an easy pace, so bodies adjust to the height.
- Day 6: Drive north to Lachung via Seven Sisters Falls and Chungthang.
- Day 7: Yumthang Valley in rhododendron bloom; Zero Point for the snow if the road is open; back to Gangtok.
- Day 8: Tsomgo Lake, now with two high days behind you.
- Day 9: Drive to Bagdogra for the flight home.
8 nights / 9 days – two nights in Kolkata on the way
- Day 1: Morning flight Bengaluru–Kolkata; Victoria Memorial and Park Street in the evening.
- Day 2: Dakshineswar and Belur Math by boat across the Hooghly, Kumartuli's idol makers, the Howrah Bridge at sunset.
- Day 3: Early Vande Bharat from Howrah to NJP (about 7½ hours, not on Wednesdays); drive to Darjeeling by evening.
- Day 4: Darjeeling sightseeing with Tiger Hill and the toy train.
- Day 5: Drive to Kalimpong: Durpin Monastery, Deolo Hill, the flower nurseries.
- Days 6 – 8: Gangtok for three nights with Tsomgo and the monasteries.
- Day 9: Bagdogra to Bengaluru on the non-stop.
Each plan is private and customised. Bengaluru apartment-complex friends and extended families travel as a private group on their own dates, usually in two Innovas.
Long flight days, a Kolkata stopover and Karnataka holidays
Respecting the long first day
For a Bengaluru family, day one is the airport drive across the city, a three-hour flight and then a hill road. Nobody enjoys starting a five-hour drive to Gangtok at 4 pm, and in winter the last two hours would be in the dark. That is why our Bengaluru plans put a short drive on day one – Kurseong, Mirik or Darjeeling – and keep Gangtok for day two or later. It also means the trip should be at least six nights; anything shorter spends a third of the holiday in transit.
Why Kolkata is the natural pairing
Kolkata sits on the way, has far more flights from Bengaluru than Bagdogra does, and adds something the hills cannot: the Victoria Memorial, the ghats, the old markets and its sweets. Two nights there, then the train to NJP, turn a long journey into part of the holiday and break the climate change into two steps. On the way home the Bagdogra–Bengaluru non-stop keeps the return short.
Karnataka's school calendar
- Dasara break: Karnataka state-board schools broke from 3 to 21 October in 2026. Mid-October is excellent in the hills, though Bengali families on Puja holidays fill Darjeeling in the same weeks; Gangtok and Pelling are easier.
- Summer break: state-board schools are due to close from 11 April 2027. April is rhododendron season in Yumthang and Barsey, and the May rush from North India has not yet begun. This is the window we recommend most to Bengaluru families.
- Christmas: CBSE and ICSE schools usually give a winter break; the best chance of snow at Tsomgo, but bring proper winter gear.
- Kannada Rajyotsava (1 November) and Deepavali: a long weekend in some years; with a few days' leave, a six-night trip fits.
The climate jump
Bengaluru's coldest nights rarely drop below 14°C. In Lachung in December it is well below freezing at night, and Tsomgo is colder still. Most Bengaluru homes have no heavy jackets, and buying one for a single trip makes little sense. Our tip: carry thermals, a fleece and gloves from home, then hire a heavy coat and boots at the snow points, or buy an inexpensive jacket in Siliguri's Hong Kong Market or Gangtok's Lal Bazaar on day one.
Permits you need to know about
- Filed for you: Tsomgo, Nathu La and North Sikkim permits are issued only through registered operators and drivers; our Gangtok partner applies.
- Documents: Aadhaar, voter card, passport or driving licence for every traveller, children included (not PAN), plus two passport photos each. Send scans ten days before travel.
- Nathu La: Indian nationals only; closed to tourists on Mondays and Tuesdays and limited by a daily quota.
- Lachung, Yumthang, Lachen: applied in Gangtok a day ahead. Lachen and Gurudongmar reopened in March 2026 after a new bridge. Heavy rain or snow can suspend permits at short notice, so we check again in the week you fly.
- Foreign and OCI passport holders – common among Bengaluru tech families – need separate Sikkim permits and cannot visit Nathu La. Tell us at the start.
Best months for Sikkim and Darjeeling from Bengaluru
| Month | Hills | Karnataka calendar | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Snow at Tsomgo and Zero Point; very cold | Sankranti | Snow seekers only |
| February | Cold and clear | Exam preparation | Couples |
| March | Milder; some haze | Exams; Ugadi in some years | Fair |
| April | Rhododendrons, pleasant days | Summer break from about 11 April | Best for families |
| May | Warm days, afternoon cloud | Vacation continues | Good; busier |
| June – August | Monsoon; landslides | Schools reopen | Avoid |
| September | Rain easing late | Ganesha festival | Late month only |
| October | Clear, crisp | Dasara break | Excellent |
| November | Sharpest views, cold mornings | Rajyotsava, Deepavali | Excellent |
| December | First snow higher up | Christmas break | Very good |
Food and practical tips for Bengaluru travellers
- Rice is easy: Sikkim and the Darjeeling hills eat rice at most meals, so rice, dal and a vegetable are always available. Hotels will make curd rice or lemon rice for dinner if asked in the morning.
- South Indian breakfasts: a few restaurants around MG Marg in Gangtok and on the Darjeeling Mall serve dosa and idli, but in Lachung, Mirik and Pelling it is parathas, toast and eggs. Carry a few ready-mix packets, podi and pickles.
- Coffee: this is tea country. Filter-coffee drinkers should carry instant decoction or sachets.
- Pure-veg, Jain and no onion-garlic: arranged with notice in Gangtok, Darjeeling and Kolkata; simple in North Sikkim. We print the requirement on every voucher.
- Altitude: Bengaluru is at about 900 m, which helps a little, but Tsomgo is at 3,750 m. Drink water, skip alcohol on high days and come down if anyone gets a bad headache.
- Plastic, cash and network: carry refillable bottles, as Sikkim restricts packaged water in many areas; UPI works in towns, but keep cash for Lachung where the network drops.
Why Bengaluru travellers book Sikkim with Vibrant Holidays
- Remote planning, honestly: we are a team of about 18 on C G Road, Ahmedabad, in business for 11 years, with no office in Bengaluru. Plan with us on WhatsApp, phone or video call, Monday to Saturday; itinerary, vouchers and invoice come as PDFs.
- Day one designed around your landing time, never a five-hour drive after an afternoon arrival.
- Kolkata, train and hills as one plan: city hotel, Vande Bharat seats, NJP pick-up and the return non-stop on one booking.
- Permits handled early, with a clear message before you pay if Nathu La or North Sikkim cannot be confirmed for your dates.
- Help throughout the trip: 24×7 WhatsApp support and partners in Gangtok and Darjeeling for road closures. IATA-accredited; member of TAAI, TAFI, ADTOI and IATO; recognised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
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Get a Free Quote WhatsApp 9089090790Sikkim & Darjeeling tour from Bangalore: FAQs
How much does a Sikkim & Darjeeling tour package from Bangalore cost?
Our Sikkim & Darjeeling packages currently start at ₹17,999 per person for 2 nights. Most of our Sikkim & Darjeeling packages fall between ₹32,499 and ₹45,000 per person. The final cost depends on the travel month, hotel category, number of travellers and whether flights from Bangalore are added. Open any package below to see exactly what is included, or ask us for a quote with flights.
Is there a direct flight from Bangalore to Bagdogra?
Yes. As of November 2026 IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India Express fly non-stop from Kempegowda International Airport to Bagdogra, about three flights a day in total, taking roughly three hours. SpiceJet has announced flights from December. Schedules change each season, so we confirm the operating flights when we quote.
Can we reach Gangtok on the same day from Bengaluru?
Usually not comfortably. Most non-stops land around midday or mid-afternoon, and the drive to Gangtok takes 4½ to 5 hours on a hill road. We plan the first night in Kurseong, Mirik or Darjeeling, which are two to three hours from Bagdogra, and reach Gangtok the next day.
Is it better to fly via Kolkata from Bengaluru?
It can be. Kolkata has many more flights from Bengaluru, so a one-stop ticket offers earlier morning departures and sometimes lower peak fares. Better still, spend two nights in Kolkata and take the train to New Jalpaiguri, which turns the long journey into part of the holiday.
Is there a train from Bengaluru to New Jalpaiguri?
Yes. Trains such as the Agartala Humsafar, the Guwahati Express and the Kamakhya AC Express run from SMVT Bengaluru and stop at NJP. Most are weekly and take about 41 to 47 hours, often arriving in the small hours. Some retired couples take the train one way and fly back.
How many days do we need for Sikkim and Darjeeling from Bengaluru?
At least six nights, because the first and last days go mostly on travel. Six nights covers Darjeeling and Gangtok with Tsomgo Lake. Eight nights adds Lachung and Yumthang or a Kolkata stopover, and ten nights allow Pelling as well at a relaxed pace.
Is Karnataka's summer break a good time to visit Sikkim?
Yes. State-board schools are due to close from 11 April 2027, and April is rhododendron season in Yumthang and West Sikkim, before the May crowds from North India arrive. Snow often remains at Zero Point. Book the non-stop flight early, as there are only a few seats each day.
We have no winter clothes in Bengaluru. What should we pack?
Bring thermals, a fleece or sweater, woollen cap, gloves and shoes with grip. Heavy coats and snow boots can be hired at Tsomgo and Zero Point for a small fee, and Siliguri and Gangtok markets sell inexpensive jackets. Between December and February nights in Lachung drop well below freezing.
Will we find South Indian food in Sikkim and Darjeeling?
A little. A few restaurants in Gangtok and Darjeeling serve dosa and idli, and rice with dal and vegetables is available everywhere because rice is the local staple. Hotels can prepare curd rice with notice. In North Sikkim meals are simple, so carry podi, pickles and ready mixes.
What does the flight from Bangalore to Bagdogra cost?
As of November 2026 one-way non-stop fares for the following weeks were about ₹8,800 to ₹11,500, so a return is usually ₹17,000 to ₹24,000 per person. Around Deepavali, Christmas and mid-April it can reach ₹28,000 to ₹38,000. A one-stop through Kolkata is sometimes cheaper on peak dates.
Can OCI or foreign passport holders from Bengaluru visit Sikkim?
Yes, but they need separate permits to enter Sikkim and to visit protected areas such as Tsomgo and North Sikkim, and they cannot go to Nathu La. The rules are stricter and take longer. Tell us at the enquiry stage so the route and documents are planned correctly.
Do you have an office in Bengaluru?
No. Vibrant Holidays is based on C G Road in Ahmedabad and plans Bengaluru trips on WhatsApp, phone or video call, Monday to Saturday. You receive a PDF itinerary and quote, pay against an invoice, and get vouchers and driver details before you fly, with 24×7 support on the trip.
