Three quiet hill villages, short forest walks and Kanchenjunga from the viewpoints when the sky is clear.
Two nights in Charkhole with a day in the Lolegaon forest and Lava. Then across the Teesta to Sittong's orange orchards, and one last night in Tinchuley above the tea slopes.
Drive times are counted from Siliguri, NJP or Bagdogra, which sit within about 45 minutes of each other.
We pick you up wherever you are: a station, the airport, your hotel or your home. About 3.5 to 4 hours via the Teesta and Kalimpong. After lunch, Panbu Dara View Point. Evening at the homestay.
The old cypress forest in Lolegaon and the Jhandi Dara sunrise viewpoint, then Lava monastery. Back to Charkhole for a late lunch and a slow evening.
The Lolegaon canopy bridge has been shut for repairs. We walk the forest trail below it, and add the bridge if it reopens.Weather permitting. Clear mountain views are most likely from October to December.Check out around 9:30 am. Down to the Teesta and up to Sittong, about 3.5 to 4 hours. Afternoon walk through the orange orchards and to Namthing Pokhri, a forest lake known for the Himalayan salamander.
Oranges are on the trees from about November to January.Early drive to Ahaldara View Point for sunrise, about 30 minutes. After breakfast, about 2 hours to Tinchuley. Lamahatta eco park and the Takdah Orchid Centre, then sunset at Gumbadara Viewpoint.
Past the Runglee tea slopes and the Sevoke Kali temple, about 3 hours. Drop at the point you choose.
Swaps: Stay in Lava or Rishyap instead of Charkhole, with a sunset walk to Tiffin Dara. Add Mungpoo, Rabindranath Tagore's house museum, on Day 3 (about an hour extra).
Mostly homestays run by local families. Some have hot water by the bucket in winter.
Stays are matched to your budget and confirmed in writing before you pay. If a stay is full, we offer one of a similar standard.
Landslides are common on these hill roads in the monsoon.
The core of the national park needs prior forest permission and a local guide. On this trip we keep to the fringe walks.
Tell us if anyone gets car sick and we plan more stops.
Layers for cold mornings, a warm jacket from November to February, comfortable walking shoes, a light rain jacket, sunscreen, any personal medicines and a power bank. Carry a printed photo ID and a phone copy.
This is a sample plan. Routes, timings and stops can change for weather, road conditions, permit rules or forest department rules. Your final plan is shared on WhatsApp before you pay.
Three hill villages facing Kanchenjunga, with homestays and slow mornings.
Two national parks, the Jaldhaka up to the Bhutan border, and the tea gardens in between.
Jungle, river, hill village and the old hill town in one week.
