Darjeeling vs. Gangtok: Your Next Holiday Destination

Darjeeling and Gangtok are located in the eastern Himalayas, providing an extremely charming and beautiful natural setting, cultural heritage, and diversified visitor experience.

Darjeeling:

It is also termed the “Queen of the Hills.” The hill station is located in small West Bengal. There have been periods since it was used during British days and the British colony took possession, or it had a history of usage as a British summer resort.

This spot has fine features regarding the characteristics of tea gardens and other colonies’ architecture. According to some, this place may proudly and proudly revel in British culture by embracing the shoulders for an overlapping to rest over Tibet over its shoulder.

Gangtok:

The capital of Sikkim is a rather young city surrounded by harsh Himalayas. Known for its Tibetan Buddhist culture, it is an important center of Tibetan Buddhism with some monasteries and a serenity that pervades the air.

This is a gateway to the higher Himalayan regions, including Nathula Pass and Tsomgo Lake. Hence, many travelers like to visit this place for cultural adventures.

Darjeeling vs Gangtok: Comparison

There are significant differences between Darjeeling and Gangtok, so here are a few comparisons between the places.

The Best Time to Visit

There is always a best time to visit a place, so just like that there is a best time to visit both Darjeeling and Gangtok.

Darjeeling

March to June and September to December are the best times to visit Darjeeling. These months are very pleasant and have clear skies. These are ideal for visiting and enjoying outdoor activities.

Winter (November to February) is cold when the temperature goes below freezing, but it is also a good time to observe snowfall. Monsoon (June to September) is quite wet and may affect travel.

Gangtok

Spring, the time of pleasant weather and clear sky, or autumn, in September and December, is one of the best times for visiting this place. During spring, it is as mild as summer has come with it, whereas autumn is a beautiful time with its colors.

The wintertime is very cold, and the snow falls during winter. So, it feels beautiful but a little chilled. Monsoon should not be visited as, at this time, heavy rain creates landslides, so it should be avoided. 

Weather Condition

The weather conditions of both Darjeeling and Gangtok make it ideal for your visit.

‣ Darjeeling

The climate is temperate. Summer goes between 10°C to 20°C. Winters are cold between 2°C to -1°C. The monsoon is moderate to heavy. Due to the elevation, the town’s weather is cool and bearable for most of the year.

‣ Gangtok

Sub-tropical highland climate is enjoyed by Gangtok. During summer, the temperature ranges from 15°C to 22°C. Winters are freezing as it goes below 0°C. It also gets freezing during the summers as it is a hill town. During monsoon, heavy showers and roads become sticky with mud everywhere. Chances of landslide also. 

Ideal Duration

There is always an ideal time duration when you are visiting a place, so when you are going to either Darjeeling or Gangtok, this is the ideal duration.  

‣ Darjeeling

3-4 days would be sufficient to see all the prominent attractions of Darjeeling. One can visit some places like Tiger Hill, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, and tea gardens with some time in shopping and experience the local culture.

‣ Gangtok

This small town can be visited with other local tourist attractions, such as Tsomgo Lake, Nathula Pass, and Rumtek Monastery, within 3 to 5 days. If there is any intention to take up the extensive trek or travel to the far-flung areas, then that will require more days.

Travel & Time-taken For Each Destination

Some say – You should enjoy the journey and not the destination. But that is for life, not always for a trip. It is important to know how to reach a place, what are the different means of transport and the time taken to reach the place.

How to Reach Darjeeling

All the possible ways you are going to reach Darjeeling.

• By Air: The nearest airport to Darjeeling is Bagdogra Airport, about 70 kms from Darjeeling. It will take about 3 hours by taxi to get to Darjeeling.

• By Train: The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP), 90 km away. NJP is well connected with the main cities of India. Cabs or buses are available to come to Darjeeling from NJP. Besides that, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, more popularly known as Toy Train, also runs up to Darjeeling, taking around 7 hours on the journey.

• By Road: Siliguri, Kolkata, and all the other nearby cities are highly connected by road to Darjeeling. It would take approximately 3 hours to drive from Bagdogra to Darjeeling.

How to Reach Gangtok

All the possible ways you are going to reach Gangtok.

• By Air: The nearest airport to Gangtok is Bagdogra Airport but it is located at around 125 km distance. Taxis or shared jeeps can reach here within around 4-5 hours.

• By Train: The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP), which is well-connected to most of the major cities in India. From NJP, you can get taxis or buses to Gangtok; it takes about 4 to 5 hours.

• By Road: Gangtok is accessible from Siliguri and all the nearby towns. One can take shared taxis and buses. The road journey from Bagdogra to Gangtok takes about 4 to 5 hours.

Travel Time and Access

Travel time from Bagdogra to Darjeeling is nearly shorter, 3 hours, as against Gangtok, where it is about 4 to 5 hours of traveling. So, Darjeeling can be considered handy for travelers flying into this region.

Darjeeling vs. Gangtok Attractions

There are many beautiful places both in Darjeeling and in Gangtok, so even if you can’t see all the places, here are a few places from both Darjeeling and Gangtok that you should visit.

Darjeeling

Popular places to visit in Darjeeling are:

• Tiger Hill: It is one of the finest sites for sunrises over the Kanchenjunga range. One should not let such an opportunity pass to photographers.

• Toy Train: The most marvelous experience a tourist would obtain by the rolling hills of Darjeeling lies the Toy Train, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Tea Gardens: World-class tea estates in Darjeeling exist, like Singareni and Happy Valley, where an individual can view how it is processed and sample some of the world’s finest teas.

• Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park: It is a zoological park that maintains many endangered species, such as red panda, snow leopard, and several other Himalayan animals.

Gangtok

Popular places to visit in Gangtok are:

• Tsomgo Lake: This is a beautiful high-altitude glacial lake 38 kms from Gangtok, with snow-clad mountains in the backdrop. Nobody can resist visiting this sacred glacial lake.

• Rumtek Monastery: It is located approximately 24 km from Gangtok, one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, having a peaceful spiritual retreat coupled with excellent views of Kanchenjunga.

• MG Marg: it is the main street for shopping, food as well and caring, where Gangtokians are loaded, and locals can be sensed; their cultures get to practice.

• Nathula Pass: This is the border pass between India and China at the level of 14,140 feet and is strategically important for both countries. The scope lies in visiting the area, which provides a view of some of the very few borders in this country, plus a great altitude scenic view.

Cost & Budget Comparison

When you are traveling, budget and cost plays a huge role, the type of trip you are gonna have depends primarily on the budget that you have planned for it. So, the cost of traveling or staying in either Darjeeling or Gangtok is.

Average Cost of Travel and Stay in Darjeeling

The average cost when you are staying or traveling in Darjeeling is.

• Budget: INR 1,500 to 2,500 for simple guest houses/homestay.
• Mid-range: INR 3,000 to 6,000 per night. Comfortable 3-star hotels with basic amenities.
• Luxury: above INR 7,000 per night. Premium resorts and heritage hotels with exceptional services and scenic views.

Average Cost of Travel and Stay in Gangtok

The average cost when you are staying or traveling in Gangtok is.

• Budget: INR 1,000 to 2,500 per night. Basic guesthouses or homestays.
• Mid-range: INR 3,000 to 5,000 per night. Mid-range hotels with good facilities.
• Luxury: starting from INR 6,000 and above, only resorts and luxury hotels that are at par with each other and have nice panoramic views of mountains.

Budget-friendly Tips for Both Destinations

For those who are looking for budget-friendly options these are what both the places has to offer.

‣ Darjeeling

Booking homestay or Local guesthouses on a good budget. Taking shared jeep or city buses will prove economical too.

‣ Gangtok

Budget guest houses/homestays would probably be more economical. This destination can be explored through shared taxis/ or buses that would be cost-effective rather than hiring private taxis.

Darjeeling vs Gangtok: Activities & Experiences

For the avid traveler taking in all that a place has to offer, both Darjeeling and Gangtok is definitely going to excite you.

Here you will find adventure sports, shopping areas and all the cultural activities to know and understand a place the best.

Trekking and Adventure Sports

When it comes to adventure sports and trekking, both places have different specialties of adventure sports.

‣ Darjeeling

The city has always been synonymous with trekking and adventure sports, from the treks of Sandakphu Singalila Ridge and short treks to Tiger Hill.

‣ Gangtok

Goecha La Trek, Green Lake Trek, and Singalila Trek are there in Gangtok, so adventure lovers don’t keep their feet off the ground.

Cultural Activities and Celebrations

When it comes to cultural activities and traditions of both places then there are certain similarities and differences of the culture and traditions, here they are.

‣ Darjeeling

Tibetan New Year (Lhosar), Darjeeling Carnival, etc., for it portrays that British culture has got well mixed with the Tibetan one.

‣ Gangtok

Lhosar, Tibetan New Year; the Buddhist festivals portray the religious culture of Gangtok through their prayers, dances, or rituals, which mostly define them.

Shopping and Local Markets

Here are a few shopping areas and local marketplaces available in both Darjeeling and Gangtok.

‣ Darjeeling

Buy souvenirs such as Darjeeling tea, Tibetan handicrafts, and woolen shawls along Mall Road and Chowrasta.

‣ Gangtok

Buy Tibet carpets, handmade jewelry, scarves, and artisans in MG Marg and Lal Market.

Accommodation & Dining

Like any other popular tourist attractions around the world, both Darjeeling and Gangtok have a wide variety of accommodation and dining options available.

Types of Accommodation in Darjeeling

Darjeeling accommodation falls under three broad categories of price bands:

• Budget: Guesthouses, homestays, and dormitories.
• Mid-range: 3-star hotels and boutique properties.
• Luxury: Heritage hotels and resorts with breathtaking Kanchenjunga views.

Types of Accommodation in Gangtok

Gangtok accommodation falls under three broad categories of price bands:

• Budget: Budget hotels, guesthouses, and homestays.
• Mid-range: Modern amenities of 3–4-star hotels and resorts.
• Luxury: Luxury mountain view resorts and boutique hotels that have upscale facilities.

Specialty of Local Cuisine in Darjeeling

Most hill stations in the Northeast have certain staple foods you will see as standards, such as momos, thukpas and noodles like wai wai.

‣ Darjeeling

Try momos, the version of dumplings available in Darjeeling, thukpa, and other Tibetan and Nepali dishes.

‣ Gangtok

Enjoy such specialty as the famous dish, namely Phagshapa, which is Pork served with Radish, thukpa, momos, and change – which is a brewed fermented local beverage of the places

Natural Beauty & Scenery

You might ask since both the places are hill stations in the Northeastern part of India, you might ask me if the natural scenic beauty creates a huge difference or not.

Well even though the differences are not as huge but there are slight differences between both.  

‣ Darjeeling Landscape and Scenic Views

In Darjeeling beautiful vision of majesty Kanchenjunga, tea garden valleys, and a well-known Batasia Loop for great visions of Mountain Scenic. 

‣ Gangtok Landscape and Scenic Views

Gangtok is one of the favorite spots for tourists as it provides vista gazing of the gorgeous view of the Kanchenjunga range and other peaks, and the lush valleys of this town surround the silent Tsomgo Lake. 

Cultural and Historical Significance

When it comes to the culture and history of both Darjeeling and Gangtok, there may not be a significant difference, but they are noticeable differences.  

‣ Historical Landmarks of Darjeeling

Batasia Loop, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, and Ghoom Monastery represent rich colonial and Buddhist heritage.

‣ Historical Landmarks in Gangtok

Some of the places that show considerable Tibetan Buddhist influence over Gangtok and its past are Rumtek Monastery, Do-Drul Chorten, and Namgyal Institute of Tibetology.

Cultural Heritage vs Traditions: Comparison

Darjeeling is a place which holds British colonial history and has a mixed culture of Tibet-Nepali. Gangtok is more related to Tibetan Buddhism, Sikkimese customs, and the erstwhile kingdom of Sikkim.

Darjeeling vs Gangtok: Similarities & Differences

Even though both these places are popular hill stations and tourist attractions. There are quite a few similarities and differences between both these places

Similarities

• Both places are famous for their superb Himalayan views.
• The places have strong influences on Tibetan Buddhism.
• Both destinations provide rich cultural heritage and local cultural traditions.

Differences

Darjeeling is quite colonial, with the charm of tea gardens, toy trains, and the mixture of British and Tibetan culture.

Whereas Gangtok is more spiritual in monasteries, high-altitude lakes, and traditions related to Buddhism, which is very close to the identity.

Wrapping Up!

Both experiences are pretty different for a visitor. Darjeeling is excellent for someone who would love a bit of colonial history and a bit of tea culture, accompanied by views related to mountains.

Gangtok is excellent for people searching for retreats, either spiritual or adventure-seeking up high altitudes, steeped in serenity by the Tibetan Buddhist ambiance.

Whatever you may choose, to go for Darjeeling or Gangtok; there is a promise of an experience that will be unforgettable in the sense of the Himalayas.