Darjeeling Or Gangtok - Where to Visit? A Tourist's Dilemma

Darjeeling and Gangtok are popular tourist destinations in Northeast India. They are characterised by cool weather, snow-capped mountain peaks, and thick pine forests. The lush green valleys, authentic local cuisines, and scenic landscapes put these two hill stations on the top list of every trekker and travel enthusiast.

You can include both places on a single trip or take time to explore them separately. However, it isn't easy to choose between both if you're a first-time visitor. For assistance with the itinerary, contact a travel agent in Siliguri.

Darjeeling or Gangtok - Differences to help you decide

Landscape

While no adjective can describe both places' natural and beautiful landscapes, Darjeeling is popularly known as the "Queen of the Hills" for the stunning and aesthetic view of Mt. Kanchenjunga from every corner of the state. If you're planning a peaceful family trip for complete relaxation, Darjeeling should be at the top. Enjoy the sunrise at Tiger Hill and Conservatory with a cup of tea.

Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, is engulfed in the charms of Tibetan culture. However, staying in Gangtok is not sufficient. It would help if you made it the central point and travelled to other parts of North, East, and West Sikkim at your convenience to explore more. 

Culture and heritage

From the moment you walk into Darjeeling, you'll experience British charm in food cafes, roads, and architecture. The town exhibits a mixture of Nepali and Tibetan culture. Along with important sites like the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Clock Tower, you can visit the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Gangtok, on the other hand, exhibits Tibetan culture. It is more famous for its monasteries. If you plan a trip to Gangtok, make sure you visit the famous Rumtek Monastery. The more you explore, the more you will experience Tibetan culture.

Budget

Budget plays a major role when you plan to visit a hill station. Unlike Gangtok, Darjeeling's average expenses will be low. As mentioned earlier, if you are not a trekker, planning a three —to four-day trip to Darjeeling is sufficient for relaxation and experiencing the charm of the mountains. 

On the contrary, you can plan a trip to visit Gangtok without including other destinations of Sikkim. You can stay in Gangtok for two days and not more than that, as there will be nothing left to explore after that. Hence, you'll have to arrange for a South, North, East, or West Sikkim trip, including Gangtok in the same. This will automatically increase the budget.

While you can include both in your trip plan, you can also ask a reputed travel agent to plan a separate trip for either of the two destinations. Decide depending on your preferences and enjoy to the fullest.