Travel By Road, Railways And Airways From Darjeeling To Gangtok

By Author: Rashmiranjan Patil
Total Articles: 261
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Darjeeling is a town in the state of West Bengal. It is noted for its tea industry and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The black tea grown in the Darjeeling area is internationally recognised and ranks among the most popular of the black teas. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway connects the town with the plains and has one of the few steam locomotives still in service. Darjeeling is famous for its British-style public schools. Darjeeling attracts a lot of tourists from all over India and abroad. Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak is the most prominent mountain visible. In days clear of clouds, Nepal's Mount Everest is also visible.

Gangtok is the capital and largest town of the Indian state of Sikkim. Gangtok has a population of people belonging to different ethnicities such as Indian-Nepalis, Lepcha and Bhutia. Nestled within higher peaks of Himalayas and enjoying a year-round mild temperature, Gangtok is the center of Sikkim's tourism industry. The precise meaning of Gangtok is unclear, though the most popular meaning is 'hill top'. Today, Gangtok is a center of Tibetan Buddhist ...
... culture and learning with the presence of several Buddhist monasteries, religious, educational institutions and center for Tibetology. River Teesta is the life line of Gangtok. Tourism is the largest industry in Gangtok with most of the population employed in the industry directly or indirectly. The other cottage industries that are thriving in Gangtok are watch making, country-made alcohol and handicrafts.

One can travel by road from Darjeeling to Gangtok. The distance between Darjeeling and Gangtok is 97 km. It takes about 2 hours to reach Gangtok from Darjeeling. The places covered while travelling are Darjeeling -> Kalimpong -> Gangtok. There are hotels like Hotel Tagey Tashi catering to the needs of travellers. There are petrol pumps managed by petrol companies. The taxi services are very good and easily accessible from Darjeeling to Gangtok. Other than taxis, jeeps also ply from Darjeeling to Gangtok.

One can travel by train from Darjeeling to Gangtok. Gangtok does not have a railway station. The nearest railway station in Sikkim is New Jalpaiguri about 74 km from Gangtok. One can travel from Darjeeling to New Jalpaiguriby train. From New Jalpaiguri, one can travel by cab or jeep. Some of the trains that connect Darjeeling and New Jalpaiguri are Uttar Banga Express, Kamrup Express, Kanchenjunga Express and Mahananda Express.

There is no airport in Gangtok. The nearest airport is Indra Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. However, the government provides a helicopter ride from Siliguri, near Darjeeling to Gangtok. The cost starts from Rs. 1,700. A group of 4 can travel at a time to Gangtok from Siliguri near Gangtok.Hotel Dolphin Darjeeling and Keepsa Residency Gangtok are good hotel for staying purpose.