Some trips are about ticking destinations off a list. This one was more about experiencing two very different sides of India.

The journey started in Kolkata, exploring its old streets, markets, food spots and colonial-era landmarks. From there, the trip continued north by train towards New Jalpaiguri (NJP) before taking the winding mountain roads to Gangtok, Sikkim.

The contrast makes this route particularly interesting. Kolkata is busy, historic and full of energy, while Gangtok offers cooler weather, mountain views and a much slower pace.

The overall route was:

Dhaka → Kolkata → New Jalpaiguri → Gangtok → New Jalpaiguri → Kolkata → Dhaka

For travellers from Bangladesh, Kolkata also makes a convenient starting point for exploring eastern India.

Cost Overview — Per Person

The following is a reasonable mid-range estimate for the trip. Actual costs will depend on accommodation, transport choices, exchange rates and how many people are sharing taxis.

• 🚌 Dhaka ↔ Kolkata transport: ৳8,000–12,000

• 🏨 Kolkata accommodation — 3 nights: ৳3,000–5,000

• 🚇 Local transport in Kolkata: ৳1,500–2,500

• 🍛 Food in Kolkata: ৳2,000–3,000

• 🚆 Kolkata ↔ New Jalpaiguri train: ৳1,500–3,000

• 🚕 NJP ↔ Gangtok transport: ৳3,000–5,000

• 🏨 Gangtok accommodation — 2 nights: ৳3,000–5,000

• 🍜 Food in Gangtok: ৳2,000–3,000

• 🎟️ Attractions & miscellaneous: ৳1,500–3,000

Estimated Total

৳26,500–41,500 per person

You can reduce this significantly by sharing accommodation and taxis, choosing budget hotels and booking trains early.

Day 1 — Arriving in Kolkata

The first day was mostly about getting settled and getting a feel for Kolkata.

Rather than immediately trying to visit every major attraction, spend some time exploring the area around your accommodation. Kolkata is a city where simply walking around can be an experience in itself.

You'll encounter old buildings, small tea stalls, street vendors, bookshops and busy roads almost everywhere.

In the evening, head towards Park Street for dinner and to experience one of Kolkata's livelier areas after sunset.

For getting around, the metro is one of the most convenient options. Autos, buses and app-based taxis are useful for shorter journeys or places that aren't easily connected by metro.

Keep in mind: Kolkata traffic can be surprisingly slow. A short distance on the map doesn't necessarily mean a short journey.

Day 2 — New Market & College Street

Start the second day around New Market, one of Kolkata's classic shopping areas.

It's a good place to experience the city's commercial energy, browse through shops and pick up souvenirs. Bargaining is common in smaller shops, but don't assume every price is negotiable.

From New Market, continue towards College Street.

College Street is particularly interesting if you enjoy books. The area is filled with bookshops and stalls selling both new and second-hand books.

While you're there, stop at the historic Indian Coffee House. Don't go expecting a modern café experience—the attraction is its history and atmosphere.

This is also a good day to slow down. Instead of spending hours travelling between distant attractions, explore a few areas properly.

Day 3 — Victoria Memorial, Nicco Park & Park Street

Day three combines sightseeing with some lighter entertainment.

Start with the Victoria Memorial, one of Kolkata's most recognisable landmarks. The building and surrounding grounds are worth visiting, especially if you enjoy architecture and history.

Later, head towards Nicco Park for a change of pace. It works particularly well if you're travelling with friends or family and want something different from museums and historical sites.

Finish the day around Park Street, where you'll find plenty of restaurants and evening activity.

Practical tip: Group attractions by location. Kolkata is large, and travelling from one end of the city to another several times in a day can eat up a surprising amount of time.

Day 4 — Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri

Day four begins the mountain part of the journey.

Take a train from Kolkata towards New Jalpaiguri (NJP), one of the main railway gateways for travellers heading towards Sikkim and Darjeeling.

If you're travelling overnight, carry some snacks, water and basic travel essentials. Keep important belongings close rather than leaving valuables in easily accessible luggage.

The train journey itself is part of the experience. The landscape gradually changes as you move away from Kolkata.

Once you reach NJP, you'll need to arrange transport towards Gangtok.

A quick taxi negotiation lesson

Don't automatically accept the first price a driver gives you.

Ask a few drivers for their rates first. When negotiating, clarify:

• Whether the price is per person or for the entire vehicle

• Whether tolls are included

• Whether parking charges are included

• The exact destination

• How many passengers and bags are travelling

You don't need to aggressively bargain. If one driver quotes too much, simply ask another.

Day 5 — NJP to Gangtok

The journey from NJP to Gangtok is where the scenery changes dramatically.

The flat landscape gradually turns into winding mountain roads, rivers and hills. Depending on traffic and road conditions, the journey can take several hours.

Once you reach Gangtok, check into your hotel and keep the rest of the day relaxed.

Spend the evening around MG Marg, one of the city's most popular areas. Walk around, explore the shops and find a local restaurant for dinner.

After a long road journey, there's little benefit in trying to squeeze several attractions into the same afternoon.

Tip: Keep your first Gangtok evening flexible. Mountain travel can be tiring, and delays on the road are not unusual.

Day 6 — Exploring Gangtok

Day six is your main sightseeing day in Gangtok.

Depending on the season, weather and permits available, you can explore viewpoints, monasteries and other attractions around the city.

The most important thing is not to pack too much into the schedule. Mountain destinations are best experienced without constantly checking the clock.

Return to MG Marg in the evening for dinner or a relaxed walk.

The contrast with Kolkata becomes especially noticeable here. Kolkata constantly feels busy and energetic, while Gangtok encourages you to slow down.

What to carry

Even when the morning feels comfortable, keep a light jacket with you. Weather in the mountains can change quickly, particularly in the evening.

Day 7 — Gangtok to Kolkata & Back to Dhaka

The final day is mostly about getting home.

Leave Gangtok with enough time to reach NJP before your train. From NJP, continue towards Kolkata and then make your onward journey to Dhaka.

This is one part of the itinerary where you should avoid tight connections.

A mountain journey can be delayed by traffic, road conditions, weather or unexpected stops. If you have an important train or international connection, leave a generous buffer.

It may mean spending a little more time waiting, but that's much better than missing your connection.

Things to Keep in Mind

Book trains early

Popular trains can fill up, particularly around weekends and holidays. Check your preferred class and book as early as possible.

Keep some cash

Digital payments are increasingly common, but cash is still useful for small shops, local transport, roadside food and taxis.

Bargain, but don't overdo it

The best way to negotiate is simply to compare prices.

Ask the first driver for a quote, ask another driver, and decide what seems reasonable. There's little point spending a long time negotiating over a small difference.

Don't rely completely on estimated travel times

Google Maps can give you a useful indication, but Kolkata traffic and Himalayan roads can make actual journey times much longer.

Leave buffer time

This is especially important when travelling between Gangtok and NJP. Don't schedule an important train immediately after your expected arrival.

Carry layers

Gangtok can feel considerably cooler than Kolkata, especially in the morning and evening. A light jacket is worth carrying even if you don't think you'll need it.

Don't try to see everything

The biggest mistake on a seven-day trip is turning every day into a checklist.

Three days in Kolkata and two days around Gangtok gives you enough time to experience both places without spending the entire trip travelling.

Final Thoughts

What makes this route special is the contrast.

Kolkata gives you crowded streets, history, food, markets and an unmistakably energetic city atmosphere. Gangtok offers cooler weather, mountain scenery and a slower pace.

And the journey between them—first by train and then by road—is part of the experience.

For travellers from Bangladesh looking for a relatively short trip with plenty of variety, Kolkata + Gangtok is a great combination. In seven days, you can experience city life, history, local food, train travel and the Himalayas without trying to cover half of India.