Kolkata, Sikkim, Gangtok · 17 Aug 2022 · 7 min
Kolkata & Gangtok in 7 Days: From City Streets to Himalayan Views
A seven-day journey from Dhaka to Kolkata and Gangtok, combining historic streets, local food, markets and Himalayan scenery. Here’s the itinerary, approximate costs, transport tips and practical lessons from the trip.
When
30 Jul → 05 Aug 2022
Duration
7 days
Stops
6
Where
Kolkata, Sikkim, Gangtok
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.
Day by day
01
Day
Sat 30 Jul
The Journey to City of Joy
⌖ Dhaka → Chitpur → Kolkata
I started my trip from Dhaka Cantonment Railway Station, taking the train towards Kolkata Chitpur. The train journey was fairly straightforward, although the usual immigration process at the border took some time, as you'd expect. Once I finally reached Kolkata and completed the formalities, I took a taxi towards the New Market area and started looking for a place to stay. I eventually found a hotel around K.D. Street, which turned out to be a convenient base for exploring central Kolkata. After checking in and freshening up, I spent the rest of the day getting my first feel of the City of Joy, walking around the nearby streets and taking in Kolkata's familiar yet distinctly energetic atmosphere.
02
Day
Sun 31 Jul
Books & Coffee House
⌖ Kolkata
I started the second day around New Market, one of Kolkata's classic shopping areas and a great place to experience the city's everyday hustle. After browsing through the shops and picking up a few things, I made my way towards College Street, famous for its endless bookshops and stalls selling everything from new releases to old second-hand books. I also stopped at the legendary Indian Coffee House, where the attraction is as much about the history and atmosphere as the coffee itself. This was one of those days where I didn't need a packed itinerary. Walking through the streets, discovering random shops and watching Kolkata go about its business was an experience on its own.
03
Day
Mon 01 Aug
The Kolkata Classics
⌖ Kolkata
Day three was dedicated to some of Kolkata's most recognisable attractions. I started with the grand Victoria Memorial, one of the city's most iconic landmarks, where the architecture, gardens and history make it worth spending some time. Later, I headed to Nicco Park for a completely different experience and a break from the usual sightseeing. By evening, I made my way back towards Park Street, one of Kolkata's liveliest areas for food, cafés and nightlife. I also found familiar names like Starbucks and Subway along the way, which felt oddly comforting in the middle of a very different city. One practical lesson from Kolkata was simple: group attractions by location because traffic can turn a short distance into a surprisingly long journey.
04
Day
Tue 02 Aug
Train to the North
⌖ Kolkata → New Jalpaiguri (NJP)
After several days exploring Kolkata, it was time to change the scenery. I took a train towards New Jalpaiguri (NJP), one of the main gateways for travellers heading towards Sikkim and Darjeeling. The journey itself was part of the experience as the landscape gradually changed while I moved away from Kolkata. I kept snacks, water and my basic travel essentials with me and made sure my important belongings stayed close. Once I reached NJP, the next challenge was arranging transport towards Gangtok. If you're taking a taxi from NJP, don't immediately accept the first price you're given. Ask a few drivers, clarify whether the price is per person or for the whole vehicle, and check whether tolls and parking are included. A little comparison can make a noticeable difference.
05
Day
Wed 03 Aug
Into the Himalayas
⌖ New Jalpaiguri (NJP) → Gangtok
The road from NJP to Gangtok was where the trip really started feeling different. The flat landscape slowly disappeared and was replaced by winding mountain roads, hills and rivers along the way. The journey can take several hours depending on traffic and road conditions, but the changing scenery makes it much more interesting than simply getting from A to B. After reaching Gangtok and checking into my hotel, I kept the rest of the day relaxed. In the evening, I explored MG Marg, one of Gangtok's most popular spots, walked around the shops and found somewhere to grab dinner. After spending days in the fast-moving City of Joy, the cooler weather and slower pace of Gangtok felt like someone had finally pressed the pause button.
06
Day
Thu 04 Aug
Day Around Gangtok & Sikkim
⌖ Gangtok → Sikkim
Day six was my main day for exploring Gangtok and its surroundings. Depending on the season, weather and permits available, there are plenty of viewpoints, monasteries and attractions to explore around the city. I kept my plans flexible instead of trying to turn the day into a race between tourist spots. That's one of the best things about a mountain destination. Sometimes the road, the view or simply standing somewhere above the clouds becomes part of the attraction. I returned to MG Marg in the evening for dinner and another relaxed walk before calling it a night. The contrast with Kolkata was impossible to ignore. One city constantly feels like it's moving, while the other makes you want to slow down.
07
Day
Fri 05 Aug
The Long Way Home
⌖ Kolkata → Dhaka
My final day was mostly about getting back home. I left Gangtok for NJP, making sure to leave plenty of extra time because mountain roads don't always care about a carefully planned schedule. From NJP, I continued towards Kolkata and eventually made my way to the airport for my flight back to Dhaka. This was one part of the trip where having a generous buffer was especially important because traffic, weather and road conditions can easily cause delays. It wasn't the most relaxing day of the itinerary, but after travelling from Dhaka to Kolkata, exploring the City of Joy, taking a train north and driving into the Himalayas, it felt like a fitting end to the journey.
What it cost
| Category | Details | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Visa | Indian Visa Fee | ৳ 1,500 |
| Train | Dhaka to Kolkata (PAX-1) | ৳ 5,000 |
| Flight | Kolkata to Dhaka (PAX-1) | ৳ 7,000 |
| Hotel | ৳ 8,000 | |
| Food | ৳ 5,000 | |
| Shopping | ৳ 10,000 | |
| Others | ৳ 5,000 | |
| Total · ৳ 5,929 per day | ৳ 41,500 | |