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Try "Spiti", "snow leopard", "Char Dham", "homestay", "Tiger's Nest"
Route · Darjeeling & Kalimpong
West from Ghum through forest past Lepchajagat and Jorepokhri to the market at Sukhiapokhri, then down through tea gardens near the Nepal border to Mirik's lake. About 49 km and 2 hours on a quiet, scenic road.
Photo: Benoy · CC BY-SA 3.0 · CommonsEvery way to go
| How | Time | Cost, indicative 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Shared jeep | 2–2.5 h | ₹150–250 a seat |
| Private car | 1.75–2 h | ₹1,700–2,500 one way |
| Bus | 2.5 h | ₹80–150 |
Shared jeeps for Mirik leave Darjeeling's motor stand below Chowk Bazaar through the morning. They pass Ghum, Lepchajagat and Sukhiapokhri, where some stop for passengers and tea. If a direct jeep is slow to fill, take one to Sukhiapokhri and change. Jeeps arrive at Krishnanagar, on the lake's western shore, close to most hotels.
A reserved car makes this a pleasant half day. Stop for the forest walk at Lepchajagat, the newt lake at Jorepokhri, and the tea gardens around Gopaldhara and Thurbo before dropping to the lake. Many visitors do Mirik as a day trip from Darjeeling, which costs more with waiting time.
A few buses link Darjeeling and Siliguri with Mirik, but times are irregular and change. Ask at the Darjeeling motor stand the day before. When it runs, it is the cheapest option, though slower and less comfortable on the winding road.
At each end
Photo: Arne Hückelheim 2010-09-21 12:41:53 This is a … · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
The thunderbolt ridge, its tea and its two-foot railway
Photo: Benoy · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
A lake town among tea gardens on the Nepal border
Questions
About 49 km via Ghum, Lepchajagat and Sukhiapokhri, roughly 2 hours by car and a little longer by shared jeep. The road is narrow and winding but well used, and passes through forest and tea gardens close to the Nepal border.
Yes. A reserved car with waiting costs about ₹3,000–4,000 for the day, depending on stops. Give yourself three hours in Mirik to walk around Sumendu Lake and climb to Bokar Monastery. On a budget, take a morning shared jeep and return by early afternoon.
Most jeeps stop at Krishnanagar, the market area on the western side of Sumendu Lake, near most hotels, cafes and the footbridge. Ask the driver if you need to be dropped elsewhere on the way.
Yes. Lepchajagat lies about 19 km from Darjeeling on the Mirik road, just past Ghum. It is a short forest stop for tea and a walk, or a quiet place for a night before continuing to Mirik.
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