If you love travelling, then you know that the journey matters more than reaching the destination. Especially when you are out for a road trip, there are many scenic routes that you can explore from Siliguri. The city serves as a significant starting point for travelling to beautiful destinations in and around. Embarking on the scenic road trips from Siliguri can make you feel the journey rather than only experiencing it. Along the way, you can witness the picturesque landscapes, spiralling roads, explore local shops and eateries, and many adventurous activities. Due to being well-connected with various significant routes, such as NH10, many tourists prefer Siliguri to kickstart their road trip from this city to experience the scenic routes to places.
Also Read: Siliguri to Bhutan by Car — What to Know Before You Go
Let's Explore the Top Scenic Road Trips from Siliguri
To experience an enriching travel, you can start your road trip from Siliguri through the routes as mentioned below:
Siliguri to Darjeeling
Darjeeling is the most loved destination near Siliguri, offering you some of the best scenic experiences during your travel. A long drive to Darjeeling from Siliguri via car can take 3 to 4 hours to reach. Situated approximately 65 km from Siliguri, Darjeeling is an old hill station. You can reach this destination while exploring the verdant tea gardens, pine forests, and amazing landscapes along the way, where every bend is filled with beauty and adventure. You can experience the Siliguri to Darjeeling scenic drive via Rohni road, Pankhabari road, or Hill Cart road. In Darjeeling, you explore the beautiful Ghoom Monastery, the UNESCO World Heritage toy train, the bustling Mall road, Batasia Loop, and far-reaching tea gardens.
Route:Siliguri → Sukna → Tindharia → Kurseong → Tung → Sonada → Ghoom → Darjeeling
Siliguri to Kurseong
From Siliguri, travelling to Kurseong, known asthe Land of White Orchids, is another destination to make your road trip memorable. It also comes between the Darjeeling roads from Siliguri. You can reach Kurseong by car in 2 hours, which is approximately 51 km from Siliguri. A drive to Kurseong can feel nothing shorter than an adventure that offers dramatic ascents from plains, breathtaking views, lush green tea gardens and dense pine forests. Along the way, you can stop to explore the Makaibari Tea Estate, the charming railway crossings with toy trains, and viewpoints like Gidda Pahar, which offers sweeping views of the surrounding mountains.
Route: Siliguri → Sukna Road→ Tindharia → Kurseong
Siliguri to Pelling
If you are looking for panoramic views of the Himalayas, Pelling is the ideal destination for your road trip. Situated at a distance of approx 126 km from Siliguri, it can take 6 to 7 hours to reach Pelling in Sikkim. The route features lush green valleys, steep hilly terrains and dramatic changes in landscapes as you ascend from Siliguri plains to the elevation of West Sikkim. You can explore the Skywalk and the Pemayangtse Monastery in Pelling. A road trip to Pelling can feel like a dream gradually unfolding with every ascent, along with a breathtaking view of Kanchenjunga peak, especially during clear weather.
Route: Siliguri → Melli → Jorethang → Legship → Geyzing → Pelling
Siliguri to Kalimpong
Known for its picturesque, challenging nature and stunning views of the Teesta River along the way, the route to Kalimpong from Siliguri feels magical in every way. Situated at a distance of approx 70 km, the journey can take 2 to 3hours to reach, typically via NH10. You can explore the main attractions such as Deolo Hill, Durpin Monastery, Teesta Bridge and cactus nursery with various species of cactus and flowers. To reach Kalimpong, you can take the route via Gorubathan and Lava, which are scenic but less direct. Along the way, explore Coroation Bridge, Sevoke Kali Mandir and Teesta Bazar, the key stops and the transitioning landscapes.
Route: Siliguri → Sevoke → Teesta Bazaar → Kalimpong
Siliguri to Mirik
A small, beautiful hill station, Mirik, is situated around 45 km from Siliguri, taking 1 to 2 hours to reach in a road trip. This is one of the most scenic roads you can explore, offering you sharp, windy roads through lush green foliage, pine forests and tea gardens like the Thurbo Tea Estate. You can enjoy a serene stop in Mirik, beside Sumendu Lake and park. Here you can enjoy some activities like boat riding and a walk among the dense and misty pine forests, making the destination more magical.
Route:Siliguri → Dudhia → Simana → Mirik
Siliguri to Dooars
If you wish to wind down amidst nature and experience a long drive accompanied by never-ending greenery, the Dooars is the most preferable destination from Siliguri. With verdant tea gardens, rich wildlife, and the scenic riverbed of the Murti, the landscape of Dooars will be etched in your memory forever. The roads feature Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary and Gorumara National Park, making you feel the ultimate adventure. You can spot the wildlife of this region along the way, such as elephants, bison, barking deer, one-horned rhinos and various bird species A long drive to Dooars can take 2 hours to reach, with a distance of 65km from Siliguri, making you feel rejuvenated. Seek blessings from the Lord Hanuman Temple in Malbazar and explore the architectural beauty.
Route:Siliguri → Sevoke → Odlabari → Malbazar → Chalsa
Siliguri to Buxa Tiger Reserve
If you are enthusiastic about wildlife and nature, then you must explore the Buxa Tiger Reserve from Siliguri. With a distance of around 150 to 175 km, you can reach here within 4-5 hours via NH27 caharacterised by dense forest stretches, tea gardens and tea-covered hills, especially near Rajabhatkhawa, known for wildlife sightings such as elephants, bison and deer. Along the way, you can come across Jayanti rivercrossing a far-reaching riverbed, with white pebbles surrounded by the hills of Jayantia. The road passes through the Dooars region, offering key stopovers like Lataguri, Chalsa and historic Coronation Bridge over the Teesta River. It can be a once-in-a-lifetime driving experience when making a road trip from Siliguri to Buxa Tiger Reserve.
Route: Siliguri → Sevoke → Malbazar → Hasimara → Rajabhatkhawa → Buxa
Final Remarks,
A road trip from Siliguri to nearby destinations can make your travel experience enriching and refreshing. A long drive via different roads not only provides you with the scenic beauty of the changing landscapes but also allows you to connect with the local community, their culture, tradition, and food. It may feel like chasing a dream with each junction and bend in the journey, along with ethereal views of the Himalayas and plains. In making your long road trip memorable, which includes some challenging roads, steep and uneven regions, hiring a trusted car rental service from Siliguri can be a profitable choice. If your heart desires to embark on such a scenic road trip, contact Jayanti Travels, known for its customised car rental services and exclusive tour planning.
