yes absolutely dec to feb is the best time, weather remains clear. great for sighting and photography.

Hotel Sinclairs (Darjeeling Khush Alaya)

You can have a glimpse of Everest on the way up to Tiger Hill, the local taxi drivers are able to tell you where on the road to look for it.

You can buy genuine Cashmira shawls in Darjeeling, at a shop in the main street, near the Lunar Hotel. I paid $104 for three.

The price range of shawl is 1000 RS - 5000 RS. Woolen stuff is starting from 100RS

Good prices, but be prepared to bargain hard. The more you buy the cheaper. I paid the equivalent of £25 for a baby yak wool scarf, but pashmina cheaper than that. Check the quality, there are cheap ones, but they are lower quality.

Darjeeling is most famous for Tea and that you can find in many stores viz. Golden Tips & Nathmull's on the Mall. Both of these have a number of outlets throughout Darjeeling. Besides, there are other shops where you will find quality tea. Then comes the woolens etc. If you want quality ones you can get them on the Mall Road shops, cheaper ones are also available there. Then there are the cheap Mall Market, Mahakal Market etc where you may get a good deal by bargaining. A shopping Mall named The Rink is also there beside Big Bazar, but please check the prices. Memento and curio may be bought from the shops on the Mall. Hope this serves your purpose.

3 days standard hotel and car for Darjeeling local tour will cost less than 20 thousand INR. You may add respective Visa charges, Air Travel cost from your country to Bagdogra airport (India).

During January you will get clear weather but it will be chilly. At this time you will get a clear view of Kanchenjunga. I have visited Darjeeling from 21st December'18 to 24th December'18. The minimum temperature was 2 degree centigrade during my visit.

Certainly a Good time.