The scenic and popular hill station of Darjeeling is the highlight of West Bengal and one of the oldest mountain settlements in India. With sprawling tea gardens, unparalleled views of the Kanchenjunga Peak, and a colourful local culture, Darjeeling makes for a memorable travel experience.
Table of Contents
- Things to do in Darjeeling
- How to Plan a trip to Darjeeling
- About Darjeeling
- Places to stay in Darjeeling
Things to do in Darjeeling
Darjeeling tourism is not just about ancient structures and nature spots. To truly experience the beauty of this hill town, you have to engage in different activities, apart from exploring the popular tourist attractions.
- Try white water rafting. This activity is not limited to the Upper Himalayas and Darjeeling’s Teesta River proves it. It is the most exciting outdoor sport you can enjoy in Darjeeling. The ride goes through a series of rapids on the upper reaches of the Teesta and ranges from easy to pro-level. The extreme levels are only for professionals and avoid rafting tours during the monsoon.
- A Darjeeling tour is incomplete without a ride on the popular toy train. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a narrow-gauge mountain train that circles the town at a slow pace and offers stunning views of the landscape.
- Experience the Darjeeling Ropeway, India’s first cable-car system, built-in in 1968. The ride starts at North Point in Singamari and ends at Singla Bazaar, giving you uninterrupted views of the hills, valleys, tea gardens, waterfalls, and Kanchenjunga from 7000ft.
- Shop for local art and crafts, and trinkets from Mall Road. It is the busiest and most commercial part of the town with a host of dining and leisure options.
Places to visit in Darjeeling
With a host of tourist places, there’s always something for every kind of traveller. Here are some of the top-rated places for a wholesome sightseeing trip.
1. Ghoom Monastery
- How to Reach – This famous monastery is located at 7.6KM from the town square. The only way to travel is to book a local taxi or rent a car.
- Timings– 9AM-6PM
- Entry Fee– Free, Camera – INR 10, Video shoot – INR 50
- Time Required– 1-2hours
2. Japanese Peace Pagoda
- How to Reach – This tourist spot is only 2.7KM from the town centre but can take longer on the hilly road. You have to take a local cab or rent a car to reach.
- Timings– 4AM-7PM
- Entry Fee– Free
- Time Required– 1-2hours
3. Batasia Loop
- How to Reach – The mountain loop is located at 5KM from the main town. You can book a cab to reach and walk around or drive around the loop in the same car.
- Timings– 5AM-8PM
- Entry Fee– INR 15
- Time Required– 1-2hours
4. Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park
- How to Reach – The natural reserve is located at 1.4KM from the town centre. You can book a cab for half-day and travel.
- Timings– Summers: 8AM – 4PM, Winters: 8AM – 4PM (Thursday closed)
- Entry Fee– INR 20 per person, INR 10 for the camera.
- Time Required– 4-5 hours
5. Happy Valley Tea Estate
- How to Reach – The tea estate is located at 2.6KM from the main town.
- Timings– 8 AM – 4 PM (Tuesday – Saturday), Closed from November to February
- Entry Fee– Free. Guided Tours- INR 50-75
- Time Required– 2-3 hours
6. Tiger Hill
- How to Reach – The viewing point is located at 26.5KM from the town centre. The only way to reach is to book a cab or rent a car from the town.
- Timings– 4AM-6PM
- Entry Fee– None. Separate fees for parking and observatory tower.
- Time Required– 1-2hours
7. Nightingale Park
- How to Reach – The park is located only 1.4KM from the town centre. You can either walk from Mall Road or take a cab from other locations.
- Timings– 7AM-8PM
- Entry Fee– INR 10 per adult
- Time Required– 2 hours
Places to visit nearby
Apart from the popular tourist places, there are many offbeat places in Darjeeling to see and explore. Include these other scenic hill stations near Darjeeling in your trip plan –
1. Tinchuley
- How to Reach – This peaceful hamlet is located at 32KM from Darjeeling town.
- Timings– 24 hours
- Entry Fee– None
2. Singalila National Park
- How to Reach – The national park is located at 36.7KM from Darjeeling.
- Timings– 6 AM – 7 PM, Closed from 16 June to 15 September
- Entry Fee– INR 100, Camera INR 100, Video camera INR 500
- Time Required– 3-4 hours
3. Kalimpong
- How to Reach – The sister town is located at 52KM from Darjeeling. You can book a cab for one-two day to explore Kalimpong.
- Timings– None
- Entry Fee– None
- Time Required– 1-2 days
4. Seven Sister Waterfall River
- How to Reach – The Darjeeling Gangtok distance is roughly 128KM. You can rent a car with driver for two days to explore the site and other nearby places.
- Timings– 8AM-5PM
- Entry Fee– None
- Time Required– 1-2 hours
Places to eat
Despite being in West Bengal, Darjeeling food is a canvas of its own. Different local communities, immigrants, and earlier colonial residents have influenced the local cuisine that you find today.
Sample the local flavours at some of these best restaurants in Darjeeling –
- Kunga Restaurant
- The Locals – Authentic Nepali Cuisine
- The Patio Restaurant
- Nanking Restaurant
- Shangri-La Restaurant and Bar
- Keventer’s
- Gatty’s Café
- Glenary’s Bakery, Restaurant & Pub
- Magnolia Restaurant
How to Plan a Trip to Darjeeling
How to reach
By Train
There is no railway station in Darjeeling owing to its steep terrain. The nearest railway station is in New Jalpaiguri, which is well-connected to the rest of West Bengal and other neighbouring states. There are frequent trains from all major cities in India like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, etc. From New Jalpaiguri, you can rent a car to reach the town.
By Road
Darjeeling is well-connected to neighbouring states and major cities and towns of West Bengal by NH 110 and NH 55. There are regular state-run and private buses to Darjeeling from Kolkata, Haldia, Asansol, Malda, Siliguri, New Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, and Kurseong. You can also book an outstation cab or rent a car from any of these places to reach Darjeeling.
By Flight
There is no flight service in Darjeeling. The nearest airport is in Siliguri at Bagdogra Aiport, 43KM away from Darjeeling. You can fly to Bagdogra from anywhere in West Bengal or other major towns/cities in India. There are regular flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, etc. to Bagdogra. From Bagdogra, you can book an airport taxi to reach Darjeeling by road.
Best time to visit Darjeeling
Darjeeling experiences classic mountain weather. The summers are warm and pleasant while winters are extremely chilly with occasional snowfall and cold waves. The best season to visit this hill station is summer when the temperature is comfortable enough to explore the outdoors. The rainy season is also best to avoid since heavy rainfall can cause landslides. Typically, March is the best month to visit.
About Darjeeling
It is often called the Queen of Hills for its natural beauty and deep-seated heritage, historical and cultural. Darjeeling lies in the Lesser Himalayas on the Darjeeling-Jalapahar Range, which originates in the south from the Ghum district, and rises to an elevation of 6700 ft.
Check out this handy tour guide to experience all the treasures of this Himalayan town.
What is Darjeeling famous for?
With its long history and breathtaking nature, there are a host of famous places that appeal to its visitors. The region is synonymous with the best teas in the world since the colonial days. The entire district boasts numerous tea gardens cultivating different varieties of teas, including some rare and unique blends that are only found here, which are exported to different parts of the world. Apart from that, Darjeeling boasts the best views of the Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world, one of the oldest narrow-gauge mountain railways which are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage.
[Also Read: #60DaysOfSummer – Tea Plantations in Darjeeling]
Places to stay in Darjeeling
To make your vacation complete and memorable, find a stay at some of the best places here. Here are some of the best hotels that can make your trip special –
- Mayfair Darjeeling
- Central Gleneagles Heritage Resort
- Ging Tea House
- The Revett
- Muscatel Himalayan Resort
- Dekeling Resort
- Burdwan Palace
- The Elgin
Experience the beauty of Darjeeling by booking a car rental to take you to all these places with a local driver. Install Savaari cab booking app for offers and discounts on outstation rentals.
Last Updated on January 30, 2024 by Swati Deol
