Darjeeling is a magnificent hill station in West Bengal, nestled in the Lesser Himalayas. In the past, it was ruled by Bhutan, Nepal, and Sikkim. Darjeeling is located 6,700 feet above sea level and provides breathtaking views of Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga, making it a popular tourist spot.
Darjeeling is well-known worldwide for its delicious tea and the stunning view of the Kanchenjunga mountain range. It’s also famous for its rich cultural and natural heritage, as well as the toy train, which is recognized as a UNESCO heritage. The district, spanning about 1144 square kilometers, attracts millions of tourists each year with its diverse attractions.
Indians love tea the most. When we drink tea, we often think about the beautiful, large tea gardens in Darjeeling. Our connection with Darjeeling goes back to our childhood. Besides the tea gardens, this place is also blessed with charming waterfalls, natural spots, and many other wonderful things.
Best Time to Visit Darjeeling
You can visit Darjeeling between February to March. Apart from that, you can pick some days from September to November to explore this tea land. Summers are not very warm or hot while winters are chilly and cold.
This place usually does not get snowfall but if you are lucky, you will get a chance to see snow-capped Mt. Everest.
Places to Visit in Darjeeling
Darjeeling is a blissful city with numerous tourist spots to spend a day or two with family and friends. Moreover, they are as mentioned below:
1. Nightingale Park
This park has many walkways where you can take a long walk enjoying the greenery around the place. You can also watch Kanchenjunga ranges from this park. Further, this park has a fountain and a statue of Lord Shiva.
2. Darjeeling Peace Pagoda
This is one of the most important attractions in Darjeeling you should not miss. This pagoda was designed by M. Ohka in the year 1972. It symbolizes harmony and unity. Standing at this point, you can see the beautiful ranges of Kanchenjunga peak.
3. Tea gardens
Darjeeling has more than 80 tea plantations. You can enjoy the lush green tea gardens spreading over a vast area. The rich aroma of tea is something which attracts each person in tea gardens.
4. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
This park is situated at an altitude of 7000 ft from the sea level. It has many species of animals such as Himalayan monal, Macaw, Red Jungle Fowl, Sambar Deer, Yak, Eastern Pangolin and others. Many nature lovers and wildlife photographers visit this zoological park every year.
5. Sandakphu Trek
Sandakphu Trek, the highest peak of West Bengal offers you the gorgeous views of 5 highest mountain peaks of the world. Furthermore, this trek has a length of 51 km and it goes upward from Manebhajan. The surrounding around Sandakphu Trek is elegant with orchids and various kinds of flowers.
6. Monasteries
Darjeeling has some of the most exquisite and magnificent monasteries which you should watch. Bhutia Busty Gompa is one of the most beautiful monasteries you can visit. Another good monastery is Aloobari Gompa where you can enjoy sightseeing and shopping.
7. Museum
If you are a history lover, you must visit the Bengal Natural History Museum. You can find a variety of exotic animals such as pelicans, Tibetan fox panthers, leopards, and others.
8. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
HMI is known to be India’s first-ever Institute to promote Mountaineering as a sport. Moreover, there is a huge Museum too and the main attraction of it is the mountaineering instruments used by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary. Hence, HMI is undoubtedly a must-visit place.
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Activities and Things to Do
1. Toy Train ride
Famous as one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Toy Train is the first thing which you should include in your itinerary. Here, in this train, you can take a ride to all the well-known spots of Darjeeling. Moreover, you can enjoy the views of the jungle, lush tea gardens and greenery covered hills.
2. Darjeeling Ropeway
The next activity to do is travel in Rangeet Valley Passenger Cable Car. Surprisingly, this cable car shows you the elegant sights of Darjeeling from the top.
3. Shopping
Darjeeling is popular for many antique pieces of jewellery and beautiful clothes. The markets in this city flaunt items such as kitchenware, handicrafts and most important thing, tea. You can enjoy a whole day in the markets of Darjeeling.
4. River rafting
Adventure lovers can simply take the pleasure of river rafting in a gorgeous river Teesta. The creamy white waters of the river move you up and down thereby making a perfect activity.
5. Ravishing tattoos
Darjeeling has some of the most skilled tattoo artists from whom you can get a tattoo of a Buddhist monastery or other quotes of Lord Buddha. So, getting a tattoo will not be a bad idea.
6. Sunrise in Tiger Hill
Located at a height of 8482 ft, the Tiger Hill is the spot to enjoy the pleasing views of Himalayan ranges. Besides, the golden sun rays in the early morning are also worth having.
How to Reach Darjeeling
1. Train
If you love train journey and want to explore the scenic beauty of Northeast, then catch a train from your city to New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri railway stations. Finally, getting down at these stations, you can reach Darjeeling by taxi or cab.
2. Flight
Various flights of airlines such as Indigo, Spice Jet and Air India run every day from Mumbai, Chennai and other cities to Bagdogra airport. From this airport, you can take a cab to reach Darjeeling which is approximately 3 hours.
3. Road
There is a good frequency of bus services from Siliguri to reach Darjeeling. You can take a bus from small towns such as Kurseong, Siliguri, and Kalimpong. The bus journey is truly a blissful experience while your trip to Darjeeling.
Where to Stay in Darjeeling
You can check online for the availability of hotel rooms in Darjeeling. There are nature resorts, guest houses, 3-star hotels, 5-star hotels, and secluded apartments. To easily get the room in a hotel, you should book it prior to your trip.
Darjeeling is too much crowded during the winter season. So, it is necessary that you first check the availability of hotels and book the rooms as soon as possible. Generally, the rooms have all the amenities such as tea and coffee maker, Wi-Fi facility, TV, geysers, air conditioners, water heaters, and others.
Darjeeling’s untouched beauty grabs the attention of adults, teens, and kids as well. It is the place where you can leave aside all your life problems and dip your mind and body in nature. Tea estates, monasteries, pagodas, ropeways, treks, and friendly people are some of the finest attributes of Darjeeling. Hence, it is the place to find the ultimate and endless happiness and bliss. So, be one of the parts of nature while exploring the “The Queen of Hills”.
