Darjeeling, often referred to as the “Queen of the Hills,” is a popular hill station in West Bengal, India, nestled in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas. Famous for its breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains, rolling tea gardens, vibrant cultural heritage, and charming colonial architecture, Darjeeling offers a unique blend of nature, adventure, and history. Here’s a detailed guide to help you plan your Darjeeling tour:
Top Attractions in SIKKIM & Darjeeling
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Day 1: pickup from Bagdogra airport to Pelling
Day 2; Pelling; sightseeing skywalk chenrezig statue, Bird Park, Rabdentse ruins, pemayangtse monastery khecheoperi lake rimbi fall, Kanchendzonga waterfall Overnight Pelling…
Day 3: Pelling to namchi via Ravangla buddha park, samdruptse statue overnight namchi.
Day 4: drive to Gangtok via chardham, temi tea garden then to Gangtok evening free to visit MG Marg.
Day 5: Gangtok sightseeing, Banjhakri waterfall, Ranka monastery, Tashi viewpoint, Ganesh tok, plant conservatory, enchey monastery, Tibetology Museum stupa ropeway overnight Gangtok.
Day 6: excursion trip to changu lake Baba mandir and nathula border .. (nathula border is subject to open as per the government permission to visit) foreign tourist are only allowed up to changu lake.
Day 7: Gangtok to Darjeeling 3-4 hours’ drive check inn hotel evening free to roam around the mall road
Day 8: Darjeeling sightseeing including tiger hill zoo Himalayan Museum, tea garden, toy train, heritage ride, japanese stupa evening free to mall road
Day 9 after breakfast hotel to airport drop. - Tiger Hill
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning for sunrise
- Highlights: Panoramic views of Mt. Kanchenjunga, and on clear days, a glimpse of Mt. Everest.
Tiger Hill is renowned for its magnificent sunrise views over the Kanchenjunga range. Watching the first rays of sunlight illuminate the snow-clad peaks is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Tiger Hill is located around 11 km from Darjeeling and is best visited at dawn.
- Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train)
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Highlights: Scenic ride, cultural heritage.
The iconic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, fondly known as the Toy Train, offers a unique and scenic journey through the rolling hills and tea gardens of Darjeeling. The train travels from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling, offering panoramic views of the Himalayan landscape. The joyride between Darjeeling and Ghum (the highest railway station in India) is particularly popular among tourists.
- Batasia Loop
- Location: En route to Ghum
- Highlights: Stunning spiral railway track, panoramic views of Kanchenjunga, War Memorial.
Located just below Ghum, Batasia Loop is an architectural marvel and a must-visit for train enthusiasts. The spiral railway track allows the toy train to descend the steep gradient, offering spectacular views of the surrounding hills and the Kanchenjunga range. The War Memorial located here is dedicated to Gorkha soldiers.
- Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
- Highlights: Red pandas, snow leopards, Himalayan wolves.
The Himalayan Zoological Park is one of the best high-altitude zoos in India and is home to several endangered species, including the red panda and the snow leopard. The zoo is involved in the breeding and conservation of these rare species and is a great spot for wildlife enthusiasts.
- Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI)
- Highlights: Museum, mountaineering exhibits, training school.
Founded in 1954, HMI is a prestigious mountaineering institute in India that was established to commemorate Tenzing Norgay, the first person (along with Sir Edmund Hillary) to scale Mt. Everest. The museum here showcases various mountaineering expeditions and artifacts related to Everest.
- Darjeeling Tea Gardens Highlights: Scenic tea plantations, tea tasting tours.
Darjeeling is synonymous with its world-famous Darjeeling Tea, often referred to as the “Champagne of Teas.” Visitors can take a tour of the lush tea gardens,
Best Time to Visit Sikkim and Darjeeling
- Summer (March to May): This is the best time to visit as the weather is pleasant and the skies are clear, offering great views of the mountains.
- Autumn (September to November): Another ideal time to visit Darjeeling, with clear skies and cool weather.
- Winter (December to February): Winters are cold, and while snowfall is rare, the temperature can drop to freezing levels.
- Monsoon (June to September): Darjeeling experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoon, which can lead to landslides, making it less suitable for travel.
How to Reach Darjeeling
- By Air: The nearest airport is PAKYONG Airport or Bagdogra Airport (about 100 km away). From Bagdogra to gangtok..( 25 kms from pakyong Airport to gangtok)
- By Train: The nearest major railway station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP), located around 65 km from Darjeeling. From NJP, you can either take the toy train to Darjeeling or hire a taxi.
- By Road: Darjeeling is well-connected by road to nearby cities like Siliguri, Kalimpong, and Gangtok. You can either hire a private taxi or take shared jeeps and buses.
Where to Stay in Darjeeling
Darjeeling offers a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury resorts to budget-friendly guesthouses. Some popular choices include:
- Contact us for ; accommodation as per your budget
Travel Tips
- Cash Availability: Carry enough cash as ATMs may not always be available in remote areas. upi payments accepts in many places