Tourist Guide to Must-See Darjeeling
Seated at the base of the Eastern Himalayas, Darjeeling is a traveler’s paradise that is filled with stunning sceneries and amazing activities for everyone in the family. To no one’s surprise, Darjeeling is one of the most frequently visited tourist spots in West Bengal by international visitors.
It is the intermingling spot for numerous cultures, including Nepalese, Tibetan, Bhutanese, and Bengalis.
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Things to know about Darjeeling
Darjeeling is one of India's most picturesque places, situated at an elevation of around 6,710 feet. Darjeeling is derived from two Tibetan words: 'dorje' (meaning mountain) and 'ling' (meaning land). The word-to-word translation for Darjeeling is "the Thunderbolt Land."
Darjeeling was a part of Sikkim (which was an autonomous kingdom at the time) and Nepal for a short time until being purchased by the British East India Company in 1835.
A British officer named Caption Llyod visited a few days in Darjeeling in February 1829. The "Old Gorkha Station of Darjeeling" was the name given to the location at the time. The location was nothing like it is now. It was a barren landscape with thick forests and mountains. Darjeeling, Caption Llyod concluded, might become a magnificent sanatorium or health resort for British officers.
When is it best to visit Darjeeling?
Darjeeling typically has two tourism peak seasons: March to May and October to November. This is when the number of tourists visiting Darjeeling peaks. When it comes to planning your Darjeeling trip, it all comes down to what you want to see and do in Darjeeling. I'd like to talk about the seasons in Darjeeling briefly here.
From March until May (Spring and Summer) - One of the best times to visit Darjeeling is during this season. The temperature is still comfortable. After all, beating the summer heat in the plains is one of the key reasons for organizing a Darjeeling trip. The sky is also clear, allowing for a good view of the Kanchenjunga hills.
The months of October and November (Autumn) - Darjeeling is also beautiful in the autumn. The weather is still nice, the scenery is beautiful, and the sky is clear. During this time, you'll get spectacular views of the snow-capped summits. However, this is peak season, and Darjeeling will be packed with both domestic and international visitors.
How to reach Darjeeling?
The quickest route to reach Darjeeling from Kolkata is to fly to Bagdogra Airport and then take a cab to Darjeeling, which takes around 4 hours and 45 minutes.
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What to see?
There are so many places to see in Darjeeling that one trip will not fit them all!
Catch the sunrise at Tiger Hill
Your trip to Darjeeling is simply not complete until you have viewed the sunrise at Tiger Hill. The moment the sunlight shines on Kanchenjunga's snowy summits, illuminating them in beautiful colors, is absolutely stunning. The best time to visit is from December to March and you are not going to be disappointed.
Tiger Hill, with an elevation of 2,590 meters, is the highest point in Darjeeling. It is roughly 11 kilometers from Darjeeling town. If you go to Tiger Hill during the day, it's just another viewpoint with very few tourists. However, early in the morning, the area is packed with automobiles and people waiting for the sun to rise. Tiger Hill is now known all over the world for its breathtaking sunrise views of Kanchenjunga and other eastern Himalayan peaks.
Tiger Hill has a watchtower from which you may get a panoramic view of the mountain ranges. Seeing the first rays of the light fall on the snow-capped peaks of Kanchenjunga and Everest is a once-in-a-lifetime event. As the sun rises higher on the horizon, the sky gradually changes color from golden yellow to orange.
Exploring the tea garden at Darjeeling and Dooars
The tea gardens of Darjeeling are famous all around the globe and rightly so - not only are the lively green hues a magical sight, but one sip of Darjeeling tea is the perfect cure for all your weariness! We recommend visiting them in the monsoon months.
Happy Valley Tea Estate is the finest spot to have a firsthand view of tea gardens and how the tea leaves find their way to your cup. The Wilson Tea Estate, which was founded in 1854, was the first tea estate in the United States. The estate was renamed Happy Valley Tea Estate later on. The plantation is one of West Bengal's highest tea estates, covering over 110 hectares. The majority of the tea bushes in this area are over a century old!
One of the greatest times to visit Happy Valley Tea Estate, which is located below Hill Cart Road, is during the plucking and processing season, which runs from March to October. If you visit around this time, an employee will show you around the tea factory and explain the withering, rolling, fermenting, and drying processes, as well as how black, green, and white teas are made from the same tea leaves. Tea tasting is also available at the end of the tour. The estate also has a tea boutique where you may purchase the highest quality Darjeeling Tea grown on the estate.
Visit the Batasia Loop and War Memorial
Batasia Loop is one of the key attractions of your Darjeeling tour and is located on Hill Cart Road around 5 km from Darjeeling town. The Batasia Loop is a massive railway loop right after Ghum, where the Darjeeling toy train makes a 360-degree round. From here, one may obtain a panoramic view of the Kanchenjunga peaks and the surrounding area. At Batasia Loop, there is a well-kept eco-garden with appropriate seating arrangements from which to enjoy the breathtaking views.
At the heart of the Batasia Loop sits the War Memorial. The Gorkha War Memorial was dedicated in 1995 to honor the Gorkha soldiers who gave their lives for the country. A 3-meter bronze statue of a Gorkha soldier pays honor right in the center. A little market area beyond the Batasia Loop sells curios, purses, caps, and other decorative products. After seeing the sunrise at Tiger Hill, you can explore Batasia Loop.
What to do?
Once again, there is no dearth of things to do in Darjeeling for anyone in the family!
Enjoy the toy train ride
Taking the toy train ride in Darjeeling is a must for all visitors! As the steam engine huffs and puffs through the winding paths down the mountain, you will witness some stunning views that belong right into the frames of a romance movie!
The Darjeeling-Siliguri Railway (DHR) was India's first mountain railway, opening in 1881 to connect Darjeeling with the plains of Siliguri. This mountain railway is considered to be one of the best examples of mountain railways, as well as an outstanding engineering feat for the time period. UNESCO has designated the DHR as a World Heritage Site.
The best way to experience the Darjeeling Toy Train is to take a ride from NJP to Darjeeling if you have the time. It'll be a long voyage, almost a day, but it'll be a once-in-a-lifetime event. You can take a toy train ride from Darjeeling to Ghum or Kurseong if you don't want to go on this adventure.
Take a stroll down the British-era Mall
Darjeeling, like other British-established hill stations in India, has a Mall Road that runs through the town. It begins at one end of pedestrianized Chowrasta Square, the town's central gathering point, and ends at the other after making a large loop around Observatory Hill. The pleasant, forested road is lined with major historical buildings from the British Raj era, as well as various vistas, one of which offers views of Mount Kanchenjunga. The entire trek takes roughly 20 minutes to complete. You can hire a pony for a few hundred rupees if you don't feel enthusiastic or fit.
Identify the Shy Red Panda and Other Exotic Animals
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoo is one of India's best and most popular family attractions in Darjeeling. This high-altitude zoo was founded in 1958 to assist in the conservation and breeding of endangered native Himalayan creatures such as the snow leopard, Himalayan wolf, and red panda (after which Mozilla's Firefox Internet browser is claimed to be named). Bears, birds, panthers, deer, and reptiles can also be found there. Many animals are kept in a safe open area, so it's as if you're watching them in the wild.
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Learn more about mountaineering and try your hand at rock climbing
Tenzing Norgay, who scaled Mount Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953, founded the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute behind the zoo. Its museum is an unrivaled resource for knowledge on Mount Everest as well as other significant mountain expeditions. It can be combined with a visit to the zoo because tickets cover both.
The institute also operates a mountaineering training center that offers beginner to advanced mountaineering courses as well as fun rock climbing sessions. There is an indoor rock wall which you can climb for 30 rupees. Otherwise, more difficult outdoor rock climbing can be found on the northern outskirts of Darjeeling at Tenzing Norgay Rock.
Paragliding in Darjeeling
If you are a thrill-seeker, you will be pleased to learn that paragliding is possible in Darjeeling. In 2006, Off-Road Adventure began operating there. Blue Dragon Adventure and Travel is also a recommended paragliding company. Flights depart from Saint Paul School at Jalapahar, about a 10-minute drive north of Darjeeling, and land at Lebong Ground.
You'll enjoy a spectacular view of the town, tea gardens, and mountain peaks from above. Paragliding is only available from October to April and is depending on wind conditions. Tandem flights are available for people who have never flown before. Depending on the circumstances, expect to spend 3,500 rupees per person for 15 to 30 minutes.
How much to spend?
The best part about visiting Darjeeling is that it is super reasonable! 5 days and 4 nights' stay in the town will cost you around INR 29,000. We recommend you stay at the numerous hostels that are available for backpackers next to Chowrasta in Darjeeling for a comfy yet affordable stay. Do not forget to munch on the local Tibetan delicacies as well! The hospitable behavior of the local people will make you want to stay in Darjeeling forever!
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