Explore Darjeeling

🌄 Darjeeling Travel Guide

Known for: Tea plantations, Himalayan views, Toy Train, British colonial heritage, and Tibetan culture
Location: West Bengal, India — elevation ~2,045 meters (6,710 ft)

🕒 Best Time to Visit:

• March to May (Spring):
  ✅ Clear skies, pleasant weather, blooming rhododendrons
  ✅ Ideal for sightseeing and photography

• October to November (Autumn):
  ✅ Post-monsoon freshness, great mountain visibility

• December to February (Winter):
  ❄️ Cold with chance of snowfall in nearby areas (like Sandakphu)
  🔥 Cozy fireplaces and off-season deals

• June to September (Monsoon):
  🌧️ Heavy rainfall, landslide-prone — not ideal for travel

🛣️ How to Get There:

• ✈️ By Air:

  • Nearest airport: Bagdogra Airport (IXB) — ~3 hrs by car

  • Connected to Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bangalore

• 🚆 By Train:

  • Nearest major station: New Jalpaiguri (NJP)

  • From NJP, take a taxi or the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Toy Train

• 🚗 By Road:

  • Taxis and shared jeeps available from Siliguri, NJP, and Bagdogra

🌟 Top Attractions:

🌅 Tiger Hill:

• Famous for sunrise views over Mt. Kanchenjunga and on clear days, even Mt. Everest

• Arrive by 4:30–5:00 AM

🚂 Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train):

• UNESCO World Heritage site

• Runs from NJP to Darjeeling via Ghum — scenic, nostalgic experience

🌿 Happy Valley Tea Estate:

• Guided tours through tea gardens

• Taste world-famous Darjeeling tea right where it’s grown

🏞️ Batasia Loop:

• Spiral railway track with panoramic views and a Gorkha war memorial

🕍 Ghum Monastery:

• One of the oldest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the region

• Peaceful vibe with mountain backdrop

🐒 Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park & HMI:

• Houses red pandas, snow leopards

• Home to Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, co-founded by Tenzing Norgay

🛍️ Mall Road (Chowrasta):

• Colonial promenade with shops, cafés, and scenic benches

🎨 Activities to Do:

• Sip authentic Darjeeling tea at a tea café or plantation

• Take a joy ride on the Toy Train

• Shop for woolens, Tibetan handicrafts, prayer flags, and teas

• Hike in nearby hills or trek to Sandakphu (highest point in West Bengal)

• Visit the Peace Pagoda for a serene, spiritual view

🏨 Accommodation:

Luxury:

• Windamere Hotel – Colonial-era charm

• Mayfair Darjeeling – Lavish, with great views

• Cedar Inn – Elegant and scenic

Mid-range:

• Dekeling Hotel, Little Tibet Resort, Udaan Hotels

Budget:

• Zostel Darjeeling, Revolver Hotel (Beatles-themed), Hotel Seven Seventeen

🍛 Food & Restaurants:

Must-Try Dishes:

• Thukpa (Tibetan noodle soup)

• Momos (dumplings)

• Aloo dum, Naga pork curry, Sel roti, and Churpee (Himalayan cheese)

• Darjeeling Tea — have it black or with milk

Recommended Cafés & Eateries:

• Keventer's – Classic English breakfast with a view

• Glenary’s – Iconic bakery and restaurant

• Sonam’s Kitchen – Homemade western breakfasts

• Nathmull’s Tea Room – For sipping and shopping tea

🧑‍🌾 Local Culture:

• Rich blend of Nepali, Tibetan, Bengali, and British influences

• Warm and welcoming locals

• Frequent cultural performances and festivals like Losar, Durga Puja, and Tihar

• Known for mountaineering legacy — birthplace of Himalayan climbing culture

⚠️ Travel Tips:

• 🧣 Pack layers — temperatures drop quickly after sundown

• 🚖 Roads are winding — motion sickness medication may help

• 🚂 Toy train gets booked fast — reserve in advance via IRCTC

• 💳 Carry cash — not all places accept cards

• ☕ Buy tea from reputed shops like Nathmull’s, Golden Tips

Booking information