Darjeeling is one of the most favorite hill stations for World travelers. It is situated at the foothills of the Himalayas in the state of West Bengal in India. It is located at an altitude of 2014 M and is approximately 6709 feet above sea level.
The name Darjeeling came from the Tibetan words ‘dorje’ which means Thunderbolt and ‘ling’ is land; hence it means ‘The land of thunderbolt. Darjeeling is also known as ‘the Queen of Hills’. It is thought that Darjeeling was established in the year 1835. This year Darjeeling has gradually reached its potential and the Britishers helped a lot. If you tell me what Darjeeling is famous for, I won’t just mention Kanchenjunga and Darjeeling Tea. There are many things to see here that are making Darjeeling world famous.
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Why is Darjeeling so special?
Darjeeling is not only for the world’s famous tea and Mighty Kanchenjunga. Darjeeling is famous for its traditional culture, famous for all its foods like momo, thupkas, etc. Through it, the traditions of Tibetan, Nepali, and Indian culture are mixed. Their handicrafts are popular in the country and the world. Apart from this, many famous tourist spots in Darjeeling are sure to make you happy.
Famous Tourist attractions in Darjeeling;
1. Mighty Kanchenjungha- “The Sleeping Buddha” –
Kanchenjunga is the world’s third-highest mountain peak. It’s 8586 m (28169 feet) from the sea level. Situated in the speaking state and Nepal border. This Kanchenjunga is also known as The Sleeping Buddha. The name ‘Kan’ means head, ‘Chen’ means belly, and ‘Jungha’ means knee.
If the weather is clear, the mountain is visible and it is seen as a sleeping Buddha as the appearance looks the same as the head, face, upper body, belly, and feet of the Lord Buddha.
Best time to visit- March to May(Spring) and October to December(Autumn).
2. Tiger Hill –
Tiger Hill is world famous for its breathtaking view of sunrise over Kanchenjunga(8586m), the third-highest mountain in the world. You can see the other peaks of mountain ranges like Mt.Everest(8848 m), Kabru N(7338m), Kabru S (7317m), Goecha(5127m), etc. Tiger Hill is situated at a height of 2590 m(8497 ft) above sea level. It is 13 Km from the main Darjeeling town and located above the town of Ghoom.
So, to start your Tiger Hill trip you should wake up and leave the hotel at 3:30 a.m. to take a cab and reach the destination. It will take 40-45 minutes to reach the destination. You can relax and watch out for the stunning panoramic view of the Himalayas range and snow-capped peaks with sunrise with a cup of tea.
Distance from main city -. 14 km
Best time to visit – March to May(Spring) and October to December(Autumn)
Timing- 4.30 am to 6.30 am
Entry fee- In Tiger Hill, you have to pay 200 rupees per vehicle for a permit. If you want to go there, you have to get a permit in advance. This permit is done by the traffic Sardar, every day a certain number of cars are allowed to enter the Tiger. So if you have decided to go to Tiger Hill then you need to take out the permit the day before, if you have this tour by a certain travel agency then you don’t have to take any risk your taxi driver will do everything for you.
Hotel near Tiger Hill- If you want to stay away from the city of Darjeeling, then you can stay near Tiger Hill where you can feel closer to nature. You can consider some hotels like near Tiger Hill-
- Aps Homestay
- Blue Horizon Homestay
- Rambler’s Nesting Homestay
- Hotel Amaira etc.
3. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway-
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway(DHR) is popularly known as Darjeeling toy train. It was inaugurated in 1881 to make the easier and cost-efficient transport of rice and other commodities. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. The original track is 83 Km long starting from Siliguri later the line was extended to New Jalpaiguri by 5 Km. So now the total length is 88 km.
Intermediate stations are- Darjeeling, Ghum, Sonada, Tung, Karseong, Mahabari, Gayabari, Tindharia, Rangtong, Sukna, Siliguri Junction, New Jalpaiguri.
There is a famous Joyride available between Darjeeling and Ghoom station round trip which is mainly available to tourists to visit The Spectacular view of the mountain from the train. The joy ride has both options to a train handled by either its diesel locomotive or a Heritage steam engine. The Joyride round trip is around 2 hours.
4. World famous Darjeeling tea –
Darjeeling Is known as ‘the Mecca of tea’ Exceptional quality of tea plantation. Darjeeling is one of the largest producers of tea in the world. As per the experts, these teas are the highest elevation produced teas in the world which creates an ideal environment to grow. One of the most expensive teas is the Silver Tips Imperial Tea due to its distinctive buds that appear like silver needles and have a fruity aroma.
Some famous tea gardens are-
a)Makaibari Tea Estate
b)Gopaldhara Tea Estate
c)Happy Valley Tea Estate.
d)Puttabong Tea Estate
e)Glenburn Tea Estate
f)Lebong Tea Garden
Where you can taste typical Darjeeling tea. You can also see tea leaves being picked by women in Darjeeling tea Plantations. You can also help them to pick up tea leaves. You can take photos inside the tea garden wearing their traditional clothes.
5. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute:
The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute(HMI) is one of the premier mountaineering institutes in the world. It is situated beside Darjeeling Zoo. It was founded by Pandit Jawaharlal Neheru, the first PM of India in 1954. HMI is also called the Mecca of Indian Mountaineering.
The institute has trained thousands of people from across the world in Mountaineering activities. HMI offers 23 courses like Adventure courses, Basic courses, search and Rescue special courses, etc. In 1954 Tenzing Norgay became the first Director of HMI. There is a small hill where you can climb the rope like a mountaineer. Apart from this, many sports activities are very suitable for trekking in the mountains.
Timing – 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. (Thursday Closed)
Duration-1 hour
Entry Fee- It is included with the Zoo ticket.
6. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park:-
It is popularly called the Darjeeling Zoo. This zoological park is dedicated to the memory of Padmaja Naidu, the daughter of Sarojini Naidu(She is known as the NIghtangle of India). The zoo was opened in 1958 And has an average elevation of 7000 feet is the largest high-altitude zoo in India.
The zoo was essentially famous for its captive Breeding program for the snow leopard, the endangered Himalayan Salamander, the Tibetian Wolf, and the Red Panda. You can also watch out for Himalayan Tahr, blue sheep, Himalayan Monal, Mountain goat, Royal Bengal Tiger, and many extinctive birds.
Timing- 8.30 am to 4.00 pm (Thursday Closed)
Entry fees-Indians and SAARC countries (Adult)- INR 110
Children below 6 years – Nil
Foreigners- INR 180
Camera charge- INR 10
Duration- 4 to 5 hours
7. Mahakal Mandir:-
The Mahakal Temple Situated above the Hill is dedicated to the Hindu God Lord Shiva(Mahakal means The master or destroyer of Kaal or time). This temple reflects a wonderful confluence of religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. So the Hindus and Buddhists worship the Mahakal Temple. It is situated beside the Mall Road. The best part is you can reach your destination via a small trek, mainly through the staircase. After reaching the destination you will be calm, relaxed, and peaceful.
Timing- 7.00 am to 9.00 pm.
8. The Rock Garden:-
The Rock Garden, also referred to as Barbotey Rock Garden, along with Chunu Summer Falls and Ganga Maya Park, are newer tourist destinations nestled in the picturesque town of Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. Design to revive tourism after the political unrest of the 1980s, this attraction aims to draw visitors back to the area. Another notable Rock Garden, Sir John Anderson Rock Garden, is located within Lloyd’s Botanical Garden.
Situated approximately 10 km (6.2 miles) From Darjeeling, the garden can be accessed by turning right from Hill Curt Road before reaching Ghoom. The road descends steeply into the valley, Featuring sharp turns that will make your heart pound with fear at every step. Although you will see the extraordinary natural beauty of the mountains along the entire road. The deep gorge on one side of the road and the tea gardens on the other side will be scary on one side and will give you joy on the other. With the bonus, you will be able to see Kanchenjungha most of the time.
You will see a very beautiful natural waterfall here. A park has been created by cutting a mountain around it. Here you will see very beautiful, unknown mountain flowers and trees. Here you will see many small craves. Also, if you get tired while walking, there is a place to sit a little far away. If you love taking photos, then this place is for you, you can take a lot of photos here.
Timing- 08.00 am to 05.00 pm
Entry fee- 25 INR
Distance from Darjeeling town-10 km (6.2 miles)
Best time to visit- Throughout the tear except the Monson
Ganga Maya Park is also a tourist spot which is 3km(1.9 mi) from the Rock Garden where tourists can enjoy Gorkha folk dances.
Timing – 10.00 am to 4.00 pm
You can read about Ganga Maya Park from this blog.
9. Ghoom Monastery:-
It is known as Old Ghoom Monastery also popular as as Yiga Samten Choling Buddhist Monastery. It is a popular tourist spot. It is situated in the 8000ft. It is known for its mainly 15-foot-high(4.6 m) Maitreya Buddha statue, which is painted in gold and decorated with precious stone. This is a sacred place for the Vajrayana Buddhist community. It was built in 1850.
This monastery belongs to some rare Buddhist manuscripts that include the 108 volumes Kangyur which is supposed to be spoken by the Gautam Buddha. You can see these manuscripts. Besides, there are many Buddhist books here. If you come here at this time, you will find a unique spiritual environment. It is advised that tourists should be coming to this monastery either early morning or early evening for a better experience. It is one of the first Tibetan monasteries in Darjeeling.
Distance from main city- 7 km
Note- According to Buddhist tradition Maitreya will be the successor of Gautam Buddha. He is also known as ‘Coming Buddha’.
No photography is allowed inside.
Entry fee- Nil
Timing- 9.00 am to 6.00 pm
10.Batasia Loop :-
If You do a joyride in the Darjeeling toy train, you will pass a wonderful loop. Batasia Means airy space. It is one of the best places where you can get a 360° panoramic view of mountain hills and see snow-covered peaks like Kanchenjunga. You can see a very beautiful garden, a 100-year-old toy train track, local shops, and their hustle and bustle. In the middle of the Batasia loop, you can see a monument, the War Memorial. This was opened in 1995.
It shows the heroism of Gorkha soldiers who sacrificed their lives in various wars after the independence of India. Here you can see a statue of a soldier who pays dignity. In Batasia Loop there are seating arrangements also available, where you can enjoy mountain views with a cup of tea. Some people show up close shots of mountains with their telescopic binoculars in exchange for certain money. After returning from Tiger Hills your driver will show you Batasia Loop and Ghoom Monastery.
Distance from the main town- 4.5 km
Best Timing to visit – March to May(Spring) and October to December(Autumn)
Timing 5.00 am to 6.00 pm
Open Everyday.
Entry Fee- 20 INR but those who have already purchased the Joyride are available for free.
11. Darjeeling Ropeway:
Darjeeling Ropeway is one of the most favorite tourist activities in Darjeeling. It is popularly known as Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Car Cable. Everyone from young to old loves to ride this cable car. You should come here in the morning because here you can see the rush of people.
It starts from Singamari which is 3 km(1.6 miles) away from the main town. The ropeway has 6 people seating capacity. It is running above the tea garden. The ropeway is running from 7000 ft to 6000 ft. From the ropeway, you can enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of Darjeeling town with the surroundings of mountain hills, especially you can enjoy Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain peak in the World.
Time duration- 40 minutes
Entry fee- 260 for adults and 130 for children.
12. Japanese Temple:
Japanese temple also known as Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple..It is a sacred place for Buddhists. It is just a 15-minute walk from Darjeeling Mall Road. So you can come anytime you want. It was built in 1972. It is a two-storeyed building. Two lion statues are located in front of the door. You can reach the prayer room by going up the wooden stairs. You can enjoy the view of Kanchenjunga through the window of the prayer room.
In the prayer room, you can see Japanese culture, a photo of the founder of this temple, traditional carpets, Japanese handwriting, and some statues of Gautam Buddha. The prayer happens two times a day- in the morning (4.30 am to 6.00 am) and evening (4.30 pm to 6.30 pm). You can join this prayer which can make your mind peaceful.
Timing- 4.00 am to 7.00 pm
Everyday Open
Distance from Main Town- 3km
Entry fee- Nil
13. Peace Pagoda:
Near the Japanese temple, you can see the white two-story building which is called Peace Pagoda. It was also built in 1972, but it was opened to all in 1992. It is a white color monument that represents peace. It shows that there should not be any discrimination regarding religion, caste, creed, sex, or gender. You have to cross some stairs to go up in the Peace Pagoda.
In Peace Pagoda, you can see four avatars of Gautam Buddha. The height of the pagoda is 28.5 meters or 94 feet. The life story of Gautam Buddha is beautifully depicted in wood carvings. From upstairs you can see the panoramic view of Darjeeling town surrounded by mountains.
Timing- 4.30 am to 7.00 pm
Every Day Open
Distance from Main Town- 3km
Entry fee- Nil
What is Darjeeling popularly known as?
Darjeeling is popularly known as The Queen Of Hills because Darjeeling is located at the foothills of the Himalayas, so Darjeeling is beautifully presented by nature through its natural beauty. Darjeeling is also known as The Land Of Thunderbolt.
What is the famous food in Darjeeling?
Darjeeling is also famous for its food. Some famous foods are
Momo(Dumpling meat or vegetables which is steamed accompanied with a bowl of soup)
Thupkas(Tibetian noodles mix with egg/meat/vegetables with soup)
Tongba(Locab brew which is made from millet)
Aludum(Potato preparation)
Shaphala(Tibetian bread stuffed with meat)
Tibetian tea(Salted tea with butter) etc.
Also, you can definitely try local street food like chowmein, eggroll, toast, Golgappe etc.
Darjeeling Famous Restaurant
- Glenaries- Famous items are cake, bread, cookies, pastries, cheese omelet, black tea, etc.
- Kleventers- This restaurant is the most famous. It has a huge rush, if you get a chance to sit on the rooftop then you can enjoy your meal with a spectacular view of the mountain.
- Penang Restaurant- One of the oldest and most iconic restaurants.Famous for Chinese and Tibetan dishes. Thupkas and fish balls are famous items.
- Kunga Restaurant-You can try Tibetan food, and momos here.
Best Hotel in Darjeeling
Darjeeling has a lot of hotel, so don’t worry about your staying. You can stay in mainly 3 areas in Darjeeling. 1. Mall Road- where hotel prices are much higher, 2. Darjeeling Railway Station- where hotel rates are cheaper, and 3. Offbeat locations.
Budget hotels-
Hotel Name
1Pradhan Residency
2.Crystal Palace
3.Mount Meredian
4.Chanakya Hotel
5.Hotel Mahakal
6.Hotel Sunflower
7.Hotel Moon
8.Hotel Mall Glory
Hotel Rate
2500 INR – 4000INR
2000 INR – 4000 INR
1500 INR -3000 INR
2500 INR – 3500 INR
2000 INR – 4000 INR
3000 INR – 4000 INR
2000 INR – 3000 INR
2500 INR – 4000 INR
Phone number
+91 9832016723
+91 9614152229
+91 9614287257
+91 8159834477
+91 9434811133
+91 6260698413
+91 7011172229
+91 9733222453
Luxury Hotels-
- Cedar Inn
- The Elgin, Darjeeling
- Arcadia heritage resort
- Summit Oakden Resort and spa
- Summit Hermon Hotel
- The West Gate Posada by summit
- Mount Lungta Boutique
- Hotel Viceroy
- Mayfair Darjeeling
- Sonar Bangla
- Q Saina Mapham
Bike or Scooty rent to visit Darjeeling
If you are a rider or love to explore in your way, you can rent a two-wheeler.
- Adventures Unlimited India= Adress- 142,1, Dr. Zakir Hussain Road, Tungsung Basti, Darjeeling, West Bengal-734101
Contact No- 9635874539, 9933070013
Scooty- 800 INR -1400 INR per day
Bike – 1200 INR -2000 INR per day
2. Darjeeling Sunrise Tour and Travel= Adress- Lama Road (walling distance from Mall road, Darjeeling)
Scooty- 1000 INR
Bike- 1300INR-2000 INR
Cycle- 800 INR
You will need to submit a photocopy of your driving license and a identity card as ID proof.
What are the three T’s of Darjeeling?
The three T’s of Darjeeling refer to Tea, Timber, and Tourism.
Tea which is world famous, the Timber of Darjeeling which is also popular, and Tourism which helps to grow the economy.
Which is the fourth T of Darjeeling?
Apart from the three T’s which refer to Tea, Timber, and Tourism
There is also another T which is known as Train which specially refers as Darjeeling Himalayan Railway(DHR) which is also known as Darjeeling Toy Train which was UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
Why is Tiger Hill famous in Darjeeling?
Tiger Hill is famous for its spectacular view of sunrise over Kanchenjunga and other peaks of mountain ranges like Mt.Everest(8848 m), Kabru N(7338m), Kabru S (7317m), Goecha(5127m), etc. Tiger Hill is situated at a height of 2590 m above sea level. It is 13 Km from the main Darjeeling town and located above the town of Ghoom. So, to start your Tiger Hill trip you should wake up and get out from the hotel at 3:30 a.m. to take a cab and reach the destination, and from 4:30 a.m. to 4:45 a.m. you get to relax and watch out for the stunning panoramic view of Himalayas range and snow-capped peak with sunrise with a cup of tea.
The best time to visit – March to May(Spring) and October to December(Autumn)
Can we see Mt Everest from Darjeeling?
Yes, you can see Mt Everest from Tiger Hill at sunrise time. If the weather is very clear then you can see Mt Everest along with Kanchenjungha and other snow peaks.
You can see Mt Everest visible from Sandakhphu. You can visit my page regarding Sandakhphu.
Is there snowfall in Darjeeling?
In Darjeeling, snowfall is very unpredictable. Rarely you can witness the snowfall in Darjeeling. In December and January, you can enjoy snowfall. But if you want to enjoy snowfall near Darjeeling then you can visit Sandakphu in the Winter Season.
Which month is best for Darjeeling?
If you want clear weather then Spring and Autumn are the best seasons. The spring season lasts from March to May and the Autumn season lasts from October to December. At this time the sky is completely clear, so you can witness the spectacular sunrise from Tiger Hill when the first rays of the sun fall on Kanchenjunga, there is no comparison to that scene. Apart from that many kinds of flowers can be seen in the mountains during this time.
What are the 2 points of Darjeeling?
2 points of Darjeeling are
- Rock Garden
2.Ganga Maya Park
What are the 3 points of Darjeeling?
3 points of Darjeeling are
- Tiger HIl
- Ghoom Monastery
- Batasia Loop
What are the 5 points of Darjeeling?
5 points of Darjeeling are
- Japanese Temple
- Peace Pagoda
- Ava Art Gallery
- Dhirdham Temple
- Gumba or Druk Choeling Monastery
What are the 7 points of Darjeeling?
7 points of Darjeeling are
1.Darjeeling Zoo
2.Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
3.HMI Museum
4. Ropeway
5.Tea Garden
6.Tibetan Refugee Camp
7.Tenzing Rock
If you want to detail about 7 points then you can check it out- read the Darjeeling 7 points.
What to shop in Darjeeling?
These are the things you must buy when you come to Darjeeling.
- Darjeeling Tea
- Tibetan Handicrafts
- Woolen clothes
- Darjeeling Orange
- Traditional Jewelry
How many days are enough for Darjeeling?
3 nights and 4 days will be enough to visit Darjeeling if you rightly plan a trip.
When not to visit Darjeeling?
You can visit anytime in Darjeeling. But in monsoon, the environment is more challenging, and the roads will be slippery. But during the rainy season, the mountains are surrounded by only greenery and greenery. If you love this greenery then you can visit this time.
Is it safe to travel at night in Darjeeling?
Yes, you can safely travel at night in Darjeeling.
Is it safe to travel alone in Darjeeling?
Yes, you can easily travel alone in Darjeeling. Locals are very helpful. They always try to help you, if you got any trouble.
What are the main festivals of Darjeeling?
Apart from the Durga Puja which is very popular in West Bengal), Diwali there are some local traditional festivals.
Tibetans have a devil dance.
In Chinese tradition snake or dragon dance
Damfu Dance
Tamangs Dance
Birthday celebrations Dalai Lama
How To Reach in Darjeeling?
By Air:-
Nearest airport-Bagdogra airport
Though it is a domestic airport, if you come from any city of India you can direct or indirect flight from there to Bagdogra. If you come from a European country or an American country, the nearest Airport is in Kolkata which is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Then you can catch a domestic flight from Kolkata to Siliguri which is Bagdogra Airport. After reaching Bagdogra Airport you can book a cab which Can reach your destination i.e., Darjeeling. The distance from the airport to Darjeeling is approximately 85 km, and the time duration should be 2 to 2.5 hours.
By Train:-
If you’re going from Kolkata to Siliguri (NJP) then you can get so many options from Sealdah Howrah station. You can book any train according to your schedule. Ticket prices are 350 INR to 2500 INR according to various classes.
Train booking link https://www.irctc.co.in/nget/train-search.
Now It’s time to go to Darjeeling.
You can book a cab from Siliguri Station or NJP station To Darjeeling. The time duration should be 2 hours 30 minutes.
Cab Pricing- If you go to the share cab then it costs approximately 250 INR to 350 INR per head.
If you book a reserved cab then it costs approximately 3000 INR to 4000 INR.
If you are a solo and budget traveler then you can book a seat of Govt. bus which costs approximately 110 INR.
Last but not least there is another great option to reach Darjeeling from NJP which is the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway also known as Toy Train. If you have enough time to explore then you can get a ride on Toy Train.
Toy Train ticket prices vary from 650 INR to 1600 INR based on various classes.
I hope this travel blog will help you to guide you for your upcoming Darjeeling visit. Please give feedback through your valuable comments.
Thank you.