Darjeeling, a West Bengal hill station, is a popular destination for visitors seeking natural beauty, cultural diversity, and colonial charm. Darjeeling is well-known for its tea gardens, Himalayan views, and heritage railway. Darjeeling has something for everyone, whether you’re looking for adventure, spirituality, or relaxation. Here are some of the top places to visit in Darjeeling to make your trip unforgettable.
Places to Visit in Darjeeling
1. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) is a 2-foot-wide narrow-gauge railway that connects New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The DHR offers a beautiful journey through the mountains, with stunning views of Kanchenjunga as you pass through valleys and past tea plantations. The charming steam engine, the whistling sound, and the friendly locals make the journey more enjoyable. The DHR also maintains a museum honoring its history and culture at Ghum Station
How to reach: You can take a bus from Siliguri’s Tenzing Norgay Bus Stand to Darjeeling via NH 55. The bus service is available daily and takes approximately 3 to 4 hours. You can walk from Darjeeling bus station to Darjeeling railway station.
2. Ghoom Monastery
Ghoom Monastery, also known as Yiga Choeling Monastery, is one of Darjeeling’s oldest and most famous monasteries. The Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism is associated with it. The monastery is famous for its 15-foot-tall statue of Maitreya Buddha, the future Buddha, made of clay and painted gold. In addition, the monastery has a library with rare Buddhist texts and manuscripts. You can visit the monastery to soak in the spiritual atmosphere and watch the morning prayers.
Visiting Hours: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (daily)
How to reach: You can catch a bus from the Darjeeling bus station. The bus runs daily and takes about 20 minutes to get to the Ghoom bus stop. You can walk to the monastery from the Ghoom bus stop. You can also take a toy train ride from the Darjeeling railway station. The toy train service runs daily and takes approximately 40 minutes to reach Ghoom station. You can walk to the monastery, which is about 500 meters away, from there.
3. Sandakphu Trek
The Sandakphu Trek is an essential experience for travelers searching for excitement in Darjeeling. Sandakphu, located on the Singalila Ridge, is 3636 meters above sea level and the highest point in West Bengal. The walk starts in Manebhanjan, a small village close to Darjeeling, and passes through woods, rhododendron fields, bamboo groves, and open fields. The highlight of the trek is the view of four of the world’s highest peaks from Sandakphu: Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu. The total time required to complete the hike ranges from four to six days, depending on your pace and other factors.
How to reach: You can take a bus from the Darjeeling bus stand on Lebong Cart Road near Chowk Bazaar to the Manebhanjan bus stand. The bus service runs every day and takes about 1.5 hours.
4. Batasia Loop
Batasia Loop is a spiral railway track that takes the DHR around a circular garden in a 360-degree turn. The loop, built-in 1919 to reduce the gradient of the railway line, is an engineering marvel. The loop also includes a war memorial honoring Gorkha soldiers who died in various wars. A toy train ride through the loop allows you to admire the views of the valley and mountains. A local market is also available for purchasing souvenirs and handicrafts.
Timings: 6:00 am to 5:00 pm
How to reach: To reach the Batasia loop bus stand, take a bus from the Darjeeling bus stand on Lebong Cart Road, near Chowk Bazaar. The bus runs every day and takes about 15 minutes. The garden and the toy train tracks are about 200 meters from the Batasia Loop bus stop.
5. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) is the best place in India to learn about climbing and the mountains. The HMI houses a museum dedicated to mountaineering’s history, tools, achievements, and notable figures. The authentic equipment Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary used on their historic ascent is also displayed here. Red pandas, snow leopards, and Himalayan black bears are some of the endangered species housed in the HMI’s zoo.
Visiting Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (from Monday to Saturday)
How to reach: You can take a bus from the Darjeeling bus stand on Lebong Cart Road near Chowk Bazar to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute bus stop. You can walk to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute from the bus stop, about 500 meters away.
6. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
In addition to the HMI, visitors interested in wildlife can visit the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZP), located right next door. At an altitude of 2133 meters, the PNHZP is the highest zoo in India. Red pandas, snow leopards, Tibetan wolves, Himalayan tahr, and blue sheep are some of the high-altitude animals the zoo is famous for protecting and breeding. The Red Panda Conservation and Breeding Center at the zoo is the largest in the world.
Visiting Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (closed on Thursday)
How to reach: You can take a bus from the Darjeeling bus stand on Lebong Cart Road near Chowk Bazar to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute bus stop. You can walk to the zoo from the bus stop.
7. Japanese Peace Pagoda
A white stupa, the Japanese Peace Pagoda, is a symbol of tranquility and unity in Japan. Gandhi’s nonviolent movement inspired a Japanese Buddhist monk named Nichidatsu Fujii, who commissioned its construction. The pagoda is the tallest freestanding structure in Darjeeling and one of the 80 peace pagodas in the world. A statue inside the pagoda represents each of Buddha’s four major life events-his birth, enlightenment, teaching, and death. The pagoda is a great place to take a break and enjoy the scenery of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Visiting Hours: 4:00 am to 7:00 pm (daily)
How to reach: You can take a taxi from the Darjeeling bus station. The taxi service is available on demand, and the journey to the Pagoda takes about 15 minutes. You can walk from the Darjeeling bus station in about 45 minutes. Follow Gandhi Road and AJC Bose Road until you reach the West Point neighborhood, where the pagoda is located.
8. Tiger Hill
Tiger Hill is one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling if you want to see the sunrise over the Himalayas. The snow-capped peaks, especially the Kanchenjunga range, can be seen in their entirety from Tiger Hill, which is situated at an altitude of 2590 meters. Mount Everest is visible on a clear day.
How to reach: You can take a bus from the Siliguri bus stand to Darjeeling along NH 55. You can take a bus to Ghum from the Darjeeling bus stand. Tiger Hill can be reached on foot from Ghum. Alternatively, you can take a shared jeep or a taxi from Ghum to Tiger Hill.
9. Happy Valley Tea Estate
Happy Valley Tea Estate is one of Darjeeling’s oldest and most beautiful tea gardens. It has a total area of 177 hectares. The tea estate produces some of the finest Darjeeling tea varieties, including black, green, white, and oolong. A guided tour of the tea estate is available, where you can learn about tea’s history, cultivation, and processing. The factory outlet also allows you to sample and purchase fresh tea. The tea estate provides a romantic setting With lush greenery, rolling hills, and misty mountains.
How to reach: You can take a taxi from the Darjeeling bus station. The taxi ride to the tea estate takes about 10 minutes. The taxi will drop you off at the tea estate’s main gate. You can also walk for about 30 minutes from the Darjeeling bus station. Follow the Lochnagar Road, then the Hill Cart Road, until you reach the tea estate.
10. Glenburn Tea Estate
Glenburn Tea Estate is another beautiful tea estate that offers opulent accommodations in Darjeeling. Two of the estate’s bungalows have been meticulously restored to their colonial splendor, and each features large rooms furnished with antiques and contemporary conveniences. The estate also features a restaurant serving delectable fare prepared with produce from the farm’s organic garden. Activities like rafting, fishing, birdwatching, and tea tasting are all available on the estate. The estate also boasts breathtaking vistas of the Rangit River and the Kanchenjunga mountain range.
How to reach: You can take a taxi from the Darjeeling bus station on Lebong Cart Road, near Chowk Bazaar. The taxi service is available on demand, and the journey to the estate takes approximately 1.5 hours. Take a shared jeep or taxi from the Teesta Bazaar bus stop to get to the tea estate.
Conclusion
Darjeeling is an ideal destination for visitors interested in experiencing the beauty and diversity of the Himalayan region. Darjeeling has a variety of attractions, including the historic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the scenic Tiger Hill, the spiritual Ghoom Monastery, and the romantic Glenburn Tea Estate. Darjeeling is a charming and elegant city that will captivate you. Darjeeling is the place to go if you want to have an unforgettable vacation!
