Spread in ribbons over a steep mountain ridge, surrounded by emerald-green tea plantations, and towered over by the majestic Khangchendzonga (8598 m), Darjeeling is among the best hill stations in India. But the list of the most amazing things to do in Darjeeling goes beyond these attractions. The beautiful tea gardens on the slopes of rolling hills, the orchids, pines & rhododendrons, the cute Himalayan toy train negotiating its way through the mountains combined with great sightseeing tours, food, shopping and other exciting activities, there’s so much that this stunning town has to offer.
Tiger Hill, Darjeeling
Lying at an altitude of 2590 meters and a distance of 13 kilometres away from the Darjeeling, Tiger Hill is most famous for its splendid sights of sunrise from where you can see the peaks of Kanchenjunga illuminate before the sun is seen at lower elevations. The magnificent view of snow-capped mountains sitting amidst cotton clouds attracts tourists to Tiger Hill from all over the country. Interestingly, this is also the summit of Ghoom, which is the highest railway station in the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The starting time from Darjeeling is 3.30 AM to reach tiger hill by 4.15 AM The starting time becomes 4.15 AM in winters due to delayed sunrise time. The roads get blocked by a convoy of jeeps and cars during the peak season. To get up to the sunrise spot, it requires a short climb on foot from the parking spot. One can book a car or an Innova for INR 1200/ INR 1800 from a travel agency in the city or pay INR 200 per head. This is one of the best things to do in Darjeeling .
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway,
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway also referred to as the DHR, and lovingly called the ‘Darjeeling Toy Train’, is a 2 feet narrow gauge train that runs between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling, in West Bengal, India. The construction of this 88-kilometre long railway line took place between 1879 and 1881, and a ride on this train route has been a coveted experience ever since. A journey in the Darjeeling Toy Train has amazing sights with pleasing mountain views and pass by villages and local shops on the way, with children merrily waving at them.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway provides significant transport links between various parts of the Darjeeling hills and lower plains and is a piece of sheer engineering inventiveness and vision. How else can a small steam engine pull mini coaches up the steep mountains by overcoming almost unfeasible curves and gradients? This is perhaps why the Darjeeling Toy Train was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 2 December 1999. Later on, two more railway lines were added, and the site came to be known as the Mountain Railways of India. A ride on such a heritage transport is no doubt a relaxing and charming one but is also prestigious because this train is what once provided the first and most important mountain transportation link in the country. This is one of the best things to do in Darjeeling .
Batasia Loop
It is a mesmerizing toy train pathway that was brought into existence to reduce the elevation of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Set amidst the lush green mountainside, Batasia Loop offers beautiful views of the valley and snowy abode of Mt. Kanchendzonga.
When the toy train meanders its way through the loops of the track, everything about this place seems dreamy. Also, the surrounding tunnels, hill-locked valley and little shops in the area makes Batasia Loop one of the top places to visit in Darjeeling.
It is recommended to visit the Loop after witnessing the sunrise at Tiger Hill. This is because the carpet of flowers that leads to Batasia Loop is quite splendorous, especially to the eyes that have witnessed the most beautiful sunrise ever. Additionally, the spiral railway track is a sight to behold for dreamers and artists. The entire scenery of the place often inspires people to create an art of their own. This is one of the best things to do in Darjeeling .
Sandakphu Trek
If we have led you into believing that Darjeeling is purely a touristy place, that is far from the truth. Thanks to the position of Darjeeling in Himalayan foothills, there are a number of excellent trekking trails you can find around the city; Sandakphu being one of the popular ones. It is a moderate level trek that takes you through some extremely scenic landscapes until you finally reach Sandakphu at 11,929 feet.
This is probably the best trek you can undertake in the region if you are an experienced trekker. Sandakphu is the highest peak in West Bengal, so you can imagine the grand views of the grandest Himalayan mountains you can witness from here. Sandakphu Trek is an ultimate dose of thrill and amusement.
Teesta – Go River Rafting
For one of the best experiences of river rafting in India, head to the Teesta river and find out why it is one of the best things to do in Darjeeling for all adrenaline junkies! The activity is loaded with series of rapids with varying intensities, ranging from Grade 1 to 4, wherein the latter is only allowed to seasoned, trained rafters because of the level of danger involved in it. This is one of the best adventure activities in Darjeeling.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute – Learn Rock Climbing
The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute located at Jawahar Parvat in Darjeeling, conducts a number of mountaineering and adventure courses at various levels ranging from beginners to expert. The course duration ranges from a month to a few days. HMI has Rock Climbing and other basic activities for one-time tourists who do not want to get into the full-fledged courses and are visiting the town only for a few days. But whatever be the duration, the entire experience is unmatched and completely exhilarating. This is one of the best things to do in Darjeeling .
Darjeeling Ropeway
Darjeeling Ropeway was started back in 1968, and it was India’s first cable car system. This cable car was built to enjoy the views of the valley, which was otherwise not easily accessible. It started with just one cable car and was later upgraded to 16 cable cars with a capacity of six persons. Presently, 12 gondolas are in operation.
You can enjoy the panoramic views of the town on Darjeeling Ropeway. It is also known as Rangeet Valley Passenger Cable Car due to the valley located around Little Rangeet River. There is no doubt that enjoying a ride with this ropeway is one of the best things to do in Darjeeling.
You can start the ride from Singamari, located approx. 3 km from Darjeeling Chowk Bazaar. It takes a lot of time to get the tickets at the counter, so get there as early as possible. Then, board the 45-minute long cable car, which takes you to a height of 7,000 feet and downhill to about 6,000 at Tukvar.
Presently, this cable car ride only goes up to Tukvar and returns to Singamari base station in Darjeeling. Once you get off the Tukvar station, you can sit and enjoy the views. But, for your return, you have to board another cable car, and if you do not want to wait again, don’t get off and come back in the same gondola. This is one of the best things to do in Darjeeling .
Darjeeling Chowrasta
Darjeeling Chowrasta is the center of the town. Located on top of Nehru Road, it is a nice hangout. Tourists and locals come to lounge in the sun, watch people, and watch wonderful views of mountain peaks and valleys.
Walk towards the Darjeeling Chowrasta as the sun sets. The Chowrasta is surrounded with quaint shops and brightly lit restaurants. Also, savor the regional delicacies in local food joints and restaurants.
In addition, enjoy the horse (pony) rides. You can also pick up attractive artifacts and colorful souvenirs. After a busy day, spend a relaxing evening here. In spite of how weary you are, you will be refreshed. In fact, it will be your favorite thing to do in Darjeeling.
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling
The Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park is a splendid enclosure in Darjeeling housing a wide variety of animals. Also known as Darjeeling Zoo, this is a haven for animals of all kinds and a huge centre of attraction for animal lovers and nature enthusiasts. The zoo is known internationally for its breeding and conservation programs and also includes an off-display breeding centre for snow leopards and red pandas. In addition to these rarer species, the zoo is also enriched with Asiatic black bear, barking deer, leopards, blue and yellow Macaw, Eastern Pangolin, Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Himalayan Wolf, Lady Amherst, Leopard Cat, Macaw, Red Jungle Fowl, Red Panda, Royal Bengal Tiger, Sambar Deer, Temminck’s Tragopan, Yak, and many more.
This attraction was set up in 1958 and was named after the former governor of West Bengal, Padmaja Naidu, who was also the daughter of Sarojini Naidu. Witha n average elevation of a whopping 7000 feet, it is the largest high altitude zoo in India. The Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park specializes in breeding animals adapted to alpine conditions and has successful captive breeding programs for the snow leopard, the critically endangered Himalayan wolf and the red panda. The zoo serves as the central hub for Central Zoo Authority of India’s red panda program and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Owing to its unyielding efforts to repopulate these endangered species, the Darjeeling Zoo has been awarded the prestigious honour of “The Earth Heroes” in 2014 out of over 300 zoos worldwide. This is one of the best things to do in Darjeeling .
Peace Pagoda
Peace Pagoda is an enchanting tourist place that is also known as Japanese Peace Pagoda. This is a place for Buddha followers, and the aim of building the Peace Pagoda in Darjeeling was to develop peace and harmony among people of different sects of society. It is located on the slopes of Jalapahar Hills and offers stunning views of the snow-covered peaks like Kanchenjunga. Thus, it is also an ideal place for nature and peace lovers.
A Buddhist monk from Japan named Nichidatsu Fujii laid the foundation of this Peace Pagoda on 3 November 1972. And on 1 November 1992, it was opened to the public. On your visit, you will see four avatars of Buddha, including Maitreya Buddha, who was built to gather people belonging to different castes searching for peace. Ohka was the designer of this architectural marvel, and surprisingly it took nearly 3 years to complete the construction. You can see the four avatars in Peace Pagoda, out of which one is the tallest freestanding structure in Darjeeling. Its height is 28.5 meters, and its diameter is 23 meters. There are also two concrete lions at the entrance on both sides of the stairs.
The statues of Buddha are carved on the walls with postures of sitting, standing, sleeping, and meditating. And all are covered with gold polish. Not just this, there is also stunning artwork showcasing the life of Buddha, and his relics are on sandstones.
Mythological depictions can also be seen at Peace Pagoda Darjeeling, like ‘Gift of Mango Grove by Amrapali at Vaishali’ and ‘Great departure of Siddhartha. If you visit the top of the pagoda, you will see amazing views of the Japanese Temple, located nearby, along with pine trees and snow-covered peaks. This is one of the best things to do in Darjeeling .
Tea Plantations, Darjeeling
Be it black, green, or oolong, tea is as synonymous with Darjeeling as a view of the majestic Kanchenjunga. With over 80 tea plantations in Darjeeling, spread across the slopes of the valleys of this tourist trap, a visit to at least one tea garden is crucial to the tourist’s agenda. If the fragrance of the well-manicured shrubs weren’t enough to draw the attention of passers-by, these lush green wonderlands also offer services like homestays and guided tours, with some even providing travellers with the chance to engage in some tea plucking. With the cultivation of tea being around Darjeeling for almost 200 years, the Darjeeling tea brand is coveted around the world, making this an exclusive experience for those visiting the region. The famous Happy Valley Tea Estate is the only garden amongst these that allows tourists to view the subtler nuances of producing and processing tea with their tea factory guided tour.
Covering over 17,500 hectares of land, tea cultivation is one of the major activities of this picturesque hill station. Some of the famous tea estates in Darjeeling are Happy Valley Tea Estate, Glenburn Tea Estate, Makaibari Tea Estate, Gomtee Tea Estate, and Chamong Tea Estate. Soak in the beautiful vistas offered with the magnificent Himalayas forming a gorgeous backdrop, and don’t forget to taste the varieties of tea offered here as you engage in the rare experience of tea tourism. This is one of the best things to do in Darjeeling .
Ghoom Monastery, Darjeeling
At a grand elevation of 8,000 feet, the Yiga Choeling or old Ghoom Monastery is the oldest Tibetan Buddhist Monastery of Darjeeling. Established in 1850 by Lama Sherab Gyatso, this shrine is part of the Yellow Hat sect known as Gelupka who worship the ‘Coming Buddha’ or ‘Maitreyi Buddha’. A 15-foot high statue of Maitreyi Buddha is seen in the central hall, made entirely of clay brought from Tibet. This statue was installed during the tenure of the second head of the monastery Lama Domo Geshe Rinpoche. One can also find many rare Buddhist manuscripts within the premises. Visitors are treated to a beautiful view of the majestic Kanchenjunga outside the monastery. Prayer flags are flown by the resident monks in typical Tibetan tradition.
Within Yiga Choeling, one can view images of many Buddha deities and lamas such as the Chenrezig, Buddha of compassion, and Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelupka sect. In front of the Maitreya Buddha statue hang two huge oil lamps which keep burning throughout the year. The walls of the monastery are elaborately painted with depictions and art of Tibetan Buddhism, with different images of bodhisattvas. These beautiful paintings are placed in a symmetrical manner, facilitating the ease of understanding the basics of Buddhist philosophy to visitors of the monastery. The hilltop above the monastery holds the Ma Kali temple, where devotees come to offer prayer every full moon day and on the fifteenth of every month of the Tibetan calendar. This is one of the best things to do in Darjeeling .
Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center
Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center in Darjeeling was established in the wake of the dramatic escape of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, along with thousands of his compatriots from Tibet, in 1959. Trying to come to terms with the settings of a new country and finding their own identity, the center came into being through a concerted effort of the people from within the Tibetan community. It comprises a nursing home, an orphanage, a clinic, a gompa, and workshops that produce woodcarvings, leatherwork, carpets, metalwork, and other woolen items. It also exhibits a photographic display of the most turbulent times for Tibetan Refugees in Darjeeling.
Over some time, the center has taken on a multitude of activities. The items produced in the center are up for sale and reasonably priced, and their proceeds go straight towards the benefit of the Tibetan community. Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center is located on the Gandhi road in Darjeeling and can be easily accessed through local transport. This is one of the best things to do in Darjeeling .
Thukpa And Momos – Enjoy Some Local Food
Darjeeling has scrumptious answers to your food cravings while youre there. You can enjoy some delicious variety of Darjeeling food like Thukpa and momos that are available in the street joints at almost every nook and corner of the town. Gorging on thump and momos is one of the best things to do in Darjeeling at night.
Keventers Restaurant – Enjoy Breakfast
Having breakfast at Keventers should definitely be on your list of Darjeeling highlights. Dont forget to try the delicious Cheese Toast when youre dining here. You can hog on Indo-Western cuisine here or simply get a cup of coffee and drink it while admiring the views outside. It doesn’t get any better than this! This is one of the must-visit restaurants in this region. It is not hard to see why!
Rock Garden
This popular picnic spot is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Darjeeling. Basically, it is an artificial garden whose beauty is accentuated by waterfalls, lush green hill side and flora and fauna.
Rock Garden is amongst the most frequently visited tourist attractions in Darjeeling for the reason that there are plenty of activities to do with your family and friends. Its Chunar waterfall is a natural cascade that attracts a lot of visitors who are fascinated to see it in its divine flow. Additionally, a mountain stream meandering through the Garden also makes people soak in the good vibes of the place. Apart from it, the place is lush with green trees and vibrant flowers all through the summer season, making it the best time to visit the Garden.
