Few Offbeat Tours, you also may like to visit
Customized Darjeeling Tour Packages
Darjeeling is a lively hill station tucked in the eastern Himalayas, rich in history, and famous for its iconic toy train, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Apart from these, numerous tourist attractions can be visited with North Bengal Tourism's Darjeeling Budget Tour Packages, Darjeeling Gangtok Tour Packages, NJP to NJP Darjeeling Packages, Darjeeling Family Tour Packages, Darjeeling Kalimpong Vacation Packages and so on.
Best Tourist Places to Visit in Darjeeling
Darjeeling is one of the most preferred tourist destinations in West Bengal. If you're planning a family trip, adventure, or honeymoon, consider the Darjeeling tour packages offered by North Bengal Tourism. During your holiday, you will get to see famous places like Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Ghoom Monastery, the Japanese Temple, Peace Pagoda, Lloyd Botanical Garden, Happy Valley Tea Estate and more.
Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park
Once known as the Darjeeling Zoo, Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park is now one of the most stunning zoological parks in all of India. Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, the park's lush green forests, pleasant weather, and diverse wildlife make it a must-visit attraction in Darjeeling. A visit to Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park is includedd with every Darjeeling Family Tour Package being offered by North Bengal Tourism.
Tiger Hill
Tiger Hill in Darjeeling is a breathtaking spot included in the Darjeeling tour package. It's a key reason why tourism in Darjeeling is increasing. Watching the sunrise from Tiger Hill is like being in paradise. The sun's rays shining over Kanchenjunga are truly beautiful. Visiting Tiger Hill is a must-do activity while you are in this hill station enjoying your holiday. Plus, there are shops nearby where you can enjoy tea and snacks while taking in the mesmerizing sunrise view.
Batasia Loop
Batasia Loop is one of the popular tourist places in Darjeeling. It's where the iconic toy train of Darjeeling makes a "U" turn. In the center of the railway track, there's a beautiful garden with lots of flowers and plants like rhododendrons, orchids, and the rare Gingko Biloba. The war memorial in the garden is also popular among tourists. It was built to honor the Gorkha soldiers who bravely sacrificed their lives for India.
Japanese Temple and Peace Pagoda
The Peace Pagoda and the nearby Japanese Temple are key attractions drawing many tourists to Darjeeling. These sacred temples hold great importance among the Buddhist community. The Peace Pagoda, constructed in 1972, stands tall as one of the tallest free-standing buildings. From here, visitors can enjoy stunning views of the picturesque landscape and the majestic Himalayan ranges.
Chowrasta or Darjeeling Mall
Darjeeling Mall is one of the most happening places always packed with tourists. Surrounding the area are shops, hotels, and restaurants. It's a flat space where visitors can stroll and unwind in the evening. Taking a horse ride at Chowrasta can be an exciting addition to your visit. You can also take a leisurely walk around the Mall and enjoy picturesque views of Kanchenjunga. A visit to Chowrasta is always included with most Darjeeling Tour Plans.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
When you visit this special institute, you'll discover a collection of fascinating displays, including a peek into the museum. Inside, you can see amazing photos taken by the famous Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, showing their successful climb of the legendary Mount Everest. This historic accomplishment was the first time that people reached the top of the world's highest peak.
Happy Valley Tea Estate
The Happy Valley Tea Estate is a big tea garden with beautiful views and scenery. The breathtaking sight of mountains along with the lush greenery of the tea plantation will make you fall in love with nature. On a sunny day, you can get a clear view of Kanchenjunga from the garden. Also, if you're interested in trying Darjeeling tea, you can purchase it from the local sellers outside.
Singalila National Park
Situated more than 7,000 feet above sea level and covering about 78.60 square kilometers, Singalila National Park is a famous site in Darjeeling wildlife enthusiasts. It's the highest national park in West Bengal. Wildlife enthusiasts often include it in their Darjeeling holiday packages. The park features beautiful rhododendron forests, orchid beds, and rare animals. Visitors can enjoy activities like trekking, camping, bird watching, and trying to spot animals like the Himalayan black bear and red panda while exploring Singalila National Park. Visit to this park will be included in your Darjeeling Tour Package.
Ghoom Monastery
Ghoom station is located way up high at 7,310 feet above sea level, proudly holding the record as the highest railway station in India and also the 14th highest in the world. A trip to Ghoom isn't complete without checking out the special Ghoom monastery, also called Yiga Choeling Monastery. Take in the history and sacredness of this place and enjoy the breathtaking views all around Ghoom station. Every Darjeeling Tour Plan includes a visit to this splendid monastery.
Rock Garden and Ganga Maya Park
Rock Garden is truly one of the most scenic places in Darjeeling. Nestled on the mountain slope, this garden features a waterfall and is entirely crafted with rocks. The addition of small bridges enhances its charm. A short 3 km drive from Rock Garden brings you to Gangamaya Park, situated in a valley surrounded by mountains, with a flowing mountain stream. The park is lovely to spend time with loved ones, and cultural shows are often organized here.
Nightingale Park
The Nightingale Park is famous for its green surroundings and gentle breeze. Formerly called 'The Shrubbery', it used to be the courtyard of Sir Thomas Tartan's bungalow during the British Era. The oval-shaped park features a covered archway at the entrance leading to charming pebbled walkways. Nightingale Park boasts a picturesque musical fountain and a magnificent statue of Lord Shiva. The park is included in Darjeeling Couple and Family Packages.
Top Things to Do in Darjeeling
Darjeeling is fun to explore with a proper tour plan. As Darjeeling is full of surprises, there are plenty of things or activities you can do in Darjeeling with any nicely planned Darjeeling Vacation Packages.
Enjoy a Toy Train Ride: Darjeeling is quite renowned for its Toy Train. Its Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is UNESCO's World Heritage Site. So, take a ride on a Toy Train to explore the hilly terrains of Darjeeling.
Witness Sunrise from Tiger Hill: Wake up early in the morning to witness a breathtaking sunrise over the snow-clad Mount Kanchenjunga.
River Rafting in Teesta: Indulge yourself in an intense outdoor activity called river rafting. Have a thrilling experience of a lifetime. While you're rafting on the River Teesta, you can take in the amazing views of the mountains, charming villages, and the surrounding greenery of the dense forests. Whether you're new to rafting or have experience, you can have a safe and enjoyable time rafting in the Teesta River.
Rock Climbing: Test your strength and endurance while trying Rock Climbing at Tenzing Rock and Gombu Rock. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced climber, everyone can give this activity a shot. You'll get all the safety gear you need and a skilled instructor to guide you. Have a blast rock climbing and don't forget to capture the adventurous moment when you reach the top with your camera!
Shopping: Shop different kinds of artifacts, carpets, leather jackets, coats, and jewelry from the Tibetan Self-Help Center. Buy sweaters, caps, and scarves from the famous Bhutia Market.
Trekking: Trek through the yet unexplored hilly terrains of Darjeeling. Trek at Sandakphu, the highest point of West Bengal. The trekking routes can be challenging but will undoubtedly be rewarding in the end.
Photography: Photograph Darjeeling's fascinating places and architecture to make your Darjeeling trip memorable as there are lots of photographs-worthy places in this hill station.
What to Eat in Darjeeling
Like any other Hill station in West Bengal, plenty of foods are available to taste in Darjeeling during your trip. Some of them are:
Momo: Came of Tibetan Origin, Momo is a delicious dish and quite popular food among the local people of Darjeeling. It is usually served as steamed or fried with a bowl of soup.
Thukpa: Tukpa is a tasty Tibetan food. It is a noodle soup mixed with meats or vegetables. It is undoubtedly one of the tasty dishes to try for at least once during your Darjeeling Trip.
Darjeeling Tea: Your Darjeeling Trip will stay incomplete if you don't taste the world-famous Darjeeling tea. Enjoy the snow-peaked Mount Kanchenjunga while sipping a cup of hot Darjeeling tea.
Homemade Cheese: Churpee is one of the popular foods you can try in Darjeeling. Churpee is a type of cheese made from cow's or yak's milk, and it comes in both hard and soft versions. The hard one can be eaten as a snack, but the soft one is cooked with Niguru, a local fern, and it tastes really good. However, you won't find this dish in normal restaurants.
Dalle: Dalle is a kind of pickle made with red chili, mustard oil, spices, and salt. The local people of Darjeeling usually eat it with Momo.
Sael Roti: Made with rice paste and then deep-fried, Sael is a kind of delicious roti. During the time of the festive season, have it with the famous Darjeeling Tea.
How to Reach Darjeeling
As Darjeeling is the most popular hill station of the entire North East India, reaching Darjeeling is not a difficult task at all. These are the different transportation options you can opt for-
By Air: The nearest airport to Darjeeling is Bagdogra which is approximately 70 km away from Darjeeling.
By Train: The nearest railway station of Darjeeling is New Jalpaiguri Junction. This railway station is 72 km away from the town and is nicely connected with other major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, etc.
By Toy Train: Darjeeling Himalayan Railway runs a famous toy train from Siliguri to Darjeeling. It usually takes 7 hours of journey time while you can enjoy all the scenic attractions of these hilly roads.
By Road: Darjeeling is easily accessible by road and it usually takes around 3 hours to reach Darjeeling from Siliguri.
Darjeeling Weather Details
The weather in Darjeeling stays usually cool and the summer months are quite short. Summer starts in May and ends in June.
Darjeeling Weather in March to April: In Darjeeling, spring happens from March to April. This is when lots of flowers bloom, the sky is mostly clear, and you can see a beautiful view of Mount Kanchenjunga. In spring, the temperature in Darjeeling ranges from 5 to 16 degrees Celsius.
Darjeeling Weather in May to July: May, June, and July are the summer months in Darjeeling. The weather during summer is pleasant and delightful. The temperature ranges from 10 to 18 degrees Celsius during this time.
Darjeeling Weather from June to September: June, August, and September are the monsoon months in Darjeeling. During this time, the weather is foggy, and the sky remains overcast. Clear skies are rare in Darjeeling during these months.
Darjeeling Weather from October to November: Autumn in Darjeeling begins from October to November. The weather becomes charming once more as the fog clears away. The temperature ranges from 7°C to 18°C during these months. Tourism thrives in Darjeeling during this time, as it's considered the best time to visit.
Darjeeling Weather from December to February: December, January, and February mark the winter months in Darjeeling. It gets very cold during this time, with temperatures dropping to 2 degrees Celsius or even lower. Many people visit Darjeeling during these months to celebrate Christmas.
