Traveling in Darjeeling is like walking along the memory lanes during the time of the British Raj. Located in the cozy and inviting lap of the Kanchan Junga, Darjeeling the dramatic land is amazingly blessed with the superb beauty of the nature, fantastic sightseeing places, ornamental monasteries, mystic hill, alluring tea gardens, refreshing and healthy climatic condition and warm hospitality. Darjeeling is truly a gem in the crown of the Himalayas that invites the foot falls of thousands and thousands of tourists from across the globe.

Darjeeling in true sense is a paradise on earth as the showers of blessing from the heaven in poured in Darjeeling in the form of the natural beauty, blissful ambiance and the cool weather conditions that keeps this scenic hill town pure and pristine all the year round. So due to the copious natural beauty, cool climatic condition, tempting culture and friendly hospitality, tourist throngs the year round to for holidays in Darjeeling.

Darjeeling tourism has great potential the hill town supports varieties of tourism options including tea tourism, monsoon tourism, medical tourism, wildlife tourism, flowers tourism and culture tourism, which have their own resemblance, but different from rest of the world. So come and soak in the heavenly beauty of the nature as well as explore the fascinating charm of tourism in Darjeeling with much pleasure, fun and joy.

Beside the inviting tourist places, the speciality of Darjeeling tourism lies in the tea gardens, which are not just the main tourist attraction but are the back bone of Darjeeling tourism. The vast stretches of the emerald green tea gardens are the main source from where the world’s best tea leaves are obtained and are made ready for the international market supply. Darjeeling Himalayan railway is also the iconic attraction which is also the major tourist attraction and the iconic symbol of Darjeeling tourism.

Talking more on Darjeeling tourism, the hill town has its own unique culture and festivals like Tihar, Dasai, Losar (Tibetan Festival), Makar Sankranti and Durga Puja is celebrate with great enthusiasm by all the local communities. More of all Darjeeling is the gastronomy paradise, where one can satisfy the appetite by enjoy the verities of delicious Himalayan cuisines and specialities including “Momos”, “Thukpas”, Sael Roti and mood making local wine called Chhaang and Tongba. So in short, Darjeeling tourism has everything that makes the vacation a complete package packed with fun delights, thrill, adventure and lots of happiness.

Darjeeling Travel Information

Darjeeling : The town and hill station of Darjeeling lies in northern West Bengal, India. Darjeeling district lies between 26° 31' and 27° 13' north latitude and between 87° 59' and 88° 53' east longitude.

Altitude : Comprising mainly of mountain terrain, Darjeeling stands at a height of 2134m (7053 ft) on a mountain ridge.
Area : Darjeeling town covers an area of 11.44 sq. kms.

Population : About 100,000.

Languages spoken : English, Nepali, Hindi, Tibetan and Bengali.

Climate : Almost every year Darjeeling's temperature drops below freezing during the Winter season, from November to February. In Summer, Darjeeling is delightfully cool with the maximum temperature reaching about 20°C.

Rainfall : Rain falls mostly during months from June to September. The annual recorded rainfall in Darjeeling is 320 cms.

Clothing : Light woollen for summer and heavy woollens for winter.

Best months to visit : March to mid-June and September to mid-December.

Access :

Darjeeling the quaint little town is located in the cozy and inviting lap of the Kanchan Junga. It is a picturesque town studded with inviting natural beauty, exciting tourist places and amazing sightseeing attractions that engulf the heart of every single visitor with delightful memories. Darjeeling is visited by thousands and hundreds of tourist all the year round and so there is an easy and comfortable means of transportation facilities. Reaching Darjeeling is very easy but still tourists and travellers always have the doubt how to reach Darjeeling. So below the brief description about how to reach Darjeeling by the means of transportations are mentioned below:

By Air
Reaching Darjeeling by means of air is one of the convenient and easy methods. Bagdogra is the nearest airport located at the distance of around 90 kms from Darjeeling. From here regular taxis and cabs runs that make the accessibility much easier and comfortable.

By Rail
Darjeeling is well connected by the railways from all the important cities and town of India. The Northern Railway connects Darjeeling and the nearest railhead is NJP New Jalpaiguri. From here local taxis connect to Darjeeling which is around a journey of 3 hours. You can also enjoy the train toy journey right from Siliguri to Darjeeling.

By Road
Travelling by Road is one of the easiest and more convenient means to reach Darjeeling. From Bagdogra and NJP railway station regular taxis ply that connect plains to the Himalayan region of Darjeeling. The journey of three hours from the plains of Siliguri to the Himalayan region of Darjeeling is full of adventure, thrill and happiness.

Darjeeling Weather

Located at the height of 6982 ft from the sea level, Darjeeling is a picturesque town known mostly for its evergreen natural surrounding and exciting tourist attractions. It is the land where the nature rules and so is the reason; tourist all the year round flocks in huge number to enjoy holidays in this blissful and heavenly land of Darjeeling also lovingly called Queen of Hills.

Well Darjeeling weather is cool and pleasant all the year round. Due to its pleasant weather conditions, this hill town was the summer capital during the time of the British Raj. The balmy summer starts from April and last till the end of May. In this month tourists from the plains come in a huge number to escape the scorching summer May and June, as the temperature in Darjeeling even during the peak summer season ranges 20 degree centigrade to 25 degree centigrade.

After summer season the Darjeeling experiences monsoon season and during this time the life in this town takes a break. The heavenly drizzle paralysed the hill tourism and tourists hardly come here as it becomes very difficult to travel to the tourist’s places. Monsoon season in Darjeeling starts from June and lasts till September.

After that slowly the town slips towards winter season. In October the weather is fair and bit cold while the whole of Darjeeling gets in a jubilious mood busy preparing for the Grand Dusshera and Diwali festival. After the celebration in Darjeeling gets over, the winter arrives making the Weather in Darjeeling cold and from December till February mid it is freezing cold. Sometimes in between there is a heavy snowfall which brings sharp downfalls in the temperature.

After all, Darjeeling is a Himalayan town and so weather is bit cold and so it is advisable to the tourists to carry woollen cloth even if you are travelling during the summer season. Woollen cloths and warm jackets are mandatory for tourists visiting Darjeeling during the winter season.

Places of Interest in Darjeeling

Entering Darjeeling is like travelling back in time to the days of the British Raj, a vertical Victorian London - like town populated with oriental faces. Church spires and brick chimneys dominate the skyline.

Dhoom Gompa, Darjeeling:
About 8 kms from Darjeeling is the Dhoom Gompa. Here a very beautiful statue of the Maitrayie Buddha is established. The Monastery has also preserved some of the rare handwritten Buddhist manuscripts.

The Mall:
The Mall is Darjeeling's popular commercial street. It is lined with Tibetans selling hand-knitted sweaters and souvenir shops chock-full of Himalayan artifacts and both real and imitation antiques. Photo shops carry turn-of-the-century photos as well as specialising in hand-painted black and white prints with glowing oil colours. The Mall leads to Chaurasta, a square, which doubles as a bandstand, a pony riding arena for children and a haven for lovers.

Chowrasta:
The Chowrasta, meaning crossroad, is a hive of commercial activity. The Mall Road originates and culminates at the Chowrasta. This is the heart of Victorian Darjeeling. Here hotels, restaurants and shops brush against each other. The shops and stalls are a veritable paradise for souvenir collectors. The Bhutanese sellers display their wares. Woollen garments, tribal ornaments, Thankas, rosaries, brass statuettes and Gorkha daggers are kept on display for sale. Foreign goods are also available in some shops. Local handicrafts are much in demand.

Obeservatory Hill:
The oldest site in Darjeeling is Observatory Hill, known locally as “Makal-Babu-Ko-Thaan”. According to legend, a Red Hat Buddhist Monastery called Dorje Ling, or 'place of the Thunderbolt', stood at this very spot. The Nepalis destroyed it in the 19th century. The Shivas and Buddhists share the temple that stands there today.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute:
A spot not to be missed is the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute created by the late Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa who conquered Mt Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary on 29 May 1953. A display of equipment used on the climb is one of the highlights. A zoological garden nearby has an assortment of wildlife such as yaks, Siberian tigers and red pandas who call the region their home.

Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway:
At North Point about 3-km from the town, this is the first passenger ropeway in India. For reservation of ropeway seats please contact - officer in-charge, Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Ropeway Station, North Point, Darjeeling. Regular share taxi service is available from Market Motor and Taxi Stand is to the Ropeway Station.
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Nearby Attractions from Darjeeling

Tibetan Refuge Camp:
The area in and around Darjeeling is a treasure chest of interesting destinations. The Tibetan Refugee self-help scheme produces traditional artifacts, jewellery and carpets for tourist consumption.

Lloyd's Botanical Garden:
Lloyd's Botanical Garden displays a fine collection of Himalayan fauna for those with an interest, and for punters there is horseracing at Lebong, the smallest and highest racecourse in the world.

Tiger Hill:
Situated at an altitude of 2,590m (8,482 ft.) and 13-km from the town, this spot has earned international fame for the magnificent view of the sunrise over "Kanchenjunga" and the great Eastern Himalayan Mountains. Even Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, is visible from here.

Phalut & Sandakphu:
A week's smallest-trip of Phalut and Sandakphu will get one within reach of the high peaks; for the onlooker it affords a more spectacular panorama than at Tiger Hill. Giant flowering Rhododendron trees, a pointillism of reds pinks and whites Dwarfs comprise of the en route trail. On attaining heights of over 3,048m, one is surrounded by skeletal trees devoid of leaves and branches, which are especially eerie when the clouds roll in and envelop the area.

Pashupati:
Further afield, in Pashupati on the Nepal border, one can purchase foreign goods at reasonable prices, view wildlife such as the endangered one-horned Rhino, Deer, Gaur, and wild boar while seated atop an Elephant's back at Jaldapara Game Park; learn of the Lepcha legend at the confluence of the Teesta and Ranjeet Rivers; relive Kalimpong's past glory as a trading post by visiting the market filled with traditional Tibetan medicine, spices, musk, wool and silk; or for the truly adventurous-hire some ponies and a crew and take to the hills.

Kurseong:
Kurseong is mid-way between Siliguri and Darjeeling. The way from Darjeeling to Kurseong is generally open through out the year. So, the toy train is not coming to Siliguri then one can come up to Kurseong. This place is equally beautiful and is full of natural splendour.

Mirik:
Mirik is 52-km from Siliguri and 55-km from the nearest Airfield of Bagdogra. Mirik is being developed as a new hill station in the mountains. Tea estates, orange orchards and cardamom plantations surround Mirik. It has all the facilities to fulfill the needs of a tourist.

Siliguri / New Jalpaiguri:
The twin Cities of Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri are the departure point to Darjeeling, Sikkim and the North Eastern States. Being the nodal point this place has become very busy and crowded. Siliguri also acts as a transit point for Nepal. Tourists come to Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri mainly to change bus or catch trains. Kalimpong:

Kalimpong is within Darjeeling province and is a sub-division of Darjeeling. It is a small but bustling town in the Himalayan foothills of West Bengal - Kalimpong is at an altitude of 1,250m. This bazaar town was originally a part of Bhutan but later it was taken over by the British and finally it settled down with West Bengal.

Batasia Loop, Darjeeling
This railway loop is an interesting example of engineering. At this loop the toy train takes a very unique turn. This loop is just five kilometer from the main town of Darjeeling. This place also has a very good market where you can buy the purses, bags and other decorative items made by the local women at very reasonable price.

Happy Valley Estate, Darjeeling
We all start our day with tea but we seldom know how the tea is processed. Here one can watch the tea from the gardens being processed. One can spent a few hours here. Entry is only allowed to persons who have permission from any officer of the estate.

Natural History Museum, Darjeeling
A great place to be at, for all those who have great interest in knowing about the history.The museum has a collection of over 4300 specimen . Established in 1903, this natural history museum packs in its folds a rich collection of fauna found in the Himalayas and in Bengal. Among the attractions are included the estuarine crocodiles. This unique museum also has a good collection of butterflies. The mineral forms of various stones are displayed in a very attractive manner in the museum.

Kanchenjunga View, Darjeeling
From Darjeeling one can have the best, uninterrupted view of the worlds third highest peak. Bhan Bhakta Sarani provides one of the enthralling views of these snow capped peaks. The Chowrasta also gives you a good sight to the Kanchenjunga peak.

Darjeeling Zoological Gardens
The zoo is situated two kms form the main town. This zoological garden of Darjeeling houses some of the rare species of animals and birds. This is the only zoo in India having the Siberian Tigers. Apart from these the rare Red Panda is also there. The Snow Leopards, Great Grey Birds, Snow Yaks are some the animals which are attracting tourist in great numbers.

Observatory Hills, Darjeeling
This point provides one of the breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga peaks. This place is also very sacred for the Hindus and the Buddhists as there are temples and monasteries at this place. The Kali temple is decorated with the colorful flags. Be aware of the monkey groups as some them are very aggressive.

Botanical Gardens, Darjeeling
This place is worth a visit for its exotic and exclusive collection of a variety of Himalayan plants, flowers and orchids. This place is near the Darjeeling taxi stand. The gardens also has a green house.


Monasteries in Darjeeling

Monasteries in around Darjeeling generate tremendous interest among visitors, be it in the form of architectural extravagance or the spiritual message embodied in them.

Bhutia Busty Monasteries, Darjeeling
Founded in 1879, this monastery follows the Vajrayana school of both Kargyud and Nijingmapa order, known as red hat.

Samten Choling Monasteries, Darjeeling
This Monasteries belongs to the Gelukpa sect of Vajrayana Buddhism, also known as the yellow hat. This is the seat of ven. Dromo Geshe rinpoche, the second. A 26 ft. tall stupa has been built recently in memory of Lama Anagarika Govinda, a great scholar from Germany well known for his book on Buddhism.