Darjeeling Destination Guide

Darjeeling is an exciting amalgam of India, Nepal and Sikkim. Bearing the imprints of its colonial years, Darjeeling makes for a quaint getaway and truly is a ‘refuge in the hills'. A journey to this quaint town entails a rendezvous with some exciting sights.

With its old-world charm and rustic scenery, Darjeeling lives up to its reputation as the ‘Queen of Hill Stations'.

Our Darjeeling Destination Guide together with our Darjeeling tour suggestions will tell you all you need to know about the best places to visit in Darjeeling. We also have some useful travel information to help plan your India holiday.

You can also check out all the local exciting things to see and do in these other great India destinations:

- Delhi
- Agra
- Chennai
- Goa
- Karnartaka
- Mumbai
- Pune

Things to See & Do in Darjeeling

Ride the Toy Train
No trip to Darjeeling would ever be complete without a joy ride aboard the toy train. Though its slowness makes it a rather impractical mode of transport, it serves as a reminder of the town's colonial past. In 1999, the DHR (Darjeeling Himalayan Railyway) was recognized as a World Heritage Site.

Ropeway Ride
The Darjeeling-Rangit valley ropeway is Asia's longest ropeway ride and is a fantastic opportunity to view the town.

Trekking
Pahlut, lying almost 3,600 metres above sea level is a great place for trekkers and affords beautiful views. The trek route through the Singalila Range, and the views of Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Lhotse from Sandakphu are truly unforgettable.

Rafting
White water rafting is a relatively new sport in Darjeeling. The River Teesta and Rangeet River offer the perfect combination of deep gorges and strong currents, perfect for rafting. Moreover, there is a wide range of varying intensities, making it suitable for novices as well as seasoned rafters.

Other Favoured Activities
The hills of Darjeeling are perfect for rock climbers. You could even enrol for a short course at the Himalayan Mountaineering institute. An archery competition is held every year during the Tea & Tourism Festival; participants use traditional bows and arrows from Sikkim.

Darjeeling is also a great place for ballooning and hand-gliding thanks to the numerous cliffs, valleys and hills. If you have the time to travel to Mirik, you could indulge in kayaking and canoeing.

Adventure enthusiasts with the gumption and the stamina for it can try to bike the steep route from Martam to Gangtok. Another enjoyable activity is the elephant ride at Jaldapara.

We have designed very unique destination specific soft adventure based activities on local experiences and interaction. Please check our Tours & Activities tab for detailed information.

The Chowrasta literally means crossroad. Situated in the heart of the town, it is a point where eat-outs, shops and some of the town's most favored hangouts come together. This is the place to head out to if you want to shop for curios, woolen garments, tankhas, semi precious stones, rosaries etc.

The Dhirdham Temple constructed under Dhir Shamsher Rana of Nepal and has been inspired by Katnandu's Pashupatinath Temple. It is situated just below the railway station.

Dating back to 1875, this is one of Darjeeling's oldest monasteries. It is famous for its collection of ancient and rare books. It is also a great opportunity to see the beautiful old paintings and murals. The soporific chanting of the monks, the prayer flags fluttering in the breeze, the ambience of quiet tranquility and brightly colored decoration make this a visit worth cherishing.

The HMI or Himalayan Mountaineering Institute ranks among the world's most renowned mountaineering institutes. It was established after the daring conquest of the Everest by Tenzing and Hillary.

Today, apart from being a training institute for enthusiastic mountaineers, it is also a museum of sorts and houses the equipments and personal items of the two mountaineers.

The Himalayan Zoological Park is the only centre in India that breeds Snow leopards in captivity. It is also home to a variety of exotic animals and birds such as Himalayan black bears, Siberian tigers, Andean ilama, and the Red pandas.

If you are botanically inclined, the Lloyd Botanical Garden is a must-see. You can see a variety of alpine flora here including numerous types of orchids.

The Natural History Museum with its beautiful collection of Himalayan animals makes for an interesting visit, especially for tourists with a penchant for animals.

Above Darjeeling's main bazaar lies Observatory Hill, affording spectacular views of the town below. Both Hindu and Buddhist devotees throng here to visit the shrine of Dorje Ling. Originally a Buddhist shrine, the presiding deity is now Lord Shiva.

If time permits, do visit the Railway Loop, situated just 5 km from Darjeeling. Apart from being a fantastic engineering phenomenon, it is also an excellent opportunity to watch the toy train. You may also want to see the War Memorial, constructed in the memory of soldiers who have died in action since the country's independence in 1947.

Yet another place worth visiting is the heritage hotel Windamere. Established as far back as the 19th century, it served as a lodge for English and Scotch tea planting bachelors. This is also the place to stay if you want to savor the lifestyle of a bygone era.

A stroll through the century-old Singamari Christian Cemetery is truly an encounter with the yester-years! Here, you will find the tombs of some of the very first settlers, British administrators and Christian missionaries.

Darjeeling is world-renowned for its tea gardens. In fact, you will find that apart from the forests and farmlands, large tracts of land are occupied by tea gardens. If you are visiting during the right season, make sure that you witness the picking and processing.

Established in 1959 by the Dalai Lama's sister, the centre has played a major role in rehabilitating Tibetan refugees. It is also a major centre for producing Tibetan crafts such as rugs, carpets, bags, woolen clothes and woodcarvings.

Tiger Hill, lying about 13 km from Darjeeling at an altitude of about 2600 meters, is a major tourist attraction. Enjoy a glimpse of the dramatic Himalayan panorama, including views of the sunrise over the Kanchenjunga - the famous Mount Everest, and the great Eastern Himalayan Mountains.