Darjeeling Tourism

Darjeeling - A tryst with the hills

If West Bengal is the dessert capital of the country, Darjeeling is the sweetest treasure of the state. Going right through the clouds in cable cars, with lush green tea estates below you, you will wish you had more than two eyes to take in the beauty of this town.

Highlights of Darjeeling: Chaai pe charcha

Nature and wildlife

With its pristine beauty and the hills beckoning to you, you will want to explore and be a part of the picturesque vision of this town. Do not miss out on the sun-dipped, snow capped mountains of Kanchenjunga visible from locations such as Tiger Hill and Darjeeling War Memorial. With a height of 8586 metres, the Kanchenjunga mountain is the third highest in the world. In case you are looking for an adventure as soon as you get off the train at New Jalpaiguri, do head to the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary. You might just get lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Royal Bengal Tiger! For the bird watchers, you will get to see peacocks, parrots and green pigeons too. This place will present to you a mixture of rich flora and fauna of Darjeeling.

Cuisine

The local cuisine of Darjeeling comprises potatoes, rice and noodles. If you are somebody who feels too many spices overpower the original flavour of the food, you are in the right place. A plate of momos in the hills, accompanied with a hot, mustard and chilli sauce is a popular snack of Tibetan origin. However, the authenticity of this dish would be greater in Kunga at Gandhi Road; a small joint run by a Tibetan family. Another dish that you must try is Thukpa. You could call this dish food for the soul since it is a hot noodle soup mixed with egg, meat and vegetables. This dish is served in a huge bowl and is extremely filling.

Explore and shop

If you are curious about Darjeeling’s culture and lifestyle, head to the Mall Road.  Observe and walk amidst the locals and various shops on that road. If you are a tea enthusiast, do not miss out on the varieties of Darjeeling tea available at Golden Tips Tea and Nathmulls Tea.  You are free to explore the Mall Road any time from 8 am to 8 pm. If you are looking for a journey as beautiful as the destination, do drive up to the quiet and serene tourist spot, Mirik. Drive through beautiful rivers and endless green meadows. Give your body and mind some rest as you sit by the Sumendu lake. If you are looking to engage in some activities, boating and trekking are popular options. There are many trails that you could follow to explore the exquisite forests.

Interesting facts about Darjeeling: Pahaado mein chaai

• With the number of tea estates that the town has, it is indeed a paradise to tea lovers. The aromatic Darjeeling tea will fill your senses even if you aren’t a tea connoisseur.
• Did you know your favourite actor, Benedict Cumberbatch aka Sherlock Holmes, taught English in a Tibetan monastery in Darjeeling?
• If you are an adventure enthusiast, do head to Teesta to participate in river rafting. Not for the faint hearted, the river has rapids ranging up to level four.
• If you are or have been brave enough to climb Everest, do not be surprised to see your pictures hanging on the walls of the Everest Museum!
• Darjeeling has an abundance of both flora and fauna. 

Location: In the embrace of hills

A quaint, little town amidst the hills, Darjeeling is in the northern parts of West Bengal. Set on the foothills of the lesser Himalayas, this city is bordered by the states of Sikkim, Bhutan and Nepal.

Click here to view Darjeeling on Google Map

Timings: Best time to visit

Though the climate remains temperate throughout the year, Darjeeling can be best enjoyed in the summer season. With temperatures ranging from 15C to 20C, the weather remains moderate and the skies are clear. March to June is the best time to visit this sweet treasure in case you are planning to go on a trek. However, if you would rather feel the cold breeze and droplets of rain caress your skin, as you take a ride on the toy train, visit during the months of June to September. If you want a view of the snow-capped mountain of Kanchenjunga, visit during the months of November to January.

How to get to Darjeeling: The beautiful valleys

By Road: Darjeeling is well connected to major cities such as Gangtok and Kalimpong. Kolkata is around 14 hours away from Darjeeling and many tourists come to the city from there because of its proximity. However, the nearest bus stand to Darjeeling is in Siliguri, 36 kms away.

By Rail: The closest railway station to Darjeeling is located at New Jalpaiguri. There are trains from major cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi and Bengaluru. Cabs and taxis are easily available from the station to Darjeeling.

By Air: The nearest airport to the hill town is Bagdogra airport, which is a three-hour drive from Darjeeling. Taxis and cabs are easily available from the airport to take you to Darjeeling. Keep an eye out for misty mountains and the lush greenery as you make your way to the town.

History of Darjeeling: The sweet treasure of West Bengal

An amalgamation of the two Tibetan words Dorze and Ling, this town, for the longest time, was a part of Sikkim. Soon enough, one third of the land was yielded to the British, after which they set up a sanatorium and a military depot. The town’s pleasant weather in the summer season proved to be a relief from the heat for British residents living in the plains. Soon enough commercial tea planting was initiated after which many tea planters settled in that region. The population soon started to increase. After Independence, Darjeeling remained in West Bengal, however the tea plantation industry was still thriving and continues to do so even today.