Best places to visit in Darjeeling
Many know Darjeeling as the “Queen of the Hills”, nestled among the majestic hills surrounding the city. At an altitude of 6,710 feet in northern India and part of West Bengal, Darjeeling is well located. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India with the city filled with green shades of tea plantations. The beauty of Darjeeling nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas will surely impress you. The glorious spring and autumn resort and its traditions are a major attraction for all tourists.
Enjoy a true vista of Kanchenjunga, enjoy trekking options sincerely and it is possible to relax a bit on the plains. You can find flowers everywhere as the weather of the city they are set in is cool and the bright sun always plays hide and seek here. Darjeeling is one such destination with six t(s): Tea, Teak, Tourism, Toy Train, Tiger Hill and Trekkers Paradise.
Tiger Hill
Tiger Hill is one of the most spectacular viewpoints as it overlooks Kanchenjunga. Watching the sunrise from here is a whole new sensation as you can see the mountain light up even before the sun fully rises. You have to hike to reach the top of this mountain, but it’s worth it for the breathtaking scenery playing out before you. Mild weather, lush greenery, clear blue skies, and glorious Kanchenjunga mountains. It’s the perfect combination to turn this into a cherished memory. The mountain is also home to Ghoom station, the highest point on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. It is one of the most famous places in Darjeeling for couples, so if you want your trip to be iconic, this place is a must.
Darjeeling Toy Train, Himalayan Railways
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway or the Darjeeling Toy Train is the first attraction you must experience. It is the most popular tourist attraction in India, after all. This toy train runs from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling and covers 88 km of beauty and wonder. The main thing is that it is the second locomotive in the world to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 because it is amazing that such a small steam locomotive can travel through mountains pulling small trains. Several films including a scene from the Bollywood blockbuster “Parineeta” were shot on this train. Two more lines have been added in recent years and are now known as Mountain Railways of India. This attraction should be among the places to visit in Darjeeling.
Nightingale Park
Once turned into a private courtyard and a garden for the public and tourists, this place is fascinating. This beautiful Nightingale Park is a wonderful place to visit with your family in Darjeeling and relax your soul from the hustle and bustle of business life. The breathtaking Kanchenjunga mountain range and the Himalayas in the East form a beautiful backdrop to enjoy. The park is an attraction during the peak tourist season as several Nepali cultural events are held every evening.
The 1934 earthquake destroyed the site and it was repaired years later. The park has several paved walking trails. Holidays in Darjeeling will be more fun and interesting if you include the Nightingale Garden in your Darjeeling itinerary. There is a huge idol of Shiva and there is also a musical fountain for entertainment and having a good time.
Batasia Loop
Here’s another reason why you should go for a ride on the Darjeeling’s Heritage Toy Train it is the city’s famous railway route that runs through the Batasia Loop. This is a place where the railway line loops around the mountain-top track and offers a complete 360-degree view. The lush hill station and mist-covered mountains are breathtaking. You will not regret including this attraction as one of the places to visit in Darjeeling. Traveling this way is a very special feeling to experience.
Darjeeling Ropeway
The Darjeeling Ropeway, also known as the Rangeet Valley passenger ropeway, was the first ropeway system in India launched in 1968 to provide a comfortable environment for tourists. From the ropeway, you can enjoy the view of the valley below with lush tea gardens, waterfalls, majestic Kanchenjunga peaks, dense forests, and cut by several small streams.
It is one of the famous tourist places in Darjeeling where one can spend some good hours in the tea factory and enjoy nature walks. This is a cable car circuit where you can see many scenic views ranging from glorious snow-capped mountains to scenic hills dotted with green tea plantations.
Darjeeling Rock Garden
The Rock Garden is a man-made park with waterfalls, vibrant plants, and plenty of scenic views. It is one of the famous places to visit in 1 day in Darjeeling because it is an ideal place to relax, have a picnic, and spend quality time You can visit Chunnu summer fall, which is a natural waterfall surrounded by plants, or sit beside the tranquil river flowing in the garden Tea gardens also surround the site and a pond, adding to its beauty. It is one of the places to visit in Darjeeling in December as you can enjoy the calm air and cool scenery. Whenever you plan a trip to Darjeeling, you will get a suggestion to visit the rock garden.
Singalila National Park
Singalila National Park is the highest park in West Bengal at an altitude of 7000 feet above sea level. The biodiversity of this national park will amaze you, from exotic plants, rare animals, and other amazing attractions, there is a lot to expect but what attracts especially with the spectacular views of the Himalayas. It is also home to a park with red pandas and Himalayan black bears.
With its hilly terrain, it is also an ideal place for trekking, which is why you should visit this place in Darjeeling. You can see elephants, clouded leopards, roaring rhinos, red-throated martens, pangolins, etc. The park is named after the entire Singalila Spur that runs from the Kanchenjunga Mountains to this region and makes for an ideal spots one of the best in Darjeeling.
Sandakphu Trek
Sandakphu Peak (11,941 feet) is the highest peak in the state of West Bengal in India. Singalila Ridge is the highest peak in the Darjeeling district, almost near the Nepal border, and very close to Singalila National Park. Sandakaphu, the highest peak in West Bengal, offers panoramic views of four of the five highest peaks in the world. Another point from where you can see the same scenic area is Phalut, about 3,600 meters, which can only be reached by foot From Darjeeling, the Phalut trek route starts from Manebhajan and passes through Tonglu, Giribas, Kalapokhari, and Sandakafu.
Japanese Peace Pagoda
This Japanese Peace Pagoda in Darjeeling was established as a symbol of unity and harmony among different sections of society. If you can see Kanchenjunga, you will feel the ultimate peace and tranquility in this place. Japanese Pagoda is home to the four incarnations of Lord Buddha and is open to people of all faiths. There are 30 such architectures in the world and one of them is in Darjeeling. It is one of the most visitable places in India because of its symbolic significance and mood. It is also a wonderful place to meditate in a peaceful setting. Japanese Buddhist monk Nichidatsu Fujii laid the foundation stone for the marvel in 1972, and it has grown in popularity ever since.
Darjeeling Tea Garden
If you include places to visit in Darjeeling in your itinerary, do not miss this second-oldest tea house in the city. Perfect for nature lovers in the foothills of the Himalayas, there are vast expanses of trees as far as the eye can see and the smell of fresh tea leaves emanating from this farm will send you to a place of bliss, hence the name of the place. You can go on estate tours, learn about tea varieties, and organic methods to ensure high-quality tea leaves, and more. There’s also a tea-tasting session you must participate in to experience different teas.
How to reach Darjeeling
Bagdogra is 96 km away from Darjeeling. It can be conveniently reached by air from Delhi in just 2 hours and by flight from Kolkata in 50 minutes. Only private taxis are available at the airport; No shared taxis unless booked online. Private taxis, Shared taxis, and local buses are the most common modes of transportation in the area within the protected area.
Darjeeling can also be reached by luxury trains like the Vande Bharat Express & Shatabdi Express from Howrah to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. You can then book a private cab to this natural beauty.
FAQs – Best places to visit in Darjeeling
Darjeeling is famous for its tea estates and the Himalayan Train or Toy Train, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
March to May or September to November are ideal months to explore this city and its many glorious attractions.
Darjeeling is home to various tourist attractions and visiting all the places is not possible in just two days. At least take 7 days in your hand to proclaim this natural beauty with your own eyes. However, if you want to visit Darjeeling for two days then visit the main attractions like the toy train, tea garden, Kanchenjunga range, and Sandakphu Peak.
The lowest visit to Darjeeling is from June to September. All national parks and sanctuaries in the Darjeeling district are closed to tourists during this period. November to February is the best time to visit as there is no danger of landslides or floods.