Darjeeling, the queen of hills, is a city in the state of West Bengal. Darjeeling is situated at an elevation of 6,700 ft. and attracts many tourists from around the world throughout the year. Best known for its mesmerizing natural beauty and tea, Darjeeling is a popular spot for a memorable holiday. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• Toy Train: UNESCO heritage site

• Darjeeling tea estates

• Sunrise from Tiger Hill

• Best view of Mt Khangchendzonga, the 3rd highest peak in the world

Best time to visit Darjeeling: Apr-Jun and Oct-Dec

How to reach Darjeeling: From Bagdogra Airport and New Jalpaiguri railway station in Siliguri you have to take a cab to reach Darjeeling. 

On the way to Darjeeling

BEST TIME TO VISIT DARJEELING

Spring/Summer Season (April-June)

Clear skies and fresh, crisp air makes it an ideal atmosphere to indulge in sightseeing and enjoy outdoor activities. The weather is ideal for trekking, especially the Sandakphu trek where you see clear views of the Himalayas. Spring sees the blooming of flowers such as rhododendrons and magnolias that can be best enjoyed during treks. These months are considered peak season, so book your tickets in advance.

Autumn/Winter Season (October-December)

Fresh out of the monsoons, autumn brings in a change in not just the temperature but the landscape too. The verdant hills and tea gardens are sparkling and there are yet again clear skies. The temperature starts to dip during the early mornings and evenings and by mid-November winter has fully set in. Temperatures range from 2-10⁰C. A good time to come is during the Christmas season when you can attend carnivals and other celebratory events. It’s unlikely to witness snowfall although it surprised everyone when it snowed in 2021 after many years. Make sure to carry thick woolens or there are plenty of shops in Darjeeling where you can buy them. 

Explore accommodations in Darjeeling

Festivals worth attending 

Teesta Tea & Tourism festival: Nov-Dec

Darjeeling Carnival: November

Darjeeling Orange Festival: January

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BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN DARJEELING

Before you plan your Darjeeling tour, make sure you don’t forget to add the following tourist spots to your itinerary to make your holiday a cherished memory.

Tiger Hill:

Tiger Hill is the highest point in Darjeeling, and you can visit it by jeep or on foot. Very popular for trekking and ideal for hiking, Tiger Hill has some amazing views of the Himalayan mountain range. If you like watching the sunrise, then this is the best spot for you. During the peak season, you will find hundreds of tourists enjoying the fantastic sunrise in the strong cold wind through the Tiger Hill observatory.

The best time to visit Tiger Hill in Darjeeling is between mid-October to December. During this season, the mountains have dazzling snow-covered peaks, and it is surely a must-watch sight. March to April is also a good time for a visit. If you want to enjoy the sunrise then start by 3:30 am so that you reach by 4:15 am, which is the perfect time for an ideal sighting. In the winters, you can shift your time a bit later to 4:15 am. The entry fee is between INR 30-50.

Batasia Loop: 

If you take the toy train ride, then you will pass this beautiful loop. You can also take a cab to visit this place from Darjeeling town, which is just 20 minutes away. This is the only place where you get a 360⁰ view of Darjeeling’s mesmerizing landscapes, including the hill town and the snow-covered mountains. You can see the majestic Eastern Himalayas from here with a great view of Khangchendzonga. You can have a look at the lovely flowering garden from which the track is laid. It is undoubtedly a fabulous experience and worth a visit. There is a provision of seating area also where you can relax and have a great time along with a great view. The best time to visit this place is from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. For tourists, the two best seasons to visit Darjeeling are March to May or from October to November. Batasia Loop is open during all seasons but do confirm the opening and closing time before you visit.

Batasia Loop, Darjeeling

Singalila National Park

A haven for wildlife enthusiasts – Singalila National Park of Darjeeling has a restricted area, which protects the biodiversity and bans activities such as developmental forestry, poaching, hunting, and grazing. This is one of the best trek routes of Darjeeling that you cannot miss. This national park is located on the Singalila Ridge at an altitude of more than 7000 feet above sea level in the Darjeeling district. This park possesses some of the rare and exotic species like the red panda and the Himalayan black bear. Apart from the animals, it is also famous for its flora, especially orchids. This national park is a must-visit in Darjeeling, and you will get a magnificent view of the Himalayas from Nepal, Sikkim, and up to Bhutan.

The best time to visit this national park in Darjeeling is during spring and the summer months, which are March to May. Due to heavy rainfall, the park remains closed for the tourists from 16 June to 15 September every year. To avoid this, try and visit after the monsoon season, which is between mid-September to early December. The entry fee to visit this park is INR 100 for Indians and INR 200 for foreigners. To visit the core of the park, it is essential to have a permit that can be obtained from the Forest Department office at Manebhanjan, Darjeeling, or near the entrance to the National Park.

Red Panda, Darjeeling

Rock Garden

A beautiful picnic spot in Darjeeling is Rock Garden. It terraced with a natural waterfall known as the Chunnu Summer Falls. It is located 10 km away from Darjeeling and is also known as Barbotey Rock Garden. This should be included in your itinerary if you are a nature lover or just want to relax in the arms of wonderful flower gardens. The sitting arrangement is at various levels, and it is considered as one of the most visited destinations among tourists. If we talk about the route to Darjeeling Rock Garden, that itself is a delightful sight where you can enjoy the scenic journey filled with rocky hills and lush green gardens on the extremely steep roads.

There is no best time to visit this place, but don’t miss it if you are visiting Darjeeling and enjoy your morning or evening walk in this garden.

Darjeeling Toy Train

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as the Darjeeling toy train, is a 2-feet narrow gauge train. It runs between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling. The journey through this train will give you an amazing experience and pleasing sights of mountain views and local shops. This toy train was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and after the declaration, two more railway lines were added, and then the place was named the Mountain Railways of India. The schedule of the train arrival and departure is clearly mentioned by the timetable issued by the authorities. There is no best time to visit this as it runs throughout the year and provides the best transportation experience.

Darjeeling Toy Train

Darjeeling Ropeway was established in 1968, and it is India’s first cable car system to set up to cater to the tea gardens in the valleys. Today it is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Darjeeling. This is one of the best ways in which you can glance at the beauty of Darjeeling. The altitude at which the system works is 7000 feet, perfect for the breath-taking view. The car moves at a moderate speed, allowing the tourists to have the best time looking at the valley. You can also explore the lovely tea gardens and relax in the mountain café at the end of the trip.

Darjeeling Ropeway

Observatory Hill

Situated above the Chowrasta Square around 2 km from the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Station, observatory hill is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Darjeeling. It offers a wide and extensive view of the mountains along with the presence of various Hindu and Buddhist temples, including Khangchendzonga Temple, Mahakal Temple, and Tibetian memorial shrine. It majorly attracts people interested in adventure and trekking. It is open on all days of the week, and the timing is from 7 am to 7 pm. The total time for the visit to this place will be around 3 hours. The best time to visit this place is between March to May, and the other season can be from October to November. The mentioned time is the best season to visit Darjeeling as the temperature is cold and there is no heavy rainfall. The sky is clear, and thus there will be no hindrance in the beautiful views of the Himalayan peaks.