Do you want an enjoyable and exciting vacation? Or perhaps a relaxing and peaceful one? Don’t worry; Darjeeling is waiting for you with a plethora of options!
There are so many things to do in Darjeeling that you can never get bored while you are there. So what are you waiting for? Quickly go through this list of things to do in Darjeeling and then pack your bags!
An Introduction to Darjeeling
Darjeeling is a town in India that is located in West Bengal in the Eastern Himalayas. This place is so much a part of nature that anyone can have a worthwhile experience after visiting Darjeeling. It can be said that greenery is its jewelry.
It is one of the places in India where tourists come. They explore the place and definitely enjoy it as well. It’s one of the most beautiful towns in India.
It is also known as the “Queen of the Hills” because it is situated in hilly areas. There are so many hill stations to visit.
There are so many things to do in Darjeeling, such as: trekking, rafting, visiting so many different and amazing places, trying foods, and so on.
Why Is It Famous?
One of the specialties that everyone is aware of is that Darjeeling is famous for its tea gardens. That’s why it is also known as the tea estate.
Darjeeling is famous all around the world. Tourists visit here due to many factors, including tea gardens and beautiful hill stations.
Apart from being an interesting place, it has delicious food as well. It includes Kwati, Aaloo Achar, Pork Curry, Gundruk, etc.
It is a peaceful place, which will help people to calm their busy minds. It is a beautiful place where anyone can enjoy the silence of nature.
This place has scenic beauty and ancient forests as well. The people of this place are also well-behaved and friendly.
There are so many things to do in Darjeeling!
Why Does Darjeeling Attract Tourists From All Over the World?
It has the world-famous tea gardens. In Darjeeling, there are around 87 tea gardens. Puttabog tea garden is one of the popular tea gardens in Darjeeling.
This is also a spiritual place, which has a peaceful environment. Anyone can spend some time here alone.
Apart from spirituality, this place is adventurous as well. From river rafting to trekking trails, an individual can experience much fun here.
Only a few factors have been mentioned , but there are a lot more things to do in Darjeeling.
Some Things to Do In Darjeeling
1) Tiger Hill Station
photo by Balaji Srinivasan from pexels. copyright 2014
Tiger Hill is one of the most popular viewpoints from where anyone can watch the beautiful sunrise.
The best time to visit Tiger Hill is between mid-October and December. Don’t visit during the peak of winter because there is a chance an individual could miss the sunrise due to fog.
From Tiger Hill, anyone can see the highest peaks of the mountains, such as Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, etc.
Everyone should remember while visiting here that the sky should be clear to see the perfect view of sunrise.
Apart from enjoying the view from Tiger Point, there are a lot more things to do in Darjeeling.
1.1) Other Things to Do in Tiger Hill
Apart from enjoying the view itself, an individual can capture it. If someone is interested in photography, then capturing the perfect moment will be great for them.
Enjoying the view with food is also one of the good options. If someone goes with their partner, then, by extension, this will be so romantic.
Listening to songs while enjoying the view from Tiger Hill is also one of the great options. It will definitely be a worthwhile experience.
2) Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
Those who have done research on Darjeeling have probably heard of the toy train. Actually, it is the other name for the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.
A toy train is actually not a toy. It’s just that it has small engines and tourists ride it as well. Toy trains with steam engines are mostly preferred by tourists.
The toy train runs between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling in West Bengal.
The first experience of the toy train people experienced was in the year 1881, and in the year 1999, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of the things to do in Darjeeling is experiencing the ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. It will give you another level of joy.
3) Japanese Temple
It is one of the popular tourist attractions and is also known as the Nipponzan Myohozi Buddhist temple.
The temple is not much farther from the main town and has a peaceful environment. People can pray in the temple very peacefully.
3.1) The History of the Japanese Temple
This temple was built during the ancient times by the Japanese Buddhist Nipponzan Myohozi organization. The founder of this organization is Nipponzan Myohozi.
The temple was opened in 1992, and it took 36 months to build!
3.2) Are the Peace Pagoda and the Japanese Temple the Same?
Most people are perplexed about the difference between the peace pagoda and the Japanese temple, but the answer is No.
The Peace Pagoda has all the four avatars of Buddha and is nearest to the Japanese temple.
One thing is common between them, and that thing is their motives. The only motive of these two is to spread peace.
So, one of the most important things to do in Darjeeling is to visit the temple and the Japanese Peace Pagoda, as these are just like its name, “peaceful.
4) Tea Gardens
photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh from pexels. copyright 2020
It is one of the main factors that is responsible for its popular tourist attraction. The special thing about Darjeeling tea is the aroma that it has.
Darjeeling tea is different from regular tea as it is a black tea variety. But in India, regular tea has milk, sugar, and tea leaves.
There are so many tea estates in Darjeeling, but the Happy Valley tea estate is the place that everyone should visit because it is the second oldest tea estate, established in 1854.
4.1) 5 Must-Visit Tea Estates in Darjeeling
- Gomti Tea Resort
- Makaibari Tea Estate
- Puttabong Tea Estate
- Happy Valley Tea Estate
- Chamong Tea Estate
4.2) What Is the Famous Darjeeling Tea?
Darjeeling has the largest number of tea gardens, and every tea garden produces a unique blend of tea.
The famous Darjeeling tea is a black tea that contains Camellia Sinensis var. It is popular for its muscatel flavor.
Darjeeling tea is healthy as well. It helps the immune system run well and is also helpful for mental health. It helps to keep the mind calm.
5) Wildlife Sanctuary
One of the things to do in Darjeeling is to visit the wildlife sanctuary. There are around 7 wildlife sanctuaries in Darjeeling.
Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary is the oldest sanctuary, a little far away from the main town, around 10-15 km.
The Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Darjeeling, between the Teesta and Mahananda rivers.
It was initially started as a game, but in 1959, it was declared a sanctuary to protect the Royal Bengal tiger.
6) Singalila National Park
It is India’s highest national park, located on the Singhalila ridge at an elevation of over 7000 feet above sea level.
It was established in 1896 and it is one of the best places to find red pandas.
One of the things to do in Darjeeling is to visit Singalila national park. Apart from seeing the red panda, tourists can do trekking as well.
Sandakphu and Phalut are the best route for trekkings.
6.1) Is It Necessary to Be a Mountaineer for Trekking?
No, not at all. Actually, mountaineering and trekking are two completely different things.
Trekking is one of the things to do in Darjeeling because it is full of adventure and anyone who is physically fit can do trekking.
But for mountaineering, an individual needs to take proper training. There is a “Himalayan mountaineering institute” in Darjeeling where people get training to be mountaineers.
7) Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan zoological park is also known as the Darjeeling zoo. It is situated in the mountains.
It was formerly known as the Himalayan Zoological Park and was established in 1958.
It specializes in breeding animals and has breeding programs for the snow leopard, Himalayan wolf, and red panda.
8) The Rock Garden
The rock garden in Darjeeling has recently been added as a tourist attraction. It is located between Chunnu Summer Falls and Ganga Maya Park.
It is also known as Barbotey Rock Garden and was constructed by the Gorkha Hill Council Tourism Department.
The place is so beautiful and is surrounded by nature. It is the perfect place for nature lovers.
One of the best things to do in Darjeeling is to visit a rock garden with loved ones and make some wonderful memories.
9) Darjeeling Ropeway
The Darjeeling ropeway is one of the most adventurous experiences that everyone should have.
The ropeway is 5 km long and in Darjeeling. The ropeway was initially started in 1968 with the first cable car system.
Only six people can go on one ride, so the rest of the people need to wait for their turn. But once they experience the ride, the wait will be totally worth it.
The ride is quite long, but it will give the individual an experience of the beauty of the town. So, experiencing the ropeway is one of the best things to do in Darjeeling.
9.1) Why Are Darjeeling Ropeways Closed on the 19TH of Every Month?
For the following reasons, Darjeeling Ropeways are closed on the 19th of every month:
- On October 19, 2003, an accident occurred in which four people died, which resulted in the ropeway’s closure for a long time.
- The second reason behind this is that ropeway needs maintenance operations.
10) Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre
It is not incorrect to say that India serves as a rehabilitation center for Tibetan refugees.
In Darjeeling, there is a Tibetan refugee self-help center which is located in Havelock Villa on Gandhi Road.
It was established on October 2nd, 1959 after they followed the Dalai Lama.
The center’s main activity is their Tibetan handicrafts, which include hand-made woolen shawls and carpets, leather jackets, wooden crafts, and many more.
They export their hand-made items and earn from them. So, this is a must-visit place in Darjeeling.
11) Hill Stations
Darjeeling is one of India’s most beautiful hill stations and is located in the foothills of the Himalayas.
If someone has a proper Darjeeling tour package, then visiting hill stations near it should also be on the list.
Kurseong is one of the hill stations near Darjeeling. Tourists should visit this place for a memorable trip of their lives.
11.1) The Top 5 Must-Visit Hill Stations That Will Make You Happy
- Gangtok Hills
- Mirik Hills
- Kalimpong Hills
- Kurseong Hills
- Lava Hills
12) Buddhist Monasteries
There are lots of Buddhist monasteries and temples dedicated to the Lord Buddha. So, one of the most important things to do in Darjeeling is to visit these places.
Yiga Choeling Monastery is one of the most popular and oldest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. It is also known as the old Ghoom monastery.
It is one of the calmest places where anyone can find peace. From this place, you can also see the clear mountains, and the presence of clouds makes it even more mesmerizing.
12.1) Other Monasteries
12.1.1) Ging Gompa:
It is also known as Sangchen Thongdrol Ling. It’s a Buddhist monastery that is located in Ging, and it is one of the oldest monasteries in the country as well. It follows the Nyingmapa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
12.1.2) Dali Monastery
It can be said that it is one of the more colorful Buddhist monasteries. This place is full of art and sculpture. It has a giant buddha figure as well.
12.1.3) Bhutia Busty Monastery
It is also known as the Dorjee Chyoling Monastery and is a Buddhist monastery that is located in Bhutia Busty in Darjeeling. This place belongs to the Red Sect of the Buddhist Lama.
13) Darjeeling Foods
Food is the basic requirement, and everyone loves to have it. Every place has its own regional food items, and their tastes differ as well.
Apart from the famous Darjeeling tea, it also has several tasty food items. Some of the famous food items are listed here:
- Kwati
- Aaloo Achar
- Sel Roti
- Pork Curry
- Tibetan Thupka
- Gundruk
- Aaloo Tama
14) War Memorial
The Batasia War Memorial stands at the center of the Batasia Loop. It was created by the District Sainik board of Darjeeling.
It was established for the brave Gorkha soldiers who sacrificed their lives to save the sovereignty of the nation.
It was established on March 22, 1995.
15) Observatory Hill
photo by Sia Panayidou from pexels. copyright 2019
It is one of the beautiful viewpoints in Darjeeling where tourists can see a perfect sunset. You can watch the changing colors of the mountains.
The natural beauty of this place makes it even more beautiful. You can see the perfect sunrise view of Kanchenjunga.
It also has a great restaurant with the perfect sitting area. People can enjoy the view by having their favorite foods.
16) Mall Road
It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in West Bengal. It is the perfect place where one can take a nature walk.
By walking around this place, tourists can learn about the place’s culture and its people. They get to know the city life of the locals.
As per its name, it can be guessed that it is a place where people can go shopping, try their local foods, go horse riding, and experience the view of mountains as well.
One of the things to do in Darjeeling is to visit the mall road to hang out in the beautiful hill station.
17) Hot Coffee
photo by Toni Cuenca from pexels. copyright 2017
One of the things to do in Darjeeling is to try the coffee of North East India. After the famous Darjeeling tea, it can be said that coffee is the next famous drink.
There are so many cafes that offer delicious coffee. But the popular options in Darjeeling are Mayfair Hill Resort, Hotel Viceroy, Fortune Resort Central, Glenburn Estate, etc.
18) Darjeeling’s Colorful flowers
Darjeeling is one of the beautiful hill towns in the eastern Himalayas. It has various numbers of beautiful flowers.
The most popular species of flower is Lali Gurans. It has red petals, which make it beautiful.
There are 24 species of rhododendron in Darjeeling. Other flowers include Darjeeling orchids, seasonal flowers, and so on.
There are several nurseries where beautiful flowers can be found. The center for finding beautiful flowers is Kalimpong.
These colorful flowers give you an option to go flower hunting and practice some brilliant photography!
Some Frequently Asked Questions
1) What Is Tea Processing?
In the case of Darjeeling green tea, the leaves are withered for 8 to 24 hours to remove the moisture.
Then after, they are steamed, and oxidation takes place to neutralize the enzymes.
Finally, the leaves are rolled to different degrees and again dried.
2) How to Do River Rafting?
One of the important reasons for visiting Darjeeling is to experience white water rafting on the Teesta and Rangeet rivers.
The route for the rafting is from Dikchu to Teesta Bridge, Dikchu and Kali Johra, Bordang and Meli.
The faint-hearted people should avoid this adventure sport.
3) Is Darjeeling a Costly Place?
No, it’s not that much, but it’s not cheap either. It might cost approximately Rs 16,277 for an individual to stay for one week.
Everyone makes a budget before visiting any place for their vacation. And before visiting Darjeeling, tourists should learn about Darjeeling tour packages.
Actually, it depends on the person and how an individual spends their money, their preferences, and so on.
4) Is It Easy to Find Snowfall Here?
photo by Ayush Kothari from pexel. copyright 2021
In India, finding snowfall is not an easy job. There are only specific places in India that offer a view of snowfall.
As with the case of Darjeeling, it is very rare to see snowfall. But people can see the snow-capped mountains here.
5) What Is the Best Time to Visit Darjeeling?
It may shock some people, but the best time to visit this place is during the summer season, from April to June.
The weather during the summer is very pleasant in Darjeeling. Temperatures range from 11 to 19 degrees Celsius.
6) How Many Days Are Enough to Explore Darjeeling?
Darjeeling is one of the hill stations in the state of West Bengal that has so many beautiful places to explore.
It’s so obvious that to explore each and every place in Darjeeling, it will take around 7-10 days.
7) Is Visiting Darjeeling Worth It?
The answer is yes. Darjeeling is a beautiful town in the North East of India, and the beauty of nature surrounds it.
Visiting this place is totally worthwhile because it will connect with anyone’s soul.
There are so many places in Darjeeling that tourists can explore.
Darjeeling is known for its tea plantations, so it is very easy for any individual to find a tea shop there.
Its world-famous lush gardens can attract tourists’ attention itself, and it produces world-famous tea as well.
A ride on the Darjeeling toy train will also give another level of joy.
Along with beauty, this place is adventurous as well.
Final Thoughts
There are so many things to do in Darjeeling!
Overall, it’s a peaceful place where people can enjoy themselves mentally and physically. The place will make anyone fall in love with nature. The peaks of the mountains and the view of the sunrise and sunset should not be missed here. It is famous for its hill stations as well. The people there are also very sweet and helpful. The place is full of positivity and fun. So, this place should be on everyone’s must-visit list.
Last Updated on by NamitaSoren
