Darjeeling is a hill town developed by the British in 1830 in the heart of the Himalayan mountains as their summer retreat.
It is one of the most popular destinations as a premier hill station for its stunning location & British colonial-era charm.
There are endless places and things to do in Darjeeling. Every time you visit Darjeeling, it will amaze you in different ways.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
POPULAR TIME—MARCH to MAY (SPRINGTIME)
October to November (autumn time) for breathtaking, clearer views of the Kanchenjunga mountain range.
January-February is a chilly winter season.
Arrival
Arrive here in two ways—
The 1st way is by flight to Bagdogra airport (nearest airport), & the 2nd way is by train to NJP station (nearest railway station). Take a car and reach Darjeeling in 4 hours.
Itinerary
A 3-day getaway to Darjeeling can be a delightful & action-packed trip covering the town’s iconic sights with natural & cultural heritage.
Day 1
Arrive in Darjeeling, after having the morning breakfast, and start the day with a Toy Train ride.
The Darjeeling Toy Train, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built by the British between 1879 and 1881. The toy train ride is a round trip of two hours. We can board from Darjeeling railway station, and then it will take us through Batasia Loop, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Museum, and then reach Ghoom station, which is one of the highest railway stations in the world.
The Ghoom station is a natural bliss at an altitude of 2258 meters, as one can have a spectacular view of the Kanchenjunga mountain range.
The Toy Train halts for around 10 to 15 minutes in each & every sightseeing spot for exploring the places in detail. Again, it will take you back to Darjeeling station.
The toy train also rides from NJP Station to Darjeeling railway station; one can prefer that route.
Then back to your hotel for rest & dinner.
Day 2
Start your day early in the morning, around 4 am, for
Tiger Hill: It has a panoramic view of Mt. Everest & Mt. Kanchenjunga. The mesmerising illuminated Kanchenjunga Peak sunrise view is seen at Tiger Hill.
From there, have your breakfast on your way and head towards
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoo: Visit for the Himalayan red panda and many other rare Himalayan animals.
Darjeeling Ropeway: The Darjeeling Ranjeet Valley Passenger Cable Car offers a panoramic view of Darjeeling’s lush tea plantations, the Kanchenjunga mountain range, and the confluence of the Ranjeet, Little Ranjeet & Raman Rivers. It is a 45-minute ride & is a must-do on the list.
Rock garden & Himalayan Mountaineering Institute—You can see the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute museum; here you can experience rock climbing, rope climbing, and many other mountain activities.
Have your lunch and head towards
Peace Pagoda:- A place where divinity meets serenity. The Peace Pagoda is a Buddhist temple that is situated on the slopes of the Jalapahar hills of Darjeeling and is surrounded by mountains and palm trees. Visiting there, one can experience the spirituality and peace within one’s inner self amidst the cold breeze. It houses 4 avatars of Buddha, including Maitreya Buddha.
In the evening, rest and visit Mall Road to go shopping.
Day 3
Start the day by exploring tea gardens and tea factories. Experience the world-famous Darjeeling tea at a hilltop ground with a magnificent mountain view.
Post-lunch visit to Darjeeling Mall and have some eateries and do shopping for jackets or souvenirs & different types of tea here, or have some leisure time in the mall.
Take some rest & visit Glenary’s bakery & cafe, one of the oldest confectioners in Darjeeling, which has been operating since 1885, i.e., during British time. It is a must-visit place for cake lovers.
And then enjoy the evening at the Mall market . Shop around & walking down the mountain lane for an amazing experience.
Visiting Darjeeling is like falling in love with this place over and over again, with a new vibe every single time. Here are some recommendations of must-try experiences you should know before visiting, so that you may include them in your bucket list.
Darjeeling tea
Toy train ride
Darjeeling Ropeway ride
Glenary’s chocolate tart
Momo
Shopping experience at Mall Road