Darjeeling

Darjeeling
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Darjeeling is nestled in the Himalayan range in Northern Bengal. Also popularly known as the “Queen of Hills” is esteemed for its scenic beauty, snow peaks, vibrant green hills, views of green tea bushes and quaint township. The district hosts people from across the world and has various kinds of stays available starting from hotels to homestays.

The diverse nature of activities along with the warmth of its people ensure enjoyable and comfortable stay for the tourists. For the nature’s lover, there are beautiful trekking routes and campsites from Darjeeling, which gives the opportunity to get close to nature; for the photographers- there are picturesque shots of the Himalayas available from every corner; for the food lover – the varied range of restaurants to street-side vendors will cater to all your food pangs; for the shopaholic – the local markets will surprise you with their diverse collection. Be it a trip for two days or a month-long retreat, this place will ensure a comforting stay amidst the most welcoming people.

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For District wise Tourist Guide details please click here

By Air: The nearest airport to Darjeeling is Bagdogra. There are direct flight connections with Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, and other major cities of India. Tourists heading for Darjeeling can get direct taxis/cabs to Darjeeling from Bagdogra or one can head towards Siliguri first and get a transport there. There are several transport facilities available from Siliguri.

By Train: Apart from Darjeeling Railway Station the two closest railway stations are Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri. These railway stations have direct railway connections with Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, Varanasi, and other major cities of India.

By Road: The major access to Darjeeling by road is via Siliguri, which is connected to all the major cities of India.

tiger hill

tiger hill

Situated at an altitude of 2,590 meters and 13km from Darjeeling town. This hill offers unparallel view of sunrise from behind the “Kanchenjunga” and the great Eastern Himalayan Mountains. The sunlight reflected on the snow-capped mountains creates a unique pallet of colours on the sky which even the best of the cameras fails to capture. On a clear day, Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, is also visible from here. At sunrise, the peaks of Kanchenjunga are lit up before the sunlight is seen anywhere else in the city, making it an amazing and memorable experience for the tourist. Another notable point of admiration here is the natural beauty of Tiger Hill, which is covered in mild verdant greenery paired with sublime clouds in the background.

batasia loop

On the way to Darjeeling from Siliguri by the famous Toy Train journey passes through the Batasia Loop (A Windy Place) and the War Memorial. The Batasia Loop is a spiral railway created to lower the gradient of ascent of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India. From here, one can witness a spectacular view of Mt. Kanchenjunga & other snow capped Himalayan Peaks and watch the remarkable engineering marvel of Darjeeling Himalayan Railways where almost invisibly the railway line negotiates a circle and descends 1000 ft. in altitude. Right at the center of the loop is the War Memorial constructed in the memory of the brave Gorkha Soldiers who lost their lives while fighting for the Nation.

batasia loop

darjeeling himalayan railway

darjeeling himalayan railway

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as the DHR or the Toy Train, is a 2 ft railway that runs between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling. Built between 1879 and 1881, it has been accorded the UNESCO World Heritage Site Status in December 1999. It is about 88 km (55 mi) long which climbs from about 100 m (330 ft) above sea level at New Jalpaiguri to about 2,200 m (7,200 ft) at Darjeeling, using six zig zags and five loops to gain altitude. One can experience the joy ride which connect Darjeeling with Siliguri and can absorb the breathtaking aura of the surroundings and snow peaked mountains. Since starting its operation in 1881, this train still has certain locomotives which are steam based which surely make it a unique icon from colonial days. The diesel and steam run engine takes the most scenic route which provides picture-like views of the Himalayas. Diesel locomotives handle tourist trains from Darjeeling to Ghum – India’s highest railway station – and the steam-hauled Red Panda service from Darjeeling to Kurseong.

ghoom

Ghoom is a quaint hill town about 6 kms from Darjeeling. This town is popular for the multiple Buddhist monasteries amidst the mountainous terrain. These monasteries offer a beautiful escape to serenity and peace with the Himalayas at the backdrop. Ghoom houses the highest railway station in India which is situated at an altitude of 7,407 ft which also has an adjacent museum – a must visit for a railway enthusiast.

ghoom

the mall

The Chowrasta or the Mall is the heart of the town of Darjeeling. The place livens up during the evening when local and tourists alike visit this place to have a stroll, shop at roadside stalls, enjoy street food and take the pony ride around the Mall. This is a no vehicle zone which allows free and safe place for everyone to roam, sit at the benches and have a good time. For the true local experience, you must visit this place and check out the roadside food stalls.

the mall

peace pagoda

peace pagoda

Shanti Stupa or Peace Pagoda houses the four avatars of Buddha with the aim to spread peace around the world. This pagoda was built under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii, who was a Buddhist monk from Japan and founder of the Nipponzan-Myōhōji Buddhist Order. With a height of 28.5 meters (94 ft) and diameter is 23 meters (75 ft), it is one of the most beautiful Pagodas in the state. It is situated on the slopes of the Jalapahar hills of Darjeeling.

kurseong

Kurseong is a small hill town which is spread across multiple hills and is known for its horticulture. The town was originally called Karsan Rup meaning the “Land of white orchid”. It has a pleasant climate throughout the year which ensures it is well-endowed with flora and fauna. For the adventure seeker within you who also loves being amidst nature, this is the perfect place for a getaway. This quaint town houses beautiful tea gardens, multiple religious destinations, various viewpoints. The town is also known for the schools built during British era.

kurseong

dow hill

Dow Hill lies on the top of the Kurseong town. A vast part of the Dow Hill is covered with dense forest and sky reaching pine trees, and it remains covered with mist almost all the time. Few of the popular colonial schools are present in this area which is surrounded by dense forests. A deer park is situated close to the Dow Hill along with a water reservoir nearby from where you can have good view of the nearby towns.

dow hill

salamander lake

salamander lake

Surrounded by tea gardens, this is a sanctuary that shelters the rarest and most endangered species of salamanders. Locals and visitors frequently enjoy the peace and serene environment around the lake. The lake was famous in the past and was a famous boating destination for the British.