Planning for a Darjeeling Tour? Tips for Travelers

Darjeeling located in North Eastern part of India is a peaceful place with mountains beauty all around. So, it is the place for honeymooners also. Darjeeling hill station is very close to Nepal and Tibet and is known as the city of lakes and monasteries. This complete Darjeeling Travel guide includes what to see, what to do, what to eat and when to go in Darjeeling.

What to See in Darjeeling?

Peace Pagoda

Peace Pagoda is a famous Buddhist temple in Darjeeling that showcases four avatars of Lord Buddha. This temple is known as the symbol of peace and unity in Darjeeling. This white coloured, two-story building with natural beauty all around, a clean and calm environment attracts a lot of visitors.

Dooars

Dooars, also called as Duars is famous for wildlife. Wildlife lovers can spend here a lot of time by exploring wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Wild elephants, one-horned rhinos, bison, leopards, several species of deers, snakes, wild boars can be seen here.

4 important tourist attractions in Dooars are:

1. Mahanada Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Sumsing and Suntalekhola
3. Sumsing and Suntalekhola
4. Latpanchore

Batasia Loop

Bataisa Loop is one of the major attractions of Darjeeling and is about 4 km from Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Batasia Loop is basically a railway loop which was built in 1919 and is known as a spiral railway track. The Loop goes around a garden with lots of greenery and beautiful flowers. This Loop is most famous among visitors as it offers a refreshing toy train journey which covers a full circle of around 5 km with beautiful views of mountains and the War Memorial.

Shrubbery Nightingale Park

Situated at, Richmond Hill area of Darjeeling in the state of West Bengal. Nightingale Park is a famous public park of Darjeeling which is most preferred by tourists to relax and to enjoy the lush greenery. This place gives you a complete view of Kanchenjunga and snow peaks of Eastern Himalayas. While walking to the park, on one side you can see the beautiful Pine trees and on other very beautiful snow covered mountains. There is a giant statue of Lord Shiva, a temple and a musical fountain at the end of the park. There is a very big circular shaped stage in the middle of the park, which is mostly used for cultural programs in the evening.

Singalila National Park

Singalila National Park is the highest National park in West Bengal. It is situated at a height of more than 7000 feet above the sea level in Singalila range. Park is spread around 78.60 sq km. Wildlife lovers must visit this place. It is the home of very rare and exotic Red panda and the Himalayan black bear. The other animals like Couded leopard, Serow, Takin, Leopard, Leopard Cat, Barking Deer, Yellow-Throated Marten, Wild Boar, Pangolin, Pika can also be seen here. Many species of birds like Scarlet Minivet, Kalij Pheasant, Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Brown and Fulvous, Parrotbills, Rufous-Vented Tit, Fire-Tailed Myzornis, Golden-Breasted Fulvetta make this place more beautiful. Singalila National Park is a paradise for trekkers and adventure lovers.

Observatory Hill

Observatory Hill is hill top situated near Chowrasta square in Darjeeling which is also called Makal-Babu-Ko-Thaan. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Darjeeling. This hill is the home of many temples; the most famous temples on the hill is Mahakal Lord Shiva temple and Buddhist temple. This hill is also popular for views of Kanchenjunga from here. Overall, this is one of the busiest places of Darjeeling and a must visit place if you go to Darjeeling.

Happy Valley Tea Estate

Happy Valley Tea Estate is a tea garden which is about 3km (1.8 miles) away from Chowk Bazaar area of Darjeeling. This is the second oldest tea estate in Darjeeling which was established in 1854, spread over an area of 177 hectares and is one of the major tourist attractions in Darjeeling. Tour to Happy Valley Tea Estate gives you a complete experience of tea plantation and making varieties of organic teas in India. You would love to know about how tea leaves are plucked, withered, rolled, fermented, dried, sorted, grading and then final packaging. Garden is closed to public on Mondays.

What to Eat in Darjeeling?

Darjeeling is famous for variety of dishes. Momos are the most popular local snack of Darjeeling.

Below is the list of 11 most popular, delicious, famous foods of Darjeeling. There are many restaurants, eatery places in Darjeeling where you can enjoy all these local foods.

1. Momos
2. Thukpa Soup Noodle
3. Alu Dum
4. Sael Roti
5. Niguru
6. Churpee
7. Gundruk
8. Darjeeling Tea
9. Tongba
10. Dalle
11. Kakra Ko

When to Visit Darjeeling?

Best time to visit Darjeeling is the summers from April to June. Some travelers prefer to visit Darjeeling during winters from October to December.