India /West Bengal /Darjeeling /Darjeeling

Darjeeling, perhaps the most popular hill station in India, is located in West Bengal and is bedecked with many monuments of colonial heritage. Known as the Queen among all the hill stations, the hill station sits perched up on Mt. Kanchenjunga. Enjoy a fairy tale ride in the toy train to Darjeeling and you will be greeted by the most exotic views that nature ever bestowed on mankind. Look around and you will see tea gardens and variety of flora and fauna scattered around everywhere. The town has not much to offer but unlimited natural attractions. Challenging treks and white water rafting lure every adventurer to Darjeeling. Best season to visit Darjeeling is from September to June, take woolen clothes in winters and may avoid chilly days in January. September to Novemebr is ideal for sight seeing and outings. December to January is perfect for those like chilly climate and is best period for honeymooners. February to June is ideal for all tourist activities in Darjeeling.

Quick Facts-Edit

Category : Hill Station

Time Zone: UTC + 5:30 Hours

Pincode: 734101

STD Code: 354

Info Website: darjeeling.gov.in

Best Time to Visit:  September – June

HistoryEdit

Darjeeling town and its adjoining hill areas belonging to Nepal (the birthplace of Gautam Buddha). Mention Darjeeling and it evoks many images – Queen of the Hills, lush green tea gardens, the Darjeeling Himalayan, sturdy gorkhas and amazing view of Mt. kanchenjunga. Like most other hill station in India, Darjeeling was developed by the British as a respite from the oppressing summer heat in the gangetic plains. Located in the lower Shivalik Hills region of the Himalayas at a height of 2,134m above sea level, Darjeeling till the initial of the 19th century was a part of Nepal and Sikkim. After a lease agreement with the Chogyal of Sikkim in 1835, the British started developing Darjeeling as a hill station.

Places to VisitAdd

Darjeeling Sightseeing

How to ReachEdit

By Air : The nearest airport is Bagdogra near Siliguri, which is at a distance of 93 km from Darjeeling. The taxi fare from the airport to Darjeeling is about Rs 1,200. This airport is connected to Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati. International travelers can get connecting flights from Kolkata or Delhi. Both are well connected with many cities in India and abroad.
Indian Airlines 91 354 2252355.

By Train : The nearest rail is New Jalpaiguri. This is well connected to most of the major cities in India. The town of Darjeeling is approachable from Siliguri, nearly 80 km away, by Darjeeling Himalayan Railway also known as Toy Train.354) -2252555
Toy Train Joy Ride, Darjeeling (354) -2254879.

By BUS : Regular bus services connect Darjeeling with many cities in and around Darjeeling. Siliguri (66 km, Rs 180), Kurseong (31 km, Rs 80), Gangtok (100 km, Rs 300) and Kalimpong (50 km, Rs 150)are well connected by private buses also.

By Taxi : The journey by road offers breathking views of earth, water and sky, as the vehicle climbs from near sea level at bagdogra near Siliguri, to an altitude of about 1,500 ft at Darjeeling.

By Other : N.A

Top HotelsAdd

Budget  – Up to Rs. 800

• Hotel Broadway (Annexe) ; 47, Dr Zakir Hussain Road (Adjecent to Govt Youth Hostel) Darjeeling – 734101 ; Ph – N.A ; Facilities – Travel Desk, Laundry, Parking, Lounge, Doctor on call.

Economy – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• Hotel Seven Seventeen ; H. D. Lama Road, Dist – Darjeeling, Chauk Bazaar, Darjeeling, WB 734101 ; Ph – 0354 225 5099 ; Facilities – Shopping,Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk, Conference facilities, Laundry.

Deluxe – Up to Rs. 1201 to Rs. 2500

• Hotel Blue Diamond Darjeeling ; 9, Chowrasta Road H.D. Lama Road, Darjeeling, 734101 ; Ph – 0354 225 7665 ‎ ; Facilities – Travel Desk, Conference facilities, Laundry, Parking, Doctor on call.

Luxury – Rs. 2501 and above

• Dekeling Hotel ; 51, Gandhi Road, Darjeeling 734101 ; Ph – 0354 225 4159 ; Facilities – Travel Desk,Air conditioning, Laundry, Parking.

Top RestaurantsAdd

• REVOLVER ;  110 Gandhi Road, Behind Union Chapel Darjeeling. ; M –  098 00 005455 ; Food Serve :  N.A.

• Hotel and Restaurant Shangrila ;  Mal Rd, Upper Bhutia Busty Darjeeling. ; M –  0354 225 4149 ; Food Serve :  N.A.

• Kunga Restaurant ;  51 Ghandi Rd, Darjeeling. ; M –  (0354) 2253971 ; Food Serve :  Chinese & Tibetan.

Must Eat FoodAdd

• Resize –  Local restaurant and road-side stalls. ; Local restaurant and road-side stalls. ; Ph/M –  N.A ; Cost –  N.A ; Famous for – N.A
• Thupka –  Local restaurant and road-side stalls. ; Local restaurant and road-side stalls. ; Ph/M –  N.A ; Cost –  N.A ; Famous for – N.A
• Momos –  Hot Stimulating Café ; the Hot Stimulating Cafe, near Raj Bhawan. ; Ph/M –  N.A ; Cost –  N.A ; Famous for – N.A

Must Do ActivitiesAdd

Must ShopAdd

• Woolen items ; Local Market ;  1 Nehru Road right side of this narrow uphill road Darjeeling. ; Ph/M:  N.A

Nightlife (Pub / Disc / BAR)Add

• Joey’s Pub Darjeeling ; SM Das Rd, Darjeeling. ; Ph/M: 0354 2258216 ; Cost:  beer Rs80 ; Food Serve : N..A
• The Buzz ; Nehru Road, Darjeeling ; Ph/M: 91-354-2254122/2254315 ; Cost:  N.A ; Food Serve : N.A

SpaAdd

• Summit Grace Spa and Resorts ;  Dr. Zakir Hussain Road, Jalapahar, Darjeeling 374101. ; Ph/M – N.A ; Cost:  2,657 and up per night ; Services –  Facial Treatments, Body Massages, Body Detoxifier (Exfoliation), Special Package.
• Sinclairs Darjeeling ;  18 / 1, Gandhi Road,, Darjeeling 734101. ; Ph/M – N.A ; Cost:  3,669 and up per nigh ; Services –  Foot Massage, Back Massage, Facial Massage, Aroma Massage, Ayurvedic Massage, Head Massage, Full Body Massage.
• Elgin Darjeeling ;  18 HD Lama Road, Darjeeling 734101 ; Ph/M – N.A ; Cost:  7,338 and up per night ; Services –  Aroma Massage, Ayurvedic Massage, Head Massage, Full Body Massage.

FestivalAdd

Loshar ; Venue:  Darjeeling ; Period :  February ; Details:  The Tibetans and the Sherpas most impressively observe this festival by organizing folk songs and dances. Tibetans mark their new year on this day. Religious observations are held and buddist monks offer prayer across monasteries.

Dasain ; Venue:  Darjeeling ; Period :  October ; Details:  “It is the biggest festival in Darjeeling , marking the victory of good over evil. The main festival runs for 10 days during which all official work is closed. On the 10th day Hindus and Buddhists visit their relatives and elders for their blessings. The blessing is bestowed in form of red tikka, which is a mixture of vermilion and rice on the forehead.

Safety / WarningEdit

• Double-check all hotel and restaurant bills for errors.
• Don’t leave cash and valuables in your hotel room. Use room safes where available.
• Keep daily cash in separate pockets.
• Never pay for anything upfront – including drivers.

HelplineEdit

• Sadation (Darjeelingar Police St) 0354-2254422
• Fire (354) -2252121/2252128″

ItineraryEdit

Day 1:
10:00 am – Kanchenjunga Mountain ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
1:00 pm – Glenary’s ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
3:00 pm – Japanese Peace Pagoda;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
5:00 pm – Happy Valley Tea Estate ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
Day 2:
10:00 am – Yiga Choling Gompa ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
12:00 pm – Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
3:00 pm – Suntalekhola – Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
5:00 pm – Kanchenjunga Mountain ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
7:00 pm – Park Restaurant ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
Day 3:
10:00 am – Tiger Hill ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
11:00 am – Darjeeling Himalayan Railway ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
1:00 pm – Danfay Munal ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
2:00 pm – Darjeeling Gymkhana Club;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
5:00 pm – Life & Leaf Fair Trade Shop ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs

Gallery