Located in the folds of the Himalayas, Darjeeling is a beautiful hill station in India that enchants tourists with its scenic beauty, culture, and colonial buildings which visitors can explore in their Darjeeling Tourism. Be it an adventure buff, a wanderer or a culture vulture; everyone will be spoilt for choice with the things to do in Darjeeling?. In this guide, we will look at the best things to do in Darjeeling? and some of the interesting Darjeeling Tour Packages.
Take a Ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: No visit to Darjeeling is considered complete without indulging in a ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway popularly known as the "Toy Train." This World Heritage Site is characterized with an old-world charm with breathtaking views of rampant tea estates, ever-green pine trees and pristine hills. The narrow gauge railway runs from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling and gives a different view from that closer to the ground. Most of the Darjeeling tour packages that are arranged these days have a trip on this old train as one of the features making it a must for any traveller.
Visit Tiger Hill: To enjoy amazing sunrise views, you should go to Tiger Hill, which is approximately 11 kilometres away from Darjeeling. This viewpoint provides excellent views of the Kanchenjunga mountain range, particularly at daybreak when the sun’s rays first touch the peaks. The sunrise here is one of the best things to do in Darjeeling and many Darjeeling tour packages offer this activity including early morning pick-up.
Explore Tea Gardens: The hill town of Darjeeling is also famous for the exquisite quality of tea produced. Hence, all trips would be incomplete without venturing into the fascinating tea gardens. Visit well-known estates such as the Happy Valley Tea Estate or the Glenburn Tea Estate to discover the tea production process. Participate in offering guided walks, tea sampling, and buying the finest quality Darjeeling tea amongst others. A large number of tour packages have reserved a visit to these scenic gardens for obvious purposes, to enable one to enjoy the essence of Darjeeling.
Enjoy a Scenic Walk at Batasia Loop: Batasia Loop is a fascinating spiral railway track that allows you to admire the scenic beauty of the hills as well as the towering Kanchenjunga. In addition, the beautifully landscaped garden and the war memorial, enhance its aesthetic value making it an ideal place for a stroll. The natural beauty along with the bright and beautiful flowers makes it one of the best places in Darjeeling and suitable for families as well as couples.
Visit the Peace Pagoda: In the Japanese temple complex, the Peace Pagoda is U-shaped and stands for peace and unity. This mesmerizing architecture also acts as a peaceful space for meditation and contemplation, along with providing breathtaking mountainscapes. The pagoda has four giant Buddha statues depicting the various phases of Buddha’s existence. Spending time at this tranquil location is one of the top things to do in Darjeeling, if not the best, especially for those looking for a brief escape from the busy city.
Experience the Local Culture at the Darjeeling Mall: Chowrasta or the Darjeeling Mall is the central location of the town and can be frequented for a cultural experience. Take a walk along the walking area, buy some local food from the hawkers, and get some memorabilia from the many stands. The view is pleasant, thanks to the active surroundings and the towering hills, making it a nice place to relax. Taking part in the daily life of the Mall is without a doubt one of the most interesting things to do in Darjeeling.
Trekking and Hiking: If you are an adventure lover, Darjeeling has several trekking and hiking routes. The paths take you to some magnificent viewpoints, to the monasteries located in the woods and down to some secret waterfalls. Trekking trails also include the most popular Sandakphu trekking expedition, which allows its climbers marvellous directed vistas of the Himalayas, as well as Tonglu trekking. There are several tour packages offered in Darjeeling for trekkers, which include guided tour facilities to make the trekking experience a memorable one.
Explore Monasteries: There are many exquisitely beautiful monasteries in the hilly town of Darjeeling which showcases the deep-seated Buddhist culture of the region. Ghoom Monastery, or Yiga Choeling, is considered to be one of the oldest, famous in the perception of tourists, as well as the functional one in Darjeeling. It also has a 15-foot Maitreya Buddha statue which also helps in viewing the spiritual aspect of the region. Other remarkable monasteries are the Samten Choling Monastery and the Bhutia Busty Monastery. This is more of a religious activity for the visitors who come or travel to Darjeeling – to visit these sacred places.
Visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: For those interested in mountaineering, seeing the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute should be on the list. Founded in the year 1954, this institute gives its visitors an insight into the history of mountaineering that took place in the Himalayas. The museum displays several items including pictures and gears used by great climbers of the past. The institute also provides training for those who wish to understand the intricacies of climbing. Well, this is one of the great things to do in Darjeeling for adventure-loving people.
Take a Cable Car Ride: For a bird's-eye view of the stunning landscapes, take a ride on the Darjeeling Ropeway. This cable car journey offers panoramic views of the tea gardens and the mighty Kanchenjunga. The ride culminates at a viewpoint near the Aloo Bagan, where you can enjoy some quiet time while soaking in the breathtaking scenery.
