Darjeeling is a town in India’s West Bengal state, in the Himalayan foothills. Once a summer resort for the British Raj elite, it remains the terminus of the narrow-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, or “Toy Train,” completed in 1881. It’s famed for the distinctive black tea grown on plantations that dot its surrounding slopes. Its backdrop is Mt. Kanchenjunga, among the world’s highest peaks.
Darjeeling was identified as a potential summer retreat for British officials, soldiers and their families. The narrow mountain ridge was leased from the Kingdom of Sikkim and eventually annexed to British India. Experimentation with growing tea on the slopes below Darjeeling was highly successful.
The widespread deforestation displaced the indigenous peoples. Residential schools were established in and around Darjeeling for the education of children of the domiciled British in India. By the late 19th century, a novel narrow-gauge mountain railway, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was bringing summer residents into the town and carrying a freight of tea out for export to the world. After India’s independence in 1947, as the British left Darjeeling, its cottages were purchased by wealthy Indians from the plains and its tea plantations by out-of-town Indian business owners and conglomerates.
1. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway also referred to as the DHR, and lovingly called the ‘Darjeeling Toy Train’, is a 2 feet narrow gauge train that runs between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling, The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway provides significant transport links between various parts of Darjeeling hills and lower plains and is a piece of sheer engineering inventiveness and vision. How else can a small steam engine pull mini coaches up the steep mountains by overcoming almost unfeasible curves and gradients? This is perhaps why the Darjeeling Toy Train was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 2 December 1999.
2. Tiger Hill
Darjeeling Tiger Hill is most famous for its splendid sights of sunrise from where you can see the peaks of Kanchenjunga illuminate before the sun is seen at lower elevations. The starting time becomes 4.15 AM in winter due to delayed sunrise time. The roads get blocked by a convoy of jeeps and cars during the peak season. To get up to the sunrise spot, it requires a short climb on foot from the parking spot.
3. Batasia Loop
Darjeeling the Batasia Loop is a lush green toy train pathway that is meant to minimize the elevation of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. The unique design of this magnificent attraction allows the track to wrap around itself through a hilltop tunnel. One of the most enchanting aspects of the Batasia Loop is its unmatched natural beauty which is a wonderful sight to behold.
4. Darjeeling Ropeway
Darjeeling is renowned across the world as one of the most picturesque hill stations, where one can witness a myriad of exquisite landscapes, from the glorious snow-capped mountains to the charming valley replete with verdant tea estates. For this reason, the Darjeeling Ropeway finds itself as a prime attraction of Darjeeling, Established in 1968, the Darjeeling Ropeway is India’s first cable car system, set up to cater to the tea gardens in the valleys which did not have easy access. Today, it serves as a coveted tourist hotspot, attracting scores of tourists all year round to experience the beauty of Darjeeling’s scenery in the best way possible.
5. Darjeeling Rock Garden
Darjeeling Rock Garden offers a delightful sight where one has to go through a scenic journey filled with rocky hills and greenery shared by sharp hairpins and extremely steep roads before one reaches the phenomenal sight of Rock Garden which is positioned between the clouds with the soothing sound of Chunnu Summer-fall. the top where visitors can spend a beautiful time and relax after a long and tiring journey.
6. Singalila National Park
The Singalila National Park is the highest national park in West Bengal. Initially, a wildlife sanctuary, the national park encompasses a beautiful, 78.60 sq. km land of virgin rhododendron forests, Singalila is home to the very rare and exotic Red panda and the Himalayan black bear. This amazing Singalila National Park is a haven for all the wildlife residing here as the area is strictly reserved for the protection of biodiversity and activities like developmental forestry,
7. Nightingale Park
The Nightingale Park is a public park area frequented by tourists and locals to relish gorgeous views of the Kanchenjunga ranges. This park was earlier called ‘The Shrubbery’ when it was a private courtyard of Sir Thomas Tartan’s Bungalow, during the British reign. The park was closed for renovation for about four years and has reopened for the public since 2011. There is a giant statue of Lord Shiva, a musical fountain along with the great scenery.
8. Sandakphu Trek
Sandakphu Peak (11,941 Feet) is the highest peak in West Bengal. it is located very close to Singalila National Park. Sandakphu, the highest peak in West Bengal, gives you a spectacular view of four out of the five highest peaks in the world. Sandakphu is also known as the “mountain of poisonous plants” because of the abundance of Himalayan Cobra Lilies here. Since this is an arduous trek, it is advisable to undertake it only after ensuring your complete fitness, The place is a paradise for nature lovers with about 600 varieties of orchids alone.
9. River Rafting in Teesta
White Water Rafting in the River Teesta is one of the most exciting things to do in Darjeeling. A favorite among the adventure junkees, the rafting has a series of rapids ranging from Grade 1 to 4. However, the difficult rapids are only allowed to the professionals or the seasonal trainers as it is risky.
10. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
The Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park is a splendid enclosure in Darjeeling housing a wide variety of animals. The zoo is known internationally for its breeding and conservation programs and also includes an off-display breeding center for snow leopards and red pandas. In addition to these rarer species, the zoo is also enriched with Asiatic black bear, barking deer, leopards, blue and yellow Macaw, Eastern Pangolin, Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Himalayan Wolf, Lady Amherst, Leopard Cat, Macaw, Red Jungle Fowl, Red Panda, Royal Bengal Tiger, Sambar Deer, Temminck’s Tragopan, Yak, and many more. The Darjeeling Zoo was awarded the prestigious honor of “The Earth Heroes” in 2014 out of over 300 zoos worldwide.
11. Tinchuley
Tinchuley is an offbeat hamlet situated close to the West Bengal-Sikkim border. With an altitude of 5550 ft, the name of the place derives from the words ‘tin’ and ‘Chula’, which translates as ‘three ovens’ because the trio of hills constituting the hill station resembles mud ovens. Tinchuley is the dream destination for those who are looking something for spiritual out of their travel. Its gorgeous mountain cape and serene cultivated lands attest to that. So if you’re seeking something of exactly that nature, then you know where to be!
12. Happy Valley Tea Estate
The Happy Valley Tea Estate in Darjeeling is a fine land expanse of about 437 acres, growing some of the finest shrubs of this delightful drink in the world. It is the second oldest tea estate in the tea-rich town of Darjeeling, with its origins being closely connected to the history of cultivating and producing the world-famous Darjeeling Tea. Nature lovers will find it difficult to leave the place even after spending hours due to its elegant beauty surrounded by hundred and acres of Tea Gardens, mesmerizing weather, open clouds and the beautiful Aroma of high-quality tea being produced.
13. Darjeeling Observatory Hill
Observatory Hill is a rising hill situated above Chowrasta Square, around 2 km from the Darjeeling Himalaya railway station, The tourist attraction is mainly visited by adventure seekers who want to enjoy a mesmerizing view of the mountains after trekking along with people having religious beliefs. It can take around 15 minutes for tourists to visit Observatory Hill from Mall Road and on the narrow and steep uphill path, It is recommended for older people to take some rest on side benches while trekking to the tourist attraction as it can be extremely tiring.
14. Trekking in Darjeeling
Makalu and Lhotse, all in a single stretch, Darjeeling offers some of the best trekking routes in the world. Singalila range is one of the most popular trekking routes while Sandakphu & Singalila Trek.
15. Lamahatta Eco Park
The Lamahatta Eco Park was created in 2012. Lamahatta means Monk’s Hermitage and so, this place promises an environment that feels as tranquil as a monk – a measure of balance between nature & man. At an altitude of 5,700 ft., this eco-park has a lot to offer. There are many homestays around the area.
