Darjeeling

Darjeeling situated at an altitude of 2042m is a small hill station with incredible views of the snowy peaks of Mt. Kanchenjunga overlooking the town. Darjeeling with its undulating hills covered with tea plantation is one of the producer of the best quality of tea in the world. Initially Darjeeling belonged to the Chogyal of Sikkim until 1780 and was annexed by the Gurkhas and later the British East India company restored it to Sikkim in 1816. In 1835, it was leased to the British, eventually the British established tea plantation, colonial buildings and the Darjeeling railway in 1881. The temperate climate of Darjeeling led to the development of Darjeeling as a cool retreat for British officers to escape the heat of the plains and thus a sanatorium and a health resort was established. Today it is a semi autonomous state under the state of West Bengal called the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council. Darjeeling has several renowned educational institutes that attract students from all over India and the neighboring countries as well. There are much to see and do in Darjeeling, visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Intstitute and the nearby Zoological park, experience a ride on the famous UNESCO World Heritage toy train, and visit the nearby Tiger hill for spectacular views of the Himalaya at sunrise. There are several parks and gardens of which Lloyd’s Botanical Garden is quite popular. There is the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre, a rehabilitation centre for the Tibetan refugees in the Darjeeling, established in the year 1959. Besides there are several interesting Buddhist monasteries and temples to visit.

Places in and around Darjeeling

Groups always run in this order. Inside each group, the must-see picks come first; hikes and places to stay follow the order Windhorse recommends.

Sights and attractions in Darjeeling

Sight

Batasia Loop

The Batasia loop is situated about 5 kms away from Darjeeling town. It is a gigantic railway loop where the Toy Train makes a 360 Degree turn.
Sight

Chowrasta

Chowrasta is a wide promenade located on top of Nehru road in the heart of the town.
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Darjeeling Train

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway(DHR), aptly referred as the "Toy Train", is a 2 ft (610 mm) narrow-gauge.
Sight

Darjeeling Zoo

Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, commonly known as Darjeeling Zoo is also located within the premises of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.
Sight

Druk Thupten Sangag Choling Monastery (Dali Monastery)

Druk Thupten Sangak Choling monastery popularly known as Dali monastery is located at Dali about 4 kms away from Darjeeling town.
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Ghoom Monastery

Yiga Choeling monastery popularly known as Ghoom monastery is located at Ghoom and was built in 1850 by Lama Sherab Gyatso, this ancient monastery is said to have…
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Happy Valley Tea Estate

Happy valley tea estate is the second oldest tea estate in Darjeeling.
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Llyods botanical garden

Named after William Lloyd, the owner of Lloyd,s Bank during the British Era.
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The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was set up following to the successful ascent of Mt. Everest by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa along with Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953.
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The Japanese Peace Pagoda

The Japanese Peace Pagoda situated on the slopes of the Jalapahar hill was built under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii, a Buddhist monk from Japan, the founder of…
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Tibetan refugee self help center

Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center is a rehabilitation center for the Tibetan refugees in Darjeeling.
Sight

Tiger Hill

Tiger hill situated at an altitude of 2590 meters is the highest point in Darjeeling hills.

Trips that visit Darjeeling

Bhutan Festival & Sikkim TourDay 04-05: In Darjeeling 17 days
Darjeeling Sikkim Bhutan TourDay 1: Arrive in Bagdogra – Darjeeling 12 days