Indians and hill stations are a perfect combination, isn’t it? People love spending time in the hills rather than be it because they love serenity, the thrill it has on offer, or simply because the weather is amazing. Whatever they be, hill stations are like an integral part of travelers, especially adventurers.
One of the best hill stations in India is- Darjeeling. From the toy train ride to the amazing nightingale park, there are endless places to visit in Darjeeling.
Here is a list of the 12 best places to visit in Darjeeling:
1. Tiger Hill, Darjeeling
Tiger Hill is one of the most popular summits in all of Darjeeling and it offers a mesmerizing view of the surroundings. You can book a cab from the city to reach here and come back. The sunrise and sunset are known to be the best part of the day to visit here.
Apart from enjoying the trekking trails, you can also witness the beauty of Kanchenjunga and Mt. Everest.
2. Darjeeling Ropeway
Do you love the thrill offered by astonishing heights? Or are you a fan of the panoramic view offered by a ropeway? If any of this is your thing, head straight for the Darjeeling Ropeway.
It is a wonderful 8 km ride in a rope car offering an unfathomable view of the surrounding hills and snow-clad mountains in the distance.
3. Sandakphu
Up for a thrilling trek while you visit Darjeeling? Sandakphu trek is the one that will give you chills and might tire you a bit. It is a moderate-level trek that starts from Manebhanjan and ends at the Sandakphu summit.
A lot of adventure junkies take this trek and find it to be one of the most memorable journeys of their life. The highest point on this trek, which is also the summit, is at an astonishing 11,929 ft above sea level.
4. Shrubbery Nightingale Park
Isn’t it true that not all of us want to have a heart-throbbing trip, right? If you are one of those travelers who wish to enjoy some time in peace especially if you are traveling on a honeymoon- then Shrubbery Nightingale Park can be an ideal place for you.
The landscaped gardens, a statue of Lord Shiva, and endless amount of beauty and serenity make this park favorable for everyone.
5. Rock Garden, Darjeeling
Those of you who are traveling to Darjeeling with your family, don’t miss out on the fun offered by Rock Garden. It is an artificial recreational park that opens every day of the week between 10 am to 4 pm for the public.
Indian visitors have to pay 10 INR per person as the entry fee whereas international travelers have to pay 50 INR per person to enter the park. If you want to be at a beautiful and quiet place then Rock Garden is where you should be heading.
6. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute has always been a special place in the heart of Darjeeling. It was in 1954 when one of the legends in the mountaineering world “Tenzing Norgay” used to be the field teacher in this institute.
This iconic place houses a museum that has a lot of amazing sites for travelers to explore.
7. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
Do you remember people talking about toy train rides in Darjeeling? The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the one that they talk about. You can get the ticket to this amazing journey online or at the Darjeeling station.
The train travels from one hill to the other offering amazing views of the surroundings. Make sure not to miss out on the fun offered by this train.
8. Mirik
Mirik is a small, blissful, and beautiful town in the Darjeeling district. There is a soothing spirit in the entire town and people love visiting here for a lot of reasons.
If you are traveling to this quaint admirable city, your eyes are up for treats and the camera has a lot of work to do.
9. Batasia Loop
Batasia Loop is probably one of the best places in Darjeeling. It has a panoramic view of the entire city while offering the snow-capped summit of Kanchenjunga. It is beautifully architectured and created as a masterpiece by Britishers.
So, go ahead and enjoy your ride in the lap of nature, you won’t be disheartened to visit the amazing Batasia Loop.
10. Darjeeling Mall
One of the finest places to visit in Darjeeling is the mall that is called by the name of this hill station. The mall is located approximately 1 km away from Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Station. Darjeeling mall is also known as Chawrasta and because it is located in the heart of the city, a lot of people visit here for multiple reasons.
Some head for shopping, whereas others just to explore the options, and some people just wish to take a few quick bites from the food counters inside. The mall remains open every day in the week between 8 AM and 8 PM.
11. Peace Pagoda, Darjeeling
Peace pagoda in Darjeeling is one of the finest and most beautiful temples. It is one of those places at the hill station where people love to visit and spend some time during their trip.
The timings to visit this temple is between 4:30 AM and 7 PM every day throughout the week. It takes approximately two hours to explore the temple, offer your prayers to the Lord, set in the peaceful and positive aura of the temple. If you want to attend the prayer then the timings for the same are 4:30 to 6 in the morning and 4:30 to 6:30 in the evening.
If you feel hungry while visiting here you can sit at one of the three restaurants that are available around the temple. Kunga Food Cafe, Cafe Coffee Day, and La Casse Cafe are the options.
12. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is another attraction in Darjeeling where a lot of people visit during their trip. This is one of the best places where you can relax with your travel partner or take some time off from the sightseeing trip.
The Zoological Park is open from Friday to Wednesday between 8:30 AM and 4 PM. It remains closed on every Thursday. The park has some special varieties of himalayan species that attracts a lot of people. Siberian tiger, black bears, red panda, and colourful birds are the highlights of the park. The entry fees of the park is just 20 INR.
Conclusion
These are just a handful of places where you can visit during your trip to Darjeeling. All of these are amusing and amazing in their own ways, so take out some time to witness the real beauty of Darjeeling by paying some attention to these places.
