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.
See Also: Best time to visit Darjeeling
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 16 best places to visit in Darjeeling in 2023:
1. Tiger Hill, Darjeeling
| Distance from Darjeeling city | 11 km |
| The altitude of Tiger Hill | 2590 m |
| Best time to visit | April to June |
| How to reach |
|
| Visiting Time | Every day between 4 am and 6 pm |
| The best thing to do here at Tiger Hill | Enjoy the amazing Sunrise View |
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
| Location of the ropeway | Singamari, Darjeeling, West Bengal |
| Timings of the ropeway
(the timings can change without prior information depending on the weather.) |
Wednesday to Saturday- 9:30 am to 4 pm
Sunday and Monday- 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Tuesday- 10 am to 4 pm |
| Is there any waiting period | Usually of 1:30 hours |
| Ticket Cost | For adults- 200 INR/ person
For children (3 years to 8 years)- 100 INR/ person |
| Important Information | Make a note that the ropeway remains closed on 19th of every month for scheduled maintenance. |
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
| Distance from Darjeeling | 83 km (approximately) |
| Days required for the trip | 5 full day (minimum) |
| Location | Indo-Nepal border |
| Highest Altitude | 11,929 ft |
| Level of trek | Light |
| Permit Fee (if any) | For Indians- 100 INR/ person
For Foreigners- 200 INR/ person |
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
| Location | Richmond Hill, Darjeeling, West Bengal |
| Timings | 8 am to 8 pm (Monday to Sunday) |
| Ticket Price | 25 INR per person |
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
| Location | Rock Garden Road Bloomfield Tea Garden, Darjeeling, West Bengal |
| Timings | Monday to Sunday- 10 am to 4 pm |
| Ticket Price | For Indians- 10 INR per person
For International visitors- 50 INR per person |
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 that 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 fee of the park is just 20 INR.
13. Yiga Choeling Monastery
Yiga Choeling Monastery, also known as Ghoom Monastery, is a beautiful Buddhist monastery located in the quaint town of Ghoom, near Darjeeling. The monastery is surrounded by lush green hills and is one of the oldest and largest monasteries in the area. The intricate Tibetan-style architecture, colorful prayer flags fluttering in the breeze, and the peaceful ambiance make it a must-visit place for those seeking spiritual solace and cultural immersion.
14. Happy Valley Tea Estate
Surrounded by lush green hills and stunning panoramic views, the tea estate is famous for producing high-quality Darjeeling tea. Happy Valley Tea Estate is a picturesque tea garden situated in the Darjeeling hill station. The sprawling tea garden spans several acres and offers a tranquil atmosphere where visitors can take a leisurely walk or sit back and enjoy a cup of freshly brewed tea while enjoying the breathtaking scenery. The plantation also offers guided tours to give visitors a glimpse into the tea-making process and the history of the tea estate.
15. Observatory Hill
The Observatory Hill is considered a sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists. At the top of the hill, there is a temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Mahakala, who is believed to be the protector of the town. This temple is also known as the Mahakal Temple or the Senchal Mahakal Temple. Visitors can climb up a flight of steep stairs to reach the temple and offer prayers. It is situated at an altitude of about 2,100 meters above sea level and offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding Himalayan mountains.
16. Mahakal Temple
The Mahakal Temple, also known as the Mahakal Mandir or Senchal Mahakal Temple, is a Hindu temple located on Observatory Hill in Darjeeling. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Lord Shiva and is considered one of the most important religious sites in Darjeeling.
The temple is situated at an altitude of around 8000 feet above sea level and offers stunning views of the surrounding Himalayan mountains. Visitors can reach the temple by climbing a flight of steep stairs that wind up the hill. The climb can be challenging, but it is worth it for the breathtaking views and the peaceful atmosphere at the temple.
Conclusion
These are just a handful of places that 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.
See Also: Places to visit in Sikkim | Places to visit in Gangtok
Places to visit in Kalimpong | Places to visit in Darjeeling for couples
