Location :
West Bengal
Tourist Attractions : Batasia Loop, Bhutia Busty Gompa,
Chowrasta
Local Tongue : English, Nepali, Hindi, Tibetan, Bengali
STD Code : (91) - 354
Best time to Visit : March - May & September -
November
About Darjeeling
There's more to Darjeeling than just velvet green hills and plush tea
plantations. Located in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, Darjeeling
is known for its abundant natural beauty and its closeness to the Himalayan
massifs. Though the Toy Train happens to be the biggest attraction for
travellers visiting here, there are a number of other things that need to be
explored. After you have done with the tea plantation tours, you can spend
some good quality time with the Gorkhas, the locals in Darjeeling. Interact
with them, watch their lifestyle and finally sit with them to listen to the
heart-touching Gorkhali songs. Besides, you can also plan to enjoy some
wonderful treks where you will actually come in close contact with nature
that reigns here supreme.
Climate & Best time to Visit
The climate of Darjeeling remains pleasant round the year except for a few
months during monsoons. Summer season witnesses temperatures hovering
between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius while winters can be cold with
temperatures dropping down to as low as 2 degrees. Monsoon season arrives
during May end and the city is deluged by heavy rainfalls. The best time to
visit Darjeeling are the months from March to May and September to November.
Major Tourist Attractions in Darjeeling
The hill station of Darjeeling offers not many but interesting and exciting
tourist attractions, the Toy Train being the biggest crowd-puller. Other
famous tourist attractions in Darjeeling to be visited are as follows.
Batasia Loop
Situated just 5 km from the main Darjeeling city, Batasia is a tiny town of
immense natural beauty. The place houses a market which sells locally made
goods such as leather purses, handbags, handicrafts items etc. The loop is
where the toy train of Darjeeling takes a sharp turn.
Bhutia Busty Gompa
Darjeeling is known for its exotic Gompas, especially the Bhutia Busty Gompa
which stands proudly against the backdrop of the mighty Kanchenjunga
mountains. The ancient monastery is situated just a short distance from the
chowrasta and houses a number of rare Tibetan manuscripts. The Dhoom gompa
is another tastefully decorated piece of architecture.
Chowrasta
Chowrasta is the major shopping promenade and the hub of most of the
activity in Darjeeling. Consisting of a number of shops, the chowrasta
occupies the same place of importance for the tourists as the Mall road in
Shimla and Mussoorie. The panoramic views of the snow laden mountains and
some ancient Hindu and Buddhist temples are other attractions of the place.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
If you want a crash course in mountain climbing or just looking to polish
your skills before taking on the rocks, then the Himalayan Mountaineering
Institute is the place you need to head to. Started by the famous Sherpa
Tenzing Norgay, the place also houses a collection of mountaineering
equipment on display.
Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway
The cable car connects the Singla Bazaar with the North Point, situated at
an altitude of 7000 feet. The gondolas slowly move up the 8 km ascent
offering a breathtaking view of the surroundings, in process. You may have
to wait for hours to experience the 45-minute ride, yet the wait is worth
it, considering the priceless views on offer.
Ride the Toy Train in Darjeeling
The 83 km memorable journey on board the Darjeeling Toy Train is probably
one thing you would not want to miss on your Darjeeling vacation. The
beautiful train takes the tourists from Siliguri to Darjeeling as it passes
amongst sites of breathtaking natural beauty, lush greenery and tiny
hamlets. The engineering system of the train makes use of a special lopped
and switch back mechanism to encounter the steep uphill climb.
Popular Shopping Centres in Darjeeling
The chowrasta is the major shopping promenade lined with numerous small and
big shops which sell everything from local specialties to international
brands. Some of the must buys include the locally made Tibetan paintings
known as thangka, traditional masks, Nepali khukri, wooden statues, brass
objects and woolen clothing. Fresh tea can be purchased from one of the many
factory retail shops.
Darjeeling Travel (Airport/Railway/Road) Information
By Air : Bagdogra, situated at a distance of 94 km from
Darjeeling is the nearest airport. The three and a half hour road journey
from there can be covered via local buses or hired taxis, which are easily
available for Rs. 800 to 1000.
By Rail : The nearest broad gauge railhead is New
Jalpaiguri, situated at a distance of 81 km from Darjeeling. New Jalpaiguri
is connected with Darjeeling through the famous toy train. Besides, taxis
and buses can also be hired to access the city from there. Daily trains
between Delhi and New Jalpaiguri are the North East Exp., Brahmaputra Mail,
Mahananda Exp. and Avadh Assam Exp.
By Road : Darjeeling is well connected to other
neighbouring places through well built roads. State transport and private
operators run regular buses between Darjeeling and other major neighbouring
cities including Calcutta.
Distance from Darjeeling to Major Cities
- Siliguri : 77 Km
- Gangtok : 120 Km
- Guwahati : 590 Km
- Calcutta : 500 Km
- Kathmandu : 677 Km
