Darjeeling, the biggest attraction of West Bengal is popularly known as “The Queen Of Hills“. Darjeeling is world famous for Darjeeling Tea; not only that since the last decade or so Darjeeling is gaining popularity as a world class tourist spot. It is a small city in the northern region of West Bengal; in the lap of the great Himalayas; one of the major attraction for people from all over the world. However, if you have not yet been to Darjeeling it is obvious that you have not enjoyed lash green beauty of the Himalayas. Let’s take a quick look at some popular visiting Places in Darjeeling
1. Darjeeling Himalayan Railways (Darjeeling Toy Train)
2. Trekking (Darjeeling-Sandakphu Range)
3. Forests and Animals
4. Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway
5. Tiger Hill
6. Tea Gardens
7. Monasteries around Darjeeling
Darjeeling Himalayan Railways (DHR):
It is an outstanding example of hill passenger railway and the oldest among the all. It has been a world heritage. The famous Darjeeling toy train covers a distance of 82 km. from Siliguri to Darjeeling in almost 7 hours of time yet it is the major attraction of Darjeeling. The trains on its way to Darjeeling passes lash green fields, water streams, valleys, tunnels and hills. Soothing, scenic beauty refreshes a tired soul just in a moment. Seven hours of breathtaking journey is a lifetime achievement and you fall in love with this heritage train the very moment you get down from the train in Darjeeling.
Trekking in Darjeeling:
One of the famous and exciting trekking routes in Darjeeling is the Darjeeling-Sandakphu trek. The trek passes through deep valleys and high ridges all along the way. So be physically prepared before deciding to go for this trip. It is advisable if you have mountain sickness avoid this trek as much as possible. The climate changes every moment during the trek. You may carry your own sleeping bags and other required materials along with you; otherwise you may hire things from Gorkha Hill Council. The best time for you to be in Darjeeling is during the summer (March-April) or in the advent of winter (October-November). During this time the climate is awesome with excellent visibility level.
Phalut is the view point of the Himalayas; you may proceed further to Sandakphu or back trek to Darjeeling. During your return to Darjeeling you may also avail bus service from Rimbik. Before you decide to enjoy trekking in Darjeeling be careful as you will hardly get water and food on your way. Always carry necessary materials especially water with you.
Forest and Animals:
There is no such named forest in Darjeeling but you will see large range of Himalayan plants everywhere, starting from orchids to sun flower. To enjoy wild life in Darjeeling you have to travel to Pashupati in the Nepal border. You can visit the Jaldapara Game Park seating on an elephant and on your way you will see one-horned rhino, deer, gaur and boar.
Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway:
It was the first Indian passenger ropeway. It is not far away from the center of the madding crowd of Darjeeling. You may avail taxi to reach the place very quickly.
Tiger Hill:
Tiger Hill is situated at an altitude of 8482 m. from sea level and is worldwide popular for sun rise over “Kanchanjunga“, the highest pick of the Himalayas in this region. You may also have a glimpse at the great “Mount Everest” from here. The place is only 13 kilometers from the main stream.
Tea Gardens:
Before coming to Darjeeling you must have heard about Darjeeling tea at some stage; world famous tea estates are waiting for you in Darjeeling and welcome you in their own way. Lash green tea estates are real treat to watch.
Monasteries around Darjeeling:
There are more than a 10 monasteries in Darjeeling and some of them are pretty old. Ghoom Monasteries is the oldest among the lot and was established in the year 1850. Other Monasteries are Bhutia Basti Monastery, Dali Monastery, Yiga Choeling Monastery.
Darjeeling Himalayan Zoological Park:
This Zoological Park in Darjeeling is very close to Darjeeling Mountaineering Institute. The actual name of this park is Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park. Major attractions of this park are white leopard and red panda. There are several other rare Himalayan species are nurtured in this park. The park is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. except Thursday.
Ghoom:
This is basically a railway station and very close to Darjeeling; only 2 kilometer away. While coming to Darjeeling it is worth mentioning to visit Ghoom, the highest railway station in the world. There is also a Monastery in Ghoom.
Senchal Lake:
Before coming to this point you may already have started thinking that there is no popular lake in Darjeeling; but Senchel Lake is there right in the lap of the Himalayas. This lake supplies water to entire Darjeeling city. Nice place to set up a tent for picnic. Distance from the mainstream is just around 10 kilometers.
How to Reach Darjeeling?
Kolkata is the nearest International Airport apart from Bagdogra which is an Intra National Airport and flights from some specific parts of India land in this airport. However, Kolkata is the largest city in East India and almost every international city is connected with Kolkata through airways. From Kolkata trains available to Siliguri or New Jalpaiguri from where DHR or Heritage Train or Toy Train is available which will take you to Darjeeling. You may also reach Darjeeling from Kolkata through roadways. North Bengal State Transport Corporation bus leaves Kolkata almost in every hour. You will reach Siliguri quite easily. From Siliguri you may hire private cars or avail buses to reach Darjeeling.
West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.
Hemanta Bhawan, 4th Floor,12 B.B.D.Bag(East)
Kolkata – 700 001
Phone: 033-4401-2086/4401-2082
Fax: 033-2248 8290
E-mail : wbtdc@vsnl.com, visitwestbengal@yahoo.co.in
Tourism Department
Government of West Bengal
2, Brabourne Road, Kolkata – 700 001
Phone : 033-2225 4723/4724/4725;2225 4565
E-Mail :dtwbtour@vsnl.net
Tourism Centre (Kolkata)
(For reservation & detailed information)
3/2, B.B.D. Bag (East), Kolkata – 700 001
Phone : 033-4401-2659/2660/2661/2662/2665/2243-7260
Fax: 033-2248 5168
E-mail : vistwestbengal@yahoo.co.in
4. Tourism Centre (Siliguri)
M-4 Building, Hill Cart Road, Siliguri
District-Darjeeling, West Bengal,India
Phone: 0353-2511974/2511979;9733008785
Telefax: 91-353-2517561
Tourist Information Centre (Govt. Of W.B.)
1, Nehru Road, Darjeeling -734191,West Bengal,India
Phone: +91-582-231527
West Bengal Tourism Office
State Emporia Building (1st Floor)
Baba Kharak Singh Marg
New Delhi -110001, India
Phone: +91-11-2374 2840
West Bengal Information Bureau
West Bengal Youth Hostel
18, Wallajah Road, Chennai, India
Phone : +91-44-2853 2346
1. Darjeeling Himalayan Railways (Darjeeling Toy Train)
2. Trekking (Darjeeling-Sandakphu Range)
3. Forests and Animals
4. Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway
5. Tiger Hill
6. Tea Gardens
7. Monasteries around Darjeeling
Darjeeling Himalayan Railways (DHR):
It is an outstanding example of hill passenger railway and the oldest among the all. It has been a world heritage. The famous Darjeeling toy train covers a distance of 82 km. from Siliguri to Darjeeling in almost 7 hours of time yet it is the major attraction of Darjeeling. The trains on its way to Darjeeling passes lash green fields, water streams, valleys, tunnels and hills. Soothing, scenic beauty refreshes a tired soul just in a moment. Seven hours of breathtaking journey is a lifetime achievement and you fall in love with this heritage train the very moment you get down from the train in Darjeeling.
Trekking in Darjeeling:
One of the famous and exciting trekking routes in Darjeeling is the Darjeeling-Sandakphu trek. The trek passes through deep valleys and high ridges all along the way. So be physically prepared before deciding to go for this trip. It is advisable if you have mountain sickness avoid this trek as much as possible. The climate changes every moment during the trek. You may carry your own sleeping bags and other required materials along with you; otherwise you may hire things from Gorkha Hill Council. The best time for you to be in Darjeeling is during the summer (March-April) or in the advent of winter (October-November). During this time the climate is awesome with excellent visibility level.
Phalut is the view point of the Himalayas; you may proceed further to Sandakphu or back trek to Darjeeling. During your return to Darjeeling you may also avail bus service from Rimbik. Before you decide to enjoy trekking in Darjeeling be careful as you will hardly get water and food on your way. Always carry necessary materials especially water with you.
Forest and Animals:
There is no such named forest in Darjeeling but you will see large range of Himalayan plants everywhere, starting from orchids to sun flower. To enjoy wild life in Darjeeling you have to travel to Pashupati in the Nepal border. You can visit the Jaldapara Game Park seating on an elephant and on your way you will see one-horned rhino, deer, gaur and boar.
Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway:
It was the first Indian passenger ropeway. It is not far away from the center of the madding crowd of Darjeeling. You may avail taxi to reach the place very quickly.
Tiger Hill:
Tiger Hill is situated at an altitude of 8482 m. from sea level and is worldwide popular for sun rise over “Kanchanjunga“, the highest pick of the Himalayas in this region. You may also have a glimpse at the great “Mount Everest” from here. The place is only 13 kilometers from the main stream.
Tea Gardens:
Before coming to Darjeeling you must have heard about Darjeeling tea at some stage; world famous tea estates are waiting for you in Darjeeling and welcome you in their own way. Lash green tea estates are real treat to watch.
Monasteries around Darjeeling:
There are more than a 10 monasteries in Darjeeling and some of them are pretty old. Ghoom Monasteries is the oldest among the lot and was established in the year 1850. Other Monasteries are Bhutia Basti Monastery, Dali Monastery, Yiga Choeling Monastery.
Other visiting places in Darjeeling:
Darjeeling Himalayan Zoological Park:
This Zoological Park in Darjeeling is very close to Darjeeling Mountaineering Institute. The actual name of this park is Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park. Major attractions of this park are white leopard and red panda. There are several other rare Himalayan species are nurtured in this park. The park is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. except Thursday.
Ghoom:
This is basically a railway station and very close to Darjeeling; only 2 kilometer away. While coming to Darjeeling it is worth mentioning to visit Ghoom, the highest railway station in the world. There is also a Monastery in Ghoom.
Senchal Lake:
Before coming to this point you may already have started thinking that there is no popular lake in Darjeeling; but Senchel Lake is there right in the lap of the Himalayas. This lake supplies water to entire Darjeeling city. Nice place to set up a tent for picnic. Distance from the mainstream is just around 10 kilometers.
How to Reach Darjeeling?
Kolkata is the nearest International Airport apart from Bagdogra which is an Intra National Airport and flights from some specific parts of India land in this airport. However, Kolkata is the largest city in East India and almost every international city is connected with Kolkata through airways. From Kolkata trains available to Siliguri or New Jalpaiguri from where DHR or Heritage Train or Toy Train is available which will take you to Darjeeling. You may also reach Darjeeling from Kolkata through roadways. North Bengal State Transport Corporation bus leaves Kolkata almost in every hour. You will reach Siliguri quite easily. From Siliguri you may hire private cars or avail buses to reach Darjeeling.
Important Contacts in Darjeeling and West Bengal required for this trip:
West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.
Hemanta Bhawan, 4th Floor,12 B.B.D.Bag(East)
Kolkata – 700 001
Phone: 033-4401-2086/4401-2082
Fax: 033-2248 8290
E-mail : wbtdc@vsnl.com, visitwestbengal@yahoo.co.in
Tourism Department
Government of West Bengal
2, Brabourne Road, Kolkata – 700 001
Phone : 033-2225 4723/4724/4725;2225 4565
E-Mail :dtwbtour@vsnl.net
Tourism Centre (Kolkata)
(For reservation & detailed information)
3/2, B.B.D. Bag (East), Kolkata – 700 001
Phone : 033-4401-2659/2660/2661/2662/2665/2243-7260
Fax: 033-2248 5168
E-mail : vistwestbengal@yahoo.co.in
4. Tourism Centre (Siliguri)
M-4 Building, Hill Cart Road, Siliguri
District-Darjeeling, West Bengal,India
Phone: 0353-2511974/2511979;9733008785
Telefax: 91-353-2517561
Tourist Information Centre (Govt. Of W.B.)
1, Nehru Road, Darjeeling -734191,West Bengal,India
Phone: +91-582-231527
West Bengal Tourism Office
State Emporia Building (1st Floor)
Baba Kharak Singh Marg
New Delhi -110001, India
Phone: +91-11-2374 2840
West Bengal Information Bureau
West Bengal Youth Hostel
18, Wallajah Road, Chennai, India
Phone : +91-44-2853 2346
This blog provides great information about Travel Guide…. It will help Travelers to find best tourist places.
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