The Batasia Loop, with its incredible beauty, could make any tourist fall in love with it. It is a magnificent engineering marvel located between Darjeeling and Ghoom. In this region, tourists will be spellbound when they see the majestic snow-capped Eastern Himalayan MountainZone, including Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world. Sightseeing at the valleys on a toy train with friends and families will only add fun to your vacation time. The view of the natural scenery and serenity that the Batasia Loop offers visitors can be seen as a stress reliever. Batasia Loop is an ideal tourist attraction site for anyone who wishes to make his holiday splendid.
History Of Batasia Loop
Image Credit: Shuvankar Sarkar for Wikipedia Commons
Batasia Loop is one of the major tourist points of interest in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. The Darjeeling Himalayan railway was being built to link the plain of Siliguri by train to the hill station at Darjeeling, a favourite holiday destination of the British during colonial rule. In 1999, the engineers constructed a new railway track, unique in its spiral design, known as Batasia Loop, to reduce the steep gradient of the track for better stability and easy running of the train.
As with many places, there is a memorial to commemorate the Gurkha soldiers who fought and died after the independence of India in 1947. Thus, the tourists visiting here can pay their respect to the Gurkha soldiers. The name, ‘Batasia’, indicates the meaning of airy space. The place was officially inaugurated to the public in 1995. At a higher platform, there is a monument and a soldier statue indicating there are people who perished in the undertaking. This loop is renowned for its tourist attractions and beautiful and well-cultivated gardens, which are ideal for travellers and photographers.
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Batasia Loop Darjeeling: Best Time To Visit, Timings & Entry Fee
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The best time to visit Batasia-loop is during the spring and autumn seasons, from March to May and September to November. During these months, the temperature ranges from 10°C to 20°C, providing comfortable conditions for sightseeing. Between 5 AM and 10 AM is ideal for visitors to witness the sunrise and capture stunning shots for photographers.
Thus, the Batasia Loop is available for tourists every day from 6 in the morning to 5 in the evening and on Sundays. There is a small entrance fee of INR 15 per head to reach this place, but those who bought the ticket for the toy train do not have to pay this entry fee again. The toy train stops for about 10 to 15 minutes at Batasia Loop so that passengers can have a beautiful time and feel the calmness of the loop.
Batasia Loop Darjeeling: Nearby Attractions To Explore
The area is surrounded by attractions showcasing Darjeeling’s cultural heritage and natural wonders. From tranquil lakes and historic monasteries to adventurous valleys, there’s no shortage of experiences waiting to be discovered, just a stone’s throw away from this iconic landmark.
1. Tso Lhamo Lake
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Regarded as India’s highest lake, this picturesque marvel is perched at 17500 feet above sea level. Although being an offbeat site near the Sino-Tibetan border, Tso Lhamo Lake draws ample visitors all around the year. The pastel colour combination of its waters set against sprawling mountain views makes the lake attractive. Soak in the serene ambience and feel the embrace of nature when you are at this enchanting lake. If you are a nature enthusiast or an avid photographer, this place is heaven that cannot be missed.
Timings: Anytime
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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2. Kanchenjunga Waterfall
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Located 10 km from Yuksom and 24 km from Pelling, Kanchenjunga Waterfalls is known for its splendid beauty and the misty ambience created by the water falling approximately 100 feet. Originating from the glaciers of Mount Kanchenjunga, this pristine lake is nothing short of a natural masterpiece. Visitors need to climb around 50 steps from the base to catch sight of this waterfall. You can try rope sliding for an extra dose of adrenaline and thrill.
Timings: 8 AM to 5 PM
Entry Fee: INR 10 for children and INR 20 for adults
3. Mirik Lake
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Sumendu Lake, known as Mirik Lake, is a calm yet captivating place surrounded by lush greenery. This man-made wonder is ideal for weekend picnics and a paradise for bird watchers. Boating is one of the most common activities here. If you simply wish to stroll with your loved ones, 80-foot bridges are running over the lake. The colourful floating gardens around the lake, the cool mountain breeze, and the panoramic views make it look more like a fantasy dreamland.
Timings: 7 AM to 7 PM
Entry Fee: None
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4. Yumthang Valley
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This splendid piece of heaven is on every traveller’s bucket list, intending to visit North Sikkim. Locally referred to as the Valley of Flowers, this beauty provides picturesque views of majestic peaks, namely Pauhunri and Shundu Tsenpa. This is a perfect ground if you wish to get away from the ordinary day and soothe your eyes with the beauty of an infinite number of flowers of various colours and hues. It is recommended that a visit be planned for March as the flowers will fully bloom during this time, and the weather will be warm but not hot.
Timings: Open 24 hours
Entry Fee: None
5. Ralang Monastery
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Ralang Monastery is one of the significant monasteries in the Ralang Valley of Sikkim, famous for its architectural beauty and serenity. It is a principal seat of the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism that was inaugurated in 1995 by its head, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa. The colourful paintings, beautiful carvings and the large prayer hall have a divine feel and presence in the monastery. In addition to its capacity as a monastery and a home to monks, it is also a religious shrine for devotees. The environment of the places surrounding the monastery is natural and calm, which adds to the purpose of meditation and spiritualism.
Timings: 8 AM to 5 PM
Entry Fee: None
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Batasia Loop Location And How To Reach
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Batasia Loop is a magnificent tourist attraction on Hill Cart Road, National Highway 55. A taxi ride from Darjeeling town takes 20 minutes.
By Train: The nearest Rail Line to Batasia Loop is the Ghoom Railway Station. One can hire a taxi from the station or use any other means available in the locality to get to Batasia Loop.
By Air: Thus, the nearest airport is Bagdogra, which is 90 km away from Darjeeling via NH-110 and has connecting flights to Kolkata, Delhi, and Guwahati.
By Taxi: One can easily hire a taxi from Darjeeling to Batasia-loop to get there. This is only 5 km from the town centre, and the journey would take 15 to 20 minutes by car.
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Batasia Loop is one of the most popular and attractive places for tourists regarding peace. People can ride toy trains and look at the beauty of Mount Kanchenjunga while spending leisure time with their family and friends. This is a very popular place in Darjeeling, and it is famous among travellers as a place where they can taste the local cuisine and chat with people. So, pack your bags now and plan a trip to Darjeeling today to explore Batasia Loop and make your vacation extraordinary.
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Cover Image Credit : Vikramjit Kakati for Wikimedia
Frequently Asked Questions About Batasia Loop
Can people take photos in Batasia Loop Darjeeling?
Yes, actually Batasia loop is counted among the best places for clicking wonderful photos. However, one should always look for any special restrictions as to what can and what cannot be photographed.
Is there any etiquette when it comes to visiting Batasia Loop?
Yes, the visitors must avoid trampling the gardens and avoiding disrespecting the War Memorial. Also, refrain from going off the track and this includes straying into prohibited areas.
Can we go there with the kids?
Indeed, Batasia Loop is a family-oriented tourist spot and children will particularly enjoy the toy trains.
Any recommendations as to the peculiar kind of snacks that are marketed in the particular area?
While you are there you get to taste traditional Darjeeling tea, momos and other delicacies with wonderful scenery to accompany them.
How many hours is sufficient to visit Batasia Loop Darjeeling and the nearby attractions?
The time that you can spare for this place should range between 1 to 2 hours. However, if you intended to go out to the nearby attractions and sites a lot more hours would be needed.
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With a passion for exploring and travelling to the roads long forgotten, experience the world through enthralling stories and adventures. Join me as I share my experiences at some of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and quench that pestering curiosity with something exciting!
