Darjeeling Budget Packages

Best Places To Visit In Darjeeling

1. Tiger Hill

What’s Special: Panoramic views of Kanchenjunga peaks

Timings: Anytime; October to mid January

Distance From The City Center: 19.9 km

Transportation Options: Taxi, Car

The sunrise view from Tiger Hill is an experience that is worth the early drive. This scenic lookout point is 11 km from Darjeeling and usually, travelers are picked up as early as 3:30 am to reach the lookout point on time to witness the magical sunrise. Tiger Hill is not just about the sunrise but it is magnificent any time of the day. The view of the majestic snow-covered peaks does not diminish at any time of the day.

2. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park

What’s Special: The largest high altitude zoo in India

Timings: 08:30 AM to 04:00 PM

Built-In: 1958

Distance From The City Center: 2.3 km

Transportation Options: Taxi, Car

This zoological park is home to many of the endangered Himalayan species, namely the Tibetan wolves, Red Panda, Himalayan Black Bears, Clouded Leopard, and many other species. The landscape of the zoo is done in a way to imitate the natural habitat of these animals and a visit here is definitely time well-spent.

3. Tenzing Rock

What’s Special: A gigantic rock named after Tenzing Norgay

Timings: 08:00 AM to 05:00 PM

Distance From The City Center: 3.9 km

Transportation Options: Taxi, Car

The Rock has the name of Tenzing Norgay inscribed on it, and is easily spotted during a visit. Although it is one of the most popular places for mountaineers and adventure lovers, it is also often visited by regular tourists. Especially flocked by mountain climbers for some thrill and adventure, Tenzing Rock has strict opening and closing hours along with an entrance fee. For professional climbers, Tenzing Rock can be easily reached upto a height of 500 metres.

4.Tibetan Refugee Center

What’s Special: Residence for several Tibetan refugees

Timings: 09:00 AM to 07:30 PM

Built-In: 1959

Distance From The City Center: 3.2 km

Transportation Options: Taxi; Car

The history of Tibetan Refugee Center dates back to 1959 when it started off with just 4 refugees. At present, there are a total of 650 refugees in this center. It is recommended that you do visit this place on your trip to Darjeeling. Here, one can also shop for hand-crafted items.

5. Nightingale Park

What’s Special: Ambiance

Timings: 08:00 AM to 05:00 PM

Built-In: Re-opened for public in 2011

Distance From The City Center: 1.7 km

Transportation Options: Taxi, Car

Nightingale Park is also known as The Shrubbery. It initially was a private courtyard. It is a great place to visit during leisure time and simply relax and soak in the scenic vistas. The park is oval shaped and has beautiful pathways, thus making it apt for morning and evening walks. This public park is a hotspot for locals as well as travelers. At various times, the place also serves as an event venue for many cultural programs.

Things To Do In Darjeeling

1. An Exhilarating ride on the Darjeeling Ropeway

The Ropeway gives a panoramic view of this magnificent valley and the River Rangeet and it is one of the best ropeway experiences in the country. It sure is the best thing to try in Darjeeling. Be it a traveler of any age and interest, this is a highly recommended activity. The timings for this activity are from 09:30 AM to 04:00 PM.

2. Enjoy a Trek to the Darjeeling Observatory Hill and Mahakal Temple

This beautiful hill station has many lookout points that give an enthralling view of the North Eastern Himalayas. The Darjeeling Observatory Hill is one such place but that which can be easily combined with an equally exhilarating trek up the hill. The Mahakal Temple is just a little further ahead. Sitting in the midst of the fluttering prayer flags as the bells of the Temples resounds in the valley is a whole different experience.

3. Enjoy an Evening of Lounging in Chowrasta

Take a stroll past the many quaint shops and brightly lit eating joints or enjoy a pony ride here. Or just spend a lazy evening observing locals and tourists moving about and the magnificent views of the mountains and valleys. If you wish to surround yourself with the aura of numerous activities then this is the place to be. Chowrasta is a hotspot for leisure time and fun evening activities.

4. Food Tour

One of the things that lure many people to Darjeeling apart from the scenic vistas include the lip-smacking food. Cuisine in Darjeeling brings out the blend in the flavors of Tibetean and Chinese cuisine. Some of the dishes that one can try on one’s trip to Darjeeling include thukpa, gundruk, sekuwa, keema, phambi, sha phaley, niguru with churpi, momo, sinki soup, etc. A food tour is one of the most recommended things to do in Darjeeling for all travelers and it sure is a bliss for food lovers.

5. Visit Japanese Temple and Peace Pagoda

If meditation is one your mind, then you won’t find a place as tranquil and peaceful as the Japanese Temple and the Peace Pagoda in Darjeeling. These attractions welcome everyone, whatever be your religion. Both places undergo chanting ceremonies and have prayer timings. It is recommended that one visits these places during sunrise to soak in the spiritual vibe that overflows at that particular time.

Best Time to Visit Darjeeling

One can vacation at this beautiful destination during any time of the year really. One can easily book Darjeeling cheap tour packages throughout the year as the weather is pleasant. If you are planning to visit during the peak months make sure to book in advance as it would be really inconvenient to do all the things at the last minute. The months from April to June are perfect if one is looking for respite from the heat in the plains. This is usually the peak season in Darjeeling and it is one of the best times to enjoy its lush greenery. October rings at the beginning of Autumn and the weather is just perfect with the monsoons over and the scenery at its best. From October to March, the weather is cool and ranges between 6 to 3 degrees Celsius.

How to Reach Darjeeling

Darjeeling is not directly connected by train or air from other major cities in the country. The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP)/Siliguri and the nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport. However, buses and cabs ply regularly to Darjeeling from NJP. Shared cabs are also available which brings down the travel cost to almost half if traveling on a budget. Darjeeling has a great network of roads, which connects it to major cities in India. On Darjeeling cheapest trip packages, choose the mode of transportation that best suits your needs and requirements.