Top Places To See In Darjeeling And Things To Do, From Cable Cars To Toy Trains

One of the most popular tourist attractions, the Peace Pagoda in Darjeeling offers exceptional views. IPeace Pagodas are also called Shanti Stupas and are constructed to promote peace among all communities and foster a sense of harmony. Established by the Japanese Buddhist Monk Nichidatsu Fujii, it serves as a place to escape chaos, meditate in quiet surroundings, and provide a focal point for people searching for inner peace. It is one among the must-visit places in Darjeeling if you are looking to start your trip with some peaceful meditation and reflection. 

Timings: 4 AM to 7 PM with prayers in between 

Entry Fee: Free

Google Rating: 4.6/5

This zoological park is dedicated to the conservation breeding of endangered Himalayan species in India and was awarded the "Royal Bank of Scotland Earth Hero Award" for its efforts towards in situ and ex-situ conservation. The zoo opens only 10 acres of land for visitors to explore, while the rest is dedicated to a conservation breeding centre. It's a fun experience, especially for family outings with children, who will delight in spotting Blue Sheep and Himalayan Tahr.

Timings: 8:30 AM to 4 PM, Thursdays closed. 

Entry Fee: INR 110 for Indian nationals, INR 180 for foreigners, free for kids below the age of 6 years

Google Rating: 4.5/5

You can't visit Darjeeling without touring its tea estates, and the Happy Valley Tea Estate is the second oldest establishment in the region. Covering over 177 hectares, it is situated at a height of 2,100 metres. Here, you can learn all about your favourite beverage, with its complexities and blends. We recommend taking a guided tour of the estate and don't forget to sample some extraordinary blends produced in-house. Their souvenir and tea shop is also great for taking home some wonderful tea blends, which make for wholesome gifts.

Timings: 9 AM to 4:30 PM

Entry Fee: INR 100 for tea leaves plucking. However, the tour is not conducted from November to February as tea plucking does not happen during the winters. 

Google Rating: 4.4/5

Time Required To Explore: 3 to 4 hours. 

Finding viewpoints at a hill station is not uncommon and Darjeeling has an abundance of them. However, the Observatory Hill viewpoint is one among the absolute must-visit places to see in Darjeeling and shouldn't be missed under any circumstances! Located near Chowrasta Square, it offers absolutely mesmerizing views of snow-clad peaks and picturesque Tibetan shrines. It's just a 15-minute trail to reach the viewpoint, where you can also catch a glimpse of Mount Kanchenjunga, along with many flagged shrines and temples along the way.

Timings: 7 AM - 7 PM

Entry Fee: Free

Google Rating: 4.6/5

Time Required To Explore: 2 to 3 hours. 

Popularly known as the Old Ghoom Monastery, Yiga Choeling Monastery belongs to the Gelupka sect and served as a refuge for many high-ranking abbots during the Chinese occupation of 1959. It is mainly famous for the 15 ft statue of Maitreya Buddha and would prove to be a very soothing and peaceful visit, which connotes history and rich heritage.

Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM

Entry Fee: Free, INR 10 for taking photographs inside

Google Rating: 4.5/5

LBB Tip: As it is a place of worship, it is advised to dress modestly. 

Essentially translating to an 'intersection of roads,' Chowrasta is a public square in this Victorian era hill town of Darjeeling. This is one of the best places to see in Darjeeling to better understand its history and the lifestyle of the people of the past. In the past, it served as an assembly area for residents and visitors. Today, it is lined with benches and seating for people to relax, observe life, and enjoy moments of tranquility away from the routine of everyday life. The square is also dotted with many heritage stores, perfect for a little shopping date.

Timings: Open 24 hours

Entry Fee: Free

Google Rating: 4.5/5

Another beautiful monastery that should be on your agenda is Dali Monastery. It has spectacular art and sculptures, including a magnificent Buddha figure, all built in the traditional Tibetan style. This is also the largest in the area – in terms of headcount of resident monks. Currently, it serves as the residence of Drukchen Rimpoche the XII, the supreme head of the Kagyupa sect of Buddhists, and also houses a school on the premises.

Timings: 7 AM to 5 PM

Entry Fee: Free

Google Rating: 4.6/5

Tiger Hill is highly recommended for its stunning sunset views. The place is located a short distance from the town of Darjeeling (12 kilometres to be exact) and is popular for its 'alpenglow,' a phenomenon that makes the mountains appear to glow in a pink or reddish hue just after sunset or before sunrise. We are pretty confident that catching this scene would become the highlight of your trip. Plus, you can also catch a glimpse of Mount Everest from here.

How To Reach: It is located 11 kilometers south of Darjeeling, at an altitude of 2,590 meters and you can take a jeep to the top. 

Timings: 4 AM to 6 PM

Entry Fee: Free

Time Required To Explore: It takes about an hour to reach the hilltop from Darjeeling, and you should plan to arrive between 4–6 AM to see the sunrise. The Chatakpur-Tiger Hill Trek is a 20 km trail that takes about 3–4 hours to complete.

A prominent institute founded by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to commemorate the first successful ascent of Mount Everest, this is not only an iconic place to visit but also perfect for all adventure seekers. You can indulge in rock climbing, learn about the different tools that assist professional climbers in reaching some of the highest peaks, and gain insight into the Everest expedition. If you are interested in a comprehensive mountain climbing course, you can enroll in their month-long programme, covering all the basics.

Timings:  9 AM to 5 PM

Price: Starting at INR 1,997 per day

Google Rating: 4.6/5

LBB Tip: Know more about enrollment details and courses here. 

A ropeway ride is the perfect adventure to experience when in Darjeeling. The Rangeet Passenger Cable Car offers a panoramic view of the valley located around the river Rangeet. It's a 45-minute ride that starts at a 7,000 ft altitude and takes you to the very last station, Singla Bazaar. It is the first cable car ride in India, currently operating up to Tukvar station.

Timings: 10 AM to 4 PM (during winters), 10 AM to 2 PM (during summers)

Price: INR 260 per person (for 5kms round trip), child (3-8 years) is INR 130. For a full gondola to yourself, you should get 6 tickets. 

LBB Tip: You can also get down at Tukvar and explore the nearby tea estates before getting back to Darjeeling via the cable car. 

The Bengal Natural History Museum should be a definite pit-spot for a little zoological and botanical learning. It was established in 1915 and houses vast collections of specimens, including 820 specimens of over 400 species of birds including 110 species of eggs, 35 species of snakes and 57 species of fish. You get to learn about Darjeeling's unique flora and fauna and witness some exceptional specimens. 

Timings: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Thursdays closed. 

Entry Fee: You need to purchase a combined ticket of Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling Zoo and Bengal Natural History Museum to visit this place. The combined ticket price is INR 110 per person (for Indian nationals) and INR 180 for foreign nationals.

Google Rating: 4.4/5

Recognised by UNESCO as the most outstanding example of hill passenger railways, the toy train rides are probably the most recommended experiential activity in Darjeeling. It will be a beautiful ride that is accompanied by the soundtrack of the old, ancient steam engine. The ride covers a distance of 88 km from NJP station to the township of Darjeeling. The toy train usually runs with two of three coaches and takes around 3 hours for one journey. 

Timings: The first train is at 9:45 AM, and the last train is at 4:05 PM.

Price: INR 450 to INR 1420 for different destinations. 

If you are a fan of watersports, then the river-rafting experience on the Teesta shouldn't be missed. Don't worry if you are a beginner or a seasoned rafter; the river has varying rapids and can be easily tailored to your strengths. The period from March to June is perfect for it, and you can combine this activity with a riverside camping experience.

Timings: 8 AM - 3 PM is considered to be the best time.

Price: The average cost for 5kms rafting is Rs. 800 per person while the average cost for 7km course is Rs. 1,200 per person.

Google Rating: 4.4/5

If this itinerary convinced you to visit Darjeeling, then this guide will help you pick a place to stay!