Tea plantations, tall silver fir trees, majestic views of snow-capped Himalayas – all of these things make Darjeeling the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’. Backpacking Darjeeling is one of the best ways to explore this hill station nestled in the Himalayas. Today, Darjeeling is well known for its six T’s -Tea, Teak, Tourism, Toy Train, Tiger Hill and Trekkers’ paradise. Here’s a travel guide to Darjeeling in order to fully experience the beauty of this hill paradise:

How to reach Darjeeling?

• By Air: Darjeeling’s nearest airport is Bagdogra, which is around 95 kilometres away. The journey from Bagdogra Airport to Darjeeling town takes roughly three hours.

• By Road: There are both, luxury and ordinary buses, that run between Darjeeling and Kolkata and Siliguri. Taxis for hire are also readily accessible, albeit on the more expensive side

• By Train: Darjeeling’s nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri. To get to Darjeeling, you can travel by road or ride the toy railway, which is 88 kilometres away. The toy train takes a little more than seven hours to get to Darjeeling. 

Darjeeling’s Hottest Trekking Spots

1. Tiger Hill

Get to Tiger Hill early in the morning to experience one of the most spectacular sunrises while Backpacking Darjeeling. Watch the horizon turn crimson as the sun’s rays fall on the spectacular Mount Kangchenjunga peak from a vantage point atop the Tiger Hill summit at 2,600 metres. It’s quite a sight to behold and a great trekking point and campsite for adventure seekers.

2. Ride the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway for a fun ride:

Take a ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, sometimes known as the ‘toy train,’ which runs between Darjeeling and Siliguri and covers a 78-kilometre track with 13 stations. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which dates back to 1881, was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. The scenic grandeur of the journey’s hilly terrain is amazing making it one of the best thrills to experience while backpacking Darjeeling.

3. Tea Plantation:

Make the most of your time in tea country by visiting a tea mill. Darjeeling tea is known as the ‘champagne of teas,’ and with good reason. Visit one of Darjeeling’s many tea estates, such as Glenburn, Makabari, or Happy Valley, to learn about the tea-growing and plucking process and sample some of the region’s best brews.

4. The Peace Pagoda in Darjeeling

Also known as the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple, is located atop Jalapahar Hill at a height of over 28 meters. The grounds of the Japanese Peace Pagoda are as tranquil as the temple’s interior, which features the four forms of Lord Buddha.

5. Darjeeling Mall:

A meeting and recreational center for locals and tourists alike, the Darjeeling Mall, Chowrasta is the heart and soul of Darjeeling town. With shops and restaurants surrounding the street, the rush and bustle are obvious. Benches along the periphery provide excellent viewpoints for taking in the landscape.

6. The Darjeeling Ropeway

It offers unrivaled views while Backpacking Darjeeling with spectacular views worthy of postcards. The 45-minute ropeway ride from Singamari to Singla Bazar is India’s first cable car system.

Best Time for Travelling to Darjeeling:

• October to March: The monsoon season ends in October, while winter begins in mid-November and lasts until February. The average maximum temperature is 10 degrees Celsius, while it frequently drops below 0 degrees Celsius at night.

• April to June: These are Darjeeling’s warmest months, with temperatures reaching 25°C in May and June. The days are clear and sunny, and the evenings are refreshing.

• July to September: Darjeeling’s monsoon season is usually in July and August when it rains nonstop. The majority of Darjeeling is engulfed in fog and mist, making everything dark and dreary.

The magnificence of the Himalayas is unparalleled and Backpacking Darjeeling offers glimpses that are simply spectacular! A holiday in Darjeeling is exactly what you need to reset and restart your mind, body, and soul.

Backpacking Guide: Landour

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