Top 10 Things to Do in Darjeeling - The Queen of Hills

Darjeeling is one of the quaint hill stations located in the centre of West Bengal. It encapsulates picturesque mountains, lush green tea plantations, long pine trees, and tiny hill houses. The place has some of the most beautiful sightseeing places, delicious Himalayan cuisines, and gorgeous shopping streets to give you a mesmerizing holiday with your loved ones. Ideal for a solo, leisure, honeymoon, or family trip, Darjeeling has countless things to do for everyone. Here are some of the major attractions in Darjeeling that you must cover in your Darjeeling tour package.

Sunrise at Tiger Hill

There is something serene about sunrises and sunsets in the mountains. This is why one of the best things to do in Darjeeling is to watch the sun rise up from the horizon and the sky soaking in its golden beauty. You can see God’s marvellous stroke of colours on the sky with the backdrop of mountains and cool morning breeze at this iconic location. It is surely worth waking up early in the morning.

However, this location is buzzing with tourists in the morning hours as people gather here to see the famous sunrise at Tiger Hill. You can also have your morning coffee and some snacks here, as many stalls sell these items at the location. Make sure to carry some cash, as most of these roadside stalls don’t have online payment options. The reason why watching the sunrise at Tiger Hill tops the list of the best things to see in Darjeeling is that it sets the tone for the rest of the day. You can explore other sightseeing places in this hill station once you start your morning on a beautiful note.

Toy Train Journey

Darjeeling is a destination where you can live your childhood dream of riding on a toy train. Isn’t it fascinating to see the stunning surroundings, colonial architecture, and sky-high mountain tops while sitting in the most amazing toy train in Darjeeling, which has been an insatiable part of the hill station since its inception?

You can see Kanchenjunga peak, the third-highest mountain in the world, from the toy train. It is one of the best things to do during your trip, especially if you are with your kids and family. The toy train covers the distance between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling and is engineered to run on the challenging turns of the hilly area. It is rather interesting to know that the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a listed World Heritage Site. This is because it connects various local cultures and communities.

Stroll around the Mall Road

Every hill station has a Mall Road that is a hub of shopping centres, street shops, and food kiosks. Darjeeling is not an exception at all. A stroll around Mall Road is a must if you are planning a trip to Darjeeling. Here you can see numerous tourists flocking to the area, buying gifts, eating local cuisine, and having a good time. Hands-down, it is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Darjeeling.

The walkway begins at Chawrasta Square, which is decorated by a gorgeous flowing fountain, stadium-style seating, and various local artistic items. If you are lucky, you can also see some of the plays or live performances that take place occasionally at Chawrasta Square. Here, you can sit on one of the side benches to absorb some vitamin D from the sun's rays, enjoy a cup of Darjeeling tea, have ice cream, or buy gifts for your loved ones back home. When you move forward on the well-maintained road of Mall Road, you will witness the old-world charm and natural beauty of this very ancient hill station in India. St Andrew’s Church, Mahakal Temple, and Observation Hill are some of the famous points that you must cover when you go to Mall Road.

Visit Ghoom Monastery

Next on the list of top things to do in Darjeeling is visiting Ghoom Monastery, also known as Yiga Choeling. This is known to be one of the oldest monasteries in the area. It was built in the 19^th century. It is located at a height of 18,000 feet and belongs to the Yellow Hat Sect. The monastery sits at a comfortable distance from the town centre. Tens of thousands of visitors go to this monastery every year to see the giant statue of Buddha (15 feet tall). Here you can see the wide collection of Buddhist literature, including the 108-volume Kangyu, beautiful Thangkas, and Tibetan art. The monastery’s premise is very well-maintained and has greenery all around.

Trek the Peak: Sandakphu

If there is an adventurous side in you, then trekking to Sandakphu peak is one of the best choices that you can make. It is located at an altitude of 11,900 ft, where trek lovers visit to get a glimpse of rare peaks in the Himalayas. It’s fascinating to know that the name Dandakphu means "height of poison plants," as this area is covered with poisonous plants. The Sandakphu peak also prides itself on being the highest point of the Singalila mountain range.

It is important to note that visitors need an entry permit to trek in Sandakphu, as it comes under Singalila National Park. Other than this, you can also opt for complete tour packages for pick-up and drop-off from a suitable location.

The Thrilling Ropeway Ride

What could be more exciting than a ropeway ride on the mountains? The Darjeeling Ropeway is very famous amongst travellers as it allows them to get a bird’s eye view of the panoramic landscape, Darjeeling tea gardens, and tall mountain trees all around. The tiny box-like vehicle glides on the strong ropeway, which is suspended at an altitude of 7,000 ft. Six members can be accommodated in a single cable car. There are a total of 16 cable cars. The starting point of the ropeway is Singamari, and the endpoint is Singla Bazaar. If you are planning to experience the ride in the cable car on your next trip, you will have a lot of time to explore the natural beauty of the "Queen of Hills."

Darjeeling Tea Garden: Puttabong Tea Estate

You cannot skip a visit to Puttabong Tea Estate, which crowns Darjeeling as one of the best places for tea plantations. This is one of the oldest tea gardens in Darjeeling, which is located at an altitude of 1500 to 6500 ft. One of the most interesting things to know about Puttabong Tea Estate is that sustainable products are used for growing tea on this estate. Here, you can buy tea that is harvested in different seasons. You can taste different types of tea before buying them. Tasting the world-famous Darjeeling tea at its home place is surely an exciting experience. Here, the Darjeeling tea is brewed to perfection and is divided into flushes (tea of different harvesting seasons is known as a "flush).

There are many other sightseeing options as well as offbeat places near Darjeeling. However, the abovementioned ones are some of the top things that you shouldn’t miss at any cost. Darjeeling is a place that people visit for a rejuvenating experience. The hill station has something to offer everyone and serves as a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.