Darjeeling
What is the best time to visit Lakshadweep?
The optimal time to visit Darjeeling is from April to June, offering pleasant weather for exploration. Alternatively, some prefer the winter months from October to December for a different charm. July to August, characterized by heavy rainfall, is less advisable due to potential roadblocks. From October to March, the weather undergoes a significant shift, with a cold spell setting in from mid-November to January, witnessing temperatures between 7 to 5 degrees Celsius. April to June signifies the onset of summer, providing pleasant conditions for tourists, with temperatures reaching a maximum of 25 degrees Celsius. September is also favorable, with reduced rainfall and lush greenery, making it an excellent time to experience Darjeeling's natural beauty.
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How to Reach Lakshadweep:
By Train
Reaching Darjeeling is facilitated by the New Jalpaiguri railway station, connected to major Indian cities. The iconic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, fondly known as the Toy Train, offers a scenic journey from Siliguri to Darjeeling, covering approximately 80 km.
By Flight
Bagdogra Airport is the nearest air hub, with carriers like Air India, Jet Airways, Indigo, and Spice Jet offering direct flights from Delhi, Guwahati, and Kolkata. A taxi ride from Bagdogra to Darjeeling takes about 3 hours.
Essential Travel Details:
Nearest Airport: Bagdogra (BAGDOGRA) - 38 kms from Darjeeling.
Road Connectivity: Regular bus services from Siliguri (70 km away), with additional routes from Kurseong and Kalimpong. Driving options available from nearby cities like Siliguri, Kalimpong, and Kurseong, offering stunning mountain landscapes.
By Train: New Jalpaiguri serves as the nearest railway station, 62 km from Darjeeling, connecting to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Cochin, and Chennai. The iconic Toy Train service commences from New Jalpaiguri, providing a delightful 7-hour journey to Darjeeling.
Local Transport: The popular and ubiquitous mode of local transport within Darjeeling is a four-wheel land-rover drive, adept at navigating the steep and narrow roads of the hill station.
Tourist Information: click-here
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, affectionately known as the 'Darjeeling Toy Train' or DHR, traverses the scenic 2 feet narrow gauge between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling in West Bengal, India. Constructed from 1879 to 1881, this 88-kilometer marvel offers a coveted journey, boasting breathtaking mountain views, passing through villages, and eliciting cheerful waves from children along the way. This engineering feat connects Darjeeling's hills with the lower plains, showcasing incredible vision as small steam engines conquer steep gradients and curves, earning it UNESCO World Heritage Site status on December 2, 1999.
Timings : Route 1: Darjeeling to Ghum and back
Begins at 7:40 AM. The last ride commences at 4:20 PM.
Route 2: Siliguri to Rangtong and back
Begins at 10:30 AM and reaches Rangtong at 11:50 AM, where it halts for 20 minutes.
The train arrives back at the Siliguri Junction at 1:35 PM.
Price : Route 1: Darjeeling to Ghum and back
Diesel Engine Rides: INR 600 onwards (All first class seats)
Steam Engine Rides: INR 1,000 onwards (All first class seats)
Route 2: Siliguri to Rangtong and back
A round trip in a first class coach costs INR 610 per head.
Darjeeling Toy Train Bookings : Bookings are always open on Irctc.co.in
Tiger Hill
Perched at 2590 meters and just 13 kilometers from Darjeeling, Tiger Hill is renowned for its breathtaking sunrise vistas, offering a mesmerizing view of Kanchenjunga's peaks bathed in early morning light. The allure of snow-capped mountains nestled among cottony clouds attracts visitors from across the country. Notably, Tiger Hill doubles as the summit of Ghoom, housing the highest railway station of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Starting at 3:30 AM, or 4:15 AM in winters, a short climb from the parking spot leads to the sunrise spectacle, with options ranging from booking a car or Innova for INR 1200/1800 or opting for a shared journey at INR 200 per head from local travel agencies.
Timings : 4:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Time Required : 1-2 hours
Entry Fee : Parking: INR 10 per vehicle
Observatory Tower: INR 20 for ground level, INR 30 for first floor, INR 40 for seating
Direction: map
Batasia Loop
One of Darjeeling's most picturesque train routes, the Batasia Loop, serves as a lush green toy train pathway designed to minimize elevation for the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Nestled in Ghoom, approximately 5 kilometers from Darjeeling, this engineering marvel seamlessly wraps around itself through a hilltop tunnel, offering an enchanting journey through emerald mountain vegetation. The loop's unique design not only facilitates navigation but also provides an unmatched panoramic view of Darjeeling's verdant landscape and the snow-clad peaks of Kanchenjungha. Adorned with endearing flowers, a trip through Batasia Loop becomes a refreshing and enchanting expedition, especially after witnessing the captivating sunrise at Tiger Hill
Timings : 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Time Required : 1-2 hrs
Entry Fee : INR 15
Direction: map
Darjeeling Ropeway
Darjeeling, globally acclaimed for its scenic beauty, offers diverse landscapes, from snow-capped mountains to lush tea estates in charming valleys. The Darjeeling Ropeway, inaugurated in 1968 as India's first cable car system, has transitioned from facilitating tea gardens to becoming a sought-after tourist attraction. With 16 cable cars accommodating 6 passengers each, it spans from North Point in Singamari to Singla Bazaar, tracing the enchanting Ramman river at an altitude of 7000 feet. Unveiling panoramic views of Darjeeling's tea estates, cascading waterfalls, and the majestic Kanchenjunga, the ropeway provides an essential experience for every Darjeeling visitor.
Timings : Winter and Monsoon: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM,
Summer and Autumn: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Time Required : 1 - 2 hrs
Entry Fee : Adult: INR 200
Children (aged 3 - 8 years): INR 100
Direction: map
Nightingale Park
Darjeeling, globally acclaimed for its scenic beauty, offers diverse landscapes, from snow-capped mountains to lush tea estates in charming valleys. The Darjeeling Ropeway, inaugurated in 1968 as India's first cable car system, has transitioned from facilitating tea gardens to becoming a sought-after tourist attraction. With 16 cable cars accommodating 6 passengers each, it spans from North Point in Singamari to Singla Bazaar, tracing the enchanting Ramman river at an altitude of 7000 feet. Unveiling panoramic views of Darjeeling's tea estates, cascading waterfalls, and the majestic Kanchenjunga, the ropeway provides an essential experience for every Darjeeling visitor.
Timings : Winter and Monsoon: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM,
Summer and Autumn: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Time Required : 1 - 2 hrs
Entry Fee : Adult: INR 200
Children (aged 3 - 8 years): INR 100
Direction: map
Sandakphu Trek
Sandakphu Peak, standing tall at 11,941 feet, claims the title of the highest peak in West Bengal, nestled near the Nepal border within the Darjeeling district and close to the Singalila National Park. This vantage point offers a spectacular panorama of four out of the world's five highest peaks, with the magnificent Kanchendzonga taking center stage. Accessible by car or a captivating 51 km trek starting from Manebhanjan, Sandakphu is aptly known as the "mountain of poisonous plants" due to an abundance of Himalayan Cobra Lilies. The challenging trek unveils diverse terrains, from valleys to lush green landscapes adorned with rhododendrons, magnolias, and vibrant wildflowers, making it a nature lover's paradise boasting around 600 orchid varieties.
Timings : For Singalila National Park, 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Approx trekking distance (Both sides): 77 km
Highest point of trek: 3,636 m
Snow: As the winter season begins, the snow starts to appear during the month of December.
Starting point of trek: Jaubhari
Direction: map
Help Desk: info@triparrive.com