Introduction
Mountains, breathtaking views and beautiful tea estates, that is everything that Darjeeling offers to you! Located in the town of West Bengal, it is one of the best places to visit during summers. As Darjeeling experiences a British background, you can find a fusion of different cultures and practices. Right from beautiful mountain ranges to divine monasteries, every street has a different story to tell.
Along with the natural heritage, Darjeeling is famous for the toy train offering spectacular views of the hill station. With its natural serenity, it also offers adventure, shopping and many other activities. Check out the best and must do activities in Darjeeling for an enthralling getaway.
9 Best Activities to Do in Darjeeling
- Go for River Rafting
Darjeeling is best known for its soothing beauty and relaxation the hill station offers. However, if you are here for adventure, Darjeeling is all set to impress you! River rafting is one of the craziest adventure activities in this hill station. It is the thrill of adventure that you can experience in the gushing Teesta River.
Do not be surprised if you experience a series of rapids that vary in intensities. The currents of the water and adrenaline rush is all that you need to satisfy your journey in Darjeeling! You can find various hotels in Darjeeling that help you book your river rafting time with the best agencies here.
- Witness Spectacular Views with Trekking
Darjeeling is blessed with serenity as there are certain spots here where you can watch the peaks of Mount Everest and Mount Kanchenjunga. So, if you opt for trekking, know that you are sure to witness the romance of nature with snow, sunrise and greenery. There are more than 9 trekking trails in Darjeeling offering gorgeous views of the mountains.
Most trekkers opt for trekking to watch the famous mountains from the top. Many people also opt to witness the sunrise that turns the mountains golden during early mornings. As you walk through the densely forested paths and conical trees, know that you are taking building memories for a lifetime here. Trekking to Tonglu, Sandakphu or Purbikhola are famous trails here.
- Take a Ride in Toy Train
You must have seen so many pictures of Darjeeling featuring the famous toy train here. Your social media cannot be incomplete without participation in this famous activity. Also known as the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, it offers a 2-hour ride covering various spots of the hill station. Do not forget to take the awe-inspiring views of nature while riding.
This is a must do activity in Darjeeling because nowhere you can get a fusion of fog, mountains, tiny human settlement and greenery. Batasia loop is one of the famous paths where you get to watch the beauty of nature like never before! You can also find various hotels in Darjeeling that help you book the Toy Train ride with convenience.
- Explore Wildlife at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
Darjeeling is known for its surreal backdrops and affordable hotels. As you think of adventure, know that Darjeeling offers so much more at the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park. Located in the heart of the hill station, it attracts thousands of tourists every year. Also, it is the largest high altitude zoo in the country!
If you are here, do not miss spotting the Red Panda and the Royal Bengal Tiger. The zoological park is also popular for Leopard Cat, Sambar Deer and Himalayan Monal. Along with this, you can be an active part of special breeding programs. Try finding hotels in Darjeeling near the zoo so you can come to a comforting room after a tiring journey!
- Watch Beauty on the Darjeeling Ropeway
Your journey to Darjeeling is incomplete if you do not experience the mesmerizing beauty in the Darjeeling ropeway. It is a 5 km long rope and attracts thousands of tourists every year. It has around 16 cable cars so if you are in a large group of friends or family, it is an ideal activity to do. Also, the ropeway is pretty affordable, ranging from INR 100 rupees to 200 rupees per person.
Located in the rangeet valley, it offers views of Little Rangeet River. The cable car starts from Singamari and makes you ride for about 45 minutes. Located at an altitude of 7000 feet, you can watch the amazing topography of mountains. It is one of the best ways to witness flowing rivers, waterfalls, hills, slopes and jaw-dropping views of the Eastern Himalayan range.
- Shop at Bustling Markets
Darjeeling is a famous tourist destination and that is why it is filled with some of the best places for shopping. Tourists love to buy gifts and souvenirs for their loved ones. So, if you are in Darjeeling, one of the best activities to do is walk through the bustling markets and witness the vibrancy here. Since Darjeeling has Buddhism influence, you can find various prayer wheels, bags and singing bowls depicting the Buddhist culture.
Nehru road is one of the famous places to buy handicrafts and other home decor items. Darjeeling is also famous for artistic hunting equipment, lanterns and footwear which can be found at the Teesta Bazar. Along with this, you can buy authentic woolens for your loved ones. Bags, hats, shawls and fancy Tibetan masks are all famous here!
- Mediate at the Japanese Temple
It is strange to find Japanese culture in this hill station. However, the Japanese Temple here is one of the unique destinations for travellers. Tourists from all over the world indulge in peace gaining activities here. Also known as Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple, you witness the Japanese style architecture with a combination of white paint.
One of the calming activities is to meditate in the serene environment of Darjeeling. You can also go to hear the prayers creating a soothing aura inside you. Also, it is a scenic destination offering spell binding views of Mount Kanchenjunga. You can find hotels in Darjeeling near the Japanese Peace Pagoda for a relaxing time.
- Go for a Tea Trail at Happy Valley Estate
Visiting Darjeeling and not visiting Tea Estates? That’s surely not possible! One of the best activities to do is going for a tea trail at the Happy Valley Tea Estate. Being the second oldest tea estate in Darjeeling, it is a world famous place depicting the evolution of cultivation and production. Along with this, it offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan range.
Whether you are a nature lover or love the aroma of tea plantations, this place has to be on your list! It is one of the famous destinations for photography as the weather is supportive with open clouds. You get to understand the process of producing tea and also be a part of tea tasting sessions. Various tea products for your friends and family are available at the store here.
- Capture Sunrise at Tiger Hill
Darjeeling is blessed with an amazing topography with mountains and greenery. Located at an altitude of 2950 meters, Tiger hill is one of the popular destinations for catching the sunrise in Darjeeling. You get to witness snow-clad mountains with fog surrounding the peaks.
If you are here, make sure to book hotels in Darjeeling near the Tiger hill because you need to wake up by 3 to actually prepare for the journey. You can start trekking by 3:30 and reach the top in an hour. Nothing is more energizing than watching the dark turning into bright as you take breath in the lap of nature.
With some of the best things to do here, another thing you need to do is book Treebo hotels in Darjeeling for a budget-friendly stay. Treebo offers a fusion of comfort and safety like no other place!
- At Treebo hotels, enjoy complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi and branded Treebo toiletries
- Experience top-notch hospitality and classic amenities for all your needs
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Darjeeling indeed offers a solid combination of nature, architectural beauty and surreal landscapes. As you walk through the busy lanes here, know that these memories are sure to melt your heart as you look back in life.
HOTELS
- Itsy By Treebo – New Amber
- Treebo Trend Himalayan Valentino
- Itsy By Treebo – Aliment
- Treebo Trend The Pinewood