Darjeeling India Travel Guide and Travel Information

Darjeeling is famously known as the “Queen of the Hills” and is one of the most beautiful hill stations of India. The cool climate of Darjeeling provides a delightfully different experience from most other parts of India. At approximately 7,000 feet (2,130 meters), the town nestled in the lap of the mighty Kanchenjunga (or Khangchendzonga) mountain is a mixture of old colonial charm, famous toy train (Darjeeling Himalayan Railway), bustling marketplaces and beautiful tea gardens.

From the humble beginnings in the early 1800s, Darjeeling has transformed itself into one of India’s premier hill stations frequented by tourists across India and the world. The town has become overcrowded barely coping with the growth in population and the influx of tourists but still boasts of modern hotels, eateries, cinema halls and shopping centers. However, just a few miles from the town is where you can experience lush tea gardens, terraced farms and a slower pace of life.

From the bustling bazaars and the lush tea gardens, to the beautiful natural scenic views and a wide variety of activities from leisurely scenic walks to more grueling activities such as trekking and river rafting for the adventurous ones, Darjeeling offers something for every type of traveler.

Darjeeling Fast Facts

• Population: 109,163
• Currency: Indian Rupee or Rs
• Languages Spoken: Nepali, Hindi, Tibetan, Bengali and English
• Electrical Voltage: 230-240V 50Hz
• Time Zones: GMT/UTC +5.5
• Country Dialing Code: +91
• Area Dialing Code: 0354. This number is prefixed to the local number when calling from outside of the Darjeeling area. International calls to Darjeeling does not usually need the prefix 0. Please check with your country’s telecom company.
• Weights & Measures: Metric

Related Links

• Brief History of Darjeeling
• People and Culture of Darjeeling
• Religion and Languages of Darjeeling
• Important Contacts in Darjeeling

Dali Monastery or Dali Gomba is also known as the Druk Thupten Sangag Choeling Monastery and is about 4 kilometers away from Darjeeling town. The monastery was built in 1971 by the late Thuksey Rinpoche and the new building was completed in 1992.

This is one of the famous monasteries belonging to the Kargyupa sect. The pioneer of this monastery was Thuksey Rimpoche whose reincarnation was enthroned in the monastery. He died in 1983 and his incarnate was born in 1986 at Ladakh. This monastery forms the headquarters of Drukchen Rimpoche, the XII, the supreme head of the Kargyud lineage.

Map of Dali Monastery

Dali Monastery

Nepali is the most widely used language in Darjeeling and its neighboring areas. Examples of basic social conversation in Nepali are as follows:

1. What is your name?
   Tapai ko naam kay ho?
2. My name is _______________.
   Mero naam _______________ ho.
3. Are you from here?
   Tapai ko ghar yaha ho?
4. Who is he/she?
   Waha ko hunuhuncha?
5. What is this?
   Yo kay ho?
6. Do you speak English?
   Tapai English bolnu huncha?
7. I am from _______________.
   Ma _______________ bata ayeko.
8. May I have your number/address/email?
   Malai tapai ko number/address/email dina saknu huncha?

Shrubbery Nightingale Park used to be the private courtyard of Sir Thomas Tartan’s bungalow during the British rule and was simply referred to as “The Shrubbery”. This park became public after it was completely destroyed in the earthquake of 1934 and was popular with British women for their tea parties.

During the 1950s and 60s, Shrubbery Nightingale Park was a much sought-after location for Bollywood films but was grossly neglected during the 1980s and early 90s. Sense prevailed and the Shrubbery Nightingale Park was restored. At present, it is home to a giant Lord Shiva statue along with a related temple and a live music stage. The music fountain is one of the main attractions of the park.

The best time to visit the park is in the evening. A minimal fee is charged for entry and photography.

Map of Shrubbery Nightingale Park

Shrubberry Nightingale Park

The Rock Garden and Gangamaya Park offers attractive picnic spots with natural waterfalls and boating facilities and is about 10-12 kilometers from the main Darjeeling town. There is a lake at the Gangamaya Park which is open for boating purposes.

Note: It can be difficult to arrange for transportation back to Darjeeling from the park so visitors are advised to organize transportation both ways.

Batasia Loop is the scenic gigantic railway loop where the Darjeeling toy train makes a 360 degree turn. Batasia Loop is about 5 kilometers from the main Darjeeling town and was built to help the train negotiate the steep landscape. It is perched at a perfect location to offer a panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range, especially Mt. Kanchenjunga.

Confined within the loop is the War Memorial that pays homage to brave soldiers who have laid down their lives in wars since 1947. Near the Batasia Loop and the War Memorial, there is a small market selling local memorabilia and souvenirs.

Map of Batasia Loop and the War Memorial

Batasia Loop and the War Memorial

This passenger cable car is popularly known as “Ropeway” in Darjeeling and is about 3-4 kilometers north of Darjeeling town at North Point. Darjeeling-Rangit Valley Passenger Cable Car is India’s oldest passenger cable car and was built during the British era when it was the only means of transport between Darjeeling and Rangeet Valley.

The ropeway has kept up with the times and modernized. On a clear day, it offers magnificent views of the green lush tea gardens below. The ropeway starts at North Point and ends at Singla Bazaar on the banks where the Little Rangeet river meets the Great Rangeet river covering a distance of nearly 8 kilometers. It stops at Tukver, Burnesbeg and Singla tea estates and the journey takes approximately 45 minutes. There is no time limit for passengers on the Ropeway so do alight and visit the tea factories, souvenir shops or just walk around.

On 19 October 2003, four tourists were killed and 11 others injured when three carriages of the Darjeeling Rungeet Valley Ropeway slipped off the cables at North Point. Since then the safety measures have been ramped up considerably.

Map of Darjeeling-Rangit Valley Passenger Cable Car or Ropeway

Darjeeling-Rangit Valley Passenger Cable Car or Ropeway

Dhirdham Temple is a Hindu temple was built in 1939 by Rai Saheb Purna Bahadur Pradhan and is below the Darjeeling railway station. The temple was designed by architect Beg Raj Shakya as a replica of the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Outside the temple is a statue of Lord Shiva with his five different facial expressions with the Universal Third Eye. Visitors are allowed to photograph only the outside of the temple and cameras are not allowed inside the temple.

Map of Dhirdham Temple

Dhirdham Temple

The Japanese Peace Pagoda is situated on the slopes of the Jalpahar Hill and can be reached by taxi. It was established by the Nipponzan Myohoji (a Japanese Buddhist sect) and is home to the four different avatars (incarnations) of Buddha.

Beside the pagoda is the Nipponzan Myohoji Temple, a traditional Japanese Buddhist temple which allows the visitor to experience its tranquil settings. Visitors are allowed to take photos inside the Temple.

Map of Japanese Peace Pagoda

Japanese Peace Pagoda

Map of Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre

Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre

Map of Tiger Hill

Tiger Hill