Darjeeling is an incredibly gorgeous and equally adventurous destination that would fit the bill of what you’re looking for. Once you indulge in these 8 things to do in Darjeeling, there’s no turning back. The thrill and adrenaline rush you’ll feel here would surpass your expectations because the diverse landscape of this place is ideal for various activities, like river rafting, trekking, mountain climbing, and much more. So, let’s jump straight to the activities in this hill station.
8 Best Things to Do in Darjeeling: Adventure Destinations for an Exciting Time
You can’t deny the fact that Darjeeling’s pleasant weather, lush greenery, scenic views, mist-covered hills, and much more make for the best place to try different adventures. After all, an adventure activity is a combination of all this to make it fun and memorable.
Here are the fun things to do in Darjeeling
- River Rafting in Teesta River
- Trekking to Sandakphu
- Shopping at Chowrasta
- Traveling in the Darjeeling Ropeway
- Savoring Authentic Food
- Enjoying the Toy Train Ride
- Witnessing the Sunrise at Tiger Hill
- Strolling in the Happy Valley Tea Estate
1. River Rafting in Teesta River: A Famous Adventure Activity
River rafting has become one of the popular adventures in India because of its thrilling quotient. There are various intensities of rapids ranging from Grade I to IV and you can choose the ones you’re comfortable with. Grade IV rapids are for skilled rafters only because of the level of risk. Teesta River is becoming a famous destination for white water rafting, and after this exhausting but fun activity, you can prolong the excitement by camping by the riverside as well. So, consider this exciting adventure as one of the things to do in Darjeeling to experience amusement like never before.
Additional Information
- Best time to visit: December to June
- Fees: Around INR 1000/-
- Ideal duration: Approx. 1 hour
Adventure Activities in Teesta River
- River rafting
- Camping
Travel Tips for River Rafting
- Choose the level of rapids based on your experience
- Follow the safety instructions
- Avoid rafting in monsoon and winter
- Carry an extra set of clothes
2. Trekking to Sandakphu: Reach the Highest Point in West Bengal
Sandakphu peak is the highest point in West Bengal, at an altitude of 11,930 ft, so trekking here would ensure that you get your share of adventure. The highlight is that you’ll get the best views of four of the highest peaks in the world, including Kanchenjunga. The 51 km long trek to this point is full of enchanting views and lush greenery. This hill is also known as the “mountain of poisonous plants” because of the abundance of Himalayan Cobra Lilies here. The exhilarating feeling of accomplishing something is exactly what you’ll feel once you reach the top.
Additional Information
- Best time to visit: April to May and October to early December
- Fees: Around INR 10,000/-
- Ideal duration: 4 to 5 days
Other Famous Trekking Places in Darjeeling
- Darjeeling Observatory Hill
- Tonglu
- Chatakpur
- Singalila Ridge
Travel Tips for Trekking to Sandakphu
- Wear trekking shoes
- Stay hydrated
- Carry snacks
- Wear comfortable clothes
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3. Shopping in Chowrasta: Indulge in Retail Therapy at Mall Road
Chowrasta or Mall Road is an ideal place to shop for handicrafts, apparel, souvenirs, and much more. This mall road here features several roadside shops that you can explore or leisurely stroll on the streets until something catches your eye. There are small eateries dotting the road, where you can relish delicious food. You can’t resist shopping when traveling to Darjeeling because of the various authentic items that are only available here. Therefore, it’s considered one of the top things to do in mall road, Darjeeling, an activity that satisfies your soul.
Additional Information
- Best time to visit: All year long
- Ideal duration: 1 to 2 hours
Other Famous Shopping Places in Darjeeling
- Nehru Road
- Batasia Loop Market
- Ghoom Monastery Market
- Teesta Bazaar
Travel Tips for Shopping
- Bargain for prices
- Wear comfortable walking shoes
- Buy authentic items
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4. Traveling in the Darjeeling Ropeway: Get a Bird’s Eye View of the City
Darjeeling Ropeway is one of the places to visit in Darjeeling because of the charming city views that you get to witness from an altitude of 7000 ft. The reason behind its popularity is that it was the first cable car system in India, which has now become a famous tourist spot for all. As you make your way from Singmari to Singla Bazaar, you’ll get splendid views of lush tea estates, the mighty Kanchenjunga, gorgeous waterfalls, and much more. The cable car takes you to your destination and halts there for a while to let you explore the nearby attractions before taking you back to the starting point.
Additional Information
- Best time to visit: All year round
- Timings: 10 A.M to 4 P.M (winter and monsoon) and 10 A.M to 2 P.M (summer and autumn)
- Fees: Around INR 200/- for adults and INR 100/- for children (aged 3 to 8 years)
- Ideal duration: 1 to 2 hours
Travel Tips for Darjeeling Ropeway
- The ropeway isn’t operational on 19th of every month
- Arrive early to avoid waiting in a queue for long
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5. Savoring Authentic Food: Relish the Cuisine of Darjeeling
Tasting the different food items in various cities is absolutely important because it enriches your experience even more. Also, you won’t be able to resist the incredible amazing smell wafting through your nose wherever you go, so give in to your food desires already and try the delicious dishes here. From thukpa and momos to Churpi and Naga platter, there’s a lot to try out, so make the most of your time in this hill station by savoring the delectable dishes. Since tea is a popular beverage here, you’ll find several varieties of tea available for you to taste.
Famous Restaurants in Darjeeling
- Sonam’s Kitchen
- Dekevas Restaurant
- Kunga Restaurant
- Himalayan Coffee
Famous Food in Darjeeling
- Thukpa
- Nepali Thali
- Momos
- Churpee
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6. Enjoying the Toy Train Ride: Witness Mesmerizing Views on the Way
Riding in a Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also famous as DHR is a one of the offbeat things to do in Darjeeling. This toy train runs between New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling, offering some of the most breathtaking views of the hill station. It’s an 88 km long railway line, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The highlight of your journey would be Batasia Loop, which gives you a 360-degree view of the entire city and is the most-awaited destination on the journey. So, enjoy a comfortable ride on this unique toy train, which offers comfort and sightseeing opportunities to the tourists, making this one of the famous attractions in Asia.
Additional Information
- Best time to visit: October to December
- Timings: 7:40 A.M to 4:20 P.M (Darjeeling to Ghum and back) and 10:30 A.M to 1:35 P.M (Siliguri to Rangtong and back)
- Fees: Around INR 1000/- for Diesel Engine and INR 1500/- for Steam Engine
- Ideal duration: 2 to 4 hours
Travel Tips for Darjeeling Toy Train
- Don’t litter the train or the surroundings
- Arrive on the station a little before time
- Book your tickets in advance
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7. Witnessing the Sunrise at Tiger Hill: Hike to the Best Viewpoint
Tiger Hill is among the famous places to travel in India because of the spectacular views it offers of the majestic hills and verdant greenery. Hiking to the point to watch the sunrise would become the highlight of your trip to Darjeeling. Located at an altitude of 2590 m, this place is also the summit of Ghum, which is the highest railway station in the Darjeeling Toy Train’s route. As the sun rises, it illuminates everything around it by its warm light, leaving you in awe of its beauty. So don’t miss out on one of the best things to do in Darjeeling in October.
Additional Information
- Best time to visit: Mid-October to December
- Timings: 4 A.M to 6 P.M
- Ideal duration: 1 to 2 hours
Travel Tips for Hiking to Tiger Hill
- Start your hike from 3:30 A.M to 4:15 P.M in summers and start from 4:15 A.M in winters
- Wear hiking shoes
- Carry a warm jacket
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8. Strolling in the Happy Valley Tea Estate: Take in the Fragrance of Tea
Tea is a popular beverage in Darjeeling, and you can even consider it synonymous to this hill station because of the numerous tea estates here. One such famous tea estate is the Happy Valley Tea Estate, which is the highest tea factory in the world. It’s at an altitude of 6,800 ft. above sea level and you can stroll around the manicured tea bushes, taking in their soothing fragrance and tasting the variety of teas available here. You can learn about the process of making tea and even buy the tea you love the most. The serene views of the Himalayas from here make this an even more magical place for tourists. So, feel rejuvenated by the verdant greenery and amazing views here as you leisurely stroll around the plantation.
Additional Information
- Best time to visit: March to November
- Timings: 9 A.M to 4:30 P.M
- Fees: Around INR 100/-
- Ideal duration: 1 to 2 hours
Travel Tips for Visiting Tea Estates
- Don’t pluck the tea leaves
- Don’t litter the surroundings
- Try the different varieties of tea
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You’ll be completely satisfied with your holiday in this hill station if you indulge in the things to do in Darjeeling mentioned above. This is an ideal place for adventure junkies because of the thrilling activities, like hiking, white water rafting, etc. You can also spend leisure time by shopping in the markets or exploring the tea gardens; regardless, of what you do here, you’ll enjoy your time in Darjeeling. So, book our Darjeeling tour packages for a wonderfully exciting time here.
FAQs
You can go hiking, camping, river rafting, trekking, and much more. It’s an ideal destination for adrenaline junkies to try various adventures.
Darjeeling is unique because of various reasons, such as it’s the one city where the cable car system in India started. It has one of the world’s highest tea gardens, the Darjeeling Toy Train is another attraction that makes it unique.
2 to 3 days are enough to explore this city in the best way possible, as it’ll give you enough time to enjoy the attractions in this hill station.
Tiger Hill’s famous in Darjeeling because of the mesmerizing views it offers of the hills and it’s also a summit of Ghum, so it’s the highest railway station in the toy train’s route.
Yes, we can see Kanchenjunga from different viewpoints in Darjeeling. The best view of this mighty mountain is from the top of the Sandakphu peak, though.
Darjeeling’s famous for its tea plantations and the majestic view of Kanchenjunga Mountain. It also has the Darjeeling Toy Train, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You can spend a day in Darjeeling by exploring its tourist attractions, like Tiger Hill, Happy Valley Tea Estate, Teesta River, etc. You can also indulge in adventure activities, such as trekking, camping, etc.
April to June is the best time to plan a trip to Darjeeling because it’s peak tourist season and the weather’s pleasant as well.
