November 12, 2024
The region of Darjeeling is a municipality town and an important district headquarters in the Indian State of West Bengal, situated in the eastern part of the country. It is located in the foothills of the Lesser Himalayas at an elevation of 2,042 meters (6,700 ft). Apart from being worldwide famous for its tea, the breathtaking panoramic view of majestic Mount Kangchenjunga and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a match made in heaven, increasing the beauty of the area in folds.
Explore the tea gardens, mist-shrouded and bathed in an ethereal charm that beckons you to lose yourself in the serene beauty. As the sun sets, the towns become sparkling wonderlands with cosy fireplaces and warm cups of Darjeeling tea that heighten your sense of composure.
Darjeeling in winter is an ideal time to discover the charming streets, delicious local cuisine, and colourful cultural festival that adds a spark to this festive mood. Be it adventure, serenity, or a flavour of cultural living, this town will prove to be a fascinating experience in winter.
The area's beauty increases exponentially when you learn about its history from a Darjeeling travel guide, who familiarises you with the former glory of this summer capital during colonial times. To get acquainted with the beauty of this region, join us in this blog as we provide you with a virtual tour.
Although there are a zillion reasons to visit the "Queen of hill stations", in this blog, we will discuss a handful of activities that allure most travellers to take a trip to this beautiful location.
Lying at an altitude of 2590 meters and a distance of 13 kilometers away from Darjeeling, this is one of the Best Places to Visit in Darjeeling. Widely known for its splendid sights of sunrise from where you can see the gleaming peaks of Kanchenjunga illuminate before the sun is seen at lower elevations.
The magnificent view of glistening snow-capped mountains sitting amidst cotton clouds attracts tourists from all over the country to bask in this ethereal beauty.
Also referred to as the DHR and fondly called the 'Darjeeling Toy Train', it is a 2-foot narrow gauge train that runs between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling. Looking back, the construction of this 88-kilometre-long railway line took place between 1879 and 1881, and a ride on this train route has been a coveted experience ever since. The marvelous engineering of this beautiful vehicle has been one of the reasons why it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A journey on the Toy Train has amazing sights, especially if you are exploring Darjeeling in winter. Snowy peaks, snow-covered pine trees, and pleasing mountain views are surely bound to mesmerise you.
Diesel Engine Rides: INR 600 onwards (All first class seats)
Steam Engine Rides: INR 1,000 onwards (All first class seats)
Darjeeling is known to be home to some of the best tea estates in the world. The UNESCO World Heritage site boasts acres of resplendent meadows that also serve as the perfect tourist attraction.
Nature Walks are encouraged in the splendid tea gardens and must be experienced at least once if you are planning a trip to these parts. Engage with the workers and help them pluck leaves, or visit the factories and watch the making of these fine tea powders.
Here is a list of the most popular estates you can pay a visit to.
As one of the Best Places to Visit in North East India, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is recognised as one of the best mountaineering institutes in the world. Established on 4th November 1954, the primary purpose of this facility was to encourage the interest of the people in the sport of mountaineering.
In its 6 decades of existence, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute has trained over 45000 students, including 2500 aspirants from different countries of the globe. Aspiring mountaineers from all over the world come to this institute to develop their skills, and you can do so by taking a trip to this institute.
It may be considered one of the most scenic train routes in all of Darjeeling. This is a lush green toy train pathway that is meant to minimise the elevation of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.
The special design of this magnificent attraction allows the track to wrap around itself through a hilltop tunnel. Situated in the heart of Ghoom, which is about 5 kilometers from Darjeeling, the motive behind this infrastructure was rooted in easing navigation around the terrain of Darjeeling. Get a view of the train tearing past the white clouds and deeper into the green beauty of the terrain to get a refreshing and enchanting expedition on your holiday.
The Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park is a splendid enclosure in Darjeeling housing a variety of fauna. Also known as Darjeeling Zoo, this is a huge center of attraction for nature enthusiasts and is considered one of the best places to visit in India with family.
The zoological garden is known internationally for its breeding and conservation programs and breeding center for snow leopards and red pandas. Besides these rarer species, the zoo is also enriched with Asiatic black bears, barking deer, and many more.
Sandakphu Peak is the highest peak in West Bengal, lying almost on the fringes of Nepal, and is located very close to Singalila National Park. As a prominent peak in the area, it gives you a spectacular view of four out of the five highest peaks in the world. You can reach the summit either by car or by understanding trekking through the steep terrains.
Sandakphu is also known as the "mountain of poisonous plants", and it is advisable to undertake it under the guidance of an expert.
The ethereal beauty of Darjeeling in winter is renowned across the world as one of the most picturesque hill stations. One can bask in the exquisite landscapes, from the glorious snow-capped mountains to the charming valley replete with verdant tea estates.
For this simple reason, the Darjeeling Ropeway finds itself as a prime attraction of the region, providing its passengers with an array of divine panoramic views as they travel across the magical valley.
The third-highest peak in the world, the majestic Kanchenjunga, is one of the most stunning mountains. Emerging as one of the Best Places To Visit In December In India, it is a sight to behold when the golden rays of the sun hit the snowy peaks.
The name Kanchenjunga is of Tibetan origin, which means 'The Five Treasures of the High Snow'. The treasures represent the five repositories of God, namely gold, silver, gems, grain and holy books. Venture on the trekking routes around the mountain with a guide and get to know about its glorious history. ,
The temperatures around the foothills of the Himalayas dip down to a pleasant cool for all those wanting to escape sweltering heat - such is the beauty of Darjeeling in winter. To experience fresh, clean air providing views of the breathtaking beauty of snow-crested Himalayas and the serene Kanchenjunga majestically towering above, visit the ethereal land of Darjeeling.
The months from October to March see a sudden change in the weather, making it one of the Best Places To Visit In Winter In India to escape the sultry heat of the plains.
However, by the end of October, a slight cold had reigned in the area. You can experience winter at its peak from mid-November to January, and the temperature ranges between 7 degrees to 5 degrees Celsius.
Additionally, it is one of the Best Places to Visit in November in India You Must Visit as this is the perfect off-season time to visit this hill station because there is no risk of landslides or floods. Moreover, Christmas and New Year festivities are popular in Darjeeling; therefore, merriment is guaranteed.
To get a glimpse of Darjeeling in winter and other months of the year, check out the following table.
|
Month |
High/Low (°C) |
|
January |
12°/ 3° |
|
February |
13°/ 4° |
|
March |
17°/ 7° |
|
April |
19°/ 10° |
|
May |
20°/ 12° |
|
June |
22°/ 15° |
|
July |
20°/ 14° |
|
August |
23°/ 15° |
|
September |
20°/ 14° |
|
October |
19°/ 11° |
|
November |
19°/ 9° |
|
December |
14°/ 4° |
Darjeeling, popularly known as "Queen of the Hills", is a popular destination among tourists seeking respite from the heat. However, a serious question looms "How to Reach Darjeeling?" To get an answer to this question, continue reading along.
Bagdogra is around 90 K.M. (via NH 110) away from Darjeeling and is the nearest airport connected by flights from major cities like Kolkata, Delhi, and Guwahati. You can easily hail a cab and reach your hotel from the airport.
Apart from Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Station (88 K.M. from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station), the two closest railway stations are Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri, which you can easily reach by taking the Darjeeling tour packages. These railway stations have direct railway connections with some of the major cities of India.
The major access to Darjeeling by road is via Siliguri, 77 K.M. (via NH 55), which is connected to all the major cities of India. Bus service is available from Tenzing Norgay Bus Stand, Siliguri, and even smaller vehicles, which are also available for seat-sharing/ hire from airports, railway stations, etc. Facility of Pre-paid taxi stand from NJP Railway station & Bagdogra airport can also be availed if you are willing to explore Darjeeling in winter. That being said, here is a summation of the four routes that one can opt for from Siliguri to reach Darjeeling:
Undoubtedly, as one of the best snowfall places in India, you must visit Darjeeling during the frosty season, which feels like a paradise covered in snow. To experience this ethereal beauty, travellers must abide by certain rules and adopt some tricks to explore these parts. Here is what you need to keep in mind.
For Indian Citizens:
For Foreign Nationals:
General Guidelines:
Wrapping up, we can only say that Darjeeling in winter is a magical experience. It combines natural beauty, cultural richness, and thrilling adventure. From breathtaking views of the snow-dusted Himalayas to the warmth of cozy little tea houses, Darjeeling has something in store for everyone.
Organising a perfect winter getaway for you in Darjeeling is only some people's cup of tea, so bank on the best tour planner in India.
With our expertise, we curate a completely personalised itinerary for accommodation booking, transportation, and all the other activities, ensuring a memorable experience in the right hands with an in-depth knowledge of the region.
So, book one of our comprehensive India tour packages for the Darjeeling winter holiday today!
