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Discover Darjeeling’s Best Hidden Gems: 48 Must-Visit Places for a Memorable Experience

by | Jun 10, 2023 | Blog, Travel Guides | 0 comments

Introduction

Darjeeling, also known as the “Queen of Hills,” is a charming hill station that is located in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is famous for its tea plantations, scenic views, and diverse culture. Darjeeling’s hidden gems offer tourists a chance to see the hill station in a unique way. There are many must-visit places in Darjeeling that are not well-known, but offer a lot of fun. Here’s a list of 48 hidden gems in Darjeeling that you should check out when you are there.

Discover Darjeeling’s Best Hidden Gems

  • The Mahakal Temple

  • The Neora Valley National Park

  • The Suntalekhola Waterfall

  • The Sandakphu Peak

  • The Singalila National Park

  • The Kurseong Tourist Lodge

  • The Tea Tasting Room at the Happy Valley Tea Estate

  • The Observatory Hill

  • The Buddhist Monasteries

  • The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park

  • The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

  • The Batasia Loop

  • The Rock Garden

  • The Mirik Lake

  • The Goom Monastery

  • The Kalimpong Market

  • The Lepcha Heritage Museum

  • The Rangit Valley Ropeway

  • The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

  • The Teesta Bazaar

  • The Darjeeling Peace Pagoda

  • The Tenzing Rock

  • The Adventure Park in Kalimpong

  • The Tiger Hill

  • The Kali Temple

  • The Dali Monastery

  • The Happy Valley Tea Estate

  • The Chimney

  • The Lloyds Botanical Garden

  • The Natural History Museum

  • The St. Andrew’s Church

  • The Mecca of Cricket – Eden Gardens, Kolkata

  • The St. Joseph’s College

  • The Charcoal Grill

  • The Keventer’s

  • The Glenary’s Bakery

  • The Hot Stimulating Cafe

  • The Nathmulls Tea

  • The Tibetan Delight

  • The Golden Tips Tea

  • The Oxford Bookstore

  • The Habana Jive Cuban Restaurant

  • The Kunga

  • The Gatty’s Cafe

  • The Nathmulls Heritage Tea

  • The Bamboo Shoots

  • The Revolver

  • The Hot Café

  • The Sunshine Cafe

Specialities of Each Place

  • The Mahakal Temple: The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a famous pilgrimage spot

  • The Neora Valley National Park: It is a biodiversity hotspot and is home to many endangered species

  • The Suntalekhola Waterfall: The waterfall is surrounded by lush green jungles and is a perfect spot for nature lovers

  • The Sandakphu Peak: It is the highest peak in West Bengal and offers stunning views of the Himalayas

  • The Singalila National Park: The park is home to many exotic bird species and is a trekker’s paradise

  • The Kurseong Tourist Lodge: The lodge is famous for its scenic views of the Himalayas and offers a perfect retreat for nature lovers

  • The Tea Tasting Room at the Happy Valley Tea Estate: The room offers visitors a chance to taste some of the finest tea in India

  • The Observatory Hill: It is a sacred spot for Buddhists and Hindus and offers stunning views of the town

  • The Buddhist Monasteries: They are famous for their beautiful architecture and peaceful surroundings

  • The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park: It is home to many exotic animals and birds, including the rare Red Panda

  • The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: The institute is famous for its mountaineering courses and equipment

  • The Batasia Loop: It is a railway loop that offers scenic views of the town and the Himalayas

  • The Rock Garden: The garden is famous for its beautiful rock formations and scenic surroundings

  • The Mirik Lake: The lake is a perfect spot for boating and offers stunning views of the Himalayas

  • The Goom Monastery: The monastery is famous for its beautiful architecture and peaceful surroundings

  • The Kalimpong Market: It is a perfect spot for shopping and is famous for its woolen clothing and handicrafts

  • The Lepcha Heritage Museum: The museum showcases the culture and history of the Lepcha people

  • The Rangit Valley Ropeway: The ropeway offers stunning views of the town and the surrounding mountains

  • The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: The railway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is famous for its beautiful scenic views

  • The Teesta Bazaar: The bazaar is a perfect spot for shopping and is famous for its traditional handicrafts

  • The Darjeeling Peace Pagoda: The pagoda is a symbol of peace and is a famous tourist spot

  • The Tenzing Rock: The rock is famous for its rock climbing activities

  • The Adventure Park in Kalimpong: The park is a perfect spot for adventure sports like paragliding, zip-lining, and rock climbing

  • The Tiger Hill: The hill is famous for its stunning sunrise views of the Himalayas

  • The Kali Temple: The temple is famous for its beautiful architecture and peaceful surroundings

  • The Dali Monastery: The monastery is famous for its beautiful architecture and peaceful surroundings

  • The Happy Valley Tea Estate: The estate is famous for its scenic beauty and offers visitors a chance to learn about the tea-making process

  • The Chimney: The restaurant is famous for its delicious Tibetan food

  • The Lloyds Botanical Garden: The garden is home to many exotic plant species and is a perfect spot for nature lovers

  • The Natural History Museum: The museum showcases the natural history of Darjeeling

  • The St. Andrew’s Church: The church is famous for its beautiful architecture and peaceful surroundings

  • The Mecca of Cricket – Eden Gardens, Kolkata: The stadium is a famous cricket venue and offers visitors a chance to witness Indian cricketing history

  • The St. Joseph’s College: The college is famous for its beautiful architecture and peaceful surroundings

  • The Charcoal Grill: The restaurant is famous for its delicious barbeque food

  • The Keventer’s: The restaurant is famous for its breakfast menu and stunning views of the town and the Himalayas

  • The Glenary’s Bakery: The bakery is famous for its delicious baked goods and stunning views of the town and the Himalayas

  • The Hot Stimulating Cafe: The cafe is famous for its delicious coffee and cozy atmosphere

  • The Nathmulls Tea: The tea shop is famous for its wide variety of teas

  • The Tibetan Delight: The restaurant is famous for its delicious Tibetan food

  • The Golden Tips Tea: The tea shop is famous for its high-quality tea

  • The Oxford Bookstore: The bookstore is a perfect spot for book lovers and is famous for its wide variety of books

  • The Habana Jive Cuban Restaurant: The restaurant is famous for its delicious Cuban food and cozy atmosphere

  • The Kunga: The restaurant is famous for its delicious Tibetan and Indian food

  • The Gatty’s Cafe: The cafe is famous for its delicious food and cozy atmosphere

  • The Nathmulls Heritage Tea: The tea shop is famous for its high-quality tea and beautiful surroundings

  • The Bamboo Shoots: The restaurant is famous for its delicious Chinese and Tibetan food

  • The Revolver: The restaurant is famous for its delicious food and cozy atmosphere

  • The Hot Café: The cafe is famous for its delicious coffee and cozy atmosphere

  • The Sunshine Cafe: The cafe is famous for its delicious food and beautiful surroundings

How to Reach and Things to Take Care of

Darjeeling is well-connected by road and air. You can take a flight to Bagdogra, which is the nearest airport, and then take a taxi or bus to Darjeeling. The town is also well-connected by roads, and you can take a taxi or bus from Siliguri or any other nearby town.

Here are some things to take care of when you are in Darjeeling:

  • Carry warm clothes as the temperature can drop at night

  • Be respectful of the local culture and customs

  • Carry a map or a guidebook to navigate through the town

Where to Stay and Food Specialities Nearby

Darjeeling has many accommodation options that suit all types of budgets. Here are some of the best places to stay in Darjeeling:

  • The Elgin

  • The Windamere Hotel

  • The Mayfair Hotel

  • The Cedar Inn

  • The Darjeeling Tourist Lodge

Here are some of the best food specialities in Darjeeling that you should try:

  • Momos

  • Thukpa

  • Bhutia Omelette

  • Churpee

  • Sel Roti

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Darjeeling is from October to May, when the weather is pleasant and there is no rainfall. The town is also a popular summer destination, especially in April and May, when schools are closed.

Language and Communication Tips

The official language of Darjeeling is Nepali, but Hindi and English are also widely spoken. Here are some communication tips to keep in mind:

  • Learn a few basic phrases in Nepali

  • Speak slowly and clearly

  • Use simple language when communicating with locals

  • Be respectful of the local culture and customs

Cultural Customs and Etiquette Guidance

Here are some cultural customs and etiquette guidance to keep in mind:

  • Remove your shoes before entering temples and monasteries

  • Do not touch or take photos of monks without permission

  • Do not point with your feet

  • Be respectful of the local culture and customs

Must-Visit Destinations and Attractions Nearby

Here are some must-visit destinations and attractions near Darjeeling:

  • The Tiger Reserve in Jaldapara

  • The Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary

  • The Kalimpong Cactus Nursery

  • The Kanchenjunga National Park

Food and Dining Recommendations

Here are some food and dining recommendations in Darjeeling:

  • The Kunga Restaurant

  • The Sonam’s Kitchen

  • The Keventer’s Cafe

  • The Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center

Safety Precautions and Emergency Measures

Here are some safety precautions and emergency measures to keep in mind:

  • Carry a first aid kit and any medication that you require

  • Be aware of your surroundings

  • Do not venture out alone, especially at night

  • Call the emergency services if you need assistance

Experiences of Other Travelers

Here are some experiences of other travelers based on public reviews of the places in Darjeeling:

  • “The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park was a great experience. We saw the rare Red Panda and many other animals and birds.”

  • “The Happy Valley Tea Estate was a great place to learn about the tea-making process and taste some of the finest tea.”

  • “The sunrise view from Tiger Hill was breathtaking. We could see the entire town and the Himalayas”

List of Items as Packing and Travel Essentials

Here is a list of items as packing and travel essentials:

  • Warm clothes

  • Sunscreen

  • Insect repellent

  • A map or a guidebook

  • A camera

Final Summary

Darjeeling’s best hidden gems offer visitors a chance to see the town in a unique way. From the Mahakal Temple to the Tiger Hill, each hidden gem has its own specialty and charm. Visitors can also enjoy the local food and culture and learn about the tea-making process. Darjeeling is a beautiful hill station that should be on every traveler’s list.

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