Things to do in Darjeeling

Darjeeling has many interesting points of interest that are absolutely unmissable. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is a destination by itself and is a pilgrimage for all climbing enthusiasts of the world. It was established in honour of Tenzing Norgay after he and Sir Edmund Hillary climbed the Everest in 1953. It has a well-stocked museum with mountaineering displays and expedition artefacts, a boarding school for mountaineering students, houses for the trainers, a restaurant, a souvenir shop and more. The main entrance to Darjeeling Zoo and HMI are the same and both can be visited at the same time. The unique feature of this zoo is that it houses rare animals from the upper Himalayas. You can see Red Pandas, Snow Leopards and Tibetan Wolf here.

Located at the highest point in Darjeeling area, Tiger Hill is best known for the dazzling sunrise view of the Kanchenjunga and the snow covered peaks of the entire eastern Himalayan range. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Everest from here.

Batasia Loop as the name suggests is a loop or a spiral of a narrow gauge railway track where the Toy Train negotiates a sudden sharp descent from Ghoom. It's a wonderful viewing place with manicured gardens, streams and falls, from where you can get a wide range view of the Darjeeling's landscape, Kanchenjunga and the other Eastern Himalayan peaks.

From the ropeway of Darjeeling, also known as the Rangeet Valley Passenger Cable Car, you can have a spectacular view of the valley below, see the spread of lush tea gardens, dense forests, mountain streams in their full flow, waterfalls and majestic snow peaks in the backdrop. Get off at a lower station and enjoy a walk through the tea gardens, soaking in the magnificent locale.

Perched on the Jalapahar hill, the Japanese Temple, built in traditional Japanese architecture, is serene as it gets. You can find peace and spirituality amongst the humming of the chants.  Nearby, is the Peace Pagoda, where you can see four avatars of Lord Buddha. The view from here is magnificent and it is one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling.

Amongst the top things to do in Darjeeling is a visit to the beautiful Buddhist monasteries. These little treasures of Buddhism offer a peaceful time on a visit and are also a treat to watch for their artistic Tibetan architecture.

Your Darjeeling holidays are incomplete without shopping for the charming local handicrafts, accessories, jewellery, aromatic teas and spices. You can pick them up at curio and jewellery stores around the Mall and Nehru Road.  The Mall has little shops selling clothes, woollens, handicrafts, teas and is a must visit.

For the adventure lovers, exciting sports like paragliding, rafting, trekking, fishing, camping and tea tasting are the things Darjeeling is known for. Paragliding offers great views of the majestic eastern Himalayas. Trekking through the lush greenery and dense forests can be an exciting experience. Camp at one of the campsites and wake up to great views!