Darjeeling
India · South Asia
Tea estates, a World Heritage mountain railway and views of Kangchenjunga from a ridge in northern Bengal.
Why visit
Why visit Darjeeling
Go for the railway. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway climbs some 2,000 metres from the plains on a track two feet wide, and the short ride from the town to Ghum, the highest station in India, is one of the best small rail journeys in Asia; see Ride the Darjeeling toy train to Ghum.
Go also for the tea and the mountain. Darjeeling tea has held a geographical indication since the mid-2000s, and the district's estates, some of which take guests, produce a small share of India's tea. The view of Kangchenjunga at first light is the other reason people get up early here.
Explore
What to see
The toy train and the Batasia Loop. The line passes through the bazaars and circles a garden below Ghum with the mountains behind.
Tea estates. The slopes around the town are planted with tea, most of it processed by the orthodox method. Several estates receive visitors.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. Founded in November 1954, after the first ascent of Everest, and associated with Tenzing Norgay. The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoo, beside it, specialises in endangered Himalayan species.
Chowrasta. The open square at the top of the ridge where the town gathers.
Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre. Established in 1959, with craft workshops.
Experiences
Experiences in Darjeeling
Before you go
Practical information
Best time to visit
September to November and April to May are the main seasons. The mountains are clearest in October, November and early spring. About four fifths of the annual rainfall of 3,100 millimetres falls between June and September, when landslides can close the road and the railway.
Getting around
The nearest airport is Bagdogra, close to New Jalpaiguri on the plain, with flights from Delhi and Kolkata. From there the road climbs to Darjeeling. The narrow-gauge railway between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling is an 88-kilometre journey that takes about seven hours when services run on the full line, but services on the full line have been intermittent. The town itself is steep and best covered on foot.
Practical notes
The reliable railway experience is the joyride, a return trip from Darjeeling to Ghum of roughly two hours with a halt at the Batasia Loop. Seats are reserved through the Indian Railways booking system, and extra joyride services were announced for the Puja season from 1 October 2026 to early January 2027. Monsoon landslides can suspend services. Darjeeling combines with Sikkim to the north or with Bhutan to the east; see our note on entry to Bhutan.
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