Darjeeling, India - Information and Guide

Darjeeling is in the Indian State of West Bengal. A truly picturesque place to visit. Ancient forests, old-fashioned houses and friendly people make a trip to Darjeeling quite rewarding.

The charm of Darjeeling is its natural beauty and exquisite surroundings. The toy train enables travelers to explore this wonderful hill station and is in itself a popular tourist attraction. The place is famous honeymoon destination.

Those who enjoy trekking may also enjoy Darjeeling.

How to reach Darjeeling

Air: Bagdogra is the nearest airport connected by flights to major cities like Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati Indian Railways: Nearest railway stations New Jalpaiguri (NJP) that is directly connected by rail to all the major places in India. By Road: Darjeeling is well connected by roads from most places. It is about 80 Kilometers from New Jalpaiguri and 115 kilometers from Gangtok. Temperature: Summer: 14.9-8.6C Winter: 6.11-1.50 C

Seasons

March to Middle June and October to December.

Clothing

Light Woolens & Tropical; Winter- Heavy Woolens

Languages spoken

Gorkha, Tibetan, Bengali, Hindi, English. Telephone STD Code: 0354.

Tourism Centers:

Tourist Bureau, Government of West Bengal, 1 Nehru Road, Darjiling-734101, Tel: 2254-050/ 2254-102. Tourism Centre (Siliguri), M4 Building, Hill Cart Road, Siliguri Tel: 0353-2511974/2511979 Fax: 2517561

Shopping in Darjeeling

Darjeeling's high streets and the pedestrian stretch around Chowrasta and The Mall are compact enough to cover on foot, and the crafts on sale reflect the hill station's tea-garden economy and its Tibetan-Buddhist cultural mix.

What to buy

• Darjeeling tea — the signature purchase. Look for the Tea Board of India's "Darjeeling" GI logo (the rounded-woman silhouette) on sealed packs. First flush (March–April) is the most prized and delicate; second flush (May–June) has the classic muscatel character. Reputable estates sold locally include Makaibari, Glenburn, Happy Valley, Castleton, Margaret's Hope and Jungpana.
• Tibetan and Himalayan crafts — thangka paintings, prayer wheels, singing bowls, wood carvings, ritual masks, silver and turquoise jewellery.
• Woollens and cashmere — hand-knitted sweaters, mufflers, caps, shawls, yak-wool and pashmina blends. Useful to have on hand if you are heading higher into Sikkim.
• Hand-loomed fabrics and leather-trim bags from the local cooperative tradition.

Where to shop

• The Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre at Lebong Cart Road — a working craft cooperative run by the Tibetan community since 1959. You can watch carpets being hand-knotted and buy woollens, thangkas and curios at fixed, fair prices. The income supports the resident community.
• Nehru Road and The Mall around Chowrasta — tea shops, handicraft emporia and bookshops.
• Government tea-estate outlets and Tea Board-listed shops — Nathmulls Tea Room is an old reference point for single-estate teas; several estates also run their own retail counters.
• Factory-direct tea-estate visits — Happy Valley Tea Estate is the closest to town and runs short walk-through tours; visits to the more remote estates like Makaibari and Glenburn should be pre-booked, usually through the estate itself or a reputable tour operator.

Shopping tips

• "Darjeeling" tea is one of India's most counterfeited products. World production of tea labelled "Darjeeling" is several times the actual Darjeeling harvest. Stick to the GI logo, sealed tins or pouches, and shops that can name the estate and flush on the packaging.
• First-flush tea is seasonal. If someone is offering heaps of current-year first flush in late autumn or winter, treat it with caution — good first flush sells out quickly and the previous year's is a better bet than a suspiciously fresh "current" batch.
• Store tea in a cool, dry, airtight container on the way home. Heat and humidity from monsoon travel will kill the flavour.
• Thangkas and singing bowls vary hugely in quality. The Refugee Self-Help Centre and established emporia are safer bets than street stalls.
• Bargain politely in private shops; fixed-price cooperatives and government outlets are not negotiable and will say so.

Tips for visitors

• Altitude — Darjeeling sits at about 2,050 metres. A few travellers get mild headaches or breathlessness on day one. Pace yourself, drink water, and save the serious climbs (Tiger Hill sunrise, Observatory Hill) for day two or three.
• Best time to visit:
  • March to mid-June — spring; the clearest Himalayan views.
  • Late September to November — autumn; crisp and dry.
  • December to February — cold, with occasional snow and regular fog, but few crowds.
  • July to September — monsoon; landslides can close the hill roads.
• Dress — light woollens year-round in the evening, heavy woollens December to February. Good grip shoes for the steep lanes.
• Getting around — the town centre is walkable. For longer runs (Tiger Hill, tea estates, Ghoom) use the pre-paid taxi stand near the Chowk Bazaar or book a car and driver for the day through your hotel; agree the itinerary and price up front. Shared jeeps run fixed routes and are cheap.
• Darjeeling Himalayan Railway — the "toy train" is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the joy-ride loops (including the Batasia Loop) are the classic tourist experience. Check timings and service status in advance; services can be suspended after monsoon damage.
• Tea-estate visits should be booked ahead — most estates are working plantations, not drop-in attractions, and some require a minimum notice for factory tours.
• Common gotchas — overpriced "first-flush" teas in nondescript shops, tout-guided "cheap" Tibetan antiques (rarely antique), and drivers pushing their own shopping stops. Agree a fare and an itinerary before leaving the stand.