Just Photo Blog( Darjeeling tour , December 2012) + Some Importand Info about travel In darjeeling

০৬ ই জানুয়ারি, ২০১৩ বিকাল ৫:১১

Top Darjeeling Budget Hotels



There is no scarcity of cheap hotels and low budget accommodations in Darjeeling. Although many of them offer less than ordinary services and amenities, all of them literally go full during the high season.



The demand surges during Mid March to May, and from mid September to mid November. Another high time is during the Christmas and New year celebrations. Almost all the cheap hotels double their low-season rates to cash on to such opportunity.



I said almost all because I know of few who do not change their rates through out the year. Because they attract good number of guests even during the low season and run well enough to maintain consistency.



Yes, there are some great cheap hotels and lodgings in Darjeeling that stand out from the rest in terms of their services, friendliness, cleanliness and amenities they offer. Some are located at best of locations. During my years of exploration, I have come very close to many owners of such exceptionally well run budget hotels. This page is about all these little gems that can make your stay in Darjeeling very special.



All these great budget hotels are usually run by the owners themselves. They rely more on word of mouth rather than on travel agents, and therefore have many returning guests.



Beware of leased out hotels!

In Darjeeling there is a concept of leased properties. Many small hotel properties are leased out by the owners to other businessmen for as little as 3 years. The businessmen who are like middlemen, run the hotels trying to make as much profits as possible after paying out their hefty lease amounts to the original owners.



With high pressure to somehow keep the hotel occupancy rate high while keeping costs as low as possible, you can imagine what you can expect in such hotels. Many tourists land up with great expectations only to find that what they received were all trash. I had also been a victim of such cases in my earlier years of vacationing in Darjeeling. But no longer so.



What is running hot water?

Another important point about the budget hotels in Darjeeling - most of them boast about running hot water. That doesn't mean that you will get hot water round the clock. They usually provide hot water only for a limited time (usually for three hours in the morning from 6am to 9am).



Hotels have separate central controls for the geysers and switch them off after allowing hot water for the stipulated time. However the better ones will switch them on whenever you request them to do so. Also the hot water is usually not available at the wash basin or the shower mixer point. Most budget hotels usually provide a separate tap for this.



Room cleaning & drinking water supplied

Keep in mind that in most of the budget hotels in Darjeeling, rooms and bathrooms are not cleaned everyday. In fact most don't even make the beds during your stay unless you ask for it.



One important point to note about drinking water and this is more applicable for the budget hotels... try to avoid the hotel supplied drinking water even if they claim it to be filtered. The hill water is often hard water and not good for drinking and can easily upset your stomach. Although it would add to your cost, the best option is to buy mineral or packaged drinking water from any outside store. You won't need much water to drink in the cold weather anyway.



Budget Hotel Rates in Darjeeling

So what is a budget or a cheap hotel in Darjeeling? What is the price or tariff range? Well as I said, it's an opportunists world out there. They will take whatever best they can get. Having said that, I classify the standard budget hotels as having a double room rate that can be anywhere between Rupees 900 (or US$18) to Rupees 1800 (or US$38) per night during high season.



Even the small hotels have variations in rooms in terms of decor, luxury and size. So the rates can vary and the above rates are only indicative. These rates also change during low season, some offering discounts of up to 50%, some about 30% and some don't. However, almost always a 10% service charge is added with the room rate.



Our favorite budget hotels

Now, here are the treasures that I have uncovered after years of exploration to find the best of budget hotels in Darjeeling. Check out the links below for detailed reviews. Remember, these are our personal favorites ... love and choices are after all personal :-)



Revolver

Strange name? That's the striking name the couple owning this hotel liked from all the Beatles albums. Yes they are Beatles freaks which is evident in all the five rooms that are named after the four Beatles members, and the fifth one after their manager.



It has a nice cozy dining room and a lounge at the ground floor where meals are prepared to order. The hotel is located quite centrally on Gandhi Road, about 15 minutes leisure walk from the Chowrasta Mall.



Hotel Broadway

A family property of Amit Khatri, the hotel has 20 well appointed rooms most of which have been converted with wooden paneling on the walls and ceilings giving a warm and cottage like feeling. There is a restaurant at the ground floor offering Indian and Chinese dishes. The hotel is only 7-8 minutes walk from the Chowrasta Mall, on a steep uphill road but only several yards from Gandhi Road and right next to the Darjeeling Telephone Exchange.



While some of the rooms of Broadway Hotel have balconies with nice views, the original hotel and the family property Broadway Annex is about 15 minutes uphill walk from here and is ideally suited for great views of Kanchenjunga and Darjeeling town landscape. But that 15 minutes walk can feel like a one-hour walk for some. After all no good things in life can come easy :-)



Dekeling Hotel

This one falls at the upper range of budget hotels and categorized as a two star hotel. Located at Gandhi Road right opposite to the taxi stand where the Nehru road begins, it's run by the Dekeva family offering traditional Tibetan charm. There are range of rooms from suites and deluxe double that offer great Kanchenjunga views to attic rooms with very reasonable charges. The Mall is only 5-6 minutes walk from the hotel.



Alice Villa (HD Lama Road, About 5 minutes walk to the Mall)

If you look through the gate, you feel as if you are entering someone's house with a car park in front. It's located at the end of a narrow alley that goes downhill below the Mall road. Once inside, Alice Villa which is run by Pradhan offers a nice cozy ambience and a stay which is hard to find in its category. Other than rooms with fireplaces, the hotel has an attractive hallway with bookcases, reading tables, cushioned chairs and a beautiful view over the valley.



Classic Guest House

This old colonial home has been converted into a guesthouse having only four rooms but all with wonderful views of the mountains. The access is from CR Das road next to the Chowrasta Mall. You will need to walk for about 2 minutes along this narrow downhill road takes you out of the noisy Mall area but still keeping you at the heart of the town center.



Tibet Home

It's hard to call it a hotel. It is actually a unit of the Manjushree Center of Tibetan Culture, a charitable organization promoting Tibetan language & culture. Tibet Home is located on Gandhi Road and has 8 nice airy well furnished rooms. This is essentially a comfortable bed & breakfast accommodation. Chowrasta Mall is about 10 minutes walk from the hotel. Dorji and Lhakpa at the office counter will be all smiles as you walk in.



Hotel Capital

It's located centrally at Gandhi Road just below the restaurant Keventer's. This is where Nehru Road begins towards the Chowrasta Mall which is barely 6-7 minute leisure walk from the hotel. If you look at the hotel from outside and its steep narrow flight of stairs, you may say hmmmm... but once you are in and start feeling the charm of the simple rooms with good views, the friendliness of the staff and the owner Bhutia, and considering its central location, it turns out to be good value for money. The rooms are laid over several stories of the building.



Fairmont Hotel

Right opposite to the Viceroy Hotel on Gandhi Road, this relatively new hotel's exterior is finished with gray and white tiles with black borders. As you walk through the iron grill gate, you feel that you are actually walking into a good hotel, although this one falls in the budget range. Sarala Gurung at the front desk will welcome you with a smile. There is a nice lobby and a restaurant. The hotel is only 10 minutes walk from the Mall.



Snow Lion Homestay

This is a Tibetan family run business and Sangeeta at the fron desk is one of the family members. They call it homestay because it's like staying at home and the owner's family themselves live in the property. There are 12 rooms. The hotel is on Gandhi Road and at a 10-minute walking distance from the Chowrasta Mall.



Travellers' Inn

Located on Zakir Hussain Road, this hotel has 12 nicely appointed rooms some having breathtaking views of the mountain range. There is a longish restaurant with wonderful view from all the tables that have sofa-like seating. This is probably one of the best view-restaurants in Darjeeling. There is also an open terrace with tables. The hotel is about 15-20 minutes walk from the Chowrasta Mall.



Grace Inn

This nice little hotel is on a hill top and on Cooch Behar Road. It has several well furnished and spacious rooms. The most impressive part of the hotel is its sitting lounge with great views. The hotel is located quite close to the Traveller's Inn.



If you still have appetite to scan more hotels and want to be absolutely sure before you choose one for yourself, then check out Darjeeling Hotels Guide to get a complete list of my selected hotels with price categories and reviews with pictures.



Visitors' Reviews/Comments



Bryan Fleck (October 2012)

Raj.. I figured I would be paying full price during the holiday. By chance, have you heard anything about Bird's Eye Guest House? I haven't been able to find too much information about it online, but my girlfriend who is Korean found some recommendations on a Korean blog. I read through your budget accommodation section - lots of great information there!



Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com), October 2012

Bryan, I know where Bird's Eye Guest House is. I haven't explored it yet. It's quite a walk from chowrasta mall. There are several such small guest houses in Darjeeling. Andy's Guesthouse is one of the more well known ones. It's on the same road (Zakir Hussain Rd) but much closer to the Mall (less than 5 minutes walk). Regards



Pranav

Thank you very much for the informative site. I am visiting Darjeeling in November and wanted to know if Jubilee Complex is a good budget choice (I am accompanied by wife and 4 year old kid). Thank you in advance. Regards,



Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com)

Hi, I won't recommend it for families. It's too far down and below the station, and not convenient to come to places like the Mall. Try to find some other hotel on Gandhi Road.







Top Cheap Darjeeling Restaurants



I am usually not too fond of eating out in roadside eateries or small unknown restaurants that may look not so inviting. But over the years during my numerous stays in Darjeeling, I have discovered a few eateries that are not only cheap, but with the quality of homemade food they serve and the casual friendly atmosphere they provide, they have created little brands for themselves.



Those who know them and experienced them, keep returning to the lovely little eateries, some of which may not even qualify to be called as formal restaurants.



All these small cheap restaurants are local family owned businesses, some run by Tibetans, some by Nepalis, Bhutias and others. Many of these eateries are favorites of foreigners. The reason being that the foreigners tend to research a lot more before they come and find the cozy places that offer great value for money and at the same time ensuring hygiene.



So what kind of food do you get in these cheap restaurants? Actually wide varieties, but predominantly Chinese, Tibetan and Nepali dishes. In some, you will get the typical north Indian spicy dishes as well. Having been in the business of serving tourists for long, most of the owners of these small eateries have surprisingly learned to communicate fluently in English. Of course they do speak Hindi and their native language as well.



In my sections below, I'll often take references to local food like momos, thukpas and also of other Indian dishes that are readily available in Darjeeling. If you are not familiar with those, then check out Darjeeling Food & Cuisine to know about them



Here are my top picks out of the cheap restaurants in Darjeeling. I have mentioned the primary cuisine they serve next to their names. A 10% tip is appropriate for all these eateries.



Kunga (Chinese & Tibetan, Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

It's a small restaurant with three tables on each side and located right on Gandhi Road and below the Dekeling Hotel. The location is right next to the taxi stand and where the Nehru road for Chowrasta Mall begins. Unless you go well in advance, you will most likely need to wait. Sometimes the tables are joined and you may need to share the table with others. This is a favorite haunt for the foreigners due to the steaming hot but non-spicy food they serve. My favorite here is the Wanton Soup which is almost a meal by itself. It comes with several momos dipped in noodle soup and vegetables. Although it's called a soup, it's really quite filling. Also don't miss out on the lemon tea with ginger and honey that not only tastes great but looks exotic with its golden tinge.



Dekevas (Chinese & Tibetan, Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Another small restaurant located right next to Kunga in the same building. The approach to this ground floor restaurant is from Gandhi road. It's owned by the Dekavas family who own the Dekeling hotel located upstairs. Although small, it has little more space than Kunga and a bit more organized being part of a well known hotel. While they prepare great Chinese dishes, they are best known in the hill town for their delicious momos.



Hot Stimulating Cafe (Tibetan & Chinese food Vegetarian, Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Will you call it a restaurant? It's actually a tin shack located on Jawahar road that leads to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute & Zoo. It's run by a couple. You can actually walk it from the Mall Road. Once you take a look at all the comments on the guest book, the only thing you can say is WoW!



With a lovely view on one side of the restaurant and a casual homelike atmosphere, you can spend hours sitting here while enjoying the great vegetarian momos, thukpas and tea. You do get egg items here like egg burgers. Another attraction here is they serve homemade light beer as well. There is a small open terrace on the backside.



Sonam's Kitchen (Pasta, Pancakes, Breakfast & Dinner)

A little unassuming gem, this small restaurant is located on Zakir Hussain road, a few minutes walk from the Chowrasta Mall. With just three tables for seating, Sonam and her husband Puran run this small family owned business. In breakfast, my favorites here are the toast and the special omelet with vegetables and followed by the great lemon tea with ginger and honey. If you like to eat a little heavy, try out the set breakfast.



Revolver Restaurant (Naga, Nepali, Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

This budget restaurant is part of the Revolver hotel and run by the local couple Asnenla and Vikash Pradhan. They have converted their family house into a hotel cum restaurant with great passion and taste. This simple, friendly yet elegant restaurant serves mind blowing Naga and local Nepali dishes that you will seldom find anywhere else in Darjeeling. They are all home made and served steaming hot. Revolver is located on Gandhi road at a 10 minutes walking distance from the taxi stand.



Petrichor (Snacks & Pasta)

If you are willing to walk for 15 minutes along Zakir Hussain road that leads from Chowrasta Mall, you will reach this wonderful restaurant which is themed on an Art Cafe. On the left side of the road you won't miss this colorful eatery. It's also a working studio for the couple Dipak and Sweta who run this business. Along with great pasta, tea or coffee, you will get to see or even participate in making fascinating artwork. If you are looking for a small restaurant with friendly and homelike atmosphere which is also a locals favorite, this is the one you should target.



Hasty Tasty (Vegetarian Indian, Chinese & Tibetan food, Lunch/Dinner)

Right on Nehru Road and on the left as you walk towards the Mall, this large and spacious restaurant has been there for quite some time. Earlier they used to display the sample dishes in front in the showcase. But no longer so. However, food continues to be popular and reasonably priced. You will get all sorts of vegetarian food like Indian, South Indian, Chinese and even momos and Indian snacks like Chole Batore and chats. As you enter the long section of the restaurant, walk down to the end crossing the open kitchen on the left and you will see another smaller section on the left with a great view of the mountains and the valley. This is the place to sit.



Frank Ross Cafe (Vegetarian Indian & International Menu, Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

As the name suggests, its more like a cafe rather than a formal restaurant. Located on Nehru Road on the left as you walk towards the Mall, this restaurant offers a nice ambience with hanging table lights that look really attractive in the evening. It's run by the same family that owns the Frank Ross Pharmacy right adjacent to the eatery on the left.



Offering strictly vegetarian food, there are wide range of dishes including sandwiches & burgers, Italian items like pizzas and spaghettis, Mexican items like Tacos and Nachos, and even South Indian dishes like dosas and idlys. Other than these, they also offer Indian snacks and vegetarian Chinese dishes, and of course tea and coffee.



If you like to explore more restaurants & eateries in Darjeeling giving you wider choice of food and cuisine, then check out Darjeeling Restaurants Guide







Darjeeling Tourist Places & Attractions



You thought that Darjeeling must be a small hill town and what could you see there other than Kanchenjunga peaks and some scenic views? Sure Darjeeling town is small, but you may be amazed to know how many great places you can access from here that are within short distances.



And if you love to travel down the winding mountain roads, you can reach some treasures that are unmatched anywhere in the world.



Over the past many years of our family vacations, we have uncovered all such great Darjeeling attractions.



Remember, while Darjeeling town is small, the district of Darjeeling spans over more than 3,000 square kilometers (or about 1,200 square miles). So it's really up to you how far would you like to travel to uncover a treasure. We don't keep any limits until it's time to be back.



In the sections below, I have described the top Darjeeling tourist places and attractions including the parks & gardens, scenic places & view points, waterfalls, temples & monasteries, museums & historic places, and lot more. But you will need to take Sightseeing Tours to experience all that unless you have your own vehicle. Few of these tourist places are of course within easy walking distance from the town center.



If you are planning to visit some of them on foot, remember a couple of things. First a distance in the hills will feel like almost three times of a similar distance in the plains as you walk uphill. And most of the roads in Darjeeling have steep gradient or slope. So unless you are used to walking in the hills, it may not be as easy as you may think. Second, there area some sightseeing places in Darjeeling that can only be reached on foot. A vehicle can only go up to a point beyond which you will need to walk. So in general, a sightseeing day in Darjeeling should start early.



As you go through the Darjeeling tourist attractions below and visit the links for details, you will get the distance of the places and time it should take to reach from the town center.



Let me start with our top favorite sights and tourist places in Darjeeling. And then I'll talk about the ones which too come very close to the best.



Top 10 Tourist Places in Darjeeling - Our Favorites



Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

HMI is a destination by itself and a said to be a pilgrimage for all climbing enthusiasts of the world. It was established in honor of Tenzing Norgay after he and Sir Edmund Hillary climbed the Everest in 1953. It has a well stocked museum with mountaineering displays and many expedition artifacts, a boarding school for mountaineering students, houses for the trainers, a restaurant, a souvenir shop and more. It's located on Jawahar Road or the Birch Hill that can be accessed from the Mall Road and Lebong Cart Road.



Tiger Hill

Located at the highest point in the 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 the mount Everest from here. Tiger Hill is located 11km from the Darjeeling Town and takes about 40 minutes to reach by car.



Batasia Loop

Located 5km from Darjeeling Town and just below Ghoom, 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.



Darjeeling Ropeway

This is one way you can be part of special diverse offerings from the nature and all in one place. From the ropeway of Darjeeling which is also known as the Rangeet Valley Passenger Cable Car, you can have mind blowing view of the valley below, see the spread of lush tea gardens, dense forests, mountain streams in their full flow, waterfalls, and the awesome snow peaks at the background. Get off at a lower station and enjoy the tea estates, walk through the tea gardens, or just relax and enjoy the view around. It's hard to find all these together in one place.



Darjeeling Mall & Chowrasta

The Chowrasta or the Mall is the town center in Darjeeling. This is a lovely little flat area, a public square where four roads meet. This public place is where you would like to lounge & bake in the sun, sit and watch the wonderful views of the mountain range and see many locals and tourists hanging around. One side of the mall is lined with pine trees through which you get wonderful mountain vistas, the other side is lined with lovely boutique shops of different kinds. And all around the mall, you have benches to sit and relax.



Rock Garden & Ganga Maya Park

These two are scenic parks in wonderful settings located a few miles away from the Darjeeling town. Rock garden is about 10km and Ganga Maya is another 3km from there. Rock Garden is all about terraced gardens at different levels that have been cut through the rocks having a waterfalls with nice seating arrangements. Ganga Maya is more spread out and has a beautiful stream flowing through it on a valley, has flower gardens, fountains and more.



Japanese Temple & Peace Pagoda

About 10 minutes by car, you will reach a wonderful area that is symbolic of peace and tranquility. Located in the Jalapahar hill, the Japanese Temple is built in traditional Japanese style where you can join the prayers and feel the spiritual peace amongst humming and chants. Close to it is the Peace Pagoda where there are four large avatars of Lord Buddha. The view from the top is magnificent. You can see the snow peak range from here including the Kanchenjunga.



Bengal Natural History Museum

What started as a modest effort in 1903 to display butterflies and birds of the Darjeeling district, has grown to house a large collections of mammals, birds & nests with eggs, reptiles & fishes and even insects of wide varieties. The displays are actually specimens of real creatures that had been captured, stuffed and preserved. The Bengal Natural History Museum can be reached by few minutes walk from the Chowrasta Mall.



Observatory Hill and Mahakal Temple

Rising from behind the Mall, Observatory Hill is an ideal place to get a 360 degree view of Darjeeling and the peaks surrounding it. The Mahakal Temple, the central temple of Darjeeling of all faiths is located on top of the hill where the original Dorjeling Buddhist Monastery once stood.



Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center

This center was established on October 2nd, 1959 for rehabilitation of Tibetans who followed Dalai Lama and escaped their homeland during the period of mayhem. In order to sustain living, they adopted the principle of self help. The center is located on a hill top that can be approached from the Lebong Cart Road. You can see Tibetan men and women making exquisite hand crafted items like woolen carpets, shawls, carved wooden crafts, leather items and more. There is an outlet at the center from where you can buy these items.



Other Great Tourist Places in Darjeeling



Honestly, there are many other tourist attractions and sights in Darjeeling that equally compete to be in our list of top 10. Check out the links below to know about more of our personal favorites. I have grouped them under different heads.



Darjeeling Monasteries, Temples & Churches

After Hinduism, Buddhism is the next predominant religion in Darjeeling, and then comes Christianity which is practiced by a minority community. We have had the opportunity to get deep insights into the lives of several lamas, priests and clergymen here. For us it has always been a privilege to understand and feel the divine spirituality of the place through those who have dedicated their lives to such cause. You need to visit a monastery, a temple or a church, listen to the head of the shrine, join the prayers and absorb the spirituality to get that feel.



Several religious shrines in Darjeeling have been built by great religious leaders of the past, and some are perched on hills with magnificent views all around. This section will let you know about all our favorite monasteries, temples and churches in Darjeeling, their history, offerings, location and lot more.



Darjeeling Parks & Gardens

Here is your treasure for the best of gardens and parks in Darjeeling. The section also captures my favorites amongst lakes and water areas, forests and sanctuaries and even confluence or meeting points of great rivers of Darjeeling hill area.



Museums, Monuments and Memorials

If you like to dwell deep into the history of Darjeeling, understand animal and bird life of the region, know who had sacrificed their lives from this part of the world, and other unique ways Darjeeling has played its role in the world like its unsurpassable mountaineering achievements, then visit some of the great museums and memorials. They vividly capture the life and history of Darjeeling and its unique flora & fauna. You will be immersed with the rich heritage of the place.



Darjeeling Art & Craft

Darjeeling has its own treasure of artwork and artisans. There are well known artists who have their own studios, galleries and handicraft factories. And there are many skilled local artisans and sculptors whose work can be seen in many of the curio and jewelry stores around the Mall and Nehru Road.





Darjeeling Tours and Sightseeing



If you are planning to experience some of the lovely Tourist Places and vistas in and around Darjeeling, you will need to plan a tour, preferably a guided or a conducted tour.



Depending on what you want to see and how much time you have, there are several options to go around Darjeeling.



Most of the tourists who come here for short stays, prefer the local half day sightseeing that are known as 3-point, 5-point and 7-point tours covering preset points or tourist places in and around the hill town.



If you want to get deeper into the magical attractions of Darjeeling hills, then your next step would be to take a scenic drive to one of the many amazing places close to Darjeeling, enjoy the bounty of the nature, and come back after spending a day of great joy & fulfillment.



However, if you intend to explore Darjeeling in more depth, like to know about the heritage and historical background of the place that originated from the British colonial times, or want to feel the nature and people of Darjeeling more intimately, then you will need to take a special tour.



I shall discuss all these options in the following section from all our personal experiences. Finally check out the Best Tour Operators in Darjeeling to organize some of the special tours. You can self organize many of the standard tours by hiring a taxi or a shared jeep from the stand.



If you still need further information, then check out Darjeeling Tourist Information Centers and contact the DGHC or West Bengal state Government run centers that provide information and booking assistance for Darjeeling tours.



Local Package Tours in Darjeeling

These are short half-day tours covering sunrise views, monasteries & temples, art & craft, museums, zoo, tea gardens, parks, rides and more. These are the most popular sightseeing tours with the common tourists and provide a quick flavor of Darjeeling. There are several preset packages offered with various combinations of the sights and attractions. You can choose the ones you like. Check out Local Package Tours of Darjeeling to know about these sightseeing tours in detail and the best ways to take such tours.



Toy Train Joy Rides

There are regular 2-hour joy rides offered by the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways on its toy trains from Darjeeling. The narrow gauge train with steam engine makes a round trip to Ghoom via Batasia and back. This is a scenic ride offering great views of Darjeeling landscapes and the Eastern Himalayan snow peaks.



This tour by Toy Train is extremely popular with tourists. You will need to book well in advance as the capacity is limited and demand is high. Many visitors who can't take the 7-hours long toy train ride from New Jalpaiguri to reach Darjeeling, take this short ride and experience a magnificent side of Darjeeling. Check out Darjeeling Toy Train Rides & Services for details.



Day Trips & Tours from Darjeeling

Although Darjeeling town is small, the district of Darjeeling spans over more than 1,200 square miles of area that includes majestic mountains & valleys, beautiful tea gardens, lakes, waterfalls, forests, villages and more. So you have great opportunities to take lovely scenic drives to some amazing places where you can spend the day and even stay back if you like. Here are my favoriteDay Trips & Tours From Darjeeling



Darjeeling Tea Garden Tours & Tea Tourism

Tea tourism is increasingly becoming popular in Darjeeling area. It's about spending a few days in a sprawling tea estate, staying in original planter's bungalows that offer British colonial ambience, walking through the tea gardens to experience garden life, visiting the factory to watch tea processing, and tasting some of the greatest teas the garden offers to the world.



And all these can be combined with nature & village walks, day trips to nearby attractions and view points, witnessing ethnic cultural dance & musical performances by the local villagers, and enjoying many other nature activities including even wildlife safaris and white water rafting. Sounds interesting?



Check out Darjeeling Tea Garden Tours & Tea Tourism to explore the best of tea tourism.



Heritage Walking Tour of Darjeeling

Very few people know that there is a guided walking tour offered to explore the rich heritage and history of Darjeeling. During the colonial days of 1800s and early 1900s, the British have left behind many heritage landmarks. They built schools, parks, museums & monuments as they converted miles of raw forests in Darjeeling hills into a natural holiday sanitarium and laid thousands of acres of tea plantations to make it a place for Champagne of Tea.



All these along with the people, flora and fauna, the landscapes & majestic mountains have all been integral part of Darjeeling's original heritage. Check out Heritage Walk of Darjeeling to know what can you expect in the tour.



Jeep safari to Singalila National Park

Spread across the Singalila range, this high altitude national park can be accessed from Manebhanjan which is located 26kms from Darjeeling town. This is one of the stunningly beautiful parks that offers plethora of flora & fauna, and breathtaking view of the Himalayan snow peaks. There are numerous types of orchids, rhododendrons, magnolia, primula and many other flowers that bloom in abundance during the season.



You will pass through forests of thick bamboo, oaks and silver firs. The reserved forest area has many exotic and rare high altitude animals like Red Panda and Pangolins that you see only in the books. The park has over 120 species of birds. And you will get rare opportunity to view some of highest peaks of the world including Everest and Kanchenjunga family. However this tour will take 2-3 days to complete. Check out Singalila National Park to get the complete description of the park, how to reach, best time to go, where to stay and many other details.



Return to Darjeeling-Tourism.Com



Visitors' Reviews/Comments



Somanath M (From Chennai, Aug 2012) - A customized tour in Darjeeling

We reached on 13th August, by noon. Then we went around to Chowrastra for a short hang out. Mr.Subash (of Ashmita Tour & Trek) then explained the points of interest in Darjeeling. We started on the next day early morning at 4 to Tiger Hills. The scenic beauty of sun rise was like a heaven. It was amazing and the best part of our trip... those 45 minutes are still in front of our eyes. Then we went to Buddhist Monastery in Ghoom, followed by the War Memorial, here the view of mountains that glitter under the sun was amazing. There was a short break for breakfast.



We then resumed to Japanese temple, then to Himalayan Mountaineering Institute andZoological Park. Then we had the local lunch, then to few mountain view points. We were back to the hotel by evening. Then we took a walk to local bazaar in the evening.



On day two, we started at 9 in the morning and went to Mirik Lake, a hang out place. On the way we saw the parade by school students, (since it was Aug 15th), it was very nice. We then had lunch and went to Nepal border, then to a mountain view point Jorpokhri. Next day, we had some shopping then back to NJP by cab.



P.S: It was a well planned, organized and structured tour by Mr. Subash of Ashmita Tour & Trek. A Pleasing smile of Mr. Subash confirms you the pleasure of your trip. They welcome even salty feedback with pleasant smile and take things with sporting spirit.



Darjeeling Shopping & The Top Stores



So where do you go for shopping in Darjeeling and what should you buy? Well, having come all the way to this vibrant hill town, I am sure you won't like to get into a typical city type mall. By the way that too is available here including a Big Bazaar and a Rink Mall at the Laden La Road.



You are probably looking for some original and authentic of Darjeeling.



There are actually plenty on offer for you from this small part of the world that has many skilled craftsmen and artisans making exquisite handmade articles and products.



The main shopping areas in Darjeeling are located along the Nehru Road and also around the Chowrasta Mall itself. As you walk along, you will see many boutique and other shops, as well as many temporary stalls on the roadside put up by the Bhutias and Nepalese. And there would be many vendors selling various small souvenir and gift articles on table tops or spreading them right on the road on a piece of plastic cloth.



Nehru Road Darjeeling





So what do you want to shop in Darjeeling? Some of the popular handmade items include the Khukri (curved Gorkha knives with decorative handles), Tibetan masks, paintings of Bhutia facial expressions on cloth pieces, local jewelry items including brooches and pendants with carved-in gems, many types of curios, traditional boots, woolen items including shawls & pashminas, scarves, caps, leather items and lot more. Another unique artwork is the scroll paintings locally known as Thankas that are typically created by local Bhutia artists depicting Buddhist religious stories.



Darjeeling is where the Toy Train was first introduced in the country by Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) in 1881 which later went on to get the UNESCO World Heritage status. One of my favorite souvenirs from the Darjeeling hills is a small memento that reflects of this rich heritage. There are lot many outlets at the Darjeeling Station that sells miniature toy train models, T-shirts with DHR logo, or even beer mugs and wine glasses with DHR tags, caps, pens and more.



If you take keen interest in Art and Handicraft, then there are some places including craft centers, emporiums and stores that are special and stand out from the rest in terms of craftsmanship and authenticity. Check out Darjeeling Art & Craft to know about them and what kind of stuff can you get there.



Shops along Nehru Road, Darjeeling

Let's now take a walk along Nehru Road that leads up to the Mall and see what kind of stores you get there. The road essentially starts from where the restaurant Keventer's is located which has an address of 1 Nehru Road. On the right side of this narrow uphill road, there is a long line of temporary stalls set up by the local Bhutias and selling all types of small souvenir and curio items. Most will have woolens including shawls & sweaters, gloves, caps, bags etc. Some even sell toys that move and work on solar energy.



A Stall on Nehru Road, Darjeeling





On the left and after Keventers is a store called Photo Services & Sales that offers books and photos including children's books and novels. This is a good place to pick up picture postcards of Darjeeling including that of Toy Train and Himalayan Ranges. It also sells other gift items, cameras & films, toys and music as well.



The next one is the Bata Shop having well stocked shoes and slippers for both men & women. The next one is House of Tea which is an exclusive outlet of Goodricke Tea Estate. This is a great place if you want to buy Darjeeling Tea of various qualities that are sold in packets and plucked and processed at the Goodricke gardens. You can also have a cup of hot tea here.



Next is Radhaswamy Store selling usual clothing items. But upstairs is the interesting Khukri House, a nice compact store selling different kinds of Khukris or curved Gorkha knives. If you are looking for one, then this is the place to come. They also keep other curio items and models of Buddha. The next store is Rajesh Enterprise selling shawls, jackets and other clothing items. Then you will find the Tirupati Handloom Emporium selling all kinds of shawls, jackets and sweaters.



Next is Darjeeling Pharmacy. Other than medicines, it also sells many types of toiletries, hair colors, conditioners etc.



Followed by this is the popular vegetarian restaurant Hasty Tasty. After this you will see a small shop R N Agarwal Tea selling Darjeeling Tea both loose and in packets. It proudly displays "Fresh Pure Darjeeling Tea" and "Flavory Darjeeling Tea". An young Sardarji was once at the counter. Being quite impressed with his selling style, on one occasion I had bought a packet of tea. I was quite disappointed though and found hardly any flavor.



Then you will find Darjeeling Photo Stores that has diversified to sell items other than photos and pictures of various Darjeeling scenes. Other than large laminated pictures of Tea Gardens, Kanchenjunga and other attractive landscapes of Darjeeling, there are sections on books and leather bags as well. You will also get camera films here.



Next is Weekender, a fashion clothing store selling modern clothing items mostly for young boys and girls. Then there is Lilliput Bazar, a store for the kids. They have plenty of collections including dolls, soft toys, kids dresses, shoes etc. Then you will see Frank Ross Chemist Shopwhich is a large pharmacy and adjacent to it is the Frank Ross Cafe run by the same family.



Weekender & Lilliput Bazar, Nehru Road





The next store P. C. Banerjee established in 1900 offers a range of spectacles, sunglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids etc. Next store Montecarlo Canterbury sells different kinds of shawls, sweaters and other woolen products. This is followed by the well known bakery and multi-cuisine restaurant Glenary's. Right opposite to that is Chandu Lal's, another large clothing shop selling mostly woolens and jackets. The Sikkim Tourist Information Center is located right next to this shop.



Next to Glenary's is the well known Das Studio, a family run business since 1927 that has grown far beyond just a photo studio. They have wonderful and some rare collections of pictures of Darjeeling scenes and surrounding areas. Many pictures come in poster size prints as well that can be framed or laminated, and can serve as a great asset.



Next is the Elite Studio which is also quite large and sells diversified products. You can get picture post cards, soft dolls, posters, cameras, films and many other souvenir and gift items. After Elite Studio you will come across the Manjusha Emporiumshowcasing West Bengal handcraft and handloom products including wood craft, needle work and silk products. Next is the Nepal Curio House selling all kinds of Nepalese curio items and souvenirs.



Inside Manjusha Emporium, Darjeeling





You will then see Asian Art Palace, a store packed with curio items. They have different kinds of necklaces, earrings, chains, gems & other semi precious stones, brooches and many other items. Then there are couple of small shops selling dolls, cloth bags etc and one selling pure organic honey, followed by Kalimpong Art Gallery that has all kinds of artwork including paintings on cloths that can be rolled, brass models of Buddha. Then there is a tailoring shop.



If you look at the right side, the line of temporary Bhutia stalls that started right from the beginning of the Nehru Road, finally ends here. Here you will see the Hotel Shangri-La a boutique hotel providing great 2-Star amenities and located close to the Mall.



After that on the right side of the road are a bunch of clothing stores including Manipur Handloom, Himalayan Hosiery and Handloom, Dayal Handloom and few others. All of these sell items like jackets, sarees, shawls and other woolen items, and some like Manipur Handloom almost always offer items on sale (up to 30 - 40% discounts).



Manipur Handloom, Nehru Rd., Darjeeling





You will soon see the huge Pine Ridge Hotel on the left. There is a shopping arcade below the hotel and facing the road. Players Sports store sells all kinds of sports items, Kodak Photo Shopwhich is a studio selling cameras and accessories, Pine Ridge Travels which is a travel agent offering flight, train and tour bookings and Eastern Art which sells Tibetan arts, carpets, cloth paintings and other curios.



Shops in Chowrasta Mall

As you walk past the Pine Ridge hotel, you will be on the Chowrasta Mall. There are many stores located along the boundary of the Mall selling all kinds of items including curios, books, jewelry and other items. Here you will find some of the oldest and famous shops of Darjeeling. Check outShops in Darjeeling Mall to know about them.



Chowk Bazar

Another popular area with the locals is the Chowk Bazaar, a hyper busy market in a flat area located a lower level and selling all kinds of household items.





Darjeeling Map



It's very difficult to get a great map of Darjeeling showing all the details you need. Even the Google map of Darjeeling will not show you many of the attractions and places of interest. I realized that it's actually very difficult to draw up a road map of a hilly terrain like Darjeeling.



Because the roads are at different levels in the mountains. So when you see from top, two roads where one runs below the other, will show as a single road. Then how do you draw the map and show the two roads separately that actually lead to different destinations.



After a lot of thoughts and research, I was able to come out with a few maps of Darjeeling that I believe are the best that you can get. I had to divide them into several sections in order to capture the right level of details. The maps are divided into the following sections:



• Map of Central Darjeeling (town center and market area)

• Map of North Darjeeling (northern part of Darjeeling Town)

• Map of South Darjeeling (southern part of the hill town)

• Map of Ghoom area



Map of Darjeeling Town Center

Let me start with the road map of central Darjeeling. This map centers around the town center like the Mall and Chowk Bazaar. This should be the one you will mostly need if you are looking for the attractions and landmarks around the center of the own and the main market areas.



Darjeeling Map (Central)

Roads and landmarks around town center

৭ টি +০/-০