What to see in Darjeeling, the Tea Country – Part I

What to see in Darjeeling, the Tea Country – Part I

Darjeeling! The name in  itself  is enough to evoke visual imagery of verdant tea gardens, of a small train chugging excitedly up a hilly terrain, of a romantic hill station nestled high up in the mountains.

No wonder we were feeling very excited when we landed in Bagdogra, the nearest airport from where Darjeeling is a 65 kilometres drive. We collected our baggage and were out of the airport in a jiffy looking out for a placard that would bear our names. We located him easily as there were not many people around, he wore a boyish grin as he greeted us and introduced himself as Budesh, our driver, guide and companion for a week as we set off on a sojourn to explore the North Eastern region of India, we proposed to cover Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Gangtok, Pelling, Ravangla, Nathula and some other places on this trip.

TIP You can get a pre-paid taxi from Bagdogra Airport to Darjeeling.

On the road to Darjeeling

Without much ado, we were soon off for our rendezvous with romantic Darjeeling which nestled up in the Lower Himalaya region. as we left the airport , the sun had already begun its western descent though it was still around 16.00 hrs. in the evening. The sun would set around 17.00 – 17.30 hrs.in the evening in these parts was what Budesh informed us.

Sunset in Bagdogra - What to see in Darjeeling, the Tea Country
The setting sun in Bagdogra

 

We made good speed and soon left the dusty town of Bagdogra far behind and soon passed the Military Camp area. After this the landscape changed dramatically and soon we had our first glimpse of the tea gardens. Our friend Budesh gestured at the tea gardens and informed us that Bagdogra itself was surrounded by tea gardens and there were tea estates all around the town. Very soon we crossed the city of Siliguri and noticed that we had started our climb upwards as the road curved. We stopped at a road side eatery for some freshly brewed tea and cookies, and looked upwards at the lights of the town of Kurseong glittering in the dark. Yes, the sun had set and it was dark. I looked at my watch, it was 17.30 hrs. in the evening. We resumed our journey and traveled in awed silence as we breathed in the fresh mountain air and marveled at the landscape unveiling before us.

We reached Darjeeling by 20.00 hrs. and checked in to the hotel.

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After an early dinner retired for the night excited in anticipation of what the morrow would bring for us. We had been warned by Budesh to be ready by 3.30 AM ! as we had to travel to Tiger Hill to catch the sunrise.

Darjeeling Day-1

Activity/Attraction 1

Tiger Hill

We woke up quite early and after sipping some authentic Darjeeling tea were ready for our early morning trip to catch the glory of the rising sun from the view point at Tiger Hill. Tiger Hill is about 11 kilometres from Darjeeling town and accessible by Jeep or foot. Our friend Budesh was ready with our vehicle fully spruced up for us and we were off on our way to Tiger Hill. We watched a number of locals walking in the cold towards Tiger Hill, lugging kettles of tea. Budesh informed us that they were tea vendors who would be selling the tea near the view point. He courteously offered a lift to one lady who thankfully accepted, we did not mind at all. Soon we were at the gates of the viewing point where there was a small booth selling tickets to the enclosed viewing point. We bought our tickets and proceeded further. Budesh found a parking place with some difficulty as the place was swarming with crowds.

It was till dark and cold as we made our way inside the viewing point and entered a room with glass windows which was already packed. A local guide explained that on a clear day one can have a panoramic view of Mt. Everest as well as Mt. Kanchenjunga from this point. Even before the sun rose a rosy haze would envelop these mountains as they became visible. However he casually mentioned that the weather was not that good today!

I was not feeling comfortable in the enclosed space and thought it a paradox that one was confined to these four walls to witness nature which knew no bounds. Soon the sky turned from black to grey, but the sun was not visible, leave alone the peaks of the great mountains. By then we were feeling claustrophobic and decided to move out, we breathed a sigh as we inhaled the open mountain air outside. We looked at the clouds floating in the distance, but there was no sun. The crowd waited with bated breath, but soon their feeling of anticipation turned into disappointment and some of them turned back to head towards their hotels. We still looked expectantly at the sky, our instincts and fascination for the sun prevailing over logic. We were not disappointed, the sun broke out from the clouds and we yelled merrily like children who had been given their favourite chocolate! The sight of the sun and the floating clouds pushed all our frustration right out of our minds and we felt waves of happiness traverse through our nervous systems. We could also make out the Kanchenjunga mountain ranges in the distance.

Tiger hill - What to see in Darjeeling, the Tea Country
Sunrise at Tiger Hill
What to see in Darjeeling, the Tea Country
Sun kissed Kanchenjunga mountains

While in Darjeeling do not miss this opportunity and pray for a clear day so that you can have an amazing view.

TIP No need to enter the viewing enclosure, you will get a better view from outside.

Activity/Attraction 2

Ghum Monastery

After a sumptuous breakfast of Aloo Parathas ( Wheat pancakes made with a blend of spicy potato curry), washed down with some aromatic Darjeeling tea, we headed for our next attraction, the Ghum Monastery.

The Monastery is located at an altitude of about 8,000 feet and is situated about 11 kilometres from Darjeeling town. The Monastery is a beautiful piece of architecture and one would not believe that it was built in 1875. The Monastery has a serene ambience and houses a 15 feet Buddha statue within its precincts. We spent some quite moments here and spun the prayer wheels, praying that our travels continue and we discover more and more amazing places and experience more of the world and all that it has to offer.

Ghum Monastery - What to see in Darjeeling, the Tea Country
The beautifully serene Ghum Monastery

Activity/Attraction 3

Batasia Loop

The Batasia Loop is an engineering marvel of sorts, it is here that the toy train of the Himalayan Railway takes a descent of 1000 feet facilitated by an ingenuous feet of engineering through which the train travels in a loop with a gradual descent and then crosses its own track near the beginning of the loop through a tunnel below. The Batasia Loop was commissioned by the British in 1919. Today the Batasia Loop also houses well landscaped gardens and a war memorial dedicated to the Gorkha soldiers who were martyred in various wars after India’s Independence.

The place also affords 360 degrees panoramic view of the mountains. There is a small market with women selling sweaters, jackets and caps.

All in all it is a nice place to catch some great views and also marvel at the engineering feat that is Batasia Loop.

Batasia loop - What to see in Darjeeling, the Tea Country
War Memorial at Batasia Loop
What to see in Darjeeling, the Tea Country
View of Batasia Loop

Activity/Attraction 4

Toy Train or The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

This railway has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The railway runs on a narrow gauge measuring 610 mm or 2 feet and connects the towns of New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling. The railway was built between 1879 and 1881. The total distance covered by the train is 78 kilometeres and the height it covers varies from about 330 feet to about 7,200 feet in Darjeeling. In Darjeeling the train criss-crosses the streets as it slowly chugs up the mountainous terrain.

A ride on this toy train which chugs through breathtaking landscapes is a must for everyone, especially for those for whom trains evoke a different kind of romantic aura altogether.

TIP Take the train joyride from Darjeeling to Ghum and back, this takes about 2 hours, opt for the steam engine schedule.

Toy train at Darjeeling - What to see in Darjeeling, the Tea Country
Toy Train at Darjeeling
What to see in Darjeeling, the Tea Country
Train

It was evening and getting dark by the time we returned from one of the most unique and thrilling train rides we had ever had. We were back in our hotel exhausted, but happy and after dinner retired to bed and dreamt of a small steam engine, whistling as it struggled up a hill, white smoke billowing upwards and slowly mingling with the white clouds in the sky.

Watch our short video on Darjeeling. Please watch in HD on full-screen:

video watch

 

Don’t miss part two series of our Darjeeling trip. Do join us as we visit the famed tea gardens of Darjeeling on Day-2. Click here to read – What to see in Darjeeling, the Tea Country – Part II

What to see in Darjeeling, the Tea Country – Part II

 

What to see in Darjeeling, the Tea Country

 

What to see in Darjeeling, the Tea Country

101 thoughts on “What to see in Darjeeling, the Tea Country – Part I”

  1. I would love to take that amazing railway, it looks like a wonderful journey filled with such beautiful landscape and one of a kind experience.

  2. I can’t believe all the activities that could be packed into one day. If we visit this part of India, we will definitely ride the toy train as you suggest. My kids love trains and this will definitely be a must do on their list.

  3. The Ghum Monastery sounds awesome and the picture shows that it was relatively empty. YAY! It would defeat the purpose if you visited a place of relaxation and mediation when there are tourists everywhere. If I were to visit this place, the monastery would be the place I’d visit first.

  4. I really loved this post. I was totally sharing in the feeling of getting out of that hut! It sounds like a fantastic trip and one I’d love to do in the future!

  5. Some beautiful pictures here! Love the look of the toy train in particular – I imagine riding that while sweeping through the incomparable countryside of Darjeeling is an incredible experience. A place to add to my list next time I’m in India 🙂

  6. Muhammad Abdullah Javed

    Excellent description. The narration is so beautiful that it tempts to be on a journey to one of the most beautiful places on earth. Thanks for sharing.

  7. There’s nothing like drinking Darjeeling tea in Darjeeling. The sunrise looks magnificent although a bit cloudy but the colors are still great. I would’ve done the same as you did, wait it out. It will shine at some point so might as well wait for it.

    1. Exactly! Sipping Darjeeling tea amdist the lush green Darjeeling tea gardens was a great experience. And Sun did not disappoint us. We got to see some amazing colors in the sky. We were so excited that we kept aside our camera and enjoyed looking at it with our eyes more. 🙂

  8. I would love to visit Darjeeling especially as a tea lover and the train is a must do! I have read so many books with Darjeeling and the hill country as the setting, it played an important part in the past. It looks as magical as I imagined in your pictures.

  9. I have always wanted to visit Darjeeling, and somehow didn’t get the opportunity to do so on either of my previous visits to India. It is still on my list, and this post serves as a useful reminder!

  10. Before your post, the only associations I had with Darjeeling was the tea and a couple of movies. It looks like you had a great time. I would definitely be up for seeing the sunrise at Tiger Hill, although being tense around crowds, I’d take your advice and stay out of the enclosure. I’d also love to ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway — sounds like a unique way to sightsee!

  11. I’m seriously thinking of making a list of places to visit just for their tea! I’m so happy you eventually saw the sunrise on Tiger Hill☺ Was there an explanation as to why there was an enclosed viewing area?

    1. In India there is Darjeeling, Assam, Coonoor, Munnar and many other places where Tea is grown. We too are glad we could see the sunrise at Tiger Hill. The reason for an enclosed area is because at 4 am in the morning (especially in winters) it is quite cold and you could be shivering inspite of all the layers of wool.

  12. Well, I have a friend who loves a cup of tea from this region of India. I would love to go on the train I am a bit of a fan of these old railways. They seem to be re-inventing themselves everywhere as tourist attractions. Looks like another amazing place in India to visit

  13. Darjeeling is one of the many places in India we plan to visit once we move to Bangladesh next month. Pinning this for planning once we head there 🙂 pictures look lovely!

  14. Nice post! The only thing I’ve heard about Darjeeling is the tea haha so it was nice to get a glimpse into what there is to see there. I felt so happy when I read about the sun breaking through at Tiger Hill haha I’ve had many moments like those too – when you’re just giving up hope and then boom – your patience is awarded 🙂

  15. I’ve never heard about Darjeeling until reading this post. Thank you for sharing this one. I have considered going back to India soon. This is definitely on top of my list. Nice video by the way:)

  16. Looks like you packed a lot of activities in your short time there! Why was Darjeeling on your list? Wanted to smuggle some tea out ha-ha?

  17. This post is really helpful, as I am organizing a trip to my parents to the tea capital of India. The train ride from Darjeeling to Ghum is what my Mom quite anxious about.

  18. Chasity L Boatman

    I’ve always wanted to go somewhere in Asia before, especially to a temple. Darjeeling looks so scenic and peaceful.

  19. Darjeeling looks like such a beautiful place to visit, with beautiful views on the train and of the monastery. I can’t believe you did all that in one day, what a fun filled and satisfying day!

  20. I would LOVE to travel to India one day. My daughter would love this because she is a tea nut- maybe one day we will make it!

  21. My son loves Darjeeling tea, but I never knew much about the area. It sounds like it is full of history and looks beautiful.

  22. Tea gardens are one of the most important aspect of beauty of Darjeeling Spread across the town and up to Mirik, you can enjoy lush green ambiance and also local fresh tea there.

  23. The war memorial is such a solemn place and it’s nice to see it in person. This place is just wonderful and it’s going to keep you busy all day with all the sights and attractions.

  24. I never really thought about it before but I had no idea Darjeeling was in India. You always hear about India’s crowded major cities but we rarely hear about the beautiful countryside. I can’t imagine having fresh tea!

  25. Rebecca Swenor

    Darjeeling seems like a great place to visit. It looks like there is so much to do and so amazing sights to see for sure. The Ghum Monastery seems like a place I would so love to see Thanks for sharing these awesome activities and a great place to visit.

  26. Darjeeling was already at the top of my India Wanderlist, but this just made it even more solidified at the top. I was sold on the tea and mountain views, but I had no idea that the idea of visiting the monastery as well! I will be sure to drink loads and loads of amazing tea while I’m there!

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