Darjeeling has already opened up its heart to various cultures and traditions ages back, people from all the places have turned into this land of epic essence. You can travel to this beauty in ways more than one:

By Air:

The nearest airport to Darjeeling is Bagdogra Airport, a drive of 96 kilometers which can be covered in 3 hours in a taxi or a shared cab. Bagdogra connects to all big cities of the country which makes it an easy reach even for a traveler from across the globe.

By Road:

The city is well-connected with the nearby towns with roads taking you through a scenic beauty across the stunning mountains landscape. You can drive down to Darjeeling from all nearby cities like Siliguri, Kalimpong, and Kurseong. There is a regular bus service from Siliguri to Darjeeling, a distance of 70 kilometers with a breathtaking view of amazing hills covered in a green blanket. There are buses from Gangtok too but the shared cab is more preferable.

By Train:

The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri, 62 km from the main town. It connects all the major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Cochin, Chennai, etc. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railways' famous toy train service starts at New Jalpaiguri and will get you to Darjeeling in about 7 hours.

Darjeeling manages to be as beautiful as the royal princess of the old times ornamented with its green pearls throughout the day, from dawn to dusk and dusk to dawn, and till the earth completes one more revolution of the sun.

April-June:

Summers are the best times to be in Darjeeling when the days are not too bright and the evenings are calm down with a hint of winters in them. With maximum temperature not going above 25 degrees Celsius, Darjeeling is a surreal destination for backpackers in summers as the windy air and the picturesque surroundings make it all worth a lifetime experience.

October-March:

When the monsoon decides to leave, leaving the soil a little moist and the wind a little humid, Darjeeling decides to get prettier with a perfect blend of beautiful weather, clouds, and awaiting fog. In the months of November and January, there is dew on the grass, fog on the glass, and flakes of cloud wrapping you up in the arms of nature. Winters could be too cold here with a temperature going to as below as -2 degrees Celsius. So, if winter is your love, do not forget to carry your woolens.

July-September:

Darjeeling experience heavy downpours in monsoons and this could make the traveling a little tough but for the lovers of monsoon, no place on the map could fit in as Darjeeling. It glistens into a new life with droplets of rain making music while falling from the leaf of a tea plant amidst the dark forests of a lush green valley.

Mount Kanchenjunga

Darjeeling is endowed with the overwhelming Kanchenjunga range which is the third-largest peak in the world. The view of the tea gardens, rolling hills, and the horizon is sheathed by the mighty Himalayas. Darjeeling indeed offers the most breathtaking views of this range.

Sunrise

Tiger Hill is an exclusive point in Darjeeling from where you can view the hills of Nepal, China, and Sikkim as well as the mountain ranges of Everest and Kanchenjunga apart from the platonic sunrise. 

The Zoo and Mountaineering Institute

The zoo in Darjeeling is the key breeding center for some of the most endangered species from the Himalayas. It has been lauded with international awards for breeding some exotic species. The key attractions at the zoo are snow leopards and endangered red pandas. The fauna found here is also varied. There is a mountaineering institute adjacent to the zoo and there are only two of these in the whole of the country. 

The Ropeway

This not just happens to be the longest cable car ride in Asia but is also the one that passes through the rolling tea estates. The entire ride will take about 40 minutes with Sikkim on the right and tea estates right below you. 

The Walks

Short hikes around the town to explore the tiny tea stalls, hidden trails and the monasteries of Darjeeling can help you understand the non-touristy side of Darjeeling.

The Joy Ride

The steam engine of Darjeeling is really very special. It has been declared as the UNESCO World Heritage and spans for about 2 hours. This is indeed going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

The Food

Darjeeling has its own authentic cuisine that deserves a try. The food here is a unique potpourri of flavors from Nepali, Indian, and Tibetan food. Restaurants in Darjeeling range from the British-era cafes to the small wooden structures serving nothing but hot and spicy momos. Be it the full-scale English breakfast or the kinds of pasta and the authentic Nepali meals, you can get it all in Darjeeling. Do you know what’s better? You’ll never find bad food in Darjeeling. 

Tea

Yes, TEA! We all know what Darjeeling is fondly popular for across the globe? Tea! Some of the choicest teas in the world are extracted from these hills.

Darjeeling is a safe place to travel in all seasons. One should just avoid late-night walks or going to secluded areas at night.

The best option to explore any hill is to stroll down the place on your feet capturing all that it has stored for ages in its girth.

There are other transport options that keep Darjeeling moving like private or reserved taxis, shared taxis (operating on per person fare), public buses, etc. Even the toy trains of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway serve as local transportation on specific routes.

The distance between Darjeeling and Gangtok is 96.8 kilometers which can be covered in 3 hours 45 minutes.

Nepali, Hindi, Bengali, and English are the prevailing languages of Darjeeling. Nepali (which is spoken by more than 70% of the population in Darjeeling, Kurseong, and Mirik subdivisions) is the dominant language in the hills.

Darjeeling’s mixed culture is a blessing for all the foodies out there. You will find all sorts of cuisines starting from Tibetan, Chinese, Continental, Thai, and Nepali food available in the many restaurants that line the hill.

Darjeeling’s mixed culture is a blessing for all the foodies out there. You will find all sorts of cuisines starting from Tibetan, Chinese, Continental, Thai, and Nepali food available in the many restaurants that line the hill.

Darjeeling Tea Plantations: Darjeeling is most famous for its black tea. Prices may start from ?500 a kilo and start climbing as the varieties of tea get more exotic.

Nehru Road and Mall Road: The streets of Darjeeling are known for shops that sell woolen clothes, hand-woven clothes, handicrafts, and of course miniature souvenirs of the beloved Toy Train.

Kalimpong, Jaldhaka, Kurseong, Mirik, Rajabhatkawa, Lataguri, Jalpaiguri, Lachung, Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, Dooars, and many more.

Consumed with mesmerizing valleys, hills, and alpine trees, Darjeeling and its neighboring places to visit are one of the most attractive destinations with a distinct assortment of tourist spots to explore in India. From Jaldhaka to Kurseong, the neighboring towns of Darjeeling are embedded with dazzling landscapes, glamorous valleys, and an array of adventures to embark upon. 

From the rich collection of enigmatic wildlife creatures at the Jaldapara wildlife sanctuary to the enthralling hills and lakes found in Mirik and more, the towns around Darjeeling are simply a delight for every holidaymaker and nature enthusiast to visit. 

Places around Darjeeling also carry a rich cultural aspect and heritage that has remained in the locals for centuries. Learning about these is an exciting journey in itself. In other words, Darjeeling and its neighboring places are what you can call the perfect holiday destinations.