Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Introduction
Nestled in the Himalayas, Darjeeling is situated at an altitude of 2134 meters. The name of thetown has been derived from "Darjeeling" meaning 'the place of the Dorje - the Mystic.
To most International visitors, the name "Darjeeling" brings to mindthe best quality 'tea' in the world. Bearing testimony to this, are over 70 teagardens close to the town.
The Darjeeling Toy Train (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999) chugs alon from New Jalpaiguri and reaches Darjeeling after traversing through jungles, rice paddies, tea gardens and pine forests, making this " a journey to remember".
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
General Information
Altitude
2134 metres
Temperature
Mean Mean
Max. Min.
Summer
14.98c 8.59c
Winter
6.11c 1.50c
Season
April to Middle June and September to November.
Clothing
Summer
Light Woollens and Tropicals.
Winter
Heavy Woollens.
STD Code
0354
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
How To Get There
Air
Nearest airport Bagdogra (96 km) is directly connected to Calcutta, Delhi and Guwahati by Indian Airlines and Jet Airways services.
Rail
New Jalpaiguri (86 km) and Siliguri (80 km) are connected to all the major places in India.
Road
Calcutta is 686 km, Gangtok 114 km and Kalimpong 51 km away.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Tourist Facilities
Car operators
Tourist Bureau
Government of West Bengal,
1 Nehru Road, Chowrasta
Tel 54050
Tourist Cars/Taxis
Available
Other Transport
Jeeps and landrovers are available for local sightseeing in and around Darjeeling. Ponies are also available.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Guide Service
Guides are available with the Tourist Bureau, Government of West Bengal, 1 Nehru Road, Chowrasta, and Tel: 54050
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Travel / Excursion Agents
Clubside Motors, Robertson Road;
Siddiqui Motors, Robertson Road;
Darjeeling Motor service, Laden La Road;
Darjeeling - Siliguri Motor Syndicate, Darjeeling Transport Corporation, Laden La Road;
Everest Motors, Laden La Road;
Himalayan Travels, Gandhi Road;
Kalimpong Motor Transport Syndicate, Motor Stand; Summit Tours, Laden La Road;
Tourist Services Agency, Laden la Road, Near GPO;
Travel Corporation of India, Gandhi Road.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Where To Stay
Hotels (Government Approved)
Medium
Hotel Mohit (p) Ltd.
H D Lama Road
Tel 54723, 54818, 53782, 55875
Fax 54351, 54706.
E-mail: mohit@dte.vsnl.net.in
Website: www.fhrai.com
http://www.fhraindia.com/hotel/darjeeling/mohit
Hotel Sinclairs Darjeeling
18/1 Gandhi Road
Tel 5631-32 Fax 54355
E-mail: Sinclairsdj@hotmail.com
Website: www.fhrai.com
www.sinclairshotels.com
New Elign Hotel
H D Lama Road
Tel : 54114
Fax : 54267
E-mail: newellin@cal.vsnl.net.in
Website: www.fhrai.com
For further details contact your nearest Govt. Of India Tourist Office or State Tourist Office .
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Heritage
Fortune Hotel central
Robertson Road, Tel 5647, 56050, 52647 Fax 56048
Website: www.fhrai.com
Windamere Hotel
Observatory Hill
Tel : 54041-42
Fax : 54043, 54211
E-mail: windmere@cal.vsnl.net.in
Website: www.fhrai.com
For further details contact your nearest Govt. Of India Tourist Office or State Tourist Office
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Budget
Hotel Garuda
64 Laden La Road
Tel 54562-63 Fax 56110
Website: www.fhrai.com
Hotel Seven Seventeen
H D Lama Road
Tel : 55099, 54717, 52017
Fax : 54717
E-mail: tashi@cal.vsnl.net.in
Website: www.fhrai.com
Hotel Apsara
Laden La Road
Tel : 52983, 56285, 54486, 52242
Fax : 54484
Website: www.fhrai.com
Hotel Shambhu (p) Ltd.
73 Gandhi Road
Tel : 54926, 54350, 53297, 53428
Website: www.fhrai.com
For further details contact your nearest Govt. Of India Tourist Office or State Tourist Office
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Other Accommodation
Tourist Lodge
Bhanu sarani
Tel : 54411- 12
Maple Tourist Lodge
Kutchery Road
Tel : 54413
Tiger Hill Tourist Lodge
Senachal, PO Ghoom
Youth Hostel (Govt. of West Bengal)
Dr. zakir Hussain Road
Darjeeling Gorkha
Hill Council Tourism
Lowis Jubilee Complex
Dr. S K Paul Road
Tel : 56395
For further details contact your nearest Govt. Of India Tourist Office or State Tourist Office
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
What To See
Batasia Loop
5 km. A marvellous feat of engineering, this Railway Loop provides a delightful view of the 'toy' train as it winds its way round the loop.
Darjeeling-Rangeet Valley
Passenger Ropeway
3 km. The 8-km. long ropeway at North point is the first to be introduced in India and connects Darjeeling with Singla Bazar.
Dhirdham Temple
Situated next to the railway station, the temple architecture has been inspired by the famous Pashupatinath Temple at Kathmandu in Nepal.
Ghoom Buddhist Monastery
8 km. A typical Tibetan monastery which enshrines an image of the maitreyee Buddha or the coming Buddha.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Happy Valley Tea Estate
3 km. One of the 70 teas gardens. Nearest to the town. Here one may see the entire process of making the world famous Darjeeling tea.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
2 km. Situated on Jawahar Parbat, the institute imparts training in mountaineering. It has a museum which houses an interesting collection of mountaineering equipment, specimens of Himalayan flora and fauna among other things.
Lebong Race Course
8 km. One of the smallest and the highest race courses in the world. Races are held here during spring and autumn.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Lloyds Botanical Garden
A colourful garden situated just below the Market Motor Stand. It has a representative collection of Himalayan flora including orchids.
The shrubbery
A beautiful garden situated on the Jawahar parbat behind Raj Bhawan and offers a magnificent view of the Kanchenjunga Range and Singla Valley.
Observatory Hill
The Observatory Hill commands a magnificent view and is a holy place for Hindus and Buddhists alike.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan zoological park
Adjacent to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, it is a high altitude wildlife park and a new home for the Siberian Tiger, Himalayan black bear, deer and panda.
Step Aside
Situated near Chowrasta, the place owes its fame to the great nationalist Deshbandhu Chittranjan Das who passed away here in 1925.
Tibetan Refugee Self-help Centre
10 km. Established in 1950 to rehabilitate the displaced Tibetans rehabilitate the displaced Tibetans who had come to India with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. This is now a sacred place for Tibetans. The Tibetan craftsmen may be seen here at word producing excellent carpets, woollen, wooden and leather handicrafts.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Tiger Hill
11 km. Situated at an altitude of 2590 metres, Tiger hill is famous for affording a fabulous view of Mount Kanchenjunga and certain other eastern Himalayan peaks at sunrise. Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, is also visible from this point.
Natural History Museum
Within walking distance of Chowrasta, the museum houses a comprehensive collection of the fauna of the region.
Ava Art Gallery
2 km. On way to Ghoom, this art gallery houses fine art objects.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Conducted Tours
Itinerary
Timings
Operators
Ava Art Gallery Dhirdham
Temple Himalayan
Mountaineering
Institute
0930 to
1230 hrs
Tourist Bureau
Govt. of West Bengal 1 Nehru Road, Chowrasta
Tel 54050
Zoo Passenger Ropeway
1330 to
1630 hrs
Tours are operated during season only
and start from and terminate at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bus Stand
Tibetan Refugee
Self-help centreLebong Race Course
Tiger Hill
Ghoom Buddhist Monastery
1600 to
2000 hrs
Tourist Bureau
Government of West Bengal 1 Nehru Road, Chowrasta, Tel 54050
Note: Itinerary and timings subject to change
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Gardens & Parks
Lloyds Botanical Garden, Below Market Motor Stand; JB Thana Park, Chowrasta
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
At A Distance
Bijanbari
38 km. Motorable Road. Situated at an altitude of 762 metres, it is beautiful picnic spot near Rangeet River.
Kalimpong
51 km. Situated at an altitude of 1250 metres, Kalimpong is a calm hill resort amidst gently rolling hills and deep valleys.
Kurseong
32 km. A Picturesque tourist resort at an altitude of 1458 metres. The Eagles crag provides an excellent view of the plains.
Majitar
21 km. A jeepable road leads to this beautiful picnic spot.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Sandakphu
58 km. A fascinating view of sunrise can be had from here.
Senchal Lake
10 km. A popular picnic spot. The lake supplies water to Darjeeling town and its neighborhood.
Singla
A fascinating spot near Rageet river. An 8-km. long ropeway from Darjeeling, which takes about one hour to reach, also connects Singla.
Takdah
26 km. Famous for its Orchid Culture Centre runs by the West Bengal Forest Development Corporation. Nearly 110 varieties of orchids, local as well as hybrids are cultured here. Also offered for sale to visitors.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Treks
Darjeeling - Manaybhanjang - Tonglusandakphu - Phalut (return same route) - 160 km.
Darjeeling - Phalut - Ramam - Rimbik - Palmajua - Batasi - Manaybhanjang - Darjeeling - 180 km.
Trekking Season
April-May and October - November. For reservations of different rest houses:
I) Dak Bungalows at Tonglu, Sandakphu and Phalut. Reservations: Deputy Commissioner, D1 Fund epartment, Darjeeling.
II) Forestungalows and Youth Hostel, Reservations: Divisional Manager, Forest Development Corporation, Darjeeling. Advancenotice is essential. The rest houses are provided with crockery-cutlery and utensils. Bedding, sleeping bags, candles and foodstuff have to be carried. Arrangements for transport, porter, cooks, sleeping bags, ruck - sacks, etc, if necessary, can be made by the Tourist Bureau, Darjeeling.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Where And What To Buy
Locally made carpets, Woollens, wooden and leather handicrafts can be bought by interested shoppers from:
Chowrasta, Laden La Road, Market Square, NB Singh Road, Nehru Road.
Manjusha
About 2 km from the town on the way to Ghoom, situated opposite Ava Art Gallery. Here prominent hill handicrafts, handloom and silk products of West Bengal are displayed and sold.
Hayden Hall (Laden La Road)
Woollen carpets, cotton shoulder bags, tablemats, hand-knitted pure wool sweaters and caps are available for sale.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Entertainment
Cinemas
Capital, Laden La Road
Rink, Dr. S M Das Road
Foreign films are also exhibited.
Clubs
Darjeeling Gymkhana Club; Bhanu Sarani West (Mall Road). Indoor and outdoor games.Darjeeling Club Gandhi Road Mainly for the local tea planters. Visitors allowed as guests.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Sports Activities
Fishing
Fishing is allowed in Rangeet and Teesta rivers, 22 km and 48 kmrespectively from Darjeeling. Permits may be obtained from the Divisional Forest Officer at Darjeeling or Kalimpong.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Festivals
Lepcha/Bhutia New Year's Day: January
Celebrated in the first week of January during Maker Sankranti when the colourful fairs are held along the Teesta River.
Losar Tibetan New Year's Day :
February
Colourful Tibetan folk-dances are staged in monasteries on this day.
Durga Puja/Dussehra:
September/ October
Goddess Durga is worshipped and beautiful images of her are immersed in the water after taking them in colourful processions.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Places Of Worship
Buddhist
Aloobasti Monastery, Tenzing Norgay Road; Bhutan Busty Monastery, CR Das Road; Ghoom Monastery, Ghoom; Nepali Tamang Buddhist Monastery,Below Dharamsala; Samtem Choaling Monastery, Hill Cart Road.
Christian
Catholic Church, Near Bazar Taxi Stand; Church of North India, Near ymkhana Club, Mall Road; St.Columbus Church, Near Railway Station; Union Church, Gandhi Road.
Hindu
Bara Thakurbari, Chowk Bazar; hirdham Temple, Near Railway Station; Mahakal Temple, Observatory Hill; Saini Mandir, Sonam Wangel Road; Sree Mandir, JN Mitra Road.
Muslim
Baro Masjid, Dr. Zakir HussainRoad; Chhoto Masjid, Anjuman.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Where To Eat
Restaurants
Ambassador, Chowrasta; Chowrasta Restaurant,Chowrasta; New Dish,jwala Prasad Road; Orient, NBSingh Road; Shabnam, LadenLaRoad; Sangrila, Nehru Road; Simla, NC Goenka Road.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Bank / Money Changers
Allahabad Bank, ANZ Grindlays Bank, Indian Bank, State Bank of India, Union Bank of India, HD Lama Road; United Bank of India, Hill Cart Road, United Commercial Bank, Robertson Road; Vijaya Bank, Gandhi Road; Central Bank of India, NC Goenka Road.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Post And Telegraph Offices
General Post And Telegraph Office,
Laden La Road;
Bazar Post Office,
Market Square.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Darjeeling
Tourist Information Centres
Tourist Bureau
Government of West Bengal
1 Nehru Road,
Chowrasta
Tel : 54050
Deputy Director (Tourism)
DGHC,
Silver Fir,
Bhanu Sarani
Tel : 54214
Tourist Assistance Booths at Railway Station and Laden La Road
Copyright © by FreeIndia.Org - India Site dedicated to freedom movement, education, culture, All Right Reserved.
