Darjeeling Holidays Packages
Sightseeing Places in Darjeeling
Darjeeling Travel Info
History of Darjeeling
Popularly known as the queen of hills, the land of Darjeeling once used to be a prominent part of Sikkim which was annexed by the British East India Company as a part of a treaty between the King of Sikkim and East India Company. Britishers were amazed by the landscapes and the climatic conditions of this place and therefore used it as a summer retreat for their families. They also cultivated vast tea gardens in the hills of Darjeeling, which to date stand out as one of the best varieties of tea in the entire world.
Geography and Climate
Spread across 7.43 sq km of land with an elevation of 2045 m, the city of Darjeeling is known for its cool and pleasant climatic conditions. Better known for its temperate subtropical climate, the city seems to have more than 3100 mm of annual rainfall with most of the precipitation being one the period of July to September. The city is also known for its rich wildlife with dense forest and national parks constituting more than 38% of the total area of the city.
People and Culture
Darjeeling boasts a diverse culture with is home to people from various communities and religions. Gorkha is the dominant community of this region and Nepali is the official language of Darjeeling followed by Hindi, Bhojpuri and Tibetan. Lepcha and Rongpa are considered to be the oldest inhabitants of this region and constitute the majority of the population. Agriculture and handicrafts are the major sources of livelihood while dance and music are a common interest and a major part of the cultural tradition of this region.
Food and Cuisines
Darjeeling is a common name when it comes to relishing unique and tasty cuisines.
Being located in the northeastern part of India, most of the food delicacies have similarities with its nearby states and regions. Rice and meat curries are the staple diet although there are enough options for vegetarians as well. Some of the common foods of Darjeeling include:
- Momo
- Thukpa
- Shaphaley
- Sel Roti
- Kinema
- Churpi
- Gundruk
- Alu Dum
Festivals
This is the time when all the people gather and celebrate vibrant festivals and religious events that showcase the rich cultural diversity of the city. Festivals are the main part of the culture and are widely celebrated with great zest and zeal. The majority of the festivals are related to the Hindu religion along with other major festivals from Buddhism, Islam and Christianity. The major festivals of Darjeeling are
- Chaita Dasai
- Tihar
- Losar
- Teej
- Holi
- Guru Purnima
- Orange Festival
How to Reach Darjeeling?
Air : Bagdogra International Airport is the nearest airport located at a distance of 69 km from the city of Darjeeling. From there, tourists can take a taxi ride to reach Darjeeling which takes around 2.5 to 3 hours depending on the traffic.
Train : Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the best way to travel to the city of Darjeeling. Tourists can book the train tickets from NJP railway station which will take you to the city of Darjeeling on one of the most memorable journeys.
Road : National Highway 110 is the major highway that connects Darjeeling with the rest of the Indian states. There are various ways to reach Darjeeling by roadways which can be selected on the basis of your travelling needs and time.
Things to Do in Darjeeling
Trekking : Tourists can trek to some of the popular mountains of Darjeeling with guidance from local tour operators or travel guides. Tiger Hill, Sandakphu, and Chatakpur are some of the best places equipped with severe and rugged trekking trails.
Camping : Placed amidst lush forests, the city of Darjeeling is home to numerous sites located at a distance from the city that offer camping facilities to tourists. Tourists can contact local tour operators and camping groups to camp in the forests while relishing to local and traditional cuisine of Darjeeling.
Watching sunrise : Watching the sun rising behind the majestic mountains of the Himalayas reflect a golden light in the atmosphere will be probably one of the best sunrises you can ever see. Tiger Hill located on top of Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for offering a breathing sunrise view.
Relish local foods : Darjeeling is known for its tasty and delicious delicacies each of which offers a unique blend of flavors. From steaming hot momo to savoury Sel Roti, you can relish some of the best local dishes from the local street stalls and restaurants.
Explore offbeat destinations : Darjeeling is home to several offbeat destinations located in various parts of the mountains, that can be travelled to explore the rich culture and hidden facts about Darjeeling. Bijanbari, Sukhia Pokhari and Mane Bhanjang are some of the offbeat destinations of Darjeeling that should be visited on your Darjeeling trip.
Mountain Biking : Darjeeling is also a common destination among people who have an interest in adventures such as mountain biking. Ghoom, Alu Bari, and Jalpahar are some of the places in Darjeeling that are filled with dense forest and rugged trails making it ideal for mountain biking.
