Darjeeling, West Bengal · Darjeeling hills
Darjeeling
Tea estates, the UNESCO toy train and sunrise over Kanchenjunga from Tiger Hill.
Darjeeling is an easy hill destination in Darjeeling, West Bengal, Darjeeling hills, reaching 2,590 m. The best time to go is March to May and October to December. Plan 3 to 4 days on the ground from Bagdogra / NJP and about ₹3,000 per person per day.
What to do in Darjeeling
The one thing not to miss
Tiger Hill at sunrise
For first light on Kanchenjunga. Leave very early.
- 2The toy trainThe joy ride to Ghum over the Batasia Loop.
- 3A tea estateHappy Valley is the closest to town.
- 4Mountaineering Institute and zooOn the same ticket, on Birch Hill.
A sample plan: 4 days
Day 1
Bagdogra to Darjeeling
About 3 hours on the road. Check in and take a short walk to get your bearings.
Day 2
Tiger Hill at sunrise · The toy train
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 3
A tea estate · Mountaineering Institute and zoo
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 4
Darjeeling to Bagdogra
Leave after breakfast; hill roads are slower than the map suggests.
A starting point built from the things to do above. Move days around to suit your pace.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Why go
The classic hill station of the East, with heritage, tea and big views in one town.
Why not
Crowded and traffic-heavy in May–June and around Durga Puja.
Before you go
- Permits
- None.
- Guide
- Not needed.
- Safety
- Tiger Hill sunrise means leaving around 4 am; it is cold at the top.
- Phone & internet
- Good.
Altitude
Darjeeling reaches 2,590 m. Most people feel fine, but a mild headache or poor sleep on the first night is common.
- Take the first day slowly and drink plenty of water.
- Avoid alcohol on the first night.
- If a headache comes with nausea, dizziness or unusual tiredness, do not go higher until it clears.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Darjeeling hills →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Main hospitals in Darjeeling hills: Darjeeling District Hospital, Darjeeling; North Bengal Medical College & Hospital, Siliguri.
All emergency contacts for Darjeeling hills →What to pack for Darjeeling
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
10 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) Nights drop below freezing in the snow months.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Waterproof gloves You will be touching snow; ordinary woollen gloves get wet.
- Neck gaiter or balaclava Covers nose and neck in wind and on cold mornings.
- Hand warmers A small, cheap comfort at camp and on early starts.
- Compact umbrella Showers are frequent in the rainy months.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
2 items
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
- Waterproof snow boots Ordinary shoes soak through in snow. Often rentable on the spot — check before buying.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
6 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets The approach roads are long and winding.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsNone.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereGood.
For what you're going for
2 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Darjeeling hills Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
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Homestays in Darjeeling hills
No homestays listed here yet. Run one? List it.
Getting there
The nearest gateway is Bagdogra / NJP.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. The town's lanes are steep and parking is scarce.
By road
From
Bagdogra / NJP
- Distance
- about 70 km
- Drive time
- about 3 hours
- Siliguri
- Rohini
- Kurseong
- Ghum
- Darjeeling
From
Gangtok
- Distance
- about 100 km
- Drive time
- about 4 hours
- Gangtok
- Rangpo
- Teesta
- Peshok
- Ghum
- Darjeeling
Buses and shared taxis. Fly to Bagdogra or take a train to New Jalpaiguri (NJP), both next to Siliguri. Shared jeeps and taxis leave from there. The toy train from NJP takes most of a day when it runs.
Pickups & drivers
From Bagdogra / NJP. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Darjeeling yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Darjeeling: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Darjeeling?
The best months for Darjeeling are March to May and October to December. January and February, June and September are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in January.
How difficult is Darjeeling?
Darjeeling is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 2,042 m and reaching 2,590 m.
How many days do you need for Darjeeling?
Plan 3 to 4 days on the ground, counted from Bagdogra / NJP. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Darjeeling cost?
Expect about ₹3,000 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹12,000 for 4 days, before the cost of getting to Bagdogra / NJP.
How do you reach Darjeeling?
By road: from Bagdogra / NJP it is about 70 km, about 3 hours (Siliguri → Rohini → Kurseong → Ghum → Darjeeling); from Gangtok it is about 100 km, about 4 hours (Gangtok → Rangpo → Teesta → Peshok → Ghum → Darjeeling). Fly to Bagdogra or take a train to New Jalpaiguri (NJP), both next to Siliguri. Shared jeeps and taxis leave from there. The toy train from NJP takes most of a day when it runs. The nearest gateway is Bagdogra / NJP.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Darjeeling?
Permits: None. Guide: Not needed.
Is Darjeeling suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is great; with seniors it is great. It is busy in season. Tiger Hill sunrise means leaving around 4 am; it is cold at the top.
What should you pack for Darjeeling?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, waterproof gloves, neck gaiter or balaclava, hand warmers, compact umbrella. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Darjeeling?
Good.
Will I get altitude sickness at Darjeeling?
Darjeeling reaches 2,590 m. Most people feel fine, but a mild headache or poor sleep on the first night is common. Take the first day slowly and drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol on the first night. If a headache comes with nausea, dizziness or unusual tiredness, do not go higher until it clears. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Darjeeling?
Darjeeling suits most travellers, including children and senior citizens. The one drawback to know about: Crowded and traffic-heavy in May–June and around Durga Puja.
Close to Darjeeling
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Mirikabout 18 km
- Kalimpongabout 21 km
- Sandakphu–Phalutabout 27 km
More in Darjeeling & Singalila
- Mirik1,600 mcompare
- Sandakphu–Phalut3,636 mcompare
- Kalimpong1,700 mcompare
- Lava & Lolegaon2,350 mcompare
- Rishyap (Rishop)2,600 mcompare