Darjeeling

Darjeeling · West Bengal

The 'Queen of the Hills' — world-famous tea, a UNESCO toy train and sunrise views of mighty Kanchenjunga.

Timings

Town always open; toy train & sites daytime

Entry

Free town; toy train & attractions charged

Best time

October–November & March–May (clear mountain views)

Time needed

2–3 days

Perched in the eastern Himalayas, Darjeeling is a hill station like no other — the source of some of the world's most prized tea, and blessed with jaw-dropping views of Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain on earth. Its misty ridges, tea gardens and colonial charm have enchanted travellers for over a century.

The star attraction is the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage 'toy train' that puffs up the mountainside. Add a pre-dawn trip to Tiger Hill for the sunrise over Kanchenjunga, a visit to a working tea estate, and the vibrant local culture, and it's unforgettable.

Don't miss

›Sunrise over Kanchenjunga from Tiger Hill.
›The UNESCO 'toy train' (Darjeeling Himalayan Railway).
›A tea-estate tour and a fresh cup of Darjeeling first flush.

Good to know

Mountain views depend on clear weather — spring and autumn are best. Tiger Hill sunrise means a very early, cold start. The toy train's shorter 'joy rides' are easy to book on the day.