The Magic of Darjeeling
General InformationHistory of DarjeelingActivities & ExcursionsSpecial FactsPlaces of InterestThe Suburbs
Places of Interest
We have introduced a real time help desk facility. We can take you for five point and seven point tour. The tour includes points or places of your choice from among the list given below -
Ghoom Monastery
On the way back from Tiger Hill one can visit monastery on the Ghoom spur. One of the oldest Buddhist Monastery in India. It houses a 12 ft. height statue of Lord Buddha. Nearly 8 kms from Darjeeling is the Ghoom Monastery or Gumpha. Here a very beautiful statue of the Maitrayie Buddha is established. Several monasteries like Ghoom Monastery, Bhutia Busty monastery and Mag-Dhog Yolmowa preserve ancient rare handwritten Buddhist manuscripts.
Tiger Hill
Famous the world over for its unique view of sunrise especially the pre-dawn ride to Tiger Hill to watch the first rays of the sun kiss Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. One has to avail of taxi service to reach the 8000 ft. peak. Passing through primitive forests of oak, magnolia and beautiful ferns ablaze with color is the steeply ascending road to Tiger Hill which is 11 km from the town and at an elevation of 2,590 mts. The place is famous for its magnificent view of Kanchenjunga, Mt. Everest and other eastern Himalayan peaks especially at the time of sunrise. No finer place exists to the viewer in the grandeur and beauty of towering snow-capped mountains and presents many more formidable hazards than Everest . An experience not to be missed.
Batasia Loop and The War Memorial
A visit to Darjeeling is incomplete without a ride in the toy -train. 5 km from Darjeeling in Ghoom is the Batasia Loop - an engineering marvel. The railway line negotiates a circle and descends 1,000 ft in altitude. The train's figure-8s and "Z" maneuvers are as picturesque as the flowers, streams and waterfalls. At Batasia ("windy place") one gets a grand view of the town of Darjeeling perched on the slopes of hills and Kanchenjunga in the background and the War Memorial in honor of three Gorkhas who laid down their lives in the service of the nation.
Tibetan Refugees Center
Established in 1959 a center for the refugees who had fled Tibet with the Dalai Lama after the Chinese invasion. This self help center has been developed as workshop for the manufacture of handicrafts. For gift items and souvenirs you may pick up Tibetan crafts like carpets, wood and leather work. Tibetan Refugee Center offers one a view and sale of wide range of Tibetan handicrafts. One popular item is the Tibetan carpet.
Senchal Lake
A scenic lake near the tiger hills. This place has popularly come up as a picnic spot among the tourists. Water collected from rain and waterfalls are stored here is used as a reservoir. The lake supplies drinking water to the town of Darjeeling.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI)
Adjacent to the Zoological Park, HMI runs courses on mountaineering. It has a museum containing gears and also the specimens of Himalayan flora & fauna.The Everest Museum at Darjeeling HMI exhibits the history of attempts / success / and failure on the great peak. H M I is internationally famous for the Everest hero Tenzing Norgay one of the founding members and Field Director. The HMI museum houses a rare collection of momentous from various Expeditions. Nawang Gombu who climbed Everest twice is presently the Chief Advisor. Among other things an interesting museum exhibiting rare art facts from various mountaineering including the first successful expedition to Mount Everest, its prize also exhibits are equipments used by Tenzing Norgay (who lived in Darjeeling) and Edmund Hillary on their way to Mt. Everest and a letter written by George Mallory, the British climber who was lost while climbing Mt. Everest and whose body was found just a few years back. A section called Birch Hill Park, is open to train climbers from all over the world and promotes the cause, both as a science and a sport.
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
About 2 km. from the town, it houses a wide collection of high-altitude birds and animals, India's only collection of red panda. It is famous for its success in the snow leopard breeding program. Only Zoo in the world to breed Tibetan Wolf in captivity and the first South Asian zoo to breed Snow Leopard and Siberian Tiger. Because of the altitude and climatic conditions the flora and fauna naturally covers a wide spectrum. Nowhere in the world in such a small area can one find flora and fauna of such diverse varieties with high altitude wild life, Himalayan Black Bear, Pandas, Deer and Leopards etc. These can be seen roaming in their natural habitat
Natural History Museum
Close to Chowrastha is the Museum of Natural History, containing a representative of comprehensive collection of the fauna of the region. It is one of the finest, small museum in the world exhibiting a rare collection of fauna of the Himalayan region, a visit is advisable. The specimens are displayed in true to life attitudes of all birds' species, reptiles and animals found in different altitudes in the Eastern Himalayas. The butterfly and beetle section merit a special mention.
Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway
8 kms, Visitors can also take a ride in the Darjeeling-Rangit valley passenger cable car. This was the first ropeway in India. It connects the North point (7000 ft) to the Singla Bazaar (800 ft). The rope covers a distance of 8 kms in 45 minutes. A mono cable type, with one rope acting both as tractor and carrier, the ropeway travels at a speed of 6.5 km an hour. One can avail fantastic joy ride over lush green tea gardens and have a panoramic view of the Kanchenjunga range. Bookings in advance during season.
Happy Valley Tea Estate
The turnover of the Darjeeling tea industry is nearly 7.5 million USD. One of the Tea Estate with a tea processing unit. Garden located approximately 1 km from Darjeeling town offers the tourists an opportunity to experience the manufacturing process of the the Orthodox Darjeeling tea. Entry is only allowed with prior permission.
Japanese Temple (Peace Pagoda)
The Shanthi Stupas in India was established by Fuji Guru, a close friend of Mahatma Gandhi, for World Peace. There are six beautiful stupas in India. The Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist temple, Charlimont, Darjeeling is one of them.
Dhirdham Temple - This temple is a replica of the famous Pashupatinath temple of Kathmandu, Nepal. Situated near the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Station is a place worth visiting. This place is also very sacred for the Hindus and the serenity of the temple offers is another reason for its attraction.
Lloyds Botanical Garden
A brilliant garden with rare specimens of plants and orchids. One of the gifts of the Englishman, be he traveler, settler or colonizer, is that he always carries a 'bit of England' with him wherever he goes. Wrapped in mists and clouds. A garden with an incredible variety of orchids, rhododendrons, gladioli and a host of other flowers. The varied collection of orchids has developed 50 rare varieties, the Orchidarium housing 2,500 plants.
Rock Garden
Its a new tourist spot worth visiting. An ideal place for picnic. There is a natural waterfall named Chunnu Falls and from there 5 minutes drive you come to Munnu Falls where you can go for boating.
Observatory Hill
As the name suggests ,its this point that provides one of the breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga peaks. The hill feature above Chowrastha and a few minutes walk from the Mall Road, This place is also very sacred for the Hindus and the Buddhists as there are temples and the monasteries at this place.
