10 Things to do in Darjeeling in 4 Days

Last Updated on June 4, 2022 by Roslin Dwivedi

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Darjeeling is known for its fantastic weather, astonishing mountain views, Tea and a world heritage toy train seen in many Bollywood movies. Established as a ‘Health Station’ by the Britishers after receiving it as a gift. It became one of the perfect getaway and vacation destinations in India. Darjeeling tea is one of the famous teas in most of India’s renowned hotels. Our 4 Days trip to Darjeeling was the second leg of our Gangtok – Darjeeling vacation. I suggest 4 Days are sufficient to vacation in Darjeeling like you can easily cover its most tourist places. In this post, I am covering our 4 day itinerary and 10 things to do in Darjeeling.

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Our four-day itinerary and things to do in Darjeeling  

DAY 1 

Checking In:

We reached Darjeeling’s central market, Chowrasta Bazaar, at around two o’clock in the afternoon. Upon checking in to our hotel, we learnt the rooms were tiny, the window of the room opened to show the neighbour’s house, and the hotel had no room service. So we changed the hotel by looking into 4 to 5 hotels and found a lovely Hotel Villa Everest. We got two spacious bedrooms with better facilities and beautiful views on our budget (Check out the trick we used to get this room in the tips section below). We spent the rest of the evening relaxing and started our expedition the next day.

DAY 2 

 Peace Pagoda 

Japanese Peace Pagoda was our first stop, located in Jalapahar Hill. A beautiful Buddhist monastery. Before going to the Pagoda, you find a Japanese temple first before going towards the Pagoda. Pagoda has a colossal stupa, with four sizeable gilded bronze statues of Buddha on its four sides, showing his different avatars.
The serene surroundings and view of the Kanchenjunga hills make this place one of the best.

Barbotey Rock Garden Waterfall 

A concrete and stone ascended walkway, built around a beautiful natural waterfall at Chunnu summer falls and Ganga Maya Park. The garden endeavours a stunning spectacle of mountains, a flower garden and benches to rest for tourists at different levels in the park constructed on the hill. The garden has seasonal flowers, and many places have large semi-round balconies with seats to enjoy the magnificent view.

Orange Valley Tea Garden

Orange Valley Tea Garden is a village with a series of tea hills in Pulbazar. And the weather of Darjeeling makes its quintessence.
Walking in between the tea bushes is allowed for the tourists. We even dressed like local women with the tea basket on our backs. Buying green and orange tea boxes for your friends and family would be a great souvenir.

Ropeway Ride 

Another best way to see the 360 views of the beautiful Darjeeling city is by Gondola ride. This ride starts from Jawahar Parbat. The cable car takes you for a scenic journey of Darjeeling for around 15-20 mins. It’s two ways, so you get enough time to enjoy the scenery.

 Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

The Institute is for climbers. Tenzing Norgay was the founder and director of field training and advisor at HMI (Himalayan Mountaineering Institute). Tenzing Norgay was among the first men to summit Mount Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary. The Institute has a museum dedicated to Tenzing Norgay, displaying his life, his mountains relics, tools, his picture of the time and his suites worn during the ascent.

Himalayan Zoological park

The park’s ticket includes the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute’s ticket. If you are interested in the zoo, it’s one of the best zoos I have seen. The exciting thing about this zoo is all the animals are healthy and active. Watching these active animals, like snow leopard, Bengal tiger, and jaguar, is thrilling. The red pandas are the main attraction in the zoo. Kids would love this zoo for sure.
The zoo, widely spread approx. 60 acres, so be prepared to walk a lot.

DAY 3

Tiger Hill

Watch the sunrise at Tiger-Hill. Tourists gather at Tiger-hill mountain to witness the first rays of the Sun on the Kanchenjunga range and Mount Everest. We arranged a taxi to take us to the hill at around 4 am. The earlier you reach, the better it is. You can reserve a picture-perfect spot for yourself to watch the sunrise. The weather in Darjeeling is mostly cold, but at 4 am, it’s even chilling. It’s better to wear thick winter clothes. There is no fee to visit this place. However, you can buy unlimited coffee and snacks from the counter in the vicinity. Car parking is close, so you don’t have to walk much down the slope.

Ghoom monastery

On the way back from Tiger Hill, stop at a popular place Ghoom Monastery. The Monastery is the popular name of the Yiga Choeling Monastery, located at an elevation of 8,000 feet. 8 km from Darjeeling. And also the oldest and first-ever built Monastery in Darjeeling. Its peaceful environment and location are a heart-stopper. Even the interior with a giant Buddha statue and the prayer relics provide so many positive vibes. 

Many hawkers are sitting on the way down to the Monastery, selling apparel, winter wear and souvenirs.

Batasia Loop and War Memorial 

Our next stop was the Batasia loop. Batasia means ‘a windy place’, and the area justifies its meaning entirely. It’s a massive garden that has well-maintained vegetation. Walking in the park, you can view the famous Toy Train and the stunning view of the city and mountains. The Toy Train stops here for tourists to show the garden.
In the park, there is a Memorial built to pay respect to the Gorkha martyrs of Darjeeling.

Chowk bazar Or Chowrasta Square  

Chowk Bazar is the main market and a crowded area in Darjeeling. It takes 15-20 mins to make the whole round of this place and have a peek into this small town.
Chowk Bazar is the main attraction for locals as well as tourists. Locals spend their evenings strolling, enjoying some street delicacies of Darjeeling. Most people are relaxing on the stairs located in the centre of it. Many old and famous bakeries, eateries, handwoven winter wears, pieces of jewellery and souvenir shops are in this area. Some old buildings and hotels have maintained the British colonial town look.

DAY 4 

On the last day of our trip, we spent our time at the hotel in Chowk Bazar, relaxing and absorbing the beauty of the place. 

Our Sikkim – Darjeeling trip ended with a half-day Kolkata tour at the victoria memorial hall as we had our flight back to Mumbai from Kolkata airport. We took a taxi from Darjeeling to reach Kolkata, where we had 4 hours before boarding the plane. We decided to take a small tour of Victoria Memorial Hall. And this one is a recommended place to visit in Kolkata. 

Getting Around Darjeeling 

Hire a full day taxi from the main market road stand it may cost you approx. 3000INR. Or best is to book a hotel near the central area, Chowk bazar and explore the city on foot. It’s the best way to see the authentic Darjeeling. The locals and their routine.

You can take a taxi from point A to B at a negotiable rate. 

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Best Time To Visit Darjeeling

Darjeeling is impressive all year round but according to our experience visiting Darjeeling between September to December is one of the best times.

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How To Reach Darjeeling

By Flight – We landed at Bagdogra airport, and from there, we took a taxi and headed towards Gangtok. Coming back from Gangtok, we hired a cab and came to Darjeeling again. It takes approximately 4-5 hours to reach Darjeeling. 

If you are visiting only Darjeeling – Since there are no direct flights, trains, or buses between Kolkata and Darjeeling, the convenient and fastest way to reach is by air from metro cities of India. Land at Bagdogra airport in West Bengal, which is 90 km from Darjeeling and is the nearest airport. Hire a taxi at the airport on the spot or book before arrival. 

By Train – 

Mumbai to Darjeeling: Via Train

There is no central railway station in Darjeeling with direct rail connectivity with many cities. However, you can take a train from your city or any major cities like Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Guwahati, Chennai, Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar and Cochin to New Jalpaiguri, which is a central station and then take a car to reach Darjeeling in 2-3 hours.

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What To Wear In Darjeeling

Assume you are visiting during winter. It’s best to keep all your winter clothes, including thermal ones. At least two jackets and two sweaters would be a great choice. Proper thick pants or jeans would also do a good job saving you from cold. One more thing you must keep is a mask and a beanie (winter cap). Mask is to protect you from breathing a chilled breeze. Thick socks and proper shoes, especially girls, don’t take your slippers to wear outside. Better be on sports shoes. That way, you are safe from the cold.
If you are visiting during summer, that is from April to June. You may have to take a single sweater or a jacket for your trip. Rest, it’s always better to check the temperature before you start packing.

Shopping in Darjeeling

1. My souvenir shopping from Darjeeling were Some winter shawl, caps and woollen hand gloves.
2. We also bought some Green tea and orange tea from Orange valley tea garden.

Don’t miss these a few viewpoints on the way to Darjeeling if coming from Gangtok

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Tips for visiting Darjeeling flawlessly :

1. Check for the best hotel for you appropriately online. 
2. Hire a full day taxi and ask the driver to show you around
3. Do your research and get an itinerary made, so you dot waste time thinking about where to go and what to do.
4. You don’t need a guide to visit anywhere in Darjeeling.
5. Book a hotel around Chowrasta to not miss the local vibes of Darjeeling.
6. Walk and see the place to save on transport.
7. Check the weather forecast before packing.

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