Darjeeling Tour Packages

About Darjeeling Tourism:

Darjeeling is rightly known as the ‘Queen of the Hills’ as it is thronged by many visitors annually due to its mesmerizing locales, stunning views of the mountains and valleys, revelling natural beauty and old-world charm. Holidify’s various Darjeeling travel packages are the answer to a perfect getaway for all kinds of travellers. Explore the best places to visit in Darjeeling amongst its Himalayan railway, Darjeeling ropeway, Batasia loop and mountaineering institute etc.

Darjeeling was the summer capital of the erstwhile British Empire, used as a sanatorium and an escape from the heat of the plains. So perhaps the first activity to add to your itinerary is to tour one of Darjeeling’s 80 tea estates like the Glenburn Tea Estate, Okayti Tea Estate and Puttabong Tea Estate!

Tiger Hill is a must-visit in Darjeeling to catch a glimpse of the majestic Kanchenjunga, especially at sunrise and often at the tip of Mt. Everest. Nature lovers would undoubtedly love to explore Rock Garden, with its beautiful flower gardens, rocky hills, lake and excellent picnic spots, and fully immerse themselves in the pine, oak and rhododendron forests of Lepchajagat a small village.

Darjeeling tour packages provide a chance to discover the region’s diverse flora and fauna at sites like the Singalila National Park and Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park that house snow leopards, red pandas, Himalayan black bears, Saxifraga etc. In addition, there are plenty of opportunities for adventure activities like trekking and river rafting; the Sandakphu Trek Sikkim Trek and Phalut Trek are pretty famous.

There are also several holy locations for you to visit on your trip to Darjeeling, like the Peace Pagoda, Ghoom Monastery and Aloobari Monastery. Furthermore, don’t forget to ride the Darjeeling Ropeway or the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and shop at Teesta Bazaar, Nehru Road and Chowk Bazaar. Darjeeling tour packages include Lachung, Gangtok and Pelling to provide a taste of the beautiful East.

A gorgeous hill station boasting incredible views of Mt. Kanchenjunga, fields covered with bright rhododendrons, lakes like the Tsomgo Lake, breathtaking monasteries and temples and numerous chances for trekking, Gangtok is Sikkim’s most popular destination. Visit Pelling to experience its verdure, indigenous wildlife, Buddhist monasteries, views of the mountains, and embark on thrilling treks and outdoor excursions.

The magnificent town and hill station of Lachung is a significant destination in North Sikkim that you mustn’t miss exploring its cascading waterfalls and rivers like the Lachung River, snow-clad peaks, orchards and more! So whether you are looking for a Darjeeling package for a natural getaway or just a Darjeeling holiday package with family and friends, pick the best one at Holidify. Offering customizable packages to suit every kind of traveller from Lachung, Gangtok, Pelling, Kolkata, and other parts of India and the world, Holidify’s Darjeeling tour packages are fully customizable for an incredible trip.

Darjeeling Toy Train

The very famous toy train or the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, is one of the few hill railways still operating in India. There is a daily steam service to/from Kurseong and a diesel train service to/from NJP. The journey to/from NJP is an exhausting eight-hour haul, so you might want to consider the steam train to/from Kurseong. There are also two-hour joy-ride during the high season from Darjeeling. It stops for half an hour in Ghum which is India's highest railway station. Make sure to book at least a day ahead.

Tea Tourism in Darjeeling

Popularly known as the "Mecca of Tea", Darjeeling is leading in the area of tea tourism. With 80 operational tea gardens, sprawling across acres of land, Darjeeling produces what is known as the "Champagne of tea". Darjeeling has numerous places to learn about tea production. The busiest time is from March to May, but occasional plucking occurs from June to November. Also, there is no plucking on Sunday. You can go for a homestay with a tea pickers family and you'll get to join your hosts for the morning work in the tea bushes. You can return home with a batch of your very own hand-plucked Darjeeling tea.

Places to Visit in Darjeeling

Tiger Hill: Tiger Hill is most famous for its splendid sights of sunrise from where you can see the peaks of Kanchenjunga illuminate before the sun is seen at lower elevations. The starting time from Darjeeling is 3.30 AM to reach tiger hill by 4.15 AM  The starting time becomes 4.15 AM in winters due to delayed sunrise time.  The roads get blocked by a convoy of jeeps and cars during the peak season. To get up to the sunrise spot, it requires a  short climb on foot from the parking spot. One can book a car or an Innova for INR 1200/ INR 1800 from a travel agency in the city or pay INR 200 per head.

Batasia Loop: The Batasia Loop is a lush green toy train pathway that is meant to minimise the elevation of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. The unique design of this magnificent attraction allows the track to wrap around itself through a hilltop tunnel. One of the most enchanting aspects of the Batasia Loop is its unmatched natural beauty.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is recognized as one of the best mountaineering institutes in the world. It has become a significant tourist attraction on account of its picturesque setting in the hill station of Darjeeling. It offers a magnificent view of the 8586-meter high peak of Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world.

Singalila National Park: Singalila National Park is the highest national park in West Bengal. It is most famous for the breathtakingly mind-stirring view of the Himalayan peak that it offers, providing a panoramic view of the gigantic Himalayas from Nepal to Sikkim and up to Bhutan. Singalila is home to the very rare and exotic Red panda and the Himalayan black bear.

Darjeeling Peace Pagoda: Famous for its tranquillity, it offers stunning views of snow-clad peaks including the Kanchenjunga peak making it an ideal place for peace and nature lovers. The pagoda houses the four avatars of Buddha including Maitreya Buddha and was designed to bring together people of different faiths in search of peace.

Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park: Also known as Darjeeling Zoo, this is a splendid enclosure in Darjeeling housing a wide variety of animals. It is known for snow leopards, red panda, Asiatic black bear, barking deer, leopards, blue and yellow Macaw, Eastern Pangolin, Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Himalayan Wolf, Lady Amherst, Leopard Cat, Macaw, Red Jungle Fowl, Red Panda, Royal Bengal Tiger, Sambar Deer, Temminck's Tragopan, Yak, and many more. 

Happy Valley Tea Estate: It is the second oldest tea estate in the tea-rich town of Darjeeling, with its origins being closely connected to the history of cultivating and producing the world-famous Darjeeling Tea. It offers a natural scenic view with a breathtaking appearance of Himalayan foothills.

Ghoom Monastery: The Yiga Choeling or old Ghoom Monastery is the oldest Tibetan Buddhist Monastery of Darjeeling. A 15-foot high statue of Maitreyi Buddha is seen in the central hall, made entirely of clay brought from Tibet. One can also find many rare Buddhist manuscripts within the premises.

Mirik: Located on the banks of a huge lake, the hill town of Mirik adds to North Bengal's bounty. Amidst the Himalayan Valley, Mirik has more to offer than just beautiful mountains and lakes. Located 40km from Darjeeling, it is a popular place for a day trip from Darjeeling.

Things to Do in Darjeeling

Ride the Darjeeling Ropeway: the Darjeeling Ropeway is India's first cable car system, set up to cater to the tea gardens in the valleys which did not have easy access. With 16 cable cars, each car accommodates 6 people as it travels from the North Point in Singamari to the Singla Bazaar. The view of the numerous tea estates of Darjeeling, the cascading waterfalls, and the majestic Kanchenjunga makes this experience an essential to every tourist in Darjeeling. 

Trekking in Darjeeling: Offering you a sweeping view of four out of the five highest peaks of the world Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Lhotse, all in a single stretch, Darjeeling offers some of the best trekking routes in the world. Singalila range is one of the most popular trekking routes while Sandakphu & Singalila Trek, Phalut Trek and Sikkim Trek - Dzongri & Goechala are some of the other trekking routes in Darjeeling.

Visit Darjeeling Monasteries: You must visit monasteries in Darjeeling to experience the essence of the place. There are lots of monasteries spread across the city, all having their own relevance. A few famous monasteries are the Ghoom monastery, Bhutia Busty monastery and Aloobari monastery.

Visit Tea Plantations: Darjeeling is known to be home to some of the best tea estates in the world. The UNESCO world heritage site boasts acres of resplendent meadows that also serve as the perfect tourist attraction. Some popular tea plantations in Darjeeling are Puttabong Tea Estate, Glenburg Tea Estate, Makaibari Tea Estate, Gopaldhara Tea Estate, and Happy Valley Tea Estate among others.

Why to Buy Tour Packages to Darjeeling

Expertly Crafted Itineraries: Darjeeling packages are carefully curated by travel experts who have in-depth knowledge of Darjeeling. They create itineraries that include the best attractions, activities, and experiences, ensuring you make the most of your visit.

Local Expertise: Tour packages often include local guides who are well-versed in the challenges faced by the region. They can navigate water shortages, electricity cuts, and accommodation issues more effectively, ensuring a smoother travel experience.

Accommodation Assurance: Tour packages typically secure accommodations in advance, reducing the risk of facing accommodation shortages. This is particularly beneficial during peak tourist seasons when finding a place to stay can be challenging.

Backup Plans: Tour operators are experienced in dealing with unforeseen circumstances like electricity cuts. They may have backup power sources to ensure that travelers have a comfortable stay, even during power outages.

Efficient Transportation: Tour packages often include private or shared transportation, which can help travelers navigate the congestion in public transport more efficiently. This ensures that you can visit the attractions without wasting time in crowded buses or taxis.

Local Connections: Tour operators often have strong local connections and can provide valuable insights and tips to travelers on how to navigate the municipal challenges in Darjeeling.

Cost Savings: Darjeeling holiday packages often include cost-effective options for accommodation, transportation, and activities. Travel companies have partnerships that enable them to negotiate better rates, potentially saving you money.

How to Reach Darjeeling? 

To reach the picturesque hill station of Darjeeling, travelers have multiple transportation options available.

By Air: The nearest airport to Darjeeling is Bagdogra Airport, located approximately 70 kilometers away. From Bagdogra Airport, visitors can hire taxis or take shared jeeps to cover the scenic journey to Darjeeling, which typically takes around 3-4 hours, depending on road conditions.

By Rail: For those preferring rail travel, the nearest major railway station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Railway Station, situated about 72 kilometers from Darjeeling. From NJP Railway Station, travelers can opt for taxis, buses, or shared jeeps to proceed towards Darjeeling, enjoying breathtaking views of the Himalayan foothills along the way. The journey from NJP Railway Station to Darjeeling usually takes approximately 3-4 hours, offering travelers a delightful introduction to the charm of this hill station nestled in the lap of the Eastern Himalayas.

Best Time to Visit Darjeeling

 The best time to visit Darjeeling, often referred to as the "Queen of the Himalayas," is during the spring and autumn months, making it an ideal destination for a serene escape. Here's why:

Spring (March to May)

• Spring in Darjeeling is a season of blooming rhododendrons, vibrant flowers, and pleasant weather.
• The temperatures during this time range from 11°C to 20°C, creating a comfortable environment for outdoor activities.
• It's an excellent time for nature enthusiasts and trekkers to explore the lush landscapes and embark on scenic hikes.

Autumn (September to November)

• Autumn is another fantastic time to visit Darjeeling when the monsoon showers have refreshed the surroundings.
• The skies are clear, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayas, including the majestic Kanchenjunga.
• Temperature ranges from 10°C to 18°C, making it suitable for sightseeing, trekking, and exploring the town.