Darjeeling Tour Package | Book A Tour Of Queen Of Hills

Planning a Darjeeling Tour Packages?

​History Of Darjeeling & Tea Gardens

During the British Raj, Darjeeling's pleasant temperate climate led to its development as a hill station for British looking to escape the summer heat of the Bengal plains. The development of Darjeeling as a sanatorium and health resort proceeded briskly. Their efforts to develop the hill station, attracted immigrants to cultivate the slopes and attract trade resulted in a hundred fold increase in the population of Darjeeling between 1835 and 1849. Tea planting in the Indian district of Darjeeling began in 1841 by the British government and they also established tea nurseries during that period. Commercial development began during the 1850s. In 1856, the Alubari tea garden was opened by the Kurseong and Darjeeling Tea company, followed by others. "Darjeeling Tea" can only be referred to tea that has been cultivated, grown, produced, manufactured and processed in tea gardens in the hilly areas of "Sadar" Subdivision, only areas of Kalimpong District consisting of Samabeong Tea Estate, Ambiok Tea Estate, Mission Hill Tea Estate and Kumai Tea Estate, and Kurseong Subdivision. The first road connecting the town with the plains was constructed between 1839 and 1842. In 1848, a military depot was set up for British soldiers, and the town became a municipality in 1850. Commercial cultivation of tea in the district began in 1856, and induced a number of British planters to settle there. Darjeeling became the formal summer capital of the Bengal Presidency after 1864. Scottish missionaries constructed schools and welfare centers for the British residents, laying the foundation for Darjeeling's reputation as a center of education. The opening of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in 1881 further multiplied the development of the region.

Darjeeling Tour Package Mirik Tourism Itinerary | Explore Sikkim 

Darjeeling Tour Package | Plan Yor Best Tour 

Darjeeling which used to be a small settlement during the British rule is now bustling modern city with all amenities and facilities. There are hundreds of accommodations dotting all across the town. From Star category heritage hotels, budget hotels and even home stays is available for stay. Darjeeling boasts of some iconic places of tourist interest like the Padmaja Naidu Zoological Garden, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Mahakal Mandir and the famous Ropeway. Chowrasta (referred to as the mall) is the most famous hangout destination for both locals as well as tourists, the Glenaries Cafeteria, the Keventers, Planters Club, the tea garden and Tenzing rock are places worth visiting in a Darjeeling package tour. Also in Darjeeling tour packages you should not miss the tour to Tiger Hill, Batasia Loop, Ghoom monastery.  Unfortunately guests complain bout the tidiness and the congestion of unplanned development of the town. Hotel accommodations of a decent category cost you approximately 1500 rupees and above, but there are hotels at lesser prices but you have to compromise on the quality of rooms and the view.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railways

If you are on a tour to Darjeeling you cannot miss a ride on The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as Darjeeling Toy Train, is a small gauge railway that runs between New Jalpaiguri Station and Darjeeling Town. Built around 1881, it is about 88 km long. It climbs from about 100 m (328 ft) above sea level at New Jalpaiguri to about 2,200 m (7,218 ft) at Darjeeling, using six zig zags and loops to gain altitude. In 1999, UNESCO declared the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways as a World Heritage Site. Steam-enthusiast specials are hauled by vintage British-built B-Class steam locomotives. The railway's headquarters are at Kurseong. The line follows Hill Cart Road, which is part of National Highway 110. The track is on the roadside for long stretches, and both track and road might be blocked by a rockslide. Since a length of the road is flanked with buildings, the railway line often resembles urban tramway tracks. To warn pedestrians and drivers of an approaching train, engines are equipped with very loud horns which train drivers sound almost constantly. The journey starts through the tea gardens, then travels through the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and then starts the gentle climb along the hills. The journey provides an experience which is extremely beautiful and scenic. Six diesel locomotives handle most of the scheduled service, with daily tourist trains from Darjeeling to Ghoom – India's highest railway station – and the steam-hauled Red Panda service from Darjeeling to Kurseong. The Batasia loop is 5 km (3.1 mi) from Darjeeling, below Ghoom Station. There is a memorial to the Gorkha soldiers of the Indian Army who sacrificed their lives after Indian independence in 1947. The loop has a panoramic view of Darjeeling, with Kangchenjunga and other snow-capped mountains in the background. Though the journey between NJP to Darjeeling takes about than 7 to 8 hours to cover. You can also take a journey from Darjeeling To Ghoom Station by Darjeeling Joy Ride which runs 4 times daily and takes about 40 minutes from Darjeeling to Ghoom and the return takes 30 minutes. So if you are planning a Darjeeling trip keep half day for that.

Darjeeling Zoo 

Another attraction while planning Darjeeling tour packages you can not afford to miss is a visit to Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park or Darjeeling Zoo is a specialized  for its conservation breeding program of Red Panda, Snow Leopards, Tibetan Wolf and other highly endangered animal species of Eastern Himalaya. Established in 1958 in Darjeeling for conservation and captive breeding of endangered Himalayan animal species and educating and create awareness among the local people and visitors on the importance of conservation of high altitude Himalayan Eco-system. INDIAN TIGER, SNOW LEOPARDS, BLACK LEOPARDS, COMMON LEOPARDS, CLOUDED LEOPARDS, TIBETAN WOLF,  ASIATIC BLACK BEAR,  LEOPARD CAT,  RED PANDA, GORAL They are small ungulates with a goat-like or antelope –like appearance, BLUE SHEEP, YAK, HIMALAYAN PALM CIVET, BARKING DEER, The Himalayan Salamander are some of the animals on display here.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) was founded in 1954. In a short time HMI became the centre of excellence in the field of mountaineering. Darjeeling is the  home town of Tenzing Norgay and was a very prominent hill station then, in the entire Himalayas, was chosen as the location of HMI. Tenzing Norgay’s and Edmund Hillarys ascent of Mount Everest (8848m /29,028Ft), in 1953, generated huge interest among the youth of India regarding the challenges and aventure of mountaineering. The Institute was started at Roy Villa at Lebong Cart Road initially. The HMI was later shifted to its present location in 1958. Besides being a mountaineering institute of repute, HMI is an important centre of tourist interest for people who come to visit Darjeeling. It also offers a magnificent view of the 8586 Meter high Kanchenjunga Peak, third highest in the world. In its 66 years of existence, the institute has trained huge number Indian and International students. HMI is considered as one of the most elite institution of mountaineering in the world. 

Mirik is a popular tourist destination for its climate, natural beauty and easy accessibility near Darjeeling. The distance of Mirik from Darjeeling is 49 kms,  Kurseong 46 kms, Bagdogra 55 kms, and Siliguri is 52 kms. The main attraction of Mirik is the Sumendu lake, surrounded by a garden on one side and pine jungle on the hillocks on the other and linked together by an arching footbridge, Rainbow Bridge over the lake. A 3.5-km-long road encircles the lake and is used for walks with the view of Kanchenjunga on the horizon. Boating in the lake on quaint shikaras and pony riding are available for tourists.  White peaks of Kanchenjunga are clearly seen from Ramitey dara (mountain top) ascending uphill after crossing Samendu Dhap. At Ramitey dara, sunrise and sunset are really beautiful so is the panoramic view of the valley. Mirik actually has several sightseeing and tourist places other than the lake. Several nearby tea gardens, monasteries and temples, orange orchards, flower gardens including orchids and more. You can stay near the lake at many hotels or at  nearby homestays in Ramitey dara or Tabakoshi and enjoy a day or 2 enjoying nearby activities. 

Which is the best time to visit Darjeeling?

The temperature is mild during the summer season. It is usually around 25°C and it is indeed the best time to visit Darjeeling. Summer months from April to June are great for Darjeeling tourism as the climate is at its best during these months and there are so many outdoor activities to explore.

How many days are enough for Darjeeling?

5 to 7 Days are sufficient to have a leisure time in Darjeeling and around Gangtok. Keep Darjeeling in the begining and Gangtok later in the loop of your trip. 2 days in Darjeeling and 2 days in Gangtok are enough for sightseeing. Nathula,Changu lake is just a one day tour from Gangtok.

How reach Siliguri to Darjeeling?

By road it takes around 3 hours to reach Darjeeling from Siliguri along the Hill Cart Road (NH55) which is the main road to Darjeeling. If there is any disruption in the main road, the taxis take a detour through other roads which can take longer time.

Is there snowfall in Darjeeling?

Winter season begins in full swing and it is during the months of mid-November to January, when the average temperature ranges between 7 and 5 degree Celsius. Snowfall is rarely seen in Darjeeling. But sometimes, the temperature can drop down to -2 degree Celsius, so make sure you pack some woollens.

How many days are required for Darjeeling Tour?

Most Tourist cover Darjeeling in 2 nights and 3 days and that is mostly sufficient. But you can add Kurseong and Mirik sightseeing and plan a 3 Night 4 Days Darjeeling Tour. Darjeeling tour can be clubbed with Sikkim destinations and longer duration tour can be planned. Call us to plan a perfect tour to Darjeeling and Sikkim Tour.