Darjeeling, the Queen of Hills, is located in the lap of Eastern Himalayas at an elevation of 2,042 meters above sea level. Surrounded by a lush green cover of tea plantations, misty clouds float over the hill tops here. Known for the most eye-pleasing panoramic views, Darjeeling offers a majestic view of the Kanchenjunga. The snow-clad mountain peaks in the far horizon and the green cover of tea gardens dotted with old Buddhist monasteries paint a pretty picture. Darjeeling is one of the most popular hill stations in India. Tourists can find 5 star hotels in Darjeeling or luxurious tea estate resorts for a memorable stay at this picturesque hill town. Tourism in Darjeeling forms an integral part of the economy in this region.

When is the best time to visit?

Thanks to its higher altitude, Darjeeling enjoys a pleasant climate all year round. The summer months are peak tourist season. March to June is vacation time in most schools, and families come here to get some respite from the sweltering heat of the city. The skies are a clear blue, interrupted by puffy white clouds floating in the air. The sun sparkles over the snow-clad mountain peaks, and lush green surroundings of tea plantations make up a mesmerizing view. Darjeeling in summer also sees a wide variety of orchids, rhododendrons and other flowers in full bloom that make these hills look alive. 5 star hotels in Darjeeling go through full capacity during the summer months, and thus, advance bookings are recommended.

Once the monsoon is over and before winter sets in, from September-end to mid-December is also a great time to visit Darjeeling. Post the rains, the hills look fresh and livelier. Different kinds of flowers grow abundantly in the region. The crowd of tourists is comparatively less and you can easily find rooms in hotels and resorts.

If you want to experience snowfall, winter is the perfect time to visit Darjeeling. Temperatures drop really low, sometimes going even below zero. White snow lies like a blanket over these hills, making breathtaking picture. Many 5 star hotels in Darjeeling receive bookings from tourists during the winter season who want to witness snowfall in the mountains.
How to reach Darjeeling?

Darjeeling does not have a broad gauge railway station or an airport. New Jalpaiguri (NJP) is the closest railway station, about 75 km away from the hill town. Once you reach NJP, private or shared taxis, shared jeeps, state or Volvo bus and rented cars are easily available that take you to Darjeeling. The road journey takes about 3 hours, and the twists and turns of the curved road offer some mesmerizing views.

Another way to reach Darjeeling from NJP is via Toy Train ride. This is a narrow gauge railway line that’s about 2 feet wide. This route, covering a distance of 88 km, is the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway line. It is a UNESCO world heritage site. The toy train ride from NJP to Darjeeling takes almost 7 hours. The train passes through some picturesque hills and valleys.