Start your first day in Darjeeling by catching a sunrise at Tiger Hill, a popular viewpoint where you can see the world-famous Kanchenjunga mountain. Afterward, visit the Ghoom Monastery, a beautiful Tibetan Buddhist monastery that houses a 15-foot statue of the Maitreya Buddha. Explore the monastery and take a moment to marvel at the incredible hand-painted murals and sculptures.
On your second day, begin at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, where you can appreciate the efforts and sacrifices made by mountaineers who have climbed the Himalayan peaks. Learn about the equipment and preparation that goes into summiting one of the world's highest mountain ranges. Afterward, head to the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, home to several endangered species like the Snow Leopard and the Red Panda.
On your last day, start at the Darjeeling Tea Estates, a beautiful tea garden where you can witness the tea-making process and taste some of the freshest tea in India. Afterward, visit the Rock Garden, a scenic park sculpted out of rocks, and explore its interconnected waterfalls, flowering gardens, and a small lake.
Transportation in Darjeeling is very affordable. Travelers can take shared taxis or hire private taxis. Public buses are also available but they are often crowded. It is recommended to negotiate prices with the taxi driver before traveling. The cost of a shared taxi from Tiger Hill to Ghoom Monastery is INR 300. The estimated travel time from Darjeeling to Rock Garden is 45 minutes to 1 hour.
If you have more time, add a visit to the Japanese Peace Pagoda, Happy Valley Tea Estate, and St. Andrew's Church. If you have less time, consider visiting only Tiger Hill and the tea estates, which are the must-visit places in Darjeeling.
Bagdogra Airport (IXB) is the nearest airport to Darjeeling, located about 70 km away. The airport operates domestic flights to and from major cities in India.