Discovering Darjeeling: A 4-Day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Tiger Hill
   5.8 km from Darjeeling
   • Tiger Hill is known for its stunning panoramic view of the Himalayas, especially Kanchenjunga peak at sunrise. Get there early to secure a spot and enjoy the mesmerizing view.
2. Day 2: Batasia Loop and Ghum Monastery
   8.2 km from Tiger Hill
   • Batasia Loop is a spiral railway track that offers magnificent views of the surrounding landscape. Ghum Monastery, located nearby, is famous for its 15-feet high statue of Maitreya Buddha and numerous ancient Buddhist manuscripts.
3. Day 3: Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
   4.7 km from Ghum Monastery
   • The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is dedicated to preserving the spirit and history of mountaineering in the Himalayas. You can also attend their training programs and workshops. The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is home to rare and endangered species like the snow leopard, red panda, and Tibetan wolf.
4. Day 4: Tea Gardens and Japanese Peace Pagoda
   10.1 km from Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
   • Darjeeling is famous for its tea gardens, and a visit to one is a must. Experience the serenity of the vast green tea estates and learn about the entire tea-making process. Near the tea gardens, you can find the Japanese Peace Pagoda. A perfect spot for meditation and in the evening, you can catch the sunset views over Darjeeling.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Tiger Hill (2 hours, free)
• Batasia Loop and Ghum Monastery (2-3 hours, INR 30 for Batasia Loop, free for Ghum Monastery)
• Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (3-4 hours, INR 60 for foreigners for Mountaineering Institute, INR 200 for Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park)
• Tea Gardens and Japanese Peace Pagoda (3-4 hours, tea garden entry varies from INR 100-200, free entry to the Japanese Peace Pagoda)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 390-490 (excluding transportation and food)

Useful Tips

For those having more time, a day trip to Mirik, a small town located 50 km from Darjeeling, is highly recommended. The serene Sumendu Lake is a major attraction here, and you can also visit the Bokar Ngedon Chokhor Ling Monastery. Also, we suggest trying the local food whilst enjoying the scenic beauty of Darjeeling. For those having less time, we recommend to skip either the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park or the Tea Gardens and Japanese Peace Pagoda.