4-Day Darjeeling Family Friendly Itinerary for May 2023

  1. Day 1: Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
    5 minutes (1.1 km) from Darjeeling Chowk Bazaar

    The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is a **family-friendly** attraction that features highly endangered species of animals such as red panda, snow leopard, Tibetan wolf and more. The park is dedicated to the conservation of animals and educating visitors about wildlife. Spend about 2-3 hours exploring the park, and make sure to go for a ride on the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, which is situated inside the park.

  2. Day 2: Tiger Hill
    45 minutes (11.3 km) from Darjeeling Chowk Bazaar

    Tiger Hill is a famous sunrise point about 11km from Darjeeling, offering visitors mesmerising panoramic views of Mount Everest and the Kangchenjunga peaks. The hill is popular among photographers and tourists who wish to enjoy an uninterrupted sunrise view. You need to reach the hill by 4:00 am, so make sure to get up early to catch the sunrise in the morning. You can spend about an hour here taking in breathtaking views.

  3. Day 3: Happy Valley Tea Estate
    10 minutes (2.6 km) from Darjeeling Chowk Bazaar

    The Happy Valley Tea Estate, situated in the foothills of the picturesque Himalayas, is an ideal **family-friendly** place where you can learn about the history and production of tea. They offer a guided tour of the property, a tour of the factory, and a tea tasting of the tea produced right here on the plantation. The tour lasts about 2-3 hours and is an informative and enriching experience, especially for tea lovers.

  4. Day 4: Darjeeling Ropeway
    30 minutes (7.2 km) from Darjeeling Chowk Bazaar

    The Darjeeling Ropeway is the first cable car in India and provides a spectacular view of the entire Darjeeling town. This **family-friendly** adventure runs from North Point to Singla Bazar stations, covering a distance of about 8 km, passing over dense forest and the River Teesta. The ride takes about an hour, and there are two stops along the way to hop off, walk around take pictures and get back on board the ropeway.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (2-3 hours, ₹100 per person)
  • Tiger Hill (1 hour, ₹100 per person)
  • Happy Valley Tea Estate (2-3 hours, ₹200 per person)
  • Darjeeling Ropeway (1 hour, ₹200 per person)
  • Total Estimated Costs: ₹600 per person

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting other **family-friendly** spots in Darjeeling, such as Ghoom Monastery, Mahakal Temple or the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. For foodies, Darjeeling has a lot to offer as well, especially momos and thukpas, and consider visiting Keventers, which is a historic restaurant that serves delicious breakfast and snacks. If you have less time, you can skip the Happy Valley Tea Estate or even choose to visit Nightingale Park in its place.

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