Holiday in Darjeeling

About Darjeeling

Darjeeling, the "Queen of the Himalayan Stations," sits at an altitude of 2,042 meters in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas and is inseparably linked to the tea that bears its name. From here, on clear days, there is a breathtaking view of Kangchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world, whose snow-capped peak glows in the morning light. The town was established by the British in the 19th century as a summer retreat, and the colonial heritage is omnipresent: Victorian buildings, an Anglican church, and the charming Chowrasta, the central square where locals and visitors enjoy a stroll with a view of the Himalayas. The atmosphere is a fascinating mix of British colonial charm, Tibetan spirituality, and Bengali vibrancy. The heart of Darjeeling is tea. The emerald green tea plantations, which stretch like a patchwork quilt over the gentle hills, produce the world-famous Darjeeling tea — the "Champagne of teas." Plantations like Happy Valley and Makaibari offer tours where visitors can experience the entire process from picking to tasting. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, affectionately known as the "Toy Train," is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the last narrow-gauge railways in the world still in regular operation. The small blue steam locomotive puffs from Siliguri at sea level up to Darjeeling, overcoming more than 2,000 meters in altitude through spectacular loops and zigzag tracks. The ride on the Batasia Loop with a view of Kangchenjunga is one of the most iconic train journeys in Asia. Tiger Hill, 11 kilometers from the town, is the most famous viewpoint for sunrises over the Himalayas. Under optimal conditions, the view stretches from Kangchenjunga to Mount Everest — a panorama that leaves visitors speechless. The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, founded after the first ascent of Everest in 1953, documents the history of mountaineering and is located in the beautiful Padmaja Naidu Zoo, which houses rare red pandas and snow leopards.