Darjeeling is the softest introduction to the eastern Himalayas. Nothing is far, the altitude tops out at 2,590m on Tiger Hill, and the town is small enough to cover on foot once you are up there.
Two things need booking rather than hoping: the Tiger Hill sunrise, which needs a registered vehicle and a 4am start, and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway joyride, which opens 30 days ahead and sells out in season.
Why go to Darjeeling
No permits at all
Unlike Sikkim or Bhutan, Darjeeling needs no paperwork. You can decide to go and go.
A working UNESCO railway
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway still runs its original 1881 alignment, steam and all.
Short driving days
Almost everything sits within a few kilometres of the Chowrasta ridge, which makes it the easiest of our hill routes for families.
The tea
Happy Valley is 3km below the town, and the second flush plucked in late May and June is what made the name.
What people come for
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Tiger Hill
Sunrise over Kanchenjunga at 2,590m, and Everest on an exceptional day.
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The toy train
A UNESCO World Heritage narrow-gauge line, running since 1881.
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Batasia Loop
Where the track spirals through a full circle, with the Gorkha war memorial at the centre.
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Chowrasta
The flat, car-free square at the top of the ridge. Where the town sits down.
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The tea gardens
Happy Valley, planted 1854, with factory visits during plucking season.
Full guide: the best places to visit in Darjeeling →
Before you book
How long you need
Three nights covers Tiger Hill, the toy train, a tea estate, the zoo and the Mall. Two nights works only if you drop either Tiger Hill or the train.
Who it suits
Families with children, older travellers, and anyone wanting the Himalayas without permits or altitude. It is the least demanding trip in our range.
What to watch for
Kanchenjunga is only reliably visible October to December. From June to September cloud usually means no view from Tiger Hill at all, and the Hill Cart Road is prone to landslides.
Darjeeling — Tiger Hill & the Toy Train
Sunrise from Tiger Hill, the toy train through the tea gardens, and the Batasia Loop. Short driving days and gentle altitude make this the easiest of our hill routes for families and first-time visitors.
From₹12,999
See the full itineraryBest time to visit Darjeeling
| When | What it is like | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| March – May | Warm, blossom on the ridge, tea flush. Views good but hazier than autumn. | Good |
| June – September | Monsoon. Landslides on the Hill Cart Road, lower railway often suspended, no views. | Avoid |
| October – early December | The clearest skies of the year. Kanchenjunga most mornings. Peak season. | Best |
| Late December – February | Cold, quiet and often very clear. Some hotels close. | Good, pack warm |
Getting to Darjeeling
By air. Bagdogra is 70km and about 3 hours by road, with direct flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Guwahati.
By rail. New Jalpaiguri is the main railhead, about 3 hours up the Hill Cart Road. The toy train also runs the full route from NJP in around seven hours, which is a journey rather than a transfer.
Permits and entry rules
None. Darjeeling requires no permit for Indian or foreign nationals. The only bookings that need advance planning are the Tiger Hill vehicle registration and the toy train joyride, both of which we arrange as part of the itinerary.