The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Darjeeling District, West Bengal

April 17, 2022 Giuseppe Pratt

Discover the best top things to do in Darjeeling District, India including Sandakphu, Kettle Valley, Tonglu, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, Snow Leopard Breeding Centre, Tinchuley Village, Kanchenjunga Mountain, Chattakpur, Neora Valley National Park, St. Mary's Hill.
Restaurants in Darjeeling District

1. Sandakphu

Singalila National Park 734101 India
Excellent
79%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 203 reviews

Sandakphu

Reviewed By EkMusafir - Pune, India

The trekking route to Sandakphu, the highest peak in West Bengal, runs through the Singalila National Park. The southern entry point to the park is at the Forest Check Post at Manebhanjang, 51 km from Darjeeling. We have to pay the entry charges at the check post, which was about ₹100 per head per day in March 2020 when we went. Forest and trek guides can be hired from the town. The 32 km trek route from Manebhajang to Sandakphu (height about 11,930 feet above mean sea level) and Phalut (21 km from Sandakphu) can be done over 2 to 4 days depending on the route, weather and your capacity to trek, and an equal number of days for the return. We decided to do the Jeep Safari, with a bit of trekking. We had to hire a 4 wheel drive Mahindra Jeep or a 1960s vintage British make Land Rover, with an experienced driver from the Manebhanjang Land Rover Association. The Jeep can cover the 32 km uphill climb in 4 or 5 hours with tea stops on the way. Since the ascent is very steep and bumpy, from 7000 feet to almost 12000 feet, we decided to take a couple of night halts to acclimatise ourselves. Keep in mind that the road is very rocky and uneven, and not advisable for the very old and infirm. There are some lodges and trekker’s huts at small villages on the Indo-Nepal border, along the route. We passed the villages of Chitray, Meghma, Gairibas, Tonglu, Tumling, Kalipokhri, Bhikaybanjang and finally reached Sandakphu. The beautiful views of the forests of bamboo, pine and fir trees, with the blooming rhododendron flowers in March and April, and the grand views of the Himalayan peaks of the Kanchenjunga range, Lhotse, Makalu and Everest along the route more than made up for the inconveniences of a bumpy Jeep ride and the cold nights in the mountains. Spotting wild animals like snow leopard, red panda or black bears is a rarity but they do inhabit the Singalila National Park. Sighting birds like Khalij Pheasant, Wood Pigeons, Scarlet Minivets and Babblers was more common.

2. Kettle Valley

Dilaram Tea Estate, Kurseong India
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4 reviews

Kettle Valley

Reviewed By JharnaS10 - Mumbai, India

The unusual name (Kettle) probably is due to the adjacent tea garden...lots of greenery and its for this reason that its very popular as a picnic spot!!

3. Tonglu

Singalila National Park India https://northbengaltourism.com/offbeat-destinations/darjeeling/tonglu-and-tungling/
Excellent
76%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 29 reviews

Tonglu

Reviewed By cit1005 - Kolkata (Calcutta), India

Its awesome silent place. Only two home stays are there one is GTA trekkers hut (booking from gorkha bhawan saltlake sector 1)& another is Raju ka ghar(booking number 9635690583) Its really nice.in the month of December snow covered the area. I reached there through trek from dhotrey. Its a mere 6km journey and nice two huts are there.

4. Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary

Darjeeling India
Excellent
48%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 40 reviews

Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary

Reviewed By AbhimanyuSaha - Haldia, India

Its a great place to hangout with friends & family. There is a watch tower inside which can only be reached by booking with foreat department. If you go further then you reach foothills of Himalaya. Places like Jhalong Bindu comes in the way. They are well known for their scenic beauty.

5. Snow Leopard Breeding Centre

Padmaja Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling India
Excellent
45%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

Snow Leopard Breeding Centre

6. Tinchuley Village

Kashone Khasmaha, Darjeeling 734222 India
Excellent
62%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 165 reviews

Tinchuley Village

Reviewed By Meharbansingh00 - Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy

Italiano : Che vista meravigliosa . Questo posto si trova sul strada da gangtok a darjeeling. Questo posto ti offer dalla attezza vedere fiume che passa mezzo le montagne. Stati le per mezzo ora solo guarda la bellessa di natura. Ci sono anche bancarella per mangiare e bere. English:-What a Amazing View Point. This place is located on the road from gangtok to darjeeling. This place offers you from the height to see a river that passes through the mountains. Stay there for half an hour just look at the beautiful nature. There are also food and drink stalls.

7. Kanchenjunga Mountain

North Sikkim Near Governor's House, Darjeeling 734101 India
Excellent
81%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,012 reviews

Kanchenjunga Mountain

Reviewed By UNCLESAM911 - Muscat, Oman

Seeing the sunrise kissing the peak of the mountain is a must if you can bear the pain of getting up early at 4 AM to be able to reach the tiger point to catch a glimpse of the sunray bursting out over horizon setting the peak literally on fire with all visitors across furiously clicking to capture the savoury moment for posterity . It is one feeling that lingers on in some dingy corner of your brain and your mind will scream for more.

8. Chattakpur

Forestbusty Sonada, Darjeeling 734209 India +91 94344 10991 [email protected]
Excellent
68%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

Chattakpur

Reviewed By Abhik251 - Kolkata (Calcutta), India

What are you looking for in a holiday: 1. Away from noise in city 2. Away from the pollution in city and towns 3. Away from the daily hustle and crowd 4. Away from the tensions in life Well Chattakpur seems to be the idle solution to the above. As you travel to this tiny village above the 8000 ft of sea level you might regret your decision as the link roads are almost equivalent to hell. Unless you're an ornithologist, you would pray for the road to end fast though the forest else will suggest you to pull out your telephoto lens and become the next Salim Ali of India. There's no dearth of birds and butterflies around the way to Chattakpur. Once you are in the village you will be surprised to see only a handful headcount of people and houses in the vicinity but there warm welcome will make you feel homely and will make you forget the aforementioned problems in your life. The breathtaking view of the Kanchenjonga is so mesmerising from the hilltop that you will definitely decide to come over this village again and again. There's hardly any noise/air pollution here, neither life chases you to finish your deadlines. During daylight enjoy the clear view of entire Kanchenjunga and during the nights do stargazing in the clear skies above. So what are you waiting for , pack your woolens and book your tickets to New Jalpaiguri and from there reach out to Chattakpur post booking a homestay.

9. Neora Valley National Park

734101 India http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5447/
Excellent
73%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 41 reviews

Neora Valley National Park

Reviewed By JharnaS10 - Mumbai, India

This place is in the Kalimpong district and is the home to a diverse variety of flora and fauna.The highest point of this valley is the Rachela Pass.Be prepared to walk up the jungle path to enjoy the beauty of this valley!!

10. St. Mary's Hill

Forest Area Kurseong 4 Km from Kurseong Railway Station, Darjeeling India
Excellent
29%
Good
71%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

St. Mary's Hill

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