Top Things to do in Darjeeling District
Top Hotels in Darjeeling District
Countries
What to do and see in Darjeeling District, West Bengal: The Best Mountains
Discover the best top things to do in Darjeeling District, India including Sandakphu, Tonglu, Kanchenjunga Mountain, St. Mary's Hill, Observatory Hill, Rameetay Dara.
Restaurants in Darjeeling District
1. Sandakphu
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 203 reviews
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. Tonglu
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 29 reviews
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.
3. Kanchenjunga Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,012 reviews
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.
4. St. Mary's Hill
5. Observatory Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Reviewed By chhoks - Kolkata (Calcutta), India
Starting from The Mall in Darjeeling (referred to as Chowrasta these days), if you keep to the left and take a turn around Observatory Hill in a clockwise manner, you will get maximum enjoyment of this fantastic walk. I love doing this walk twice a day a day when I am in Darjeeling.
