Things to do in Darjeeling by Dips Dixon

Neetesh Gupta | flickr

However, if you are planning to have only a short stay over there, you need to chalk out the itinerary of each of the days in such a manner, that you do not miss out on the major attractions of the place.

Given below is a model one-day itinerary, which you can follow, during your stay at Darjeeling.

Sunrise

Set the alarm at an early hour, put on your woollens, and set out for catching a glimpse of the quite stunning view of the sunrise, from Tiger Hill.

If you are staying at the Windamere Hotel, you can even watch the sunrise, from the terrace/rooftop of the hotel itself. The ethereal sight, along with a nice, warm mug of coffee in hand, can be a really lovely combination!

Breakfast

Experts opine that breakfast is, probably, the most important meal in the day. At Darjeeling, you can get your day off to the perfect start, by having a cup (or two!) of tasty Darjeeling Tea, with honey and, of course, milk.

Along with the beverage, you can also order for cookies, sandwiches, porridges and pancakes, which have a decided local flavour.

Morning Activity

Once you are done with breakfasting, have your bath, dress up, and hit the streets of Darjeeling. Having an enjoyable train-ride (‘joyride’) to the mystical Ghoom rail station can be just the right thing to perk up your mind and body in the morning.

Also, do take some time out to visit the nearby railway museum, and the Yiga Choeling monastery. You can also check out the renowned Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, on your way back to the hotel.

Lunch

Provided that you are staying at one of the heritage hotels in Darjeeling, you will have plenty of choices, while picking out your lunch menu. Make sure that the yummy Tibetan momos (dumplings, prepared with a local flavour) definitely feature in your lunch items.

You can go for either Chinese or Indian cuisines for lunch. The delicious ‘haleem’ and fried chicken are two of the delicacies that you would surely love here. For dessert, simply order for a tasty and nourishing fruit chaat!

Afternoon Activity

Rest for a couple of hours after lunch, and then resume your activity-filled day. If you have a thing for trekking, you can go for a short hike along the visually pleasing Sandakphu trek.

River rafting, along the free-flowing Teesta, is also something that can catch your fancy.

If checking out the local hotspots is more of your thing, you can plan a visit to the local zoological park and the Peace Pagoda statue. The sheer architectural brilliance of the latter would surely bowl you over!

Dinner

You can opt for either an Indian or a Continental dinner, at your hotel in Darjeeling. The range of lip-smacking culinary delights that are offered at places like the Windamere Hotel is impressive, to say the least.

Try the expertly prepared onion and cheese pie, which is one of the specialties of Continental Darjeeling cuisine. Steaming Chinese sizzlers are also something that you can try out.

If you are a veggie, you can easily order for vegetarian momos, potato fries, and a wide range of paneer preparations. Have a drink (alcoholic or otherwise), which would go well with your meal.

Evening Activity

The evenings in Darjeeling are really charming. You can feast your eyes on the beauties of the local tea estates, or sit down on the banks of the quaint Rangeet River for some time.

Do not forget to take the ropeway ride, from the picturesque Rangeet valley area. You will simply love the stunning views of the Kanchenjunga during the ride!