If you are considering visiting Darjeeling this winter, you must gear up and make a robust itinerary so that you don’t miss out on any places. As it is known, the best time to visit this hill station is in winter, be prepared to be mesmerized in the lap of nature while enjoying the mellow coldness of the place.

Darjeeling is called the ‘Queen of Hills’, and rightly so. This historical hill station which was initially founded by the British is adorned in beauty with snow-clad mountains and lush green forests of pine and fir.

To help you get the most out of Darjeeling, we have come up with a guide for you. We have divided the popular tourist places into three sections which form the popular local tour packages in Darjeeling.

The 3-Point Tour

One of the most popular tour packages in Darjeeling, it has a few of the most visited destinations in Darjeeling. They are Tiger Hill, Ghoom Monastery, and Batasia Loop. 

1. Tiger Hill – Tiger Hill is the place to go if you want to see a beautiful sunrise among the snow-covered peaks of Kanchenjunga. The road to Tiger Hill, Darjeeling’s highest point, runs through some of the region’s oldest tea estates.
2. Ghoom Monastery – Located near the Ghoom station in Darjeeling, this is one of the oldest monasteries and has historical significance as a remnant of the illustrious Buddhist past.
3. Batasia Loop – The Batasia Loop is a magnificent engineering achievement, situated on Cart Hill Road. The British constructed the Batasia Loop, a circular track, to prevent a sudden 148-foot fall that occurs as soon as the train departs Ghoom Station. 

The 5-Point Tour

Located within short driving distances, the 5-point tour takes around 3 hours to complete. The places are the Japanese Temple, Peace Pagoda, Druk Choeling Monastery, Dhirdam Temple, and Ava Art Gallery. 

1. Japanese Temple -Built in a traditional Japanese style, this temple was founded by Fujii Guruji and follows a Buddhist religious order.
2. Peace Pagoda – The Peace Pagoda features four images of Lord Buddha. It attracts followers of all religions and offers spiritual peace and love to everyone.
3. Druk Choeling Monastery – Constructed in 1971, this monstery is 3kms from Darjeeling town. It is also known as Dali Monastery. 
4. Dhirdam Temple – It is a Hindu temple located near the Darjeeling Toy Train Railway Station. It is the abode of Lord Shiva. 
5. Ava Art Gallery – Hosting excellent artwork of the Late Ava Devi, this gallery is a visual treat for all art lovers. 

The 7-Point Tour

The places on the 7-point tour include Darjeeling Zoo, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), Darjeeling Ropeway, Tenzing and Gombu Park, Lebong Tea Garden, Tibetan Refugees Self-help Center, and Lebong Race Course. 

1. Darjeeling Zoo – Home to various exquisite animals like Snow Leopards, Red Pandas, Black bears, and many more, this is a must-visit in Darjeeling. 
2. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) – HMI is regarded as one of the greatest mountaineering colleges in India. Since it is situated against a seductive background on a mountaintop, it is also a prominent tourist destination.
3. Darjeeling Ropeway – If you travel during the winter, you may look forward to a breathtaking view of the tea plantations and exquisite scenery coated in a layer of snow after boarding this ropeway. 
4. Tenzing and GombuRocks – Both these rocks are situated opposite each other where you can do mountain climbing. Tenzing Rock was named because Tenzing Norgay used to practice rock climbing here. 
5. Lebong Tea Garden – Also known as Rangeet Valley Tea garden, this place is known for its spectacular view. 
6. Tibetan Refugees Self-help Center – The Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre is one of the top tourist destinations in the area, producing handicrafts and acting as a rehabilitation facility for Tibetan refugees in Darjeeling.
7. Lebong Race Course – Built by the British, this was known as the highest-altitude race course. No longer a race course instead it is used as a parade ground from where you can get a good view of Darjeeling town.

Where to stay in Darjeeling?

Away from the humdrum of the bustling Darjeeling city, lies Anutri Hill Resort on Cart Hill Road at Upper Batasia. The resort provides a panoramic view of the majestic Batasia Loop on one side and the magnificent Kanchenjunga peak on the other.