One day covers Darjeeling's best-known sights if you leave at about 04:00: the Tiger Hill sunrise, Ghoom Monastery, Batasia Loop and the Japanese Temple, then breakfast, the zoo and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Tenzing Rock and the ropeway. It is about 37 km by cab, back by about 13:00. Do it on any day but Thursday.
7 places37 km by cabtimed against opening hours
Day 1
Tiger Hill sunrise, the zoo and the ropeway
Up to Tiger Hill before dawn for the sunrise, then Ghoom Monastery, Batasia Loop and the Japanese Temple and Peace Pagoda. Breakfast while you wait for the zoo to open at 09:00, then the zoo and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Tenzing Rock and the ropeway. About 37 km by cab, back at Clubside by about 13:00 for a late lunch. A long day that starts early. Not on a Thursday, when the zoo and the institute close.
04:00 to 12:577 places37 km by cab
1Tiger Hill
2Ghoom Monastery (Yiga Choeling)
3Batasia Loop and War Memorial
4Japanese Temple and Peace Pagoda
5Himalayan Zoo and Mountaineering Institute
6Tenzing Rock
7Darjeeling Ropeway (Singamari)
Back
★
Leave Clubside taxi stand, below Chowrasta
11.8 km · 20 min by cab
1
Tiger Hill
1 h 30 min here
A hilltop at about 2,590 m, 11 km from town, where people gather before dawn to watch the first light turn Kanchenjunga pink and then gold. On a very clear day you can see Everest far to the west. There is a viewing building with paid seats and a free open deck.
Views & gardensOpen from before dawn for the sunrise; cars go up from about 03:30
Tip: Cabs need a Tiger Hill coupon, issued a day ahead, so book the cab the day before. Self-drive and rental cars are not allowed up. It is freezing before dawn, even in summer, so wear warm layers.
6 km · 16 min by cab
2
Ghoom Monastery (Yiga Choeling)
30 min here
The oldest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the Darjeeling hills, built in 1850 at Ghum. Its prayer hall holds a 15 foot statue of Maitreya, the Buddha who is still to come, and old books and paintings.
Monasteries & templesFrom early morning to about 17:00; one listing says it opens at 09:00?
Tip: Ask the driver for the old Ghoom Monastery, Yiga Choeling: there are other monasteries in Ghum. Entry is free; there may be a small fee for photos inside.
2.4 km · 4 min by cab
3
Batasia Loop and War Memorial
30 min here
A spiral where the toy train loops round a garden to climb the hill. In the middle stands the Gorkha war memorial, and the garden looks straight across to Kanchenjunga.
Mountains & historyAbout 05:00 or 06:00 until 17:00 or later; listings differ?
Tip: There is a small entry ticket (about Rs 30 to 50). If you want to see the train go round, ask the driver about joy-ride times: trains pass a few times a day.
4.8 km · 9 min by cab
4
Japanese Temple and Peace Pagoda
45 min here
A small Japanese Buddhist temple where visitors can join the drum prayers, and next to it the white Peace Pagoda, with golden statues of the Buddha set into its sides. From the pagoda's terrace you see the town and, on clear days, the snow peaks.
Monasteries & templesAbout 04:30 to 19:00; prayers about 04:30 to 06:00 and 16:30 to 18:30
Tip: Cars now stop a short walk below the gate, about five minutes on foot. Entry is free. Keep quiet in the temple during prayers.
4.2 km · 9 min by cab
5
Himalayan Zoo and Mountaineering Institute
2 h 30 min here
Opens 09:00, so a 47 min waitClosed on Thursdays
The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park keeps snow leopards, red pandas, Tibetan wolves and Himalayan black bears. The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute shares the grounds. Its museum tells the story of Everest climbs, with Tenzing Norgay's gear, and his grave is just outside.
Mountains & historyAbout 08:30 or 09:00 to 16:00 (CZA: 16:30); closed Thursdays
Tip: One ticket covers the zoo, the mountaineering museum and the small natural history museum. Closed on Thursdays. The grounds are on a slope with steps, so give it at least two hours.
1.6 km · 2 min by cab
6
Tenzing Rock
15 min here
A big boulder beside Lebong Cart Road, named after Tenzing Norgay, where the mountaineering institute trains climbers. Gombu Rock, named after the climber Nawang Gombu, faces it. You may see students practising on it.
Views & gardensRoadside rock; go in daylight?
Tip: It is a short photo stop on the way from the zoo, beside a busy road, so stay on the verge.
2.9 km · 5 min by cab
7
Darjeeling Ropeway (Singamari)
1 h here
A cable car that drops from Singamari, above town, down to the Rangeet valley over steep tea gardens. The ride is slow and quiet, with Kanchenjunga ahead on clear days.
Tea & walksAbout 10:00 to 16:00; stops in heavy rain or fog and for maintenance
Tip: The queue can be long in the holiday season, so count on an hour in all. It stops in heavy rain and fog, so check with the driver that morning.
2.8 km · 5 min by cab back
★
Back at Clubside taxi stand, below Chowrasta
Drive times come from road routing without traffic. Darjeeling's roads are steep, narrow and crowded, Hill Cart Road shares space with the toy train line, and the road to Tiger Hill has a queue of cars before dawn, so allow extra time on every drive. Opening hours marked ? are not yet confirmed, so check them before you go.
Book a cab for this day
Call or message a local Darjeeling operator with this plan. Tell them your hotel and dates, and they send a price for the car and driver.
1 × full day, 8 h / 80 kmSedan, SUV or InnovaPrice from the operator
We are still listing Darjeeling operators. Write to [email protected] and we will put you in touch.
Opening times for this plan
The hours we planned around. Check before you go on a public holiday.
Place
Open
Best time
Visit
Tiger Hill
Open from before dawn for the sunrise; cars go up from about 03:30
Sunrise, from October to May. From mid June to September cloud usually hides the peaks.
1 h 30 min
Ghoom Monastery (Yiga Choeling)
From early morning to about 17:00; one listing says it opens at 09:00?
Early morning, on the way back from Tiger Hill.
30 min
Batasia Loop and War Memorial
About 05:00 or 06:00 until 17:00 or later; listings differ?
Early morning, on the way back from Tiger Hill, when Kanchenjunga is clear.
30 min
Japanese Temple and Peace Pagoda
About 04:30 to 19:00; prayers about 04:30 to 06:00 and 16:30 to 18:30
Morning, or for the evening prayer from about 16:30.
45 min
Himalayan Zoo and Mountaineering Institute
About 08:30 or 09:00 to 16:00 (CZA: 16:30); closed Thursdays
Morning, when the animals are out.
2 h 30 min
Tenzing Rock
Roadside rock; go in daylight?
Daytime.
15 min
Darjeeling Ropeway (Singamari)
About 10:00 to 16:00; stops in heavy rain or fog and for maintenance
Late morning, after the queue for the first rides.
You can see the highlights: the sunrise, Ghum, Batasia Loop, the zoo and the ropeway. The tea estate, the Tibetan centre and the Rock Garden need a second day.
Is the Tiger Hill sunrise worth the early start?+
On a clear morning, yes: the light on Kanchenjunga is the reason most people come. From mid June to September cloud usually hides it, so in the monsoon you can skip it and start at the zoo at 09:00.
Where do I eat breakfast?+
The plan has a gap of about 45 minutes before the zoo opens at 09:00. Ask the driver to stop at a cafe on the way, or carry a snack and tea from Tiger Hill.