Best Time To Visit Darjeeling: Weather, Seasons & Popular Sights

Darjeeling is a beautiful hill station in West Bengal, India, known for its tea gardens and nice weather. The best time to visit Darjeeling with your family is from March to May and September to November when the weather is cool. The temperature during these times is around 10-20 °C, which is great for exploring and doing outdoor activities. Let’s find out the best seasons, how many days will be enough & how to reach them.

Best Time To Visit Darjeeling

Here is the Darjeeling best time to visit in different months March to May, and September to November.

Best Month To Visit Darjeeling: Monthly Temperature & Rain

In the below table, we have mentioned the best month to visit Darjeeling with its monthly temperature & rain.

Don't Let Uncertainties Ruin Your Trip: View Travel Insurance Plans!

Best Season To Visit Darjeeling

The best season to visit Darjeeling depends on what you're looking for in your trip. Here are the season guides for Darjeeling.

• Spring (March to May): This is the most popular time to visit Darjeeling, as the weather is cool with clear skies and mild temperatures around 15°C to 25°C. This is a great time for sightseeing, trekking, and enjoying the beautiful scenery. 

• Summer (June to August): The monsoon season brings heavy rainfall to Darjeeling, which can make it difficult to travel and enjoy outdoor activities. However, the monsoon can also make the hillsides green. If you're on a tight budget, you may be able to find good deals on hotels and flights during this time.

• Autumn (September to November): The monsoon season ends in September, and the weather becomes cool again. The skies are clear, and the temperatures are mild around 10°C to 20°C. This is a great time for trekking and enjoying the beautiful autumn colors. 

• Winter (December to February): Winter in Darjeeling can be quite cold, with temperatures dropping below freezing at night. However, the clear skies offer stunning views of the Himalayas, and there is a chance of snowfall. If you're visiting Darjeeling in winter, be sure to pack warm clothes. 

Protect Your Adventure with Reliable Travel Insurance Plans: Get A Free Quote!

Top 10 Places To Visit in Darjeeling: Popular Sights

If you’re planning to travel to Darjeeling, below we have mentioned the top 10 places to must-see which include Tiger Hill For Sunrise, Ghoom Monastery, Japanese Temple, etc.

• Tiger Hill For Sunrise: Tiger Hill in Darjeeling offers beautiful sunrise views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest and Mount Kanchenjunga. It's a popular spot for tourists to see the real beauty of Darjeeling & their hills.

• Ghoom Monastery: Ghoom Monastery is one of the oldest Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries in Darjeeling which was founded in 1850 by Lama Sherab Gyatso. Inside the monastery, you can see beautiful paintings of Tibetan Buddhist Thangkas.

• Chowrasta: Chowrasta is a historical public square that was established during the British Raj in the mid-18th century. It is a popular destination to relax, socialize, or enjoy the fresh air of the mountain.

• Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was founded in 1954. This institute offers many mountaineering courses from basic to advanced levels for both beginners & experienced climbers.

• Mirik: Mirik is a hill station that is only 50 km from Darjeeling. It is famous for its beauty, peaceful ambiance, and Sumendu Lake which is a man-made reservoir that offers boating facilities.

• Japanese Temple: You can visit the Japanese Temple in Darjeeling which was built in 1972. It’s a two-story white building that showcases the culture of Japanese architecture.

• Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Center: The Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Center (TRSHC) in Darjeeling was established in 1959 to help Tibetan refugees who ran away from their country due to the Chinese invasion.

• Tea Garden: Darjeeling is famous for its tea all over the world. So, you should not miss the opportunity to see this experience.

• Rumtek Monastery: Rumtek Monastery is the largest monastery in Sikkim which was founded in 1966 by the 16th Karmapa. You can see the prayer ceremony, and monastery complex & learn about Tibetan Buddhism.

• Do Drul Chorten: The Do Drul Chorten is a beautiful Buddhist monument with colorful flags. It has nice views of the Himalayan mountains. You can walk around it & relax in the calm surroundings.

How To Reach Darjeeling?

There are a few ways to reach Darjeeling by train, flight & car, depending on your budget and preferences.

• By Train: To get to Darjeeling by train, you need to reach the New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station, which is the closest big station to Darjeeling. From there, you can take the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, known as the "Toy Train," which will take you to Darjeeling. NJP station has good connections to big cities like Kolkata, Delhi, and Mumbai, so people from all over India can easily start their trip to Darjeeling from there.

• By Flight: This is the fastest way to reach Darjeeling (around 5 to 6 hours, including travel time to and from airports). The nearest airport to Darjeeling is Bagdogra Airport (IXB), located about 90 kilometers away in Siliguri. From Bagdogra, you can take a taxi or prepaid cab to Darjeeling. 

• By Car: To go to Darjeeling by car, start from Kolkata and drive north on Highway 12. Pass through pretty places like Siliguri. Then, take Highway 110, which winds through the hills until you reach Darjeeling. It's about 620 kilometers from Kolkata, and the trip takes around 12-14 hours, depending on traffic and roads.

Why Travel Insurance Is Important?

Travel insurance offers financial protection such as medical coverage, trip cancellation, travel delays, etc, for your trip, protecting you in case of unexpected events.

• Medical Coverage: If you have travel insurance, it can pay for medical expenses if you get sick or injured during your trip, like staying in the hospital, needing emergency transportation for medical reasons, or seeing a doctor.

• Trip Cancellation: If you have to cancel your trip due to illness, injury, or bad weather, travel insurance can reimburse you for your non-refundable trip expenses, such as flights and accommodation.

• Travel Delays & Disruptions: Problems like flight cancellations, missed connections, and delays can mess up your travel plans. Travel insurance can pay for your food and lodging expenses caused by these issues.

• Lost or Damaged Belongings: Losing your luggage or your things damaged can ruin your trip. Travel insurance can give you money back for what you lost or damaged, but there is a limit to how much you can get.

• Personal Liability: In case you accidentally damage property or injure someone during your trip, travel insurance can provide personal liability coverage.

Read More:

Best Time To Visit Ooty With Family: Monthly Weather, Seasons & How To Reach?

Best Time To Visit Andaman And Nicobar Islands From India in 2024

Best Time To Visit Switzerland From India: Temperature, Weather & Seasons

Best Time To Visit Shimla in 2024: Temperature, Weather & Seasons

Best Time to Visit Goa India 2024: Avoid Crowds

Conclusion

In conclusion, the best time to visit Darjeeling with family would be from March to May and September to November when the weather is cool and ideal for sightseeing. During these months, the temperature is moderate and rainfall is minimal, making it a perfect time to explore the beautiful landscapes and attractions of Darjeeling.