Climate of Darjeeling

The climate of Darjeeling is influenced by its high altitude. It has mild summers and cooler winters. Due to proximity to the Bay of Bengal, it also gets humid during summer and monsoon months. Overall, the climate can be termed subtropical highland. Darjeeling experiences spring-like weather almost throughout the year except for a brief monsoon and winter. The maximum temperature in summer rarely crosses 25-degree Celsius making it very pleasant. 

Monsoon brings high rainfall from June to September. Autumn or fall is from September to November with sunny weather. By December, temperatures start dropping and winter lasts till February. During this time, occasional snowfall also occurs. Nights in winter can get very cold though days still stay sunny. Humidity levels are highest from June to September. The varying climate throughout the year is what brings tourists to Darjeeling in all seasons.

How to reach Darjeeling 

It’s important to consider the route in your Darjeeling sightseeing plan. Traveling to Darjeeling is quite easy from major cities. The closest airport is Bagdogra, about 68kms from Darjeeling. You can take a taxi from there. Flights are available from Kolkata and Guwahati. By train, the nearest station is New Jalpaiguri, 88kms away. 

Various trains connect this station daily to Kolkata and cities like Delhi. You can get shared jeeps or hire a taxi to reach Darjeeling from the station. 

By road, take NH110 from Siliguri, 62kms from Darjeeling. numerous buses depart from Siliguri bus stand for Darjeeling round the clock. You can also opt for shared jeeps or hire a private taxi or car. The scenic road winds through beautiful tea gardens making it a memorable journey. Within Darjeeling, take buses or hire taxis, of which plenty are available near all tourist spots.

Itinerary for 3 Nights 4 Days

Day 1:

You should first reach Bagdogra airport by morning flight from your origin city to initiate your Darjeeling travel plan. Tour package representative will receive you at the airport exit and assist with the luggage. The journey from Bagdogra airport to Darjeeling is around 68kms and it will take 2 hours to reach by car. 

Enjoy scenic views of tea gardens along the route. Reach hotel in Darjeeling by afternoon, complete check-in formalities and freshen up. Rest of the day is leisure time to relax from the journey. In the evening, spend some time exploring the nearby area. Overnight stay at the hotel in Darjeeling.

Day 2:

2nd day Darjeeling trip itinerary initiate by waking up to refreshing mountain air after overnight stay. Enjoy hotel breakfast spread with items like bread, eggs, fruit platter etc. Post breakfast around 9am, get ready to explore the beauty of Darjeeling. First visit Tiger Hill to witness breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga peaks during sunrise. Then head to Ghoom Monastery to learn about Tibetan Buddhist culture. 

Next in your Darjeeling itinerary should be the engineering wonder of Batasia Loop railway line. Walk thorough Himalayan Mountaineering Institute to know about its courses. Have lunch at a local restaurant. In afternoon, see rare Himalayan species at Padmaja Naidu Zoo and taxidermy exhibits at Natural History Museum. Also visit Chowrasta marketplace, Tibetan refugee centre and experience cable car ride at Ropeway. Return to hotel by evening.

Day 3:

After a sumptuous breakfast, check out of hotel at 9am. Spend the morning taking a joy ride on toy train from Darjeeling to Ghoom. Witness lush green forests and waterfalls during the journey. Post lunch, proceed to Happy Valley Tea Estate for a guided tour and tea tasting session. 

Head to Mall road and Observatory hill for beautiful views of Kanchenjunga peaks. Later visit places like Peace Pagoda, Samabeong and nearby villages. In evening, visit Chowk Bazaar market to shop for leather items, woollens and souvenirs. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 4:

It is time to end your offbeat Darjeeling tour itinerary after breakfast as you check out from hotel at 10 am. Based on your departure flight timing, stroll through Himalayan Zoo and Natural History Museum to spend any remaining time. Tour representative will drop you safely to Bagdogra airport. Catch your flight with beautiful memories of Darjeeling. 3-day Darjeeling tour concludes with transfer from airport.

Best time to Visit Darjeeling

The best times to visit Darjeeling are during summer and winter months. Summer which is from April to June provides very nice weather. The days are bright and sunny but evenings are cool due to winds. This makes it perfect for sightseeing and doing activities. It is also the peak tourist season so you may see some crowds.

If you wish to avoid rains, then winter from October to December is also excellent. By October, the heavy monsoon rains have stopped. The weather starts getting cooler from mid-November. By December, it can sometimes get quite cold as temperatures may drop to zero degrees Celsius. So remember to carry warm clothes like jackets, sweaters etc. Though snowfall is rare, you may see hills and areas dusted with snow in winter.

The monsoon season from July to September sees heavy rainfall in Darjeeling. So it may not be suitable for holidaying as some places will remain closed. Roads may also get blocked due to landslides. 

Conclusion 

The summer and winter months provide the ideal weather and conditions to have a memorable trip to Darjeeling. However, the monsoons from July to September may see heavy rains that can hamper your sightseeing. Booking your trip during the peak summer season will give you nice climate but you may face some crowds too. The post-monsoon autumn months or winters are perfect if you wish to escape the rains and crowds both. Overall, a well-planned trip during the preferred seasons will surely help you fall in love with the scenic beauty of Darjeeling.