Darjeeling Beyond Tea: Cafes, Monasteries, and Walking Trails

Darjeeling is one of the most commonly visited places in India, famous for its rolling green hills, tea gardens and distinct cultural landmarks. While it is perfectly alright to visit all the major tourist attractions, some people have a preference in exploring a place beyond its fame.

If you’d like to know more about Darjeeling than what most visit it for, this blog provides a list of places and experiences that you may consider as part of your itinerary.

Monasteries for the Spiritual Traveler

Darjeeling has a great many monasteries, a mark of the region’s Tibetan Buddhist traditions. These monasteries are a testament to the extensive spirituality and history of Darjeeling, built with intricate design and impressive architecture. Some monasteries include the Ghoom Monastery, which is one of the oldest monasteries having been built in 1852 and has a fifteen foot statue of the Buddha; the Bhutia Busty Monastery, maintained by the Red Sect of exiled Buddhists, and the Druk Thupten Sangag Choling Monastery, also known as Dali Monastery.

Walking Trails for Adventurers

With its expansive natural terrain, Darjeeling has no shortage of walking trails and trekking opportunities. There are different trails for different expert levels and durations so you’re free to choose based on your preferences; short, day-long, beginner and advanced.

One of the more classic trails is the Sandakphu Trek, which leads to the highest point in West Bengal and views of multiple Himalayan peaks. Other trails include Singalila Ridge Trek, which is near the Indo-Nepal border, Tinchuley Trek, which provides views of tea gardens and Kanchenjunga, and Tonglu Trek.

Cafes for Food Enthusiasts

There are multiple aesthetic and authentic places to eat and relax around Darjeeling. Cafes often serve the best tea and coffee in any place, and cafes such as Tom and Jerry’s Café, Hot & Stimulating Café, Glenary’s Bakery and Himalayan Java Coffee are not exceptions. These places offer a spread of good food, homely atmosphere and a chance to meet locals and relax from all your expeditions. These places are also affordable, making it easy to incorporate into your budget.

Now that you’ve been given a sense of everything Darjeeling and beyond, you can plan your itinerary in detail and ensure nothing is left out in your quest to explore all that this magnificent region has to offer. Start your journey by clicking the link here.