HOME DESTINATIONS Darjeeling
Darjeeling Zoo: Home to the Snow Leopards
Where can you see the Red Panda and the Snow Leopard up close? Come to this zoo, where you can even adopt them.
Want to know about one of the lesser known attractions of Darjeeling? We would recommend visiting the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, popularly known as the Darjeeling Zoo. It is the only zoo in India that runs a conservation-breeding programme for endangered animals of the Eastern Himalayas and has won several awards for working to protect red pandas, snow leopards, and Tibetan wolves. And then there are Siberian tigers, yaks and a lot more.
There’s some more good news for all animal lovers. The Darjeeling Zoo runs a unique adoption programme, under which people can sponsor the care and maintenance of an animal with help from the zoo authorities. This place is a must visit for animal lovers, families with children and young adults.
Good to Know :
Location: 9 km from Sterling Darjeeling
Timing: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (summer) and 8:30 am to 4 pm (winter); Closed on Thursdays
Entry Fee: As applicable.
Historic Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is adjacent to Zoo.
Other Attractions
Ghoom Monastery: First Tibetan Monastery in Darjeeling
3hrsHome to the massive 15-feet statue of Maitreya, Ghoom Monastery is amongst the oldest monastries in Darjeeling.
Tiger Hill: Watch the Sun Rise over the Kanchenjunga
3hrsNo trip to Darjeeling is complete without watching the mighty Kanchenjunga at sunrise. Tiger Hill is the best place to view this from.
Batasia Loop: Toy Trains and War Games
3hrsThis is a cenotaph of it's own kind. It is a picturesque spot between Ghoom and Darjeeling where toy trains circle the Gorkha War Memorial.
Japanese Temple and Peace Pagoda : Awaken the Buddha Within
3hrsDo you want to feel the serenity of the Buddha within? Visit the Japanese Temple and join the chanting of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo.
Lama Hatta Village: A Monk's Abode
3hrsTranquility in times of chaos and sustainability in times of wastage - immersive experiences and eco-tourism - is what the pine-nestled mountain village near Darjeeling, Lamahatta, offers you.
The Tibetan Self-help Centre: Discovery of an Enterprising Culture
3hrsSteeped in Tibetan culture and history, the Self-help Centre, which was originally built as a refugee centre for the Tibetans, today has workshops, a retail outlet and a photo gallery.
The Mall Road: Walk, Eat And Shop Till You Drop
3hrsThe Chowrasta Mall at Darjeeling is not just a shopper's delight, but also the vibrating pulse of the city.
Darjeeling's Culinary Experiences for the Soul
3hrsA trip to Darjeeling would remain incomplete without visiting some of the classy local eateries.
Oxford Bookstore: Old World Charm with Fresh Darjeeling Tea
3hrsBibliophiles and tea-aficionados alike, will love the Oxford bookstore, where, as you flip through the pages of a book, you can get its famous cup of tea and a whiff of the mountain air.
Mahakal Temple: Shiva that Buddhists Worship
3hrsSacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, the Mahakal temple complex, originally the site of the Dorje Ling monastery, reflects a wonderful confluence of religions.