Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

Overview

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a narrow-gauge mountain line, with tracks only two feet apart, built in the 1870s and opened in 1881 to link the plains with the hill station of Darjeeling. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and is part of the Mountain Railways of India.

Small steam locomotives still haul tourist trains on the line, climbing through tea gardens and forests with sharp curves and loops. Ghum station is among the highest railway stations in India, and the Batasia Loop gives a view of Kanchenjunga on clear days.

What to look for

• The steam locomotive and its small carriages
• The Batasia Loop and its war memorial garden
• Ghum station and the railway museum
• Views of tea gardens and, on clear days, the Himalaya

Visiting tips

• The steam "joy ride" runs a short round trip from Darjeeling to Ghum; book ahead in the busy seasons.
• Mist and monsoon rain can hide the view, so allow flexibility.
• Combine it with the Ghoom Monastery and Tiger Hill sunrise.

Why visit with a private guide

A private guide shows you where to stand, when to arrive and what most visitors miss at Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, and fits the visit around the rest of your day.

More photographs

Nearby

Ghoom Monastery Tea Garden Rumtek Monastery Deolo Hill Zang Dhok Palri Tiger Hill Enchey Monastery Tsomgo Lake Mg Marg