Darjeeling In December: Stirring Experiences You Can Have This Winter
With December at the door, we are close to a time of chill and thrill. Darjeeling, the Queen of Hills, is one of the best December destinations with festivals, snow, food, music, steaming hot tea, romance, adventure and more!
In a nutshell, Darjeeling in December is nothing short of a Bollywood potboiler with all the spices in the right measures.
So, how does this beautiful hill station get decked up during Christmas and New Year? Will it snow this year? How cold is Darjeeling in December? Let’s know things and make the best winter travel plan.
However, to make a sound winter travel plan to Darjeeling this December, let’s have a flashback of what happened in Darjeeling last December.
| In December 2023, Darjeeling and Sikkim became snowy wonderlands, and on 14th December 2023, the Lepcha and Bhutia communities in these hill stations celebrated a white New Year. Further, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), snowfall came to these winter wonderlands in December with a westerly trough. However, the snowfall on 14th December in Sandakphu and other parts of Darjeeling was the second time winter precipitation in the district in 2023. Sandakphu, Tonglu, and higher altitudes in the district received the first snowfall on 9th December 2023. |
So, let’s hope that December 2024 turns out to be as stirring as December 204. Fingers crossed! 🤞
| Darjeeling in December is more special in 2024 for wildlife enthusiasts. You can’t miss a visit to Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park while in Darjeeling. Four new red pandas are born in this Zoological Park and it is also now home to two snow leopard cubs. Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, has named all of them. She has named the newborn red pandas “Hilly, Pahadia, Dream and Victory.” The snow leopard cubs will be known as “Darling” and “Charming.” |
How Is Darjeeling In December? What’s So Stirring About The Hill Station In Winter?
Darjeeling in December is pleasant, with the least humidity and no risks of floods or landslides. Further, in December, you will not have to deal with a maddening crowd like the April to June season.
Moreover, Darjeeling turns magical in December as it gears up for Christmas and New Year celebrations.
So, have you booked your tickets for a Darjeeling trip this December? Check out the weather conditions, festivals, places to visit, things to do, and delicacies to try in Darjeeling during winter.
Darjeeling Weather In December
Does it snow in Darjeeling in December? This is the most common concern for anyone planning a winter trip to the Queen of Hills. However, it is a tricky question to answer with a 50:50 scope for “ snowfall in Darjeeling in December.”
In 2023, Darjeeling, especially its higher altitudes like Sandakphu and Tonglu, received snowfall in December.
However, as I write this article in November, Darjeeling, on average, has a maximum temperature of 15-17 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 6-7 degrees Celsius. Mornings are misty on some days, but most days are bright and sunny in the morning. The relative humidity in the air is 71%.
Still, as the day progresses, it may become foggy.
By December, the average minimum temperature will hit 2 degrees Celsius, and the maximum temperature will be around 7 degrees Celsius.
| ⁕⁕ Dream And Travel Note: Will It Snow In Darjeeling In December 2024? ⁕⁕ Snowfall in Darjeeling is beautiful, but you have to be among the luckiest ones to witness snowfall in this hill station. Unlike the higher altitudes of Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir, snowfall is not guaranteed in Darjeeling every winter. Now, the western disturbance rising from the Caspian Sea is the main force behind snowfall in the hill stations of northern India. However, when the western disturbance reaches Darjeeling and other hill stations in East India, it loses its power and moisture. So, apart from Sandakphu, Tonglu or higher altitudes of Darjeeling, there are very scarce chances of snowfall in Darjeeling, at least due to this western disturbance. This time, we discussed the scope of snowfall in Darjeeling in December with some senior meteriologists. They have said that the chances of snowfall in Darjeeling are very less this December. |
Traveling To Darjeeling In December? Follow These Tips
December to February is winter in Darjeeling, and it becomes very cold. So, you must carry your jacket and woolens property.
Further, remember that December is the month of dressing up in Darjeeling (You want to be a part of the festivity.). So, keep some stylish and warm outfits handy.
Choose comfortable walking shoes or sneakers if you want to visit Darjeeling in December.
What To Do In Darjeeling In December? Soak In The Festive Atmosphere
In December, Darjeeling is the go-to destination for celebrating Christmas and New Year. Further, December is the month of Loosong or Namsoong in Darjeeling. The Bhutias and Lepchas take part in this festival to mark the end of the harvest season and Sikkimese New Year.
Visiting the monasteries during this festival is a unique cultural experience with traditional song and dance performances. However, if you want to have the most authentic experience of Loosong or Namsoong, you must visit the Phodong and Rumtek monasteries in Sikkim.
Nevertheless, here are the best festivals in Darjeeling in December.
‣ Teesta Tea And Tourism Festival
The date for the Teesta Tea And Tourism Festival in 2024 is not announced yet. However, every year, this festival is observed in November or December to celebrate the tea gardens and wonders of Darjeeling.
Thanks to the following attractions, the Teesta Tea And Tourism Festival has become a uniting ground for locals and tourists from various parts of the world.
- Film Festivals
- Musical Events
- Food Carnivals
- Nature Walks
- Water Sports
- Visits to Sanctuaries
- Toy Train Ride, etc.
It is a collaborative effort of the Government of West Bengal, the Government of India, Sikkim Tourism, and Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council. Private hotels and travel management companies also play an active role in making the festival a success.
‣ Christmas And New Year
Christmas festivities reach their peak in Darjeeling on 23rd December, and the fervor continues till 1st January.
Darjeeling, with its British colonial influence and the presence of churches like St. Andrew’s Church and Immaculate Conception Cathedral, becomes the land of celebration.
Every house here gets decked up with Christmas lights, and you find the best pies, puddings, and plum cakes in the bakeries here.
Moreover, the hotels and homestays here organize special carol performances, bonfires, and other merriments for the tourists.
| Dream and Travel Note: Don’t forget to try the meat platter from Keventenrs and the best tea from Nathmulls to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas and New Year in Darjeeling. |
‣ Ghoom Festival
Ghoom Festival has become an important event in Darjeeling in December in the last few years.
Organized by the Northeast Frontier Railway, this festival was started to celebrate and promote the Toy Train of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. It was marked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
The Ghoom Festival takes place in Darjeeling from November to December. In 2024, the Ghoom Festival will be celebrated between 30th November to 8th December.
This year, the festival is even more significant, with the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway completing its 25th year of being designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Moreover, the festival at the Ghoom Railway Station will have the following attractions.
- Photo Exhibitions
- Cultural Programmes
- Handicrafts Store
- Local Cuisine
- Fun Events for Kids
For queries related to the festival, you can contact 7908187479 and 8585041501.
| Will Marcello Perform In Darjeeling This December? The MELOtea Fest, organized by the Darjeeling Police, was scheduled for 18th to 22nd December. Kee Marcello, the former member of the Swedish band Europe, was to be the star attraction of the celebration. However, the Darjeeling MELOtea FEST has been deferred to January, and the fans now have to wait for another month or so to see Kee Marcello performing in Darjeeling. So, this December is not going to be the month of The Final Countdown by Marcello. |
Best Attractions And Must Visits In Darjeeling In December
With pleasant weather conditions and well-maintained road conditions, all the major attractions in Darjeeling remain accessible in December.
You must not miss a visit to the following places.
- Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
- Tiger Hill
- Ghoom Station
- Batasia Loop
- Ghoom Monastery
- Darjeeling Zoo
- Japanese Peace Pagoda
- Singalila National Park
- Chatakpur
- Rimbik
- Darjeeling Ranjit Valley Ropeway
- Samthar Plateau
- Rock Garden
- Tenzing Rock, etc.
⁕⁕ Dream And Travel Note⁕⁕
To optimize your experience in the Easter Himalayas in December, you can go for a Darjeeling to Gangtok packaged tour.
The Gangtok snowfall time is near, with places like Tsomgo Chho turning into snowy wonderlands.
The Best Winter Outdoor Adventures For Adrenaline Rush: Things To Do In Darjeeling In December
With the mercury dipping, you can try some fun outdoor activities in Darjeeling this December.
⁍ Winter Trekking
Do you want to explore the mountains in Darjeeling this December? You must go for the Sandakhphu trek. However, you must hit the mountains in early December, as beyond that, the trek will be the most challenging.
After completing the Sandakphu trek, you will enjoy a beautiful view of Mount Kanchenjunga, Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu.
⁍ Visiting The Tea Gardens
Darjeeling is home to the Castleton Tea Garden, Makaibari Tea Garden, and many other tea gardens producing tea, the champagne of the east.
In December, you can take a tour of these tea gardens. Many tour operators organize a one-day “Darjeeling Tea Garden Tour.” The cost of this tour will be roughly around 4k per person.
⁍ Ropeway Rides
Ropeway Rides are the best way to enjoy a panoramic view of Darjeeling in December. As you take a ride in the Rangeet Valley Cable Car, you will see places like Tukvar Village, Rangeet River, and Chowk Bazaar from a 7,000-foot height.
The current route now operates from Singamari to Tukvar.
Culinary Delights: Food Tourism In Darjeeling In December
Darjeeling gets transformed into a wonderland of food tourism in winter. You can try traditional Darjeeling cuisine here, and also, the cafes and restaurants here make special winter treats and beverages.
Here, the focus is on Traditional cuisines you can have in Darjeeling in December. Also, I have shared the names and contact numbers of the restaurants where you can try these cuisines.
⦿ Pork Curry
Best Place to Have: Keventers (Phone No: 0354 225 6542)
⦿ Sel Roti (Sweet, ring-shaped bread)
Best Place to Have: Fiesta Restaurant (Phone No: 062941 61520)
⦿ Tibetan Thukpa
Best Place to Have: Dafey Munal Restro Cum Bar (Phone No: 098009 28252)
⦿ Gundruk (made of spinach, mustard leaves, and other fermented leafy vegetables)
Best Place to Have: Kushal Restaurant (Phone No: 097334 43980)
⦿ Aaloo Tama (Made of fermented bamboo shoots and aaloo or potatoes)
Best Place to Have: Kathmandu Kitchen (Phone No: 078668 96962)
⦿ Phambi (Street food made of mung beans)
Best Place to Have: Kunga Restaurant (Phone No: 095635 63219)
Moreover, the noodles and momos always taste the best when you have them in Darjeeling on the coldest days.
Accommodation Options: Best Places To Stay In Darjeeling In December
Once you reach Darjeeling from Bagdogra, you need comfortable accommodation with modern amenities. So, these are the best places to stay in Darjeeling.
| Best Place to Stay In Darjeeling | Address | Phone Number | Tariff/ Per Day, Per Person |
| The Revett | 51(47) Laden la Road, Near ICICI Bank & Hayden Hall Opposite Darjeeling Capital Clock Tower, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101 | 082503 24723 | INR 1300 |
| Udaan Hotels | Dekeling Resort | Lal Kothi Rd, Jalapahar, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734102 | 095550 33033 | INR 3300 |
| The Rope Resort | Senchal Road, Opposite Ghoom-Degree College, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734102 | 076025 69614 | INR 1555 |
| Sinclairs Darjeeling | 18/1, Gandhi Rd, Limbugaon, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101 | 0354 225 6432 | INR 5500 Onward |
| Summit Swiss Heritage Resort & Spa | 15/9A, Gandhi Rd, near Circuit House, Limbugaon, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101 | 080 6957 5000 | INR 6500 Onward |
Now, with December arriving on a sleigh fast, plan your trip to Darjeeling and use our guide as a reference. Bon voyage!
