Hill Tourism Bounces Back With Early Poila Baisakh and Long Weekend Traffic
The Queen of Hills is buzzing with activity as tourists from across Bengal and neighboring states head to Darjeeling for the early Poila Baisakh weekend and pre-summer school breaks. According to local hoteliers, over 80% of rooms are already booked for the second and third week of May 2025.
Travel agents report that trains from Sealdah, Howrah, and New Jalpaiguri (NJP) are running full, with waitlists for popular routes like the Darjeeling Mail and Shatabdi Express.
Toy Train and Tiger Hill Remain Top Attractions
Despite recent landslides in parts of Kalimpong and Sikkim, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train) is back on track. Daily tourist rides from NJP to Ghum are fully operational.
“This is the busiest we’ve been since 2019,” said Dinesh Lama, a tour operator. “Tiger Hill sunrises and Batasia Loop are completely packed by 6 AM.”
Hotels along Mall Road and Chowrasta have begun hiking rates by 10–20% due to the surge in demand.
Traffic and Civic Bodies Brace for Tourist Influx
To manage the crowd, the Darjeeling Municipality and GTA (Gorkhaland Territorial Administration) have deployed extra staff to oversee:
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Traffic control in Darjeeling town
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Clean-up around scenic zones
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Water tanker supply to tourist zones
Police have also warned of fake guides and overcharging incidents and urged tourists to use official kiosks and licensed travel agents.
Best Places to Visit This Season
| Spot | Reason to Visit |
|---|---|
| Tiger Hill | Sunrise views, clear skies |
| Batasia Loop | Toy train stop + view point |
| Japanese Temple | Cultural stop & peace pagoda |
| Rock Garden | Short drive + waterfall views |
| Mirik Lake | Day trip, paddle boating |
