Darjeeling is a beautiful hill station in North Bengal that has always captivated nature lovers since the British Raj time. Often known as Queen of Hills due to its natural beauty and year-round good weather, Darjeeling offers great local sightseeing points such as Tiger Hill, Japanese Peace Pagoda, Batasia Loop, Ghoom Monastery, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, and Zoological Park. Adventures also throng this idyllic hill station for camping, trekking, and mountaineering. 

If you’re visiting Darjeeling, take a day or two to visit nearby places as well that are equally thrilling. Kurseong, Lamahatta, and Mirik are offbeat destinations that can easily be reached from Darjeeling in 1-2 hours' time.

CHOOSE MIRIK FOR THE SCENIC RIDE

Mirik is approximately 50 km from Darjeeling town and it takes 2 hrs to reach Mirik from Darjeeling. Mirik is a small hill town near the Indo-Nepal border and is famous for a lake and tea plantations. A road from Ghoom station goes to Sukhiapokhri, a busy hill township located 20 km from Darjeeling. The road continues to Mirik through scenic tea gardens and lovely mountain landscapes.

Road to Mirik from Darjeeling

From Simana View Point, on the way to Mirik, you can see Maneybhanjan below and the beautiful mountains on a clear day. On the other side of the valley, the road to Sandakhphu is visible, and on the right, the Khangchendzonga range can be seen. 

From Simana, the road towards Mirik acts as a divider between India and Nepal. En route, you can visit Pashupati Market in Nepal, 1 km away from the Indian border. It's famous for low-cost imported goods. You can walk to the market or can take a taxi.

Items in Pashupati Market (Nepal), 12 km from Mirik

As you move on further towards Mirik, you will come across lovely landscapes full of tea gardens on your left. There are several small round hillock formations with pine trees on top making it a picture-perfect site. This is Gopaldhara Tea Estate, one of the 87 running tea gardens of Darjeeling. In fact, you can walk down the aisle through the tea gardens and reach a viewpoint from where you get a wonderful view of the gardens all around. There's also a the estate's tea corner from where you can taste different varieties of Gopaldhara's teas and buy them. Or you can always buy them from Darjeeling's many tea shops. Darjeeling teas are known as the "champagne of teas," and Gopaldhara Tea Estate produces one of the best teas in Darjeeling district. 

Mirik is a further 12 km from Pashupati Market and situated at an average altitude of 5,000 ft. 

Gopaldhara tea estate, 10 km from Mirik

THINGS TO DO IN MIRIK

After reaching Mirik, visit Mirik Monastery and thereafter Mirik Lake also called Sumendu Lake. These are the major attractions of the place. Sit along the bank of the lake and relax. Paddle boating is also available in Mirik Lake. 

Mirik Lake

Boating in Mirik Lake

Take a walk over the arching footbridge and crossover to the other side (western bank) of the lake, turn left and take the walkway through the pine forest and enjoy nature. There is a temple in the forest (known as Devi Sthaan). Pony rides are also available around the lake and are quite popular with children. An interesting activity in Mirik is to feed the huge quantity of fish found right opposite Mirik Lake.

On the eastern (right) side of Mirik lake, there are a lot of restaurants where you can have noodles, thukpa, momos, and shapaley. Also, small stalls have souvenir items.

Try visiting Mirik market too which is famous for handicrafts and souvenirs. Nearby is Bokar Monastery. It is a thriving monastic centre with nearly 500 monks participating in a full schedule devoted to studying, practicing, and sustaining the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha.

Bokar Monastery, Mirik

HOW TO REACH DARJEELING

Darjeeling is easily accessible throughout the year due to good connectivity with the mainland of West Bengal. Darjeeling is around 60 km from Siliguri and is well connected through roads and railways. The distance from Darjeeling to Siliguri is 65 km.

By Air: Bagdogra Airport is approximately 70 km from Darjeeling. 

By Rail: New Jalpaiguri Railway Station is well connected with other major Indian cities. Distance from Darjeeling to NJP: 75 km

By Road: Darjeeling is well connected with Siliguri through NH110 and you can reach Darjeeling within a comfortable 3-hour drive. 

HOW TO REACH MIRIK FROM DARJEELING

Mirik can be reached from multiple routes and all roads connecting to Mirik are in good condition.

By Air: Nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport, which is approximately 50 km from Mirik. 

By Rail: Nearest Railway Station to Mirik is New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. Distance from Mirik to NJP: 55 km

By Road:

1) Mirik is well connected with Siliguri via Rishi Road and is a 90-min drive. The distance from Mirik to Siliguri is 47 km.

2) While coming to Darjeeling, Mirik is 50 km, and the road runs parallel to the Nepal border.

3) You can also reach Mirik from Kurseong via Dilmaya Road, which is approx. 40 km long.

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