Tiger Hill is well known for its spectacular view point, which gives you a glimpse of four of the world’s five highest peaks –
As, they tower above the clouds while being bathed in morning sunlight.
Tiger Hill is a summit in the Darjeeling Himalayan hills in West Bengal, India. It has a panoramic view of Mount Everest and Mount Kanchenjunga together. At sunrise, the peaks of Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu and Jannu are visible in a 180 degree arc.
To do a Darjeeling tour, nothing can be better than trekking up the Tiger Hill. It is one of the best mountains to tackle in Darjeeling and the most panoramic view of Kanchenjunga and other Himalayas is visible from this place.
Unless you happen to be from Darjeeling, chances are you have no idea where in Darjeeling the Tiger Hill is! So for the people who have no idea about this, we at darjeeling-tour.com are here for you. Read this blog to find out all about this majestic hill top.
Table of Contents
Brekky, Bustle & Bread At The Tiger Hill In Darjeeling
The hill gets its name from a legend that it was once home to tigers that preyed on the sheep of nearby villagers. The tigers are long gone but the hill still retains its name.
Apart from its spectacular sunrise, other attractions include Thambi View Point and Bhutia Busty Monastery.
Sunrise over the Himalayas is one of the most beautiful sights in the world. Situated at an altitude of 2590 m, Tiger Hill offers breathtaking views. On a clear day the sight of the sun rising from behind the mountains, lights up its snow-capped peaks and then slowly make its way down to light up the rest of Darjeeling is truly a sight to behold.A popular tourist attraction, it is the summit of Ghoom, the highest railway station in the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga and other peaks of the Himalaya mountain range. The sunrises viewed from Tiger Hill are legendary and draw thousands of tourists each year.
From Tiger Hill, one can enjoy the panoramic view of Mount Everest in the east, Mount Kanchenjunga in the west and Mount Makalu in the north-east. The whole range of snowy mountains are visible from here. It is famous for the spectacular sunrise over Kanchenjunga Peak which is the third highest mountain in the world and which appears closer to Tiger Hill than from any other location in Darjeeling.
Location
Tiger Hill is one of the areas (not a specific tea estate) situated in Supur which is just 12 kilometers away from central Darjeeling. Though not very famous, it has a substantial number of plantations and tea bungalows making up for a vibrant tourism zone and can be reached either by jeep or by foot..
How to reach Tiger Hill
A one hour drive from Darjeeling will take you to Tiger Hill, the summit of Ghoom. It is the highest railway station in the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway – a World Heritage Site.
The journey to Tiger Hill begins in the dead of night carrying warm clothing as it is bitterly cold at this altitude. A typical trip to Tiger Hill begins at 4:00 am when it is still dark when one starts climbing up Ghoom (altitude 2258 m). For those taking the car, it is a 30-minute drive uphill. At the top, a panoramic view of Mount Everest and Mount Kanchenjunga together can be seen at sunrise.
Tiger Hill Open Hours, Fees & Facilities
Unless you are a fitness freak, you can avail car services to reach Tiger Hill. You will have to pay Rs 800 for a car that can take up to 4 people.
Open Hours: 4:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Entry Fees: INR 50 for Indians; INR 250 for foreigners
There are parking and toilet facilities available at Tiger Hill. There are no other facilities available at Tiger Hill itself. However, there are stalls nearby where you can find a few snacks and beverages to munch on after the trek up to Tiger Hill. You can take a shared jeep up to the hilltop. A private vehicle can be hired too. The drive is quite adventurous and thrilling.
During winter, the temperature falls below zero degree Celsius. It is still worth visiting because you get to see snow clad peaks in Tibet and Nepal.
When you visit Tiger Hill, you should carry warm clothes because it gets chilly even in summer season.
Perks of arriving early at the Hill
A new day starts with the hope of seeing a new side of Darjeeling. As we all know, Tiger hill is the highest point in Darjeeling, and it’s famous for its beautiful sunrise.
Some of us love to explore places by visiting them during the day time and some of us love to witness the beauty of a place during night time. But there are some places which are known for both their beauty during day and night. Tiger Hill is one such place.
If you’re someone who loves to see the sun rising from behind the mountains then this is just the right place for you. The view from up there is breathtaking. Watching the sun slowly rising from behind the mountain and lighting up your entire surroundings like a beautiful painting can take your breath away.
No need to worry about reaching there on time. You can always book a cab or taxi service to pick you up from your hotel on time.
Why should you arrive at tiger hill early?
You will:
- Get to see the sun rise over Mount Everest on a clear day. This is the highlight of visiting Tiger Hill.
- Get to take photos of the mountains with less people and less tour buses in your pictures.
- Get to spend more time at Tiger Hill and are able to linger a bit longer before the crowds arrive.
- Have more time for breakfast in Darjeeling after descending from Tiger Hill. Perhaps, stopping by at Glenary’s for their famous cheesy buns?
The Synopsis
The sun rises around 4.30 am these days, but one needs to leave for the Tiger Hill at 3.30 in the morning.
The tourist buses are ready and waiting for their guests. The guides give a briefing of what is going to happen and what they should do and not do. The journey takes about an hour. The weather is chilly, so you should carry warm clothes even if it may be summer.
You will reach the hill around 4.20 am and just as you climb out of the bus, you will see a huge crowd of tourists, some who have come by their own vehicles and some who have come by the other buses like yours, all waiting on the road near the gates of Tiger Hill as it still will be dark.
There are many stalls selling tea, coffee and snacks to keep you warm till it gets light enough to see across the horizon. The area is crowded with people milling around in anticipation of what is going to happen when it gets light enough for them to see Kanchenjungha glowing in all its splendour in front of their eyes!
Things to Carry
Do not forget to carry warm clothes with you. Pack yourself with lots of warm sweaters, a jacket, gloves, woolen socks, and closed shoes as Darjeeling is a cold place and it’s good to be prepared. If you like travelling light, there are many stalls in Darjeeling town and in and around tourist places that sell warm clothes. Also do not forget to carry necessary things like torchlight, first aid supplies, and medicines.
Also, you might not want to forget to carry a good camera with you when visiting Tiger Hill in Darjeeling. If you are interested in photographs then visiting Tiger Hill in Darjeeling will be worth it.
Best time to visit Tiger Hill
This sight is best seen in Oct-Nov when there are clear skies and little or no mist or clouds.
The best time to visit Tiger Hill is during early winter season when the sky remains mostly clear and the temperature usually stays around 5-degree Celsius. The summer and monsoon season should be avoided as visibility during rainy days is poor.
If you want to visit tiger hill, then do not go there in monsoon season because the weather is quite cloudy and humid. The best time to visit tiger hill is from October to May. During this time of the year, the weather remains pleasant throughout the day. Hence it does not only help the tourists to explore the place but also enables them to capture breathtaking pictures.
The best time to visit tiger hill darjeeling can be considered to be anytime between March to June, but it’s advisable to avoid visiting this place during monsoon season as the trekking trails can get slippery and dangerous. There’s a small lake on the way to Tiger Hill which provides a nice little resting spot and photo shoot opportunity if you are traveling with your family or loved ones.
Tiger Hill Around The Year
The peak season is during the summer months. This is when the students are out of school, and when families take their annual vacation. During these months, the temperature varies between 20 – 23 °C (68 – 73 °F). It is an ideal time for sightseeing, trekking and other adventurous activities.
The winter months are from October to February. The temperature drops to a minimum of 0°C (32°F) during this time. While December-January sees occasional snowfalls, the weather remains moderate throughout the rest of the season. Pack your woollens when you visit during this time, as it can get quite chilly in the evenings and early mornings.
Monsoons set in by mid-June and continue till September. This period receives heavy rainfall with an average rainfall of 280 mm annually. Tourists who like trekking or hiking should avoid visiting during monsoon, as landslides are common in hilly regions.
Traveller’s tips:
- Park your car safe
- Enjoy the scenic views
Conclusion
Darjeeling Tour is the tourism arm of “The Himalayan Holidays” and is a professionally managed travel agency based in Darjeeling.
If you have any questions for me, leave them below! Thanks for reading my blog and have a wonderful day!
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