Darjeeling is a quaint town located in the foothills of the Himalayas which is popular among tourists due to the stunning backdrop of Mount Kanchenjunga, tea plantations, and colonial aura. The hills of Darjeeling are inhabited by various indigenous and ethnic groups such as Rongpa, Limbu, Lepcha, and Nepalese. Most of the local communities here are extremely friendly and welcome the tourists with warm hospitality. If you want to experience the friendly ambiance and live like a local in the town then don’t wait anymore and book a room in one of the best hotels in Darjeeling.
The breathtaking sightseeing attractions and lush green landscapes of tea estates have been the main attractions of Darjeeling for a longer period. However, tourists now are more interested in experiencing the hospitality, rich culture, and heritage of this hill station. Exploring this destination in a more authentic way with the help of the locals will surely offer you meaningful travel experiences, which will make your trip more immersive and socially beneficial.
Benefits of community tourism to explore Darjeeling like a local
The best kind of tourism that you can focus on to experience Darjeeling like a local is community tourism. Community or responsible tourism is mainly a way of traveling that can help you participate in the daily activities of the local communities. This is the best way to ensure authentic and immersive travel experiences. Starting from cooking and eating local dishes to helping locals pluck tea leaves, this tourism ensures a deeper connection with the way of living.
You must know that community tourism is beneficial for both the travelers and the local people as it leads to sustainable and economic development. Additionally, this tourism enables tourists to be culturally immersed in the traditions, customs, and heritage of the town. This is why if you’re planning a Darjeeling tour to explore the local lifestyle then prioritize the elements of community tourism.
Tips You Can Follow To Live Like A Local In Darjeeling
- Focus on tea tourism
Many of the tea estates in Darjeeling are open for travellers. If you don’t explore one of these estates then your trip will definitely be incomplete. Herein, you can take part in tea tourism and learn the process of making tea. You can consider staying at one of the best hotels in Darjeeling near Mall Road and visit a tea estate to indulge in the authentic art of tea-making. Starting from plucking the teas like the locals to processing in the factory and brewing, you can learn everything in the estates.
- Choose a proper accommodation
To explore Darjeeling like locals, it is vital for you to select the right accommodation. It is always a better idea to select a property that has several years of experience in serving accommodation facilities in the area. Windamere Hotel can be an ideal option for you as it has a rich history and an ideal location that will enable you to know the colonial history of the area while communicating with the locals.
- Get lost in the town
It is quite normal for you to stick to a strict itinerary during the Darjeeling trip. However, following a plan may not give you the flexibility to discover the local life of the town. This is why it is always the best option to get lost in the town which will help you discover countless hidden gems. Herein, you can also consider talking with the locals and taking directions from them. You will be amazed to see the locals here so happily interested in helping you.
- Communicate with local people
Staying like locals is not possible until and unless you start mingling with the local ethnic communities. You can talk to strangers, local shop vendors, or people buying commodities in the local markets to learn more about the place. For better communication, you can also consider learning small phrases or basics of the Nepali language as most of the people in Darjeeling communicate in this language. Knowing their language can help you connect with the people in a friendly manner.
- Take part in volunteering events
While staying at one of the best hotels in Darjeeling, you can take part in locally arranged volunteering events in the town. This is definitely a great opportunity to make your presence create a positive impact in the local communities. Starting from organic farming to educational initiatives, there are various volunteering events that can help you attain a richer understanding of the local challenges. Giving back something to the community is a great way to ensure a local vibe while traveling.
- Indulge in community-run tours
If you’re visiting Darjeeling for the first time then you may consider taking a tour guide for a guided tour. In such cases, you must visit a community-run organization where the sightseeing tours led by local experts will ensure you explore the hidden and popular sightseeing attractions like locals. The local guides have a greater understanding of the history and heritage of the town which they can inform you about as well. The community-run tours can help you explore monasteries, village trails, ancient tea gardens, and colonial bungalows.
- Try local cuisine
Your trip will be incomplete if you don’t try some local cuisine of Darjeeling. There are various cafés, roadside stalls, and restaurants in the town that offer delicious food items to tourists. During your trip, you must consider tasting momos, thukpa, sel roti, churpi, and phaley. You can also discover some locally owned shops where you can find Nepalese people selling unique and authentic food items. Chowrasta is the best place in Darjeeling where you can see various shops selling local cuisine.
- Consider traveling in public transportation
While traveling, we often restrict ourselves to exploring the town like locals by hiring private transportation. It is true that a private car can be quite comfortable and flexible but this decreases your chance of exploring the town like the locals. This is why it is recommended to opt for public transportation where you can travel and communicate with locals. Remember that by following this tip, you can also discover some hidden gems that you wouldn’t have covered with a rented car.
- Visit during local festivals
Darjeeling celebrates various local festivals throughout the year. Herein, to stay like a local you can consider planning the trip during a festival. Some of the top festivals here are the Teesta Tea and Tourism Festival, Darjeeling Carnival, Losar, Darjeeling Orange Festival, and Tihar. You can select one of the festivals and visit Darjeeling to mingle with the local people who celebrate the festivals with huge grandeur.
- Discover offbeat places
You may have heard about the phrase “off the beaten path”. This phrase is mainly beneficial for such travels when you want to connect with the locals and take part in the local lifestyle. Just visiting the popular sightseeing attractions will never help you to experience Darjeeling like a local and for that, you have to search for offbeat places. You can consider exploring offbeat locations, villages, or nature trails to find some ethnic communities and their authentic way of living.
The next time you visit the town and stay at one of the best hotels in Darjeeling, don’t forget to embark on the off-the-beaten track and connect with the local communities. Through community tourism, you can experience this beautiful hill station like locals while creating life-long memories.
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