Introduction: Why Tiger Hill Sunrise Should Be on Your Darjeeling Bucket List
Tiger Hill, a mountain region, is located in the Darjeeling region of West Bengal. This area is at an altitude of 2600m above sea level. The region is a famous tourist destination offering beautiful scenery of the Himalayas and it is also a popular sunrise spot.
One can witness the unique experience of sunrise at Tiger Hill and it can be a fascinating as well as exciting adventure. When the sun’s first ray’s fall on the snow-capped mountain peaks it casts pink, orange and gold. The sky changes from deep blue to these colours creating a charming display. From here you can also get the entire view of the Kanchenjunga mountain range.
Staying at the luxurious Windamere Hotel in Darjeeling will make this unforgettable experience even more rewarding for several reasons.
-
The Windamere Hotel's unique location offers a perfect view of the Kanchenjunga mountain range.
-
Our hotel offers a peaceful atmosphere and has a variety of cuisine including continental and Indian dishes.
-
The Windamere Hotel's hotel is one of the oldest colonial hotels in Darjeeling and the amenities of this hotel include a spa and restaurant.
These are some of the benefits of Windamere Hotel Darjeeling.
The Magic of Tiger Hill Sunrise
From Tiger Hill, you can get the chance to spot various Himalayas peaks including Kanchenjunga. The region's unique location offers some of the best glimpses of various mountain ranges.
A Glimpse of the Majestic Himalayas
-
Kanchenjunga: This Mountain is slightly visible before sunrise at a lower elevation. When the first ray of the sun touches its peaks the colour changes from reddish-orange to satisfying mountain brown.
-
Mount Everest: This Mountain is just visible from Tiger Hill and looks taller than Kanchenjunga due to the curvature of the earth.
-
Other Himalayan peaks: You can get a view of the entire Tibetan mountain range from this point.
Why the Sunrise Is Special
As the sun rises at Tiger Hill, the colour of the sky changes from deep blue and purple to orange and gold. When the sun’s rays fall on the snow-covered peaks it displays crimson-orange colour. This is why the Tiger Hill sunrise experience is unique and fascinating for tourists.
The Early Morning Ritual:
In order to catch the first light in Tiger Hill you need to arrive at least two hours before sunrise to capture a perfect spot.
Windamere Hotel: A Luxury Stay with Unbeatable Views
Historical Charm and Location
Windamere Hotel is one of the luxury and oldest colonial hotels in Darjeeling. This hotel was built as a house for British tea planters in 1841. Later it was acquired by a Sikkimese and Tibetan descent who turned this house into a hotel and named it Windamere. The hotel became popular when Darjeeling became the summer capital of the Bengal Presidency.
Stunning Views of the Kanchenjunga Range
This hotel is located at Observatory Hill, which provides a beautiful view of the Kanchenjunga mountain range and also offers a glimpse of Tiger Hill. The rooms of the hotel are designed in such a way that the guests can enjoy the changing views of the mountain throughout the day.
Luxury and Comfort
Windamere, as one of the luxury hotels in Darjeeling, offers some luxury and cosy rooms. The Colonial Royal Suites at Ada Villa & Annexe offer some of the traditional British colonial-style decor like; Prince Peter of Greece & Denmark, Begum Aga Khan, Chogyal of Sikkim, Princess of Siam, The Governor of Bengal Suite. This place is easily accessible from Tiger Hill making it an ideal base for a sunrise adventure.
How to Get to Tiger Hill from Windamere Hotel
Distance and Travel Time
The Windamere Hotel is located at a distance of approximately 14 km away from Tiger Hill. It usually takes one hour to reach Tiger Hill from Windamere by car.
Transport Options
There are various modes of transportation available from the hotel to Tiger Hill including private cars and taxis. It is to be noted that self-driven cars are not allowed in Tiger Hill but you can travel with your bike. However, the best and cheapest way to go to Tiger Hill is by local taxi. You can also book a private car to Tiger Hill and it saves you time. You can also book a tour package from a tour operator to enjoy a smooth and hassle-free journey.
Best Time to Depart
If you want to reach Tiger Hill to spot the sunrise you have to arrive at least half an hour before sunrise. For example, in the winter season, you have to leave the hotel between 4 am to 4:30 am if you want to reach Tiger Hill in time for the sunrise.
Other Attractions and Things to Do in Darjeeling after the Sunrise
-
Explore Darjeeling’s Landmarks
After spotting the beautiful Darjeeling sunrise view, on the way to your hotel, you can consider visiting other famous tourist-attracted places like:
-
Batasia Loop: The Batasia Loop located at Hill Cart Road is one of the famous tourist attractions. From here you can get a 360-degree view of the Kanchenjunga mountain range. There are various sitting areas in this place so you can enjoy the surrounding views and gardens. At the centre of the Batasia loop, there is a war memorial to commemorate the honour of the Gorkha army.
-
Peace Pagoda: Another significant place you can visit is the Peace Pagoda. Also known as Darjeeling Peace Pagoda, this is an ideal destination point for tourists who are in search of peace.
-
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute also known as HMI is one of the major mountaineering institutes in India. This is an ideal destination point for tourists who are willing to enjoy the rock climbing activity.
Breakfast at Windamere
After the memorable and beautiful sunrise adventure now it’s time for you to enjoy a warm, hearty breakfast at Windamere. White-gloved waiters will serve you breakfast around the table. You can have dishes like "Roly Poly Pudding", authentically prepared porridge for breakfast and cheese & onion pie. After that, you can have a cup of steaming Darjeeling Tea or freshly ground coffee which recharges your energy.
Local Experiences
After an energetic breakfast now it’s time for you to explore local markets and shop for souvenirs. You can visit the Yellow Box, a popular souvenir store in Darjeeling, and explore the Mahakal market, where you can shop for a variety of clothes, and handmade customs.
Best Time to Visit Darjeeling for the Sunrise Experience
Seasonal Variations
The ideal time to visit Darjeeling for the Sunrise experience is from October to December and February to April. This time the skies are usually clear and offer the beautiful views of the sunrise and the Himalayas. You can also search for the best places to stay in Darjeeling for sunrise. One thing to consider is you have to bring sweaters and Jackets with you if you don’t want to experience a bone-chilling cold.
Crowd Considerations
The peak season of Darjeeling is from March to May when the rest of the Bengal region experiences unbearable heat. This time the majority of tourists are more likely to visit Darjeeling to enjoy the calm and pleasant environment. This time the prices of the hotels are a bit high and places are full of crowds everywhere. So you can avoid this season. Also during the summer months, Tiger Hill is crowded and it is difficult to find a perfect spot to view the sunrise.
However, the best time to visit Darjeeling is during the autumn season when the sky is clear and offers better scenery of the surrounding areas. Though this is also the high season in Darjeeling the prices may drop slightly as compared to the summer months. You can also search for the best hotels in Darjeeling for sunrise if you want to witness the sunrise and experience the elegant and calm surroundings during this season. So to avoid the crowds at Tiger Hill you can visit this place during this season.
Conclusion:
-
Creating Unforgettable Memories at Windamere Hotel and Tiger Hill:
So here we discussed how you can witness the magical experience of sunrise at Tiger Hill from the comfort of Windamere Hotel. Since the hotel’s location is unique you can observe the changing views of the Himalayas throughout the day. The hotel offers some of the luxury and elegant rooms and various cuisines making your trip special and memorable. Also, the unique location of this place makes it easy for tourists to access Tiger Hill and enjoy the charming view of sunrise and the Himalayas. You can also search for the Windamere Hotel Darjeeling review, to compare and choose the best room for you.