Mist and Tea: Finding Quiet in Darjeeling
Arrival in Darjeeling: From Chaos to Calm
Friday, September 5, 2025Sometimes, the best memories are the ones you don’t plan for.
Leaving Delhi felt like a release. After days of horns blaring, crowded streets, and nonstop noise, I was craving silence. I knew that Darjeeling would promise something different: misty hills, crisp mountain air.
My plan was simple. Land at Bagdogra Airport, meet my driver, and head straight into the hills. Easy, or so I thought. The second I stepped outside, I was swept into a storm of shouting drivers, clattering trolleys, and people pushing past in every direction. My driver was nowhere in sight. After a few panicked calls, I realised he was holding up a sign with my Indian phone number instead of my name. The only problem? I didn’t actually know my number. After a frantic search through my phone, we finally connected. It was ridiculous, a little stressful, and exactly the kind of unpredictable moment that makes travel in India so memorable. Reaching the hills of Darjeeling afterward felt even more magical.
Image: Darjeeling Train Station
The Scenic Drive from Bagdogra to Darjeeling
The road to Darjeeling curves and climbs through the hills, every turn revealing a new view. Tea gardens spread across the slopes, mist drifted over the peaks, and the landscape looked like a living painting. By the time we rolled into town, the airport chaos had faded into the background, replaced by the rhythm of mountain life.
Then came the moment that stopped me in my tracks. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway appeared beside us, its steam engine puffing clouds of smoke as it moved along the roadside. Cars and jeeps shared the road with this relic from another era. It felt like watching the past and present travel together, side by side. That mix of history and modernity is exactly what makes Darjeeling so enchanting.
Wandering Darjeeling’s Hidden Alleys
After dropping my bag at the hotel, I set out with a single goal: coffee at Granary’s. It was supposed to be a ten-minute walk. Instead, it took me more than an hour because Darjeeling invites you to slow down. Every corner was a distraction, brightly painted stalls, prayer flags fluttering in the wind, winding alleys filled with locals going about their day. My camera barely left my hand.
Even in the quieter lanes, the town was never completely still. A low hum of traffic followed me, and at one point the steam train rumbled by again, close enough for me to see the smoke rising from its black engine. The moment felt cinematic, the kind of blend of charm and chaos that belongs to Darjeeling alone.
By the time I reached Granary’s, I was ready to sit and watch. Coffee in hand, I settled outside, breathing in the crisp mountain air. Bells rang faintly in the distance, rooftops caught the light, and locals greeted one another with an easy warmth. It was one of those small, perfect moments that reminded me why I love solo travel. It isn’t about checking off sights. It’s about losing yourself in the in-between, the unplanned parts that make a place come alive.
Image: Darjeeling Chowrasta square
Image: Darjeeling View
Where I Stayed in Darjeeling
I stayed at Mysa Homestays, which offers cozy rooms, a welcoming staff, and a perfect location, making it easy to explore the town at my own pace.
How to Get to Darjeeling from Delhi
By Air and Road: Fly from Delhi to Bagdogra (70 km from Darjeeling). From there, take a taxi or shared jeep. The ride takes about 2–3 hours.
By Train and Road: Take a train from Delhi to New Jalpaiguri (NJP). From NJ, it's about a 3-hour drive or shared taxi ride.
By Road: If you’re adventurous, start from Siliguri and drive or hire a car. The route is scenic and winding, with plenty of viewpoints along the way.
Travel tip: If you’re visiting during the monsoon or winter, always check road conditions. Landslides can occasionally cause delays.
Reflections: Why Darjeeling Stays With You
Darjeeling is more than views and the famous toy train. It’s the details that stay with you—the steam rising from your teacup, the sound of prayer flags in the breeze, or the nod of a stranger passing by.
That chaotic introduction at Bagdogra set the stage for the rest of my trip. It was messy, surprising, and entirely memorable. By the time the sun slipped behind Kanchenjunga and mist rolled across the hills, I felt a rare kind of contentment. It was the feeling of discovering a place on your own terms.
Share Your Darjeeling Story
Have you ever had a travel mishap that turned into one of your favourite memories? Share it in the comments, I’d love to hear your travel surprises.