Darjeeling Ropeway: Ticket Price, Timings, Travel Tips

Travel above the clouds to see the luscious green tea plants below. Darjeeling Ropeway allows you to see and experience nature’s grandeur while travelling above the clouds, giving you a small chill. The Darjeeling Ropeway is a ropeway located in Darjeeling, West Bengal, India.

The 5-kilometre-long ropeway (2.5 kilometres each way) is a popular tourist attraction in town. It consists of sixteen cars and travels between the “North Point” in Darjeeling to Singla on the banks of the Rammam River. The ropeway tour provides views of Darjeeling’s hills and valleys. Keep reading to know more about this amazing ropeway.

Features of the Darjeeling Ropeway

The ropeway began in 1968 and consisted of a single car. This cable ropeway descends from an elevation of 2,134 m (7,001 ft) in Darjeeling’s North Point (Singamari) to 244 m (801 ft) at Singla on the banks of the Ramman River, which, along with the Little Rangeet, meets the Great Rangeet. Stopping at Tukvar, Barnesbeg, and Singla Tea Garden, the ropeway takes around 45 minutes to reach Singla Bazar, which is 8 kilometres away. The ropeway crosses lush forests, mountain ridges, waterfalls, flowing rivers, green valleys, and tea gardens.

The Great Rangeet flows from Kabru, a glacier height in the Kanchenjunga’s lower sections, where it meets the Ramman and eventually the Little Rangeet. Singla provides a glimpse of the valleys between these two streams. The Little Rangeet flows through the lush green Bijanbari Valley. While the Little Rangeet is abundant with trout, the valley is rich in fauna, flowers, and butterflies.

A joint venture ran the passenger ropeway between the West Bengal Forest Development Corporation and Conveyor and Ropeway Services Private Ltd. It had been renovated in 1998.

Timings and Ticket Information

History of Darjeeling Ropeway

Let us look into the history of the Darjeeling ropeway. The Forest Department of West Bengal erected the Darjeeling-Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway for the first time in 1968. The goal was to connect the tea gardens in the valleys to Darjeeling. At the time, there was little road in that area, so the ropeway was formed out of necessity. Only later did it become a tourist destination.

Initially, there were five stations in total. Between Darjeeling North Point (Singamari) and Singla Bazar in Ramman Valley, the cable cars made stops at Tukvar, Barnesbeg, and Singla Tea Estate. The overall distance between the two end stations was 8 kilometres, which took 45 minutes to cover. One could get down at any point to have a closer look at the valleys and then resume the journey at any time.

The journey was memorable. The mountain ridges clothed in lush trees provided an awe-inspiring view. In addition, there were waterfalls, tea plantations, and running rivers in the lush valleys. However, it did not last long; the operation was halted due to a sad accident and then reopened with numerous safety precautions.

The Ropeway Experience

The ropeway is an excellent way to see the valley of Darjeeling from above. Darjeeling Ropeway is also known as the Rangeet Valley Cable Car because of the breathtaking views of the valley surrounding the river Little Rangeet. This 5-kilometer-long ropeway connects Darjeeling to Singla Bazaar on the Rangeet River at the valley’s bottom. When you take this gondola trip, the panoramic view of the tea gardens will make you feel like a flying bird. The tea garden downhill serves a pleasant Darjeeling tea.

What better way to enjoy the sunset and sunrise than to board this automobile that will transport you to amazing heights? It is one of the most amazing adventures that visitors may have. Travellers from all over the world come to Darjeeling to experience the fantastic trip, so set aside a day for a thrilling journey on the Darjeeling Ropeway.

How to Reach the Darjeeling Ropeway

We previously said that the Darjeeling-Rangeet Valley Passenger Cable Car begins at North Point in the Singamari region of Darjeeling. To get there, take a shared taxi from Chowk Bazar. Depending on traffic, it will take approximately 15 minutes to reach the cable car station.

Nearby Attractions

Let us look into the places to explore near the Darjeeling ropeway:

• Observatory Hill
• Durpin Monastery
• Mirik Lake
• Kali Mandir
• Bokar Monastery

Best Time to Visit

The best months to visit the Darjeeling Ropeway are March and June. During these months, the weather is pleasant and sunny, which makes the ride even more delightful. The ropeway operates from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., so plan your journey accordingly to have the finest view from the ropeway. During these months, the weather is hottest, and the vistas of the surrounding hills and forests are most beautiful. April is also the busiest month for tourists in Darjeeling, so plan ahead of time.

Travel Tips

• Arrive on time, especially during peak season.
• Check the weather before going.
• Buy tickets in advance.
• Take your camera to click beautiful pictures.
• Wear comfortable clothes and footwear.
• Carry some medicines with you and water.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

Darjeeling is one of India’s most famous tourist destinations. It provides travellers with a stunning vista, serene atmosphere, and enjoyable experience. So, plan your trip to Darjeeling, and don’t forget to experience this amazing ropeway.