Avoid
Darjeeling in August
West Bengal, India
August continues July's misery with only slightly less intensity. Rainfall drops marginally to 500-650mm but landslides are actually more frequent because the soil is fully saturated from two months of continuous rain. NH-55 closures can last 24-48 hours. The toy train has its highest cancellation rate of the year. Kanchenjunga remains completely hidden. Temperatures are mild at 15-19°C but the humidity makes everything feel clammy. Mould appears on hotel room walls. Tea estates are between second flush and autumn flush — a relatively quiet period in the gardens. The town feels abandoned; half the shops on Mall Road don't bother opening.
The August story
August is statistically the worst month to visit Darjeeling, and NakshIQ doesn't sugarcoat that. If you're stuck here due to circumstances, focus on what works: the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute museum is excellent and fully indoor. The Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre operates rain or shine and their carpets and crafts are genuinely beautiful. Tea house hopping — Nathmulls, Golden Tips, Sunset Lounge — gives you hours of warm, dry tasting sessions. The Planters' Club bar has old-world charm and serves decent whisky. But there is no version of August Darjeeling that delivers what the brochures promise. If you have flexibility, push your trip to October. The difference is night and day.
Why August scores 1/5
Weather
Monsoon continues relentlessly. All outdoor activities cancelled. Roads treacherous. Tea gardens close for monsoon break. Miserable conditions.
Roads & Access
self drive: Manageable for experienced hill drivers. Parking scarce in town. road condition: Good tarmac, steep hairpin bends on Hill Cart Road. public transport: Shared jeeps and taxis from NJP/Siliguri. Local share taxis within town. from nearest city: Bagdogra Airport/NJP Station — 70km, 3hr drive. last km difficulty: easy
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 4/5. rescue: District disaster management — local admin. helpline: 100 (police), 108 (ambulance). ambulance: 108 ambulance service available. police station: Darjeeling Sadar PS — Mall Road. nearest hospital: Darjeeling District Hospital — in town
Network
VI: Yes, JIO: Yes, BSNL: Yes, NOTE: Yes, AIRTEL: Yes. Full 4G coverage in town. Patchy on outskirts near Tiger Hill
Kids
Kid-friendly (4/5) — Toy train ride is magical for kids, Tea garden walks are easy, Pleasant weather year-round, Zoo and botanical gardens available
Elevation
2,042m — Moderate altitude
Who should go
- ✓First-time travelers
- ✓Senior citizens
- ✓Travellers already in the region with no schedule flexibility
- ✓Academic researchers studying monsoon ecology or tea agriculture
- ✓Absolute budget minimalists — this is the cheapest Darjeeling gets
Who should think twice
- ✗Everyone else — October is 8 weeks away and infinitely better
- ✗Adventure travellers — trails are dangerous with saturated soil and leeches
- ✗Families with children — road safety is a genuine concern
- ✗Anyone who has limited leave days — do not spend them on August Darjeeling
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2/5 | Cold 2-10°C. Morning fog blankets town but clears by 10am. Kanchenjunga visible on clear days. Toy train atmospheric in mist. Few tourists. |
| February | 3/5 | Cold 3-12°C. More clear days than Jan. Tiger Hill sunrise views improving. Tea gardens dormant. Good for monastery visits and Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. |
| March | 4/5 | Spring 8-18°C. Magnolias blooming, town colours returning. First flush tea season begins. Kanchenjunga more visible. Orchid season starting. |
| April | 4/5 | Peak spring, 10-20°C. Rhododendrons on Singalila Ridge. First flush Darjeeling tea at its finest. Tiger Hill clear mornings. Moderate crowds. |
| May | 3/5 | Warm 14-22°C. Pre-monsoon humidity building. Haze reduces mountain views. Plains tourists arrive for summer. Crowded but tea gardens lush. |
| June | 1/5 | Monsoon hits hard. Darjeeling gets 500mm+ this month. Landslides close NH-10 regularly. Toy train disrupted. Zero mountain views. Avoid. |
| July | 1/5 | Peak monsoon, 300-600mm rain. Town perpetually damp. Landslides strand tourists regularly. Mould in hotels. Toy train suspended. Do not visit. |
| Augustviewing | 1/5 | Monsoon continues relentlessly. All outdoor activities cancelled. Roads treacherous. Tea gardens close for monsoon break. Miserable conditions. |
| September | 2/5 | Monsoon fading, 12-20°C. Occasional clear windows reveal Kanchenjunga in dramatic cloud breaks. Lush green but still wet. Unpredictable weather. |
| October | 5/5 | Best month, 10-18°C. Crystal clear post-monsoon air. Kanchenjunga sunrise at Tiger Hill unforgettable. Toy train running. Second flush tea. Perfect. |
| November | 5/5 | Excellent 5-15°C. Clear skies continue. Autumn flush tea season. Singalila Ridge trek at its best. Few crowds, great visibility. Highly recommended. |
| December | 3/5 | Cold 2-10°C. Christmas charm in colonial-era hotels. Glenary's and Keventer's cozy. Mountain views excellent on clear mornings. Carry heavy woolens. |
Practical Details
How to reach
Bagdogra Airport/NJP Station — 70km, 3hr drive. Roads: Good tarmac, steep hairpin bends on Hill Cart Road. Self-drive: Manageable for experienced hill drivers. Parking scarce in town. Public transport: Shared jeeps and taxis from NJP/Siliguri. Local share taxis within town. Last stretch: easy
Elevation
2,042m
Difficulty
easy
Budget tier
mid-range
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