With connecting flights from the UK, the ‘hidden gem” city may be less frequented than the main travel hub of Delhi, but travel experts stress this beautiful Indian city is well worth the trip.

Set in the lower Himalayas in India’s West Bengal region, Darjeeling is famous for its cool climate, lush tea gardens, and panoramic mountain views. Sitting about 2,000 metres above sea level, its most iconic sight is the snow-capped Kanchenjunga range, which often turns shades of gold and pink at sunrise.

Christian Locke, a travel expert at cruise and tour operator Riviera Travel, noted how watching the sunrise over Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest mountain, is a “highlight for many visitors”.

Besides the obvious hiking opportunities, a major attraction is the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage toy train that winds through dramatic hillsides and villages for an old-world travel experience.

Built between 1879 and 1881, Mr Locke explained: “The famous Toy Train, part of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, remains one of the most scenic and enjoyable ways to see the region.”

Synonymous with its world-famous tea, visiting the tea estates in Darjeeling is also high on the list for most travellers. He added: “Visits to nearby tea estates explain how Darjeeling’s distinctive tea is grown, processed and enjoyed around the world.”

The town’s blend of Tibetan, Nepali, and colonial British influences gives it a distinctive character that comes out in its food, with delicious steamed dumpling momos and the iconic thalis.

The travel expert said Darjeeling is “known for its cool climate, mountain views and laid-back atmosphere”, adding: “Darjeeling’s compact centre is easy to explore, with colonial-era buildings, small shops and cafes offering a glimpse of daily life in the hills.”