Batasia Loop is a popular attraction in Darjeeling, noted for its surreal beauty and great ambiance. It is situated on Hill Cart Road. The loop is perched at an elevation of 7000 meters above sea level. At such a height, the place showcases pristine nature with the vista of the snow-capped mountains.
The name Batasia translates to an “airy space” and this does justice to the site’s serene environment. The loop is a spiral railway that was made to lower the gradient of ascension through steep hills of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. It is made in such a way that the railway track spirals around and over itself through a tunnel and a hilltop.
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With such immense beauty, the Batasia Loop displays incredible engineering triumph. It is unique in its own way.
While there, you will come across so many other things related to nature and history. All of them are equally fascinating and will enchant you in all different ways possible.
In this article, you will get to know the following points about the Batasia Loop,
So, let’s see each of these points in detail.
Along with that, I will also be sharing my experience of the visit to the Batasia Loop.
How to reach Batasia Loop from Darjeeling
You can see the Batasia loop while experiencing a toy train ride. You can also include this as a part of your Darjeeling sightseeing tour.
Batasia Loop is approximately 5-6 km from Darjeeling Town and takes about 15-20 minutes by car. You can book a cab from Darjeeling to reach here. They will drop you right at the ticket counter.
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You can ask the cab driver to wait while you explore the place and return to your hotel in the same car. Alternatively, you can also take a shared jeep.
We went there during the day when we were on our way to Takdah from Darjeeling.
Entry Fees Batasia Loop
There is an entry fee of Rs.15/- per head to enter Batasia Loop. However, it’s free if you visit it as part of the Darjeeling Toy Train Ride.
Timings of Batasia Loop
The timings of Batasia Loop are:
| Daily | 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
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History & Significance of Batasia Loop
The beautiful Batasia Loop was built and commissioned by the British Government in 1919. This excellent creation of engineering was done to prevent the drastic descending of the toy train down the hill between Ghum Station and Darjeeling. Amazingly, this magnificent loop completes the entire 140ft drop through a circular track and a gentle slope.
What to see at Batasia Loop
At Batasia Loop, you can witness the beautiful Eco Garden with seasonal and perennial flowers. It also showcases organic farming, and rare and wild shrubs like Rhododendrons, Silver Firs, and Gongo Biloba.
There are sitting areas to enjoy the views of the whooting toy train, making a complete loop along the spiral track. You will also get some amazing views of the landscape and the hill town of Darjeeling.
The War Memorial which stands in the middle of the Batasia Loop was built in the year 1995 in remembrance of the Gorkha soldiers who sacrificed their lives in different operations and battles to protect the sovereignty of the nation since independence.
Just beside that is a 9-foot figurine of a Gorkha Soldier. The Cenotaph holds the roll of honor for the brave soldiers.
Things to do in Batasia Loop
If you arrive at Batasia Loop in the morning, you can also explore the market and enjoy hot Samosas and vegetable-stuffed pastries.
You can also buy different decorative items, bags, and stuff.
If you wish to eat lunch and breakfast in Batasia Loop, there are a few restaurants that serve tasty North and South Indian dishes. You can even enjoy the exquisite views of the mountains while having your meal.
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Other attractions near Batasia Loop
| Attractions | Distance from Batasia Loop |
|---|---|
| Ghoom Railway Station | 1.8 km |
| Peace Pagoda | 4.9 km |
| Japanese Temple | 4.9 km |
| Darjeeling Mall | 5 km |
So while you are visiting Darjeeling, make sure to make a journey towards this exotic place. It’s worth the time.
You can also take the toy train from Darjeeling station to Ghum Station and spend some time at Batasia Loop exploring its every corner.
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