Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
4
Monday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
Closed
Friday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
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- Devendra GIndia1,060 contributionsZoo with himalayan animalsThis zoological park in Darjeeling is fairly unique in the sense that it is a place for a lot of himalayan animals. These animals cannot be seen in any other zoo in the country as they can only survive at a certain height. Some of the them being snow leopard, himalayan panda and multiple varieties of herbivorous animals which can be seen at a height of 18000 feet and above. Make sure that you take a guide with yourself to get the best understanding of the place. One would need around one and half hour to explore the place.Visited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 20, 2024
- ShikshaCGurugram (Gurgaon), India2,072 contributionsSeveral rare animal sightings…The zoo in Darjeeling is one of the main attractions and this there was a huge line to get its tickets. We managed to get ours soon as we reached just at lunch time. The zoo has several rare animals like the red panda, snow leopard, black panther, white wolf, etc and is a delight to watch them roam around especially for children. Should not be missed when in Darjeeling.Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 13, 2024
- MeherK2016Mumbai, India38 contributionsMust visit siteYou get to see many wild animals from close proximity, kids will love it. Entrance to Himalayan Mounteneering institute is also inside this zoo. With one ticket you can cover both. Must visit site in Darjeeling.Visited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten May 15, 2024
- Tourist529901976024 contributionsInteresting and a learning experienceThe zoo offers different species of animals found in the Himalayas. It's one of the most attractive attraction of Darjeeling and a popular destination for tourists as well. The best part of the zoo is the red panda which keeps you entangled with its beauty and uniqueness. There's a snow leopard breeding centre nearby as well.Visited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 6, 2024
- SAURABH-ALLAHABADAllahabad, India70 contributionsAmazing PlaceGood Place to visit with family & Childrens.. Lots of Animals & birds. Must visit the Museum situated within the zoo.. The place has many benches to sit, a small restaurant, clean washrooms too.Visited July 2024Traveled with friendsWritten August 1, 2024
- ReshmiKolkata (Calcutta), India234 contributionsWell kept zooA well designed zoo, some exotic animals like the snow leopard, white tiger, siberian tiger, red panda can be spotted here. The HMI is also co-located with the zoo. Children will love this placeVisited December 2024Traveled with familyWritten January 5, 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.0
2,071 reviews
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Sreenivasan V
Mumbai, India6 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
But Darjeeling Zoo (Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park ) has some very rare animals that I have never seen before in a Zoo. The Yak , a deer which is the National Animal of Pakistan , The Markhor ,The Barking Deer, Sambhar, Mishmi Takin , The Red Panda (almost the size of a mongoose, but a Panda) The Panda is supposed to be a living fossil, whatever that is supposed to mean . And it is also the first Panda to be described. We also saw a black panther . We saw a leopard cat and Jungle Cat and a lot of pheasants, cuckatoo etc .
There is also an awesone Bengal Musuem of Natural History of stuffed animals and animal head tgat gives you the rough size of animal and animal parts up close .The elephant's molars looked like biggish stones .
There is also an awesone Bengal Musuem of Natural History of stuffed animals and animal head tgat gives you the rough size of animal and animal parts up close .The elephant's molars looked like biggish stones .
Written November 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nikhil Agrawal
Bhilai, India13 contributions
Feb 2021 • Family
One of the best and exciting tourist spot in darjeeling to be included in itinerary. Entry fees is Rs 50 person which includes both zoo and mountaineering museum.
There are some mountaineering activities which are payable.
Zoo is average, the best I liked is Red Panda & snow leopard.
The most exciting is the mountaineering museum. This museum has the collection of all the equipments and machines used by different mountaineers in expeditions of the Mount Everest. There are so much information on Himalayas and mountains surrounding India you should not miss.
There are some mountaineering activities which are payable.
Zoo is average, the best I liked is Red Panda & snow leopard.
The most exciting is the mountaineering museum. This museum has the collection of all the equipments and machines used by different mountaineers in expeditions of the Mount Everest. There are so much information on Himalayas and mountains surrounding India you should not miss.
Written February 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Punit D
Kolkata (Calcutta), India97 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
Entry fee is 60rs per person for three sights inside zoo. Its short and clean and one has be physically fit to walk. Share cab available from bazar area at 20rs each and one can walk to mall road from there. Animals are well kept and all can be covered within 1 hr
Written March 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tamalika M
699 contributions
Jan 2021
Darjeeling Trip is practically incomplete without a visit to the zoo, especially if you are travelling with kids. The best attraction is no doubt the red panda. Its an absolute delight to spot these cute creatures in their enclosures. There are colorful birds in the aviary. The Tiger and Snow leopard is also an added attraction.
This time we found that the security was checking that everyone wears a mask. There was no check on total people entering, which should be controlled during this time.
This time we found that the security was checking that everyone wears a mask. There was no check on total people entering, which should be controlled during this time.
Written May 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
arka_ad
Kolkata (Calcutta), India241 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
This is one of the must see place in Darjeeling. This Zoological Park hosts a variety of high altitude, particularly local species, which includes some rare animals like Clouded Leopard, Black Leopard, Himalayan Wolf, Thar, Blue Sheep etc. Beside that, the main attraction is Red Panda, which are seen in plenty at separate enclosure imitating their natural habitation.
The place is well maintained & clean. The road side signages are appeared friendly while visiting the different part of the zoo.
A museum on local flora & fauna is there showing replica eco-system of high & mid altitude hills & its base area. Some lively models & stuffed animal figures are kept there, which altogether worth a visit.
The famous Himalayan Mountaining Institute also situated within the same campus & can be visited on same ticket@ Rs. 30 per person.
The place is little away from the city centre/ Darjeeling Mall, but is nearer to Darjeeling Ropeway. One can plan accordingly to visit both the place together, which may take at least half of a day (depending upon the rush at Ropeway). As the zoo remains open from 9 AM (except Thursday), it would be better to visit this place first at morning (which may take 3 hrs including HMI) & then go for Ropeway.
NB. I still remember a big Siberian Tiger as saw during my last visit to this place at about 15 years back. This time, I saw a Royal Bengal Tiger, but sadly missed that.
The place is well maintained & clean. The road side signages are appeared friendly while visiting the different part of the zoo.
A museum on local flora & fauna is there showing replica eco-system of high & mid altitude hills & its base area. Some lively models & stuffed animal figures are kept there, which altogether worth a visit.
The famous Himalayan Mountaining Institute also situated within the same campus & can be visited on same ticket@ Rs. 30 per person.
The place is little away from the city centre/ Darjeeling Mall, but is nearer to Darjeeling Ropeway. One can plan accordingly to visit both the place together, which may take at least half of a day (depending upon the rush at Ropeway). As the zoo remains open from 9 AM (except Thursday), it would be better to visit this place first at morning (which may take 3 hrs including HMI) & then go for Ropeway.
NB. I still remember a big Siberian Tiger as saw during my last visit to this place at about 15 years back. This time, I saw a Royal Bengal Tiger, but sadly missed that.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Somay Sharma
New Delhi, India5 contributions
Aug 2019
It might make you say "Zoo? who goes to a zoo on a holiday?" but this zoological park was way more amazing than I expected. It's the zoo which actually had most of the animals they have mentioned there. And, as i said, it's not just the zoo but also the HImalyan Mountaineering Institute. So if you wanna explore the history of mountaineering and some great summits till date, you can explore the institute, which is included in the zoo ticket. So if you're in Darjeeling for any length of time, do go to this park and you won't regret it.
Written March 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SomBlr
Bengaluru, India41 contributions
Sep 2022
Zoo Directors from across India recently voted the zoo at Darjeeling the best. While the animal collection may be relatively small, most are unique to the Himalayan ecosystem. One can traverse past the spacious enclosures sequentially. The snow leopard and red panda can be found only here and in Gangtok Zoo. Be ready for climbing or descending gentle slopes all the time. Once you have zoo tickets, you can also visit the Bengal Natural History Museum, which has a huge and neatly-kept collection of preserved specimens or models of a wide variety of the region's fauna.
Written October 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travel_sagi
13 contributions
May 2022
Been here in end of summer...good place to take your kids or people who are interested in animals.
Well kept place. They have a Mountaineering institute and a theatre that plays a few shows on mountaineering throughout the day.
Not too big like other cuty zoos, but good enough to spend an hour or two.
Well kept place. They have a Mountaineering institute and a theatre that plays a few shows on mountaineering throughout the day.
Not too big like other cuty zoos, but good enough to spend an hour or two.
Written June 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alok Jha
India16 contributions
Dec 2021
It's a great place to visit when in Darjeeling. You get to see the animals that mostly inhabit the Himalayan mountain range. Many of them I've not seen in the zoos in the central India. There are attractions like zipline, rope obstacles, and museum that will interest the kids and the adults alike. There is also Himalayan Mountaineering Instittude for the mountain lovers.
Written December 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ariEE
105 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
It is a zoo situated in mountains which means it caged animals from the hills. It covered a large area of this place and beautifully maintained. The importance of this zoo is mostly for tge snow leopards and red panda. The Himalayan Tahr, grey peacock, Himalayan salamander, different types of deer, beer, lion etc made the zoo so attractive. The zoo is famous for its conservation breeding. But the walking paths are little steep.
Written May 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Climber46547375629
Pabna, Bangladesh
Is the first week of March month good for Darjeejng tour?
Written February 12, 2024
Hi am planning trip in first week of August, is it advisable seeing the monsoon season?
Written July 11, 2019
Hi Mayank, even though you can visit anytime of the year but I will suggest not to go during rainy season specially if you are planning to visit the zoo. As most of the animals might not come of from their den. So late September or October will be great.
Written August 27, 2019
Totally safe. You can easily roam around with stroller.
Written September 22, 2018
Hi Mohit, thank you. How long do you think it would take to reach this place from the city center and how long would it take to cover the zoo?
Regards,
Ashok
Written February 8, 2018
the distance is hardly 20mins and the time required to cover the zoo is minimum 1.5hours and maximum would be your interest in nature and history of mountaineering
you may also try rock climbing
hope it helps
Written February 8, 2018
Hi
We are planning to travel Gangtok-Pelling-Darjeeling 6-12th June 2017. How is weather in June in sikkim.
Those who had traveled in June please share your experience.
In June raining b4 mid June or its unpredictable.
Pls share your experience.
Written April 26, 2017
pls let me know which are the best places to see in Darjeeling. Anyone cal tell Toy Train no and Booking system....is it thru IRCTC.
we are planning family tour of Sikkim darjeeling. pls tell about Gangtok, Pelling too.
Thanks.
Written April 25, 2017
Toy train should preferably booked as early as possible through the web-site irctc co in. Remember to choose DJ as originating station and DJRZ as destination for the round trip to Ghoom Station & back. It is often sold out and on the spot booking is not possible as we experienced. Further, we enjoyed the zoo and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute situated next to each other. Rope way is a good 45 minutes long and one gets a good view of tea gardens from air. Tiger Hill may be too over crowded and over-rated, we skipped the same and were told by others who chose to go that they were disappointed due to clouds.Need not spend more than one & half to two days in Darjeeling.
Written April 26, 2017
Hi Can anyone give idea about Darjeeling tour? I mean what to visit and what not. What should Darjeeling tour consist of?A complete idea.thanks
Written January 16, 2017
I would advise against the zoo as I find it quite depressing and poorly kept. Seeing felines madly go back and forth along the same 5 meters of fence is sad.
The HMI is worth a visit, if only for the display of older climbing equipment and the 3D rendering of the chain of the Himalayas.
Happy Valley Tea Garden was open two weeks ago, although no one is collecting tea at the moment, and it was worth the visit as we learned a lot about tea making. And as their first flush tea is quite good.
Tiget Hill seems like a compulsory visit but we found a better deal by going up from the centre of Darjeeling with a taxi, avoiding the crowds and the traffic jams. Even better, on clear mornings, one can see the Kangchenjunga range from the pedestrian road leaving from the main plaza.
Apart from those highlights, I would advise hiring a taxi for the day and get to Mane Bhanjang on the Nepali border (20k) to take a nice hike for the day, away from the noise and pollution of Darjeeling itself.
Written January 16, 2017
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