Right next to each other lie two of Darjeeling’s most popular tour destinations. Hit bothat once on your trip to Darjeeling! The Himalayan Zoological Park is ranked among the top zoos in India and in fact won the Special Mention Earth Heroes award in 2014. India’s largest high altitude zoo is world-renowned for its amazing conservation efforts. The zoo houses some of the world’s rarest animals, including the Red Panda and Snow Leopard. Also check out the Himalayan black bear, Royal Bengal tiger, Tibetan wolf, and many more magnificent mountain animal species.
Founded soon after the famous Everest Expedition, The Himalayan Mountain Institute (Everest Museum) celebrates the success of Tenzing Norgay. Along with Sir Edmund Hillary, Norgay was the first person to ascend Mount Everest. The institute celebrates the success of Norgay, who spent the later years of his life in Darjeeling. Check out the awesome museum, stocked with equipment used during the legendary expedition of 1953. HMI doubles as a mountaineering school offering classes for young people dreaming of being a mountain guide as well as veterans looking to sharpen their skills.
