- Where
- Jawahar Parbat, Darjeeling
- Altitude
- About 2,100 m
- Distance
- About 2 km from Chowrasta
- Timings
- About 8:30 am–4:30 pm (4 pm in winter); closed Thursdays
- Entry fee
- Roughly ₹60–110 for Indian adults (includes the HMI museum)
- Permit
- None
- Best time
- March–June and September–November
- Time needed
- 2–2.5 hours with the HMI
The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, usually called Darjeeling Zoo, sits at about 2,100 m on Jawahar Parbat and is India's highest zoo. It specialises in high-altitude animals and runs breeding programmes for the red panda, the snow leopard and the Himalayan wolf.
What you'll see
Red pandas are the stars, and you have the best chance of seeing them active in the morning. The zoo also keeps snow leopards, Himalayan black bears, Tibetan wolves, gorals and pheasants along a hillside path. The same ticket covers the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and its Everest museum next door.
Timings and tickets
The zoo opens around 8:30 am and closes around 4:30 pm, or 4 pm in winter, and is closed on Thursdays. Tickets for Indian adults are roughly ₹60–110 and rates change, so check at the gate or call the zoo office before you go.
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park: questions travellers ask
What are Darjeeling Zoo timings?
Roughly 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, closing around 4 pm in winter. It is closed on Thursdays.
Is Darjeeling Zoo closed on Thursday?
Yes, the zoo is generally closed on Thursdays. Check before planning a Thursday visit.
What is the Darjeeling Zoo ticket price?
Roughly ₹60–110 for Indian adults, which includes the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute museum. Rates change, so confirm at the gate.
Can you see red pandas at Darjeeling Zoo?
Yes. The zoo has a successful red panda breeding programme; mornings are the best time to see them active.
Sources
Timings and fees change. Check on the day, or ask us when you book.
