Most visitors come to the Darjeeling hills in May or October. Winter in Mirik is a well-kept secret: crisp, sunny days, the clearest mountain views of the year, and the town's famous oranges ripening on every hillside.
The weather
Mirik sits at about 1,500 metres, around 500 metres lower than Darjeeling, so winter nights are milder there. Days are usually dry and bright; mornings and evenings are cold, so pack a heavy jacket, a cap and gloves.
Orange season
From November to January the orchards around Mirik are full of small, sweet oranges. Buy them from growers along the roads and at the lakeside market; they make the best souvenir of the trip.
Mountain views
After the monsoon has washed the air clean, the skies from late October to February are the clearest of the year. Get up for sunrise at a viewpoint above town for Kanchenjunga glowing pink over the tea gardens.
A quiet lake
Outside Christmas and New Year, Mirik is peaceful in winter. You can have the lake path almost to yourself in the morning, and hotel rooms are easier to find. Read our month-by-month guide to compare seasons.
Planning a winter break? Stay at Hotel Jagjeet, near Mirik Lake since 1980, and ask us about winter rates.
