3 Life-Changing Reasons Why Darjeeling Mountaineering Institute Should Be Your Next Adventure

After independence, the Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, along with the then Chief Minister of West Bengal, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, planned to establish the Darjeeling Mountaineering Institute

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is at

Darjeeling Mountaineering Institute History

• The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was established on November 4, 1954. Within a few years, it became one of the best mountaineering centres. Tenzing Norgay, who conquered Mount Everest in 1953, was the main reason behind its establishment. He was born in Darjeeling city.

• Initially, this Mountaineering Institute was started at Roy Villa on Lebong Cart Road. Sister Nivedita spent her last life in this Roy Villa. The institute was established in 1958 at its present location.

• It is one of the tourist attractions in Darjeeling as it offers various training courses in mountaineering, which is why this post has been given.
• Here are the multiple materials used in mountaineering and the history of the Himalayan mountaineering Institute at different times.

• From this Mountaineering Institute, one can see the magnificent view of Kanchenjunga. This institute has trained many climbers from home and abroad. India’s premier mountaineering institute has trained more than 50,000 students worldwide.

Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering Origin and Growth / Best Mountaineering Institutes in India

• Darjeeling Zoo Museum was established after Independence. This was accompanied by the awarding of traditional degrees intended to train mountaineers in mountaineering. Increasing people’s interest in mysterious mountain routes like the Himalayas. Raising awareness about mountaineering among local people

• Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is one of the leading mountaineering institutes not only in India but also in the world. After Independence, India’s Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation of this institution on 4th November 1954.

• Tenzing Norgay has long been a trainer with the HMI organization. Tourists can visit this institution simultaneously with Darjeeling Zoo, Which has many species of animals, including the Red Panda.

• After completing the Darjeeling Zoo Tour, tourists can visit the Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering, located at the top of this hill. The institute has a museum on one side and a training building on the other. More than 50,000 students have taken classes here and become world-famous climbers.

• Tenzing Norgay trained here for a long time and was also appointed as an advisor in this organization. Many famous mountaineers, like Nwangambu, Darji Latahu, and others, were associated with this training institute.

• Darjeeling Himalayan Institute students can take training from the hostel here. There are hostels for both boys and girls, and around 200 male and female students can stay in these hostels.

• HMI’s museum was established in 1957 and serves both visitors and researchers. It houses a variety of Himalayan designs, photographs, and items used by famous mountaineers, as well as books and equipment for mountaineering.

“The Institute trains young men not only to climb Himalayan peaks, but also create in them an urge to climb peaks of human endeavour, the Himalayas from time immemorial had attracted people and inspired them to discover nature’s bountiful gifts found there and influenced Indian minds as evident from old scriptures, books and epics of the mythology of India.”

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

HMI Courses Offered

Darjeeling Mountaineering Institute organises many courses for beginners to advanced level mountaineers as well as adventurous people who can take part in any of these courses

Courses Offered	Course details	Short-Term Adventure Course
Adventure Course	For teenagers this course is designed for two weeks	Course Link
Short Term Adventure Course for school, HMI and different skills organised college groups are taught in 5-7 days course	This basic course duration is for 4 weeks in  Chaurikhang, Base camp in West Sikkim at an altitude of 14600 ft	Course Link
Advance Course	After completing basic mountaineering course one can enter this course for 21 days to master the rescue operation and rock climbing	Course Link
Search and Rescue	Rescue operations, Rescue techniques on rock, snow and ice, First-aid, Mountain Navigation, and Radio Telephony, are the main learning material	Course Link
Method of Instruction	After completing the advanced course with a grade ‘A’ one can enter this 28-day duration course	Course Link
Special Course	on sport climbing, rock climbing, adventure and mountaineering courses can be availed with a group of 20 people for any duration	Course Link
Rock Climbing	HMI conducts Rock Climbing courses	Course Link
Short Term Adventure Course for school, HMI and different skills organised college groups are taught in 5-7 days course	Short Term Adventure Course for school, HMI and different skills organised college groups are taught in 5-7 days course	Course Link
Mountaineering Refresher Course	Short Term Adventure Course for school, HMI and different skills organise college groups are taught in 5-7 days course	Course Link
Trek to Sandakpu	At 3636 m Sandakphu is the highest point in West Bengal. HMI conducts the Sandakphu trek tour through Singalila National Park	Course Link
Trek to Base Camp	This course deals with basic techniques of mountain climbing for those who are going on an expedition	Course Link

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute Darjeeling How to Reach

By Air

To go to Darjeeling by aeroplane, you must go to Bagdogra, the nearest airport. The distance from Bagdogra to Darjeeling is 90 km.

To go this 90 km route, you must hire a car from the airport. So book a plane ticket from any major airport in the country and come to Bagdogra.

By Train

To go to Darjeeling by train, you must reach the nearest New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri railway station. Direct trains are from any central railway station in the country to New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri.

Book train tickets from Kolkata, Sealdah, and New Delhi and visit New Jalpaiguri station. The distance from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling is 86 km. You can reach this route by hiring or sharing a car.

By Road

If you want to come by road, you have to reach Siliguri. Siliguri is connected to almost all the country’s major cities through the National Highway.

Darjeeling can be reached by hiring a car from Bagdogra, New Jalpaiguri station. Two routes can be chosen to reach Darjeeling from Siliguri. One goes through Mirik and the other through Kurseong.

So, to reach the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, you have to go to Darjeeling first.

The nearest railway station to reach Darjeeling is New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri. So come to New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri from any big city in India and book a shared car, bus, or taxi from there and come directly to Darjeeling.

It takes half an hour to reach HMI or Darjeeling Mountaineering Institute by walking from Darjeeling Chowrasta via Mall Road. Or hire a taxi from Chowkbazar and travel three kilometres along Lebong Cart Road to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.

Direct vehicles are not allowed at this point. You have to walk from where the taxi drops you to the gate. The distance between Darjeeling and HMI is 3 km, and the Taxi fare is approx Rs.300

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute Address and Contact

Darjeeling Mountaineering Institute,  

Jawahar Parvat, Darjeeling – 734101. West Bengal, India. 

Phone: (0354) 225 4087 

Phone (Training Office): +91 – 76022 15312 

Email: hmidarj@gmail.com 

HMI Website: hmidarjeeling.com

HMI Himalayan Mountaineering Institute Entry Fee

The Himalayan Zoo, HMI, and Bengal Tribal Museum are in the same compound. The zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while the HMI is closed on Thursdays.
The ticket price of HMI and Darjeeling Zoo together is Rs. 110/– per person for SAARC countries. A child below six years’ ticket is free. The camera charge is Rs. 10

HMI Darjeeling Attractions

• Various activities can be participated in at the Darjeeling Mountaineering Institute, for which separate tickets are available. A popular activity with the little ones is the treetop tightrope walk. There are more activities like this. There is a toilet next to it, which is very clean and free to use

• However, some precautions must be taken while participating in these activities. For safety, it is possible to participate with the help of a helmet, neck guard, etc., and accompanied by a guide. The ticket counter for participating in this activity is located here.

• These tickets are not available from the main ticket counter. The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute or Darjeeling Mountaineering Institute has a powerful telescope with which the Kanchenjunga range can be seen clearly. HMI’s telescope T Ed World was given by Hitler to the Maharaja of Nepal.

Tenzing Rock Darjeeling or Tenzing Rock HMI

In the open space outside the HMI Museum, there is a large rock with a statue of Tenzing Norge holding the Indian flag on top of it. On March 25, 1997, Edmund Hillary, his Everest expedition companion, unveiled this statue of Tenzing Norgey. Tenzing Norgay has long been associated with the Darjeeling Mountaineering Institute as an Instructor and Director.

What to See at HMI Museum

• Darjeeling Himalayan Zoo and HMI are located within the same compound. The museum of the Institute of Darjeeling Mountaineering Institute is a trek and is located at the highest point. After India’s independence, Jawaharlal Nehru founded the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, and this HMI Museum was established in 1957.

• Though cameras are allowed at the ticket counter and a separate entry fee of 10 rupees is required, photography is prohibited in this museum, which is under CCTV surveillance. After entering the museum, there are pictures of the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers of the country.

• A little further inside, there is a huge model of the Himalayas and a system of lights controlled by switches. Pressing a particular switch turns on the light for that mountain range.

• There is a separate section for all the equipment used by mountaineers, including ice axes, night clothes, boots, stoves, etc. Here are pictures of the Darjeeling Mountaineering Institute in different countries.

• Mountaineers keep wireless sets to communicate, gas lamps, oxygen cylinders, compasses, and other items. They also keep the shoes, water bottles, clothing, etc., that they have used on the mountain.

• Here are some models of mountain climbing. Here is a picture of Tenzing Norge climbing Everest with Edmund Hillary on May 29, 1953, at 11:30 am.

• There is a black chronological account of the Everest expedition. There is a photo of George Mallory’s remains. He got lost in an accident while on a Himalayan expedition. Whether he climbed the highest peak is doubtful. Tenzing Norge’s Used Axes, Jacket, Gloves, Hat Etc

Darjeeling Mountaineering Institute Nearby Tourist Spots

Darjeeling	Batasia Loop	Ropeway
Mountaineering Institute	Himalayan Zoological Park	Tumling
Tonglu	Kalapokhari	Sandakphu
Phalut	Dhotrey	Srikhola
Palmajua	Meghetar	Ravangla
Namchi	Pelling	Rock Garden

Best Time to Visit HMI Darjeeling

Best Time to Visit: Any time around the year. But Hilly areas are prone to landslides in the Rainy Season. The best time is between October to December

Mountaineering Institutes / Institute of Mountaineering / Mountaineering institutes in India

Here is a list of popular govt mountaineering Institutes in India

1. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

2. Nehru Institute of Mountaineering Uttarkashi

3. Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering Pahalgam

4. National Institute of Mountaineering & Allied Sports (NIMAS), Dirrang

5. Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering

6. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports

HMI Darjeeling Important Links

Medical Form	Application Form
Cancellation/Transfer Form	Courses Offered
Course Instructions	Course Programme
Pre-Course Workout	Insurance Policy

Conclusion

Establishing the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) in Darjeeling is a significant milestone in India’s post-independence era. Initiated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Chief Minister Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, the institute was founded on November 4, 1954, to foster mountaineering excellence.

The HMI quickly gained renown as one of the premier mountaineering centres globally, owing much to the legacy of Tenzing Norgay, the famed conqueror of Mount Everest who hailed from Darjeeling. Housed initially at Roy Villa on Lebong Cart Road, the institute later moved to its present location, attracting tourists and aspiring climbers alike.

Today, the Darjeeling Mountaineering Institute continues to be a beacon of mountaineering education, offering various training courses and activities to enthusiasts of all levels. Its strategic location in Darjeeling, amidst the breathtaking backdrop of the Himalayas, adds to its allure as a destination for both adventurers and tourists.

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