Get up close and personal with the Himalayas by taking a vacation to Darjeeling, and experience nature at its finest. Darjeeling originally belonged to the independent state of Sikkim. In the later part of the eighteenth century it was taken over by the Bhutanese and the Gurkhas. The British East India Company gained control of the town and developed its potential as a sanatorium and recreation centre for the troops. Thats why even today you will find Sherpas, Gurkhas, Bhutias and Nepalis at Darjeeling. In this articleSightseeingAdventure sportsAccommodation and FoodHow to reach DarjeelingWhat to remember Sightseeing The best way to reach Darjeeling by Toy Train. This 88-kilometer journey takes approximately 9 hours and starts from New Jalpaiguri (or Siliguri). The train runs on the worlds highest railway track, and consequently the surrounding scenery and views are breathtaking. Get your cameras out at the last lap, the Batasia Loop, and spend some time shopping for locally hand made decorative items. Darjeeling is famous for its tea gardens this Toy Train ride takes you through the worlds prettiest tea gardens. Other major attractions include a visit to Ghoom (gloomy with perpetual fog as the name suggests). This Tibetian village is the jumping off point for an excursion to Tiger Hill - a must see if the weather co-operates. Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Siniolchu and Chomolhari can all be seen from here. Hear Buddhist monks blowing their giant pipes from the rooftops of the nearby Yiga-Choling Yellow Hat Buddhist Temple. The Dhirdham Temple is the most prominent Hindu temple in Darjeeling. While at Darjeeling, you can also check out the Observatory Hill and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (founded by Tenzing Norgay). You can also visit Indias first passenger ropeway system - the Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway. The Bengal Natural History Museum has a large collection of Himalayan flora and fauna. The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, established in 1958, houses rare species like Siberian tigers, red pandas and the Tibetan wolf. It also has a Snow Leopard breeding program. Like most small towns in India, the Mall is the popular commercial street in Darjeeling where you will find hand-knitted sweaters and Himalayan artifacts. This leads to the Chowrasta where you will notice buildings reflecting Victorian London architecture apart from hotels, restaurants and shops. Adventure sports Owing to varying landscapes, Darjeeling offers a very rewarding experience to trekkers. The most popular trek is the one through high altitude areas across the Singalila range in Darjeeling. During the annual run and trek event, tourists trek from Manebhanjan in the Himalayan foothills to Sandakphu. The high ridges, cliffs and valleys offer excellent opportunities for hand gliding and ballooning. River Teesta with its deep gorges, rapids and strong currents is ideal for river rafting. At Lake Mirik, you can try out canoeing and kayaking. Or if you have the stamina, try mountain biking from Maram to Gangtok in Sikkim. Rock climbing enthusiasts can check out the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. Accommodation and Food Several resorts and hotels that suit varying budgets are available. You will also find old charming mansions converted into new state-of-the-art hotels. Darjeeling also has a number of restaurants that offer good food. The local fare is rice and meat curry eaten with momos (steamed dumplings) and locally made noodles. How to reach Darjeeling The nearest airport to Darjeeling is around 95 kilometers away at Bagdogra. You can hire a private taxi or take a bus to Darjeeling from the airport. New Jalpaiguri is the nearest railway station with connections to Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, Madras, Bombay, Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar, Tirupati, Trivandrum and Cochin. The famous Toy Train begins its journey to Darjeeling from the New Jalpaiguri station. What to remember The best time to visit Darjeeling is between April and June and September and December. Summer temperatures are between 14o and 8o Celsius and the winter temperatures range between 6o to 1o Celsius so pack your woolens. If you plan to undertake any adventurous sport, carry snacks, as only basic meals are available along the way. There is water shortage in Darjeeling so check if water is available in your hotel before booking.
Get up close and personal with the Himalayas by taking a vacation to Darjeeling, and experience nature at its finest. Darjeeling originally belonged to the independent state of Sikkim. In the later part of the eighteenth century it was taken over by the Bhutanese and the Gurkhas. The British East India Company gained control of the town and developed its potential as a sanatorium and recreation centre for the troops. That's why even today you will find Sherpas, Gurkhas, Bhutias and Nepalis at Darjeeling.
Sightseeing
The best way to reach Darjeeling by Toy Train. This 88-kilometer journey takes approximately 9 hours and starts from New Jalpaiguri (or Siliguri). The train runs on the world's highest railway track, and consequently the surrounding scenery and views are breathtaking. Get your cameras out at the last lap, the Batasia Loop, and spend some time shopping for locally hand made decorative items.
Darjeeling is famous for its tea gardens this Toy Train ride takes you through the world's prettiest tea gardens.
Other major attractions include a visit to Ghoom (gloomy with perpetual fog as the name suggests). This Tibetian village is the jumping off point for an excursion to Tiger Hill - a must see if the weather co-operates. Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Siniolchu and Chomolhari can all be seen from here. Hear Buddhist monks blowing their giant pipes from the rooftops of the nearby Yiga-Choling 'Yellow Hat' Buddhist Temple. The Dhirdham Temple is the most prominent Hindu temple in Darjeeling.
While at Darjeeling, you can also check out the Observatory Hill and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (founded by Tenzing Norgay). You can also visit India's first passenger ropeway system - the Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway. The Bengal Natural History Museum has a large collection of Himalayan flora and fauna. The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, established in 1958, houses rare species like Siberian tigers, red pandas and the Tibetan wolf. It also has a Snow Leopard breeding program.
Like most small towns in India, the Mall is the popular commercial street in Darjeeling where you will find hand-knitted sweaters and Himalayan artifacts. This leads to the Chowrasta where you will notice buildings reflecting Victorian London architecture apart from hotels, restaurants and shops.
Adventure sports
Owing to varying landscapes, Darjeeling offers a very rewarding experience to trekkers. The most popular trek is the one through high altitude areas across the Singalila range in Darjeeling. During the annual run and trek event, tourists trek from Manebhanjan in the Himalayan foothills to Sandakphu.
The high ridges, cliffs and valleys offer excellent opportunities for hand gliding and ballooning. River Teesta with its deep gorges, rapids and strong currents is ideal for river rafting. At Lake Mirik, you can try out canoeing and kayaking. Or if you have the stamina, try mountain biking from Maram to Gangtok in Sikkim. Rock climbing enthusiasts can check out the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.
Accommodation and Food
Several resorts and hotels that suit varying budgets are available. You will also find old charming mansions converted into new state-of-the-art hotels. Darjeeling also has a number of restaurants that offer good food. The local fare is rice and meat curry eaten with momos (steamed dumplings) and locally made noodles.
How to reach Darjeeling
The nearest airport to Darjeeling is around 95 kilometers away at Bagdogra. You can hire a private taxi or take a bus to Darjeeling from the airport.
New Jalpaiguri is the nearest railway station with connections to Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, Madras, Bombay, Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar, Tirupati, Trivandrum and Cochin. The famous Toy Train begins its journey to Darjeeling from the New Jalpaiguri station.
What to remember
The best time to visit Darjeeling is between April and June and September and December. Summer temperatures are between 14o and 8o Celsius and the winter temperatures range between 6o to 1o Celsius so pack your woolens. If you plan to undertake any adventurous sport, carry snacks, as only basic meals are available along the way. There is water shortage in Darjeeling so check if water is available in your hotel before booking.
