Darjeeling Travel Guide

Darjeeling is one of the famous tourist places in India, Northern trip of West Bengal, Darjeeling 7,004ft is nestled in the Eastern Himalayas range, close to Nepal and Bhutan.

Take the last winding bend on the mountain and feel pure exhilaration fill you being. Reminds you of those two British agents who were sent off to explore the region where present day Darjeeling is located, of how they must have cursed their superiors as impenetrable forests on steep mountainsides blocked their path at every step! Coming upon a spur on the ridge one day they were greeted by a stunning view of Darjeeling and the rapturous beauty of the Kanchenjunga Range, peeping out between the jungles of oak, pine and orchids. Alakazzam Darjeeling became yet another Raj hill station.

Darjeeling wears its “Queen of the Hill Stations” little a bit wearily. There are crowds and clutter there is a chronic water shortage there is garbage in the waterfalls and there are landslides in the monsoon. But they still come running the crowds. For Dorje Ling or place of the Thunderbolt remains just as alluring with its little village’s tiny waterfalls and even tinier toy-train track.

The hill town continues to be an important base point for mountain treks but its also got tea estates and monasteries.

Downtown Darjeeling

Chowrasta the town square is lined with shops restaurants, curio dealers and hawkers. It’s the perfect place to take the restless kids. Pony-wallahs will let you canter around for Rs 60 per hour or Rs 250 per day. Catch a bit of shopping or just soak in the views of Kanchenjunga.

High Mountain Grandeur

Kanchenjunga is omnipresent. Hotel rooms, cafeteria-seating lookouts on the chowrasta all are positioned to get the stunning views of one of the world’s most beautiful mountain peaks. Clothed in monsoon mists, there is always the off chance that a brilliant sunset may bring its elusive image in views. If not from October onwards you have unparalleled views of the entire range from dawn to dusk.

Ignore the tourist rush at Tiger Hill (8,382 ft). Instead concentrate on just soaking in the splendour when the peak shakes off the night to dress in the hues of a fresh dawn. Remember to get there before first light. The gold and orange vision on the horizon is worth it. Close by is senchal Lake, which supplies Darjeeling with its water from its 8,031 ft perch.

Chukkar

The Darjeeling Toy Train which UNESCO recognises as a world Heritage Railway from kurseong to Ghoom. Otherwise, just pop into the tiny rail museum at the miniature station to educate you on its provenance before hitting downtown Darjeeling.

The Kanchenjunga Range also looms large and beautiful from Bhan Bhakta Sarani further up. In the neighbourhood is the Observatory Hill, where most of the top-end hotels are. This is where the shrine of the Bhutia Busty Gompa once stood befor eit moved to near chowrasta and where a kali temple is now located, a site sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists.

Around Darjeeling

Sandakphu 58Km, 11,929ft

The Darjeeling Manaybhanjang tonglu sandakphu trek with an extension to phalut is one of the most popular trekking trails. The trek is a feast for the adventurous eye, with its views of Kanchenjunga and other peaks in Nepal, Bhutan and Sikkim. In May and the early days of June the woods en route are radiant with rhododendrons magnolia primula and other alpine flowers.

The Sandakphu trekking trail is easily accessible fromKarmi Farm. Other adventure activities like mountain biking, river rafting, kayaking and motorcycle tours can also be arranged.

Route from Siliguri NH31 to Matigara, NH55 to Darjeeling.