Darjeeling

Darjeeling – A Complete Package

Darjeeling, the Queen of Hills, is a town located in the Indian state of West Bengal, in the foothills of Himalayas. This is yet another vacation hub making into the high status of the “must visit places” list of the travel freaks. What attracts the tourists most is the, well it cannot be pin pointed because everything about the place is so tempting and compelling. To begin with, you will feel the lovely, cool breeze from the minute you enter the Darjeeling zone. The people are more than friendly and very helpful. It is their culture that fills them up with such warmth and respect. Tourism has always been one of the major boosters for the place hence the town is filled with excellent hotels providing best food and lodgings and even the latest homestays. Once you make your comfortable after the long journey, a cup of the world famous Darjeeling Tea is exactly what it takes to refresh you. If you feel a little rumble in your tummy then you can go for the famous dish of Darjeeling, ‘momos’ served with a small bowl of soup and spicy chutney to go with momos. After that you should be ready to explore every inch of Darjeeling.

Top Attractions of Darjeeling

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Darjeeling Zoo

This is an institute built in memory of Tenzing Norgay. He had climbed the Everest along with Sir Edmund Hillary, in 1953. Several mountaineering gears and expedition artifacts are displayed here. This definitely is a must visit place for the mountain lovers.

Tiger Hill

This is one of the two points in India which provides the entire panoramic view between Mount Everest and Kanchendzonga along with other peaks like the Kabru, Rathong and Kokhtang on clear mornings. It is also the highest point of Darjeeling.

Batasia Loop

This spot is famous for the big loop where the Toy Train makes a 360 degrees loop providing an amazing view of the whole town.

Chowrasta

This place is located in the heart of the town and is the ultimate hang out of every age group. The place is surrounded by several boutiques, restaurants curio shops and cafes so it remains full of life every time.

Rock Garden

This is the Botanists’ heaven as it is the home of wide variety of colorful flowers and plants. There is a water fall in the premises called the Chunnu Summer Falls. It makes the garden even more picturesque.

Japanese Temple

This is one of the major Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Darjeeling. The temple has got a Japanese architectural touch, with pure white color ant golden Buddha right in the middle. It also has a picture of the founder, Fujii Guruji and a model of Lord Buddha.

Peace Pagoda

This inspiration of peace was designed to bring together those in search for world peace. It homes the avatars of Lord Buddha. Besides that, you will get an opportunity to capture the most eye pleasing view of the whole of Darjeeling town including the stunning Kanchenjunga range.

Observatory Hill

This is the most sacred, and the oldest temple of Darjeeling It is located near Chowrasta. People from near and far come here to offer prayers as it is believed that your wishes will come true if your heart is pure and your karma clean.

Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center

There is a word that from 1910 to 1912, the thirteenth Dalai Lama had spent his exile in this center. Now, the centre homes around 130 families and the sick, elderly and the deprived, create remarkable handicrafts here for a living.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

Popular as the ‘Toy Train’, runs between Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. It is a narrow gauge rail, 2ft in width. It was built in the years between 1879 and 1881.

Interesting Facts of Darjeeling

Darjeeling was combined with the state of West Bengal in 1947
Darjeeling was the summer retreat of the British and was developed by the British in the 19th century.
Darjeeling lies at an altitude of 6700 feet
Darjeeling homes some reputed schools of British architecture.
Darjeeling homes the largest passenger ropeway service in entire Asia.
Toy Train journey from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling takes about 8 hours.
In 1959, Dalai Lama escaped from Tibet to save his life and thousands of his followers and came to Darjeeling where he took shelter in The Tibetan Refugee Help Centre.
Temperature of Darjeeling - Summer 11°C to 19°C, Winter 2°C to 10°C
Darjeeling is : 686 km from Kolkata, 80 km from Siliguri, 32 km from Kurseong, 51 km from kalimpong, 114 km from Gangtok, 86 km from New Jalpaiguri
Cuisine of Darjeeling – Momo, Thukpa, Dalle, Kinema. Churpi, Shaphalay, Sel Roti, Gundruk, Darjeeling Tea, Tibetan Tea and Tongba.
Darjeeling's temperature drops below freezing point during the winter season.