About Darjeeling

The district is unique to India and to travelers from all over the universe. View of Mount Kanchendzonga and Mount Everest are particularly inspiring from all the highest points particularly Darjeeling town and Sandakphu. The name Darjeeling is thought to be a derived from 'Dorjee-ling' means the land of Lightning or the land of thunderbolt. Just the opposite is the plains of Darjeeling district with Sanctuary and National parks,plain forest with diversified flora and fauna and the backdrop of the snow summit Himalayas. Singalila national park, Neora valley and the Mahananda wildlife sanctuary are some of the most inspiring wildlife center.

Internationally famous for many reasons, one is tea the only major industry continues to regulate the economy of the area and the country as well secondly the hotspot of tourism known as the Queen of Hill Station thirdly the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, fourthly the origin of the famous expedition of tensing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary and the list goes on.Darjeeling can be reached by the 80-km long Darjeeling Himalayan Railway popularly known as the Toy Train.

Batasia Loop

Located 5km from Darjeeling Town and just below Ghoom, Batasia Loop as the name suggests, is a loop or a spiral of a narrow gauge railway track where the Toy Train negotiates a sudden sharp descent from Ghoom. It's a wonderful viewing place with manicured gardens, streams and falls, from where you can get a wide range view of the Darjeeling's landscape, Kanchenjunga and the other Eastern Himalayan peaks.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI)

HMI is a destination by itself and a said to be a pilgrimage for all climbing enthusiasts of the world. It was established in honor of Tenzing Norgay after he and Sir Edmund Hillary climbed the Everest in 1953. It has a well stocked museum with mountaineering displays and many expedition artifacts, a boarding school for mountaineering students, houses for the trainers, a restaurant, a souvenir shop and more. HMI is located on Jawahar Road or the Birch Hill that can be accessed from the Mall Road and Lebong Cart Road. One can actually walk down Mall road & then Jawahar road to reach HMI.

Tiger Hill

Located at the highest point in Darjeeling area, Tiger Hill is best known for the dazzling sunrise view of the Kanchenjunga and the snow covered peaks of the entire eastern Himalayan range. On a clear day you can even see the mount Everest from here. Tiger Hill is located 11km from the Darjeeling Town and takes about 40 minutes to reach by car.

Darjeeling Ropeway

This is one way you can be part of special diverse offerings from the nature and all in one place. From the ropeway of Darjeeling which is also known as the Rangeet Valley Passenger Cable Car, you can have mind blowing view of the valley below, see the spread of lush tea gardens, dense forests, mountain streams in their full flow, waterfalls, and the awesome snow peaks at the background. Get off at a lower station and enjoy the tea estates, walk through the tea gardens, or just relax and enjoy the view around. It's hard to find all these together in one place.

Darjeeling Mall (Chowrasta)

The Chowrasta or the Mall is the town center in Darjeeling. This is a lovely little flat area, a public square where four roads meet. This public place is where you would like to lounge & bake in the sun, sit and watch the wonderful views of the mountain range and see many locals and tourists hanging around. One side of the mall is lined with pine trees through which you get wonderful mountain vistas, the other side is lined with lovely boutique shops of different kinds. And all around the mall, you have benches to sit and relax.

Rock Garden & Ganga Maya Park

These two are scenic parks in wonderful settings located a few miles away from the Darjeeling town. Rock garden is about 10km and Ganga Maya is another 3km from there. Rock Garden is all about terraced gardens at different levels that have been cut through the rocks having a waterfalls with nice seating arrangements. Ganga Maya is more spread out and has a beautiful stream flowing through it on a valley, has flower gardens, fountains and more.

Bengal Natural History Museum

What started as a modest effort in 1903 to display butterflies and birds of the Darjeeling district, has grown to house a large collections of mammals, birds & nests with eggs, reptiles & fishes and even insects of wide varieties. The displays are actually specimens of real creatures that had been captured, stuffed and preserved. The Bengal Natural History Museum can be reached by few minutes walk from the Chowrasta Mall.

Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park

Known for its famous Red Panda and Snow Leopard breeding program, the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is spread in an area of 67.56 acres. The zoo is located at an average elevation of 2,134 meters above sea level and is the largest high altitude zoos in India. Some of the rare and endangered species in the zoo are snow leopards, red pandas, Himalayan Salamanders, Tibetan wolf, Himalayan mountain goat and Siberian tigers.

Mirik

Midway between Darjeeling and Siliguri is a serene spot set about a pretty lake amidst vast tracts of cardamom and orange plantation. It has few of the finest and most beautiful tea estates of the region. The road to Mirik is scenic and green, a feast for the eyes. Mirik offers boating, gentle walk and lovely Himalayan views. It is situated at an elevation of 1495 meters / 4904 feet is a picturesque tourist spot nestled in the serene hills of the district of Darjeeling in West Bengal, India. It is one of the favorite tourist destinations due to its pleasant climate, breathtaking natural beauty and easy accessibility. Life in Mirik is slow paced yet very much alive and vibrant due to the options available here. It offers soothing effect to tired minds and is ideal for leisure holiday. Main attraction is the Sumendu Lake.

Kalimpong

It is one of the hill sub division of Darjeeling and was a center for trading during prehistoric period.Straddling a great ridge overlooking the Teesta River gorges and tea estate clad hills and is situated at an elevation of nearly 1250 meters. Its gorgeous natural settings are designed for a laid back leisure holiday. Since the early 20’s this pretty township was a pivotal hub for adventure buffs, for the lure of eastern Himalaya’s potent attraction. Kalimpong is known for its old trading route known as the Historic Silk Route, surrounded by the ancient forest of fir and oak. There are places like Lolaygaon, Lava, Rishyap, Pedong, Reshi, Raliekhola etc. Traveler can catch the Kanchendzonga views and verdant vistas sweeping down to the Teesta orge drained by the river Rangeet.

Kurseong

The small town of Kurseong is in the beautiful Himalayan valleys of West Bengal located half way between Darjeeling and Siliguri on highway number 55 and it enjoys a milder and a very healthy climate throughout the year. Located at an altitude of 1,458 meters this town has historical significance. There is some of the finest tea estate of India known for quality Orthodox tea. Terraced tea gardens, orchid nurseries, and hill slopes are best explored either on foot or by the Toy Train which runs from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling. Kurseong literally means White Orchid. Kurseong was handed over to the East India Company in 1835 by the King of Sikkim. Peace, serenity and the healthy climate of Kurseong that attracted many a great person to this place to name a few like Mark Twain had spent time in 1885. Sister Nivedita the great disciple of Swami Vivekananda made Kurseong her home. Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore and the great composer Atul Prasad Sen composed some of their famous works in Kurseong. Fazul Haque, the Prime Minister of undivided Bengal also stayed here. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was interned by the colonial Government for a couple of months in 1936 in a house at Giddhapahar near Kurseong town.

Lava

Lava is a small hamlet situated 34 kilometres (21 mi) east of the town of Kalimpong via Algarah in Darjeeling district of the state of West Bengal, India. Lava is situated at an altitude of 7,016 feet (2,138 m). It is one of the few places in West Bengal to receive snow in winter. It is the entry point to the Neora Valley National Park from Kalimpong. The route to Lava is scenic with the change in vegetation from tropical deciduous to the wet alpine trees of fir, pine and birch. The verdant forests are a popular spot for picnicking, trekking and bird-watching. Lava has gradually become a favorite tourist destination. Wild animals such as the Himalayan black bear and barking deer are found in these parts. A Buddhist monastery is present on one of the hills of Lava. Notable sites include Changey Waterfalls and Lava Jamgyong Kongtrul Monastery.

Japanese Temple & Peace Pagoda

About 10 minutes by car, you will reach a wonderful area that is symbolic of peace and tranquility. Located in the Jalapahar hill, the Japanese Temple is built in traditional Japanese style where you can join the prayers and feel the spiritual peace amongst humming and chants. Close to it is the Peace Pagoda where there are four large avatars of Lord Buddha. The view from the top is magnificent. You can see the snow peak range from here including the Kanchenjunga.

Mahakal Temple

Rising from behind the Mall, Observatory Hill is an ideal place to get a 360 degree view of Darjeeling and the peaks surrounding it. The Mahakal Temple, the central temple of Darjeeling of all faiths is located on top of the hill where the original Dorjeling Buddhist Monastery once stood.