Darjeeling

Darjeeling possess ultimate grandeur due to its natural beauty, its clean fresh mountain air and above all, its smiling resilient people. Known for its natural splendor, Darjeeling's best gift to its' visitors is the dawn of a new day. The mountains awaken first with a tentative peeking of the sun. The mighty Kanchenjunga peak overlooks the town from where one can get a clear view of the peak on a sunny day.

Location
Darjeeling is situated in the northern part of the state of West Bengal in India about 600 km north of Calcutta. Darjeeling is famous for its tea which still commands very high prices all over the world. It is also a popular hill station, 7000 feet high in the majestic grandeur of the Himalayas with fabulous views of Mount Everest and Kanchenjungha.

Darjeeling is also a trekkers paradise and the Gorkha hill council has provided ample trekking facilities for the adventure loving tourists. Rock climbing is also regularly conducted at the prestigious Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling. Rock climbing is regularly conducted at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling.

Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Darjeeling in India is from March-May or September-November. The rains which start by May end are heavy downpours making living conditions cold and dreary. In winter there is a drastic fall in temperature from the summer's 15 to 25 degrees centigrade to 2 to 10 degrees in winter.

Places of Interest
The Mall
The Mall is Darjeeling's popular commercial street. It is lined with Tibetans selling hand-knitted sweaters and souvenir shops chock-full of Himalayan artifacts and both real and imitation antiques. Photo shops carry turn-of-the-century photos as well as specializing in hand-painted black and white prints with glowing oil colors. The Mall leads to Chaurasta, a square, which doubles as a bandstand, a pony riding arena for children and a haven for lovers.

Chowrasta
The Chowrasta, meaning crossroad, is a hive of commercial activity. The Mall Road originates and culminates at the Chowrasta. This is the heart of Victorian Darjeeling. Here hotels, restaurants and shops brush against each other. The shops and stalls are a veritable paradise for souvenir collectors. The Bhutanese sellers display their wares. Woolen garments, tribal ornaments, Thankas, rosaries, brass statuettes and Gorkha daggers are kept on display for sale. Foreign goods are also available in some shops. Local handicrafts are much in demand.

Obeservatory Hill
The oldest site in Darjeeling is Observatory Hill, known locally as "Makal-Babu-Ko-Thaan". According to legend, a Red Hat Buddhist Monastery called Dorje Ling, or 'place of the Thunderbolt', stood at this very spot. The Nepalis destroyed it in the 19th century. The Shivas and Buddhists share the temple that stands there today.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
A spot not to be missed is the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute created by the late Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa who conquered Mt Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary on 29 May 1953. A display of equipment used on the climb is one of the highlights. A zoological garden nearby has an assortment of wildlife such as yaks, Siberian tigers and red pandas who call the region their home.

Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway
At North Point about 3-km from the town, this is the first passenger ropeway in India. For reservation of ropeway seats please contact - Officer in-charge, Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Ropeway Station, North Point, Darjeeling. Regular share taxi service is available from Market Motor and Taxi Stand is to the Ropeway Station.

Nearby Attractions
Lloyd's Botanical Garden
Lloyd's Botanical Garden displays a fine collection of Himalayan fauna for those with an interest, and for punters there is horse racing at Lebong, the smallest and highest racecourse in the world.

Tiger Hill
Situated at an altitude of 2,590m (8,482 ft.) and 13-km from the town, this spot has earned international fame for the magnificent view of the sunrise over "Kanchenjunga" and the great Eastern Himalayan Mountains. Even Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, is visible from here.

Phalut & Sandakphu
A week's smallest-trip of Phalut and Sandakphu will get one within reach of the high peaks; for the onlooker it affords a more spectacular panorama than at Tiger Hill. Giant flowering Rhododendron trees, a pointillism of reds pinks and whites Dwarfs comprise of the en route trail.

Kurseong
Kurseong is mid-way between Siliguri and Darjeeling. The way from Darjeeling to Kurseong is generally open through out the year. So, the toy train is not coming to Siliguri then one can come up to Kurseong. This place is equally beautiful and is full of natural splendor.