So fancying a trip to Darjeeling? You
must be lured by the dazzling snow peaks of Kanchenjunga that overlook
the hill town, the beautiful tea gardens on the slopes of rolling hills,
the waterfalls, orchids, pines & rhododendrons, the cute Himalayan
toy train negotiating its way through the mountains.... and you want to
combine all that with great sightseeing tours, food, shopping and other
exciting activities. Right?
Yes, it's all possible in Darjeeling, a gem of a place which is known
for its youthful vibe with modern as well as colonial charm. Excited?
Well, there are couple of things you should ensure in order to fulfil
your expectations.
Darjeeling is a popular hill-station in the Indian state of West Bengal. Located
in the Mahabharata range or lesser Himalayas, Darjeeling offers
ethereal views of the majestic Himalayas, especially that of
Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest mountain peak. Darjeeling
has been honoured with the title of ‘The Queen of the hills’ and it
rightly deserves so for its scenic and pristine environment. Crowned by
majestic Himalayas, this beautiful hill-station has been blessed with
bountiful nature and salubrious climate.
When
not rapt in its scenic splendor, one can explore the colonial
mansions, old churches, Buddhist monasteries and Hindu temples. Also,
not to miss are the botanical gardens and a zoo where one can get a
glimpse of high-altitude animals and birds like snow leopards and red
pandas.
Darjeeling
is surrounded by vast expanses of lush green tea gardens. Tea
plantations not only add to the beauty of this hilly town but have also
popularised Darjeeling world-over. Darjeeling tea is world-famous for
its unique aromatic flavour. So much so that tea industry, along with
timber and tourism industries, forms the backbone of Darjeeling’s
economy. What dazzles Darjeeling more on world tourism map, besides its magnificent beauty, is its age-old Toy Train.
Christened
as Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, this narrow gauge steam engine train
chugs its way uphill, providing an important transport link to the
various parts of the Himalayan hills and offering breath-taking views
all along. Darjeeling
Himalayan Railway is now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and
is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Darjeeling.
And
this is not all! Darjeeling is said to be a paradise for trekkers and
the adventurous. For those interested in shopping, there is a lot to
choose from Tibetan and Sikkimese handicrafts.
Darjeeling is best visited in summers to beat the heat of the plains and revel in the pleasant weather and warm hospitality.
