Darjeeling
The Queen of Hill Stations
General Information
Common Name: -
Other Name: -, District: Darjiling, State: West Bengal, India
Area: 3149 Sq. Km.
Languages Spoken: Bengali, English, Bhutia, Nepali, Hindi
Long Distance Code: +91-354
Importance: Hill station
Best Time to Visit: September to June and -
Description
A mid 19th century creation of the Raj, Darjeeling is the most popular and perhaps the most spectacular hill resort of India. Located on the footsteps of the Himalayas and perched on the roof of the world, it is surrounded by snow caped mountains and dense forests. Rich in flora and fauna surrounding the countryside Darjeeling lives in the shadow of the majestic Kanchenjunga. The small town is a maze of steps and terraces and a treat for nature lovers. Over 4,000 species of flowers, 600 species of birds and many animals and reptiles are found in Darjeeling. <br />Ruled by the kings of Sikkim, Darjeeling was Dorje Ling, meaning Place of Thunderbolt in the local language, before being discovered by two British Officers. The place then full of forests was appreciated by the two British officers as a place of strategic importance bordering the three neighbouring countries. The king of Sikkim was pressurized to give the place on rent to the British who began rapid development of the small village turning it into a beautiful hill resort. Darjeeling conjures visions of serenity, of vibrant green hills steeped in splendour, a land of breathtaking beauty crowned by the majestic Himalayas.<br />Reaching Darjeeling from Kolkata was a big effort which resulted in construction of the highest railway line in India. The Toy Train, a miniature railway which runs till date was started in 1881. A ride in the toy train is a joy ride with train gaining the maximum speed of 10 km per hour with giving ample time to appreciate the nature's glory around on the way.<br />This heavenly retreat is bathed in hues of every shade. The visitors to Darjeeling are welcomed by the cool climate, variation of greenery of dense pine forests, mountain meadows and large tea estates. To top them all are the smiling people showing the diversity of cultures present in this small place. There are Bengalis, the Gorkhas from Nepal, the Sikkimese, the Lepchas and the Bhutias and the great mountaineering Sherpas. Mountaineering and trekking activities are in full swing during the year from Darjeeling. <br />The flaming red rhododendrons, the sparkling white magnolias, the miles of undulating hillsides covered with emerald green tea bushes, the exotic forests of silver fir - all under the blanket of a brilliant azure sky dappled with specks of clouds, compellingly confounds Darjeeling as the Queen of Hill stations.<br />The enchanting nature at its full bloom, the enthralling views of the Himalayas, the captivating sight of the cultural diversity and the charming people, all make Darjeeling an exceptional tourist destination.Location
At the height of 7,000 feet above sea level, in the north of West Bengal, on the footstep of the Himalayas, nestles this small town of Darjeeling. Around 680 km away from the capital of the state Kolkata, Darjeeling shares its borders with all the three neighbouring countries. Nepal is on the west, Bhutan in the north east and Bangladesh is in the south east of Darjeeling. A small portion of Uttar Dinajpur and the neighbouring state of Bihar touches its southern tip. It produces the finest tea in the world with tea industry being the main industry. With 86 tea gardens it produces 25% of the tea output of India.Climate
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Ghoom is the last town on the Indo-Nepal frontier in West Bengal and the highest railroad station in the world standing at an altitude of 2,257 meters. Easily approachable Ghoom is the home of a Tibetan Buddhist monastery founded in 1875 by Lama Sherab Gyantso for the Yellow Sect of Buddhists. The monastery has a 4.8 meter tall statue of the Maitreya Buddha and also contains images of Buddha's disciples, Chenrezi and Chongapa. The Buddhist Tibetan gospel, Kangyur, has been preserved here in all its 108 volumes. This monastery is famous for its Tibetan New Year celebrations during February-March, when the monks fly prayer flags in Tibetan tradition and hold religious and folk dances. The Ghoom Rock, offering a magnificent view is the most popular tourist spot.
52 km from Siliguri lies the beautiful sleepy little hill resort called Mirik. Located at an altitude of 1,767 meters, surrounded by tea estates, orange orchards and cardamom plantations, Mirik truly is a tourist paradise. It has a small population of about 10,000 people. The climate is pleasant, and the people are welcoming. The 1.25 km. long Sumendu Lake, located at the bottom of the Mirik Spur, is the major tourist attraction in Mirik. A quaint footbridge, 24.4 m. in length, arches over the lake, connecting the flower garden on the eastern bank to the heavily forested ridge on the west. There is a floating fountain in the middle of the lake. Boating and fishing are popular pastimes and on a clear day the magnificent Kanchenjunga reflects its magnitude in its waters. There are many observation points in and around Mirik and the most popular among them is the Dara and Deora point. Another attraction of Mirik is the single day trek taken from Kurseong to Mirik in its most picturesque natural surroundings.
The Bhutia Basti Monastery is the monastery founded in the 19th century by the Bhutia tribe. Standing near the chowrasta of Darjeeling, this Gompa has a beautifully painted façade. \r\nThe Dhirdham temple is built in the style of the Pashupatinath of Kathmandu and adds to the beautiful architecture of the city.\r\nThe Japanese Peace Pagoda depicts various stages of Buddha's life and is worth a visit.
Nestled in the lush greenery of pine, fir and birch forests, at an altitude of 1,458 meters, the picturesque tourist resort of Kurseong is a place of unforgettable charm. Famous for its natural bounty of orchids, Kurseong means the land of the White Orchids, which gave this calm township its name. It is a major station on the toy train route between Siliguri to Darjeeling. Situated at 48 km from Siliguri and 30 km from Darjeeling, Kurseong's natural advantages make it a very attractive tourist destination. Its beautiful surrounding and a healthy climate has always attracted many great people to this place. The rich flora of Kurseong town and surroundings is fascinating, and it has aptly been described as a 'Botanists' Paradise'. Trekking from Kurseong to surrounding areas is most fascinating. The best one day trekking route is from Kurseong to Mirik via Namsu and Balasun River. The Forest Museum, the Deer Park, the mini amusement park and the water reservoir - all set amid moss-laden conifers - are worth a visit. The Eagle's Crag is a popular landmark. A delightful walk through the forest of Crypto Maria japonica on the road, now called Aranya Sarani, leads to the vast open meadows at Chimney, is just unforgettable. Truly Kurseong gives a chance to visit nature so closely. \r\n\r\n\r\n
Located at 7 km from Darjeeling, at an altitude of 2610 meters, the Tiger Hill offers a magnificent view of the great Mount Kanchenjunga and the other peaks of the Himalayan range including the Mount Everest. A steep gradient road through colourful forests of oak, magnolia and beautiful ferns runs up to the Tiger Hill. To ensure a treasured sight one has to reach this point early at dawn before Sun rise. The spot is superbly developed to give a 360 degree view of the Himalayas. As the Sun rises over the Kanchenjunga one sees the five snow-capped peaks glow in the magic of crimson, pink and shining gold light. If the weather is clear even the great Mount Everest is Visible with Tibet's Chomol Hari Mountain, the most beautiful peak in the world and the Kabru and Janu, peaks which are though visible, actually are dwarfed by the magnificence of the Kanchenjunga, which leaps into view. \r\nThe Kanchenjunga, at 8,586 m., is the world's third highest peak, and a formidable peak for mountaineers as the climb is considered more hazardous than the Everest. \r\nThe Kanchenjunga Range derives its name from the Tibetan word, Khang-Chen-Dzod-Nga, meaning Five Treasures in the Snow, a reference to the five snow-capped peaks of this towering mountain range which can be viewed from the Tiger Hill. Although the Kanchenjunga is seen off and on from various places in Darjeeling, the sunrise view from the Tiger Hill takes the cake.
The ancient locomotive that comes chugging from Siliguri for Darjeeling is the attraction for young and old alike. This miniature railway engine, popularly known as the Toy train, has been doing the rounds from Siliguri to Darjeeling since 1881 and has been included in the world heritage site. It takes six to seven hours to cover a distance of 82 km and with a speed of 10 km per hour it offers a relaxed view to appreciate the abundance of nature on the hills of Darjeeling. Driven by a chugging stream locomotive, the train moves on a narrow, two feet gauge track, passing through the forests, waterfalls, deep valleys and through tunnels to reach Darjeeling. \r\nThe idea of this train was conceived in 1870 in order to reduce transit costs and it started operating in 1881.\r\nSoon the landscape changes to reveal tea plantations that cling to the steep mountainside, and form narrow terraces that look like giant steps. The Kanchenjunga appears out of the mist like magic little later. Moving through the many tea gardens, the train reaches Ghoom, the last town on the Indo-Nepal frontier and the highest rail station in the world, situated at 2,257 meters. After Ghoom, the train starts descending towards Darjeeling for 6 km and passes through the Batasia Loop. The Batasia Loop is an engineering marvel where the railway line negotiates a graceful circle and descends 1000 feet almost imperceptibly. Whether riding aboard the Toy Train, or just watching it navigate the loop, the Batasia Loop is a memorable experience. Batasia means Windy Place which offers a grand view of the town of Darjeeling, with the magnificent Kanchenjunga in the background.
The first of its kind in India, the Tenzing Norgay Mountaineering Institute is a training centre for mountaineers. The institute was established to commemorate the first anniversary of the first conquest of Mount Everest in 1953 by Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa from Darjeeling, and Sir Edmund Hillary. It was formed with the aim of imparting the requisite skills to all mountaineering enthusiasts. Tenzing himself was one of the founding members as well as the Field Director of the Institute. Just next to the institute is the Padmaja Naidu or the town zoo. The zoo has a splendid collection of some rare species like the Yak, snow leopard, Siberian tiger, Himalayan black bear, red panda, Tibetan wolf and the Himalayan pheasant with others. A high altitude zoological park, it is also a successful breeding centre for snow leopards and red pandas.
The stunningly beautiful waterfalls, the Victoria Falls, originate from a small stream of Kalijhora and are located nearly in the heart of the city. Cascading down with a drop of 30.5 meters, the water rushes through deep ravines to the valley below.\r\n At the Sidrapong Power Station the water of the Victoria Falls is harnessed for generating electrical power. The Sidrapong Power Station takes care of the entire power supply of Darjeeling and its suburbs and was the first Hydro Project in India.
Sir Ashley started the Lloyd Botanical Garden to study living specimens from the sub-temperate and temperate Himalayas in 1878 over the 40 acres land donated by Sir Lloyd. Over the years, exotic plants from other parts of the world have also been included turning them into the best gardens of Asia.\r\nThe garden has charmingly laid-out terraces containing alpine plants, arum lilies, geraniums, azaleas, tree ferns and conifers. There are plant species from Europe, Japan, China, Africa, America, and also from Australia and New Zealand\r\nThe Orchidarium houses 2,500 plants, including over 50 rare varieties. The cacti and succulents are housed in a separate conservatory, with 150 species on display. The medicinal garden contains indigenous medicinal plants of the Eastern Himalayas. A flower show is held annually during the summer months.
Reservoirs of Darjeeling's water supply, Senchal has three artificial lakes at an altitude of 2,487 meters. The golf course nearby is the highest in the world. A picturesque picnic spot complete with a visit to the Senchal Wild life sanctuary where animals like the barking deer, wild boar and black bears stay in their natural habitats.
Darjeeling grows the world famous tea. The exotic tea produced here is known as the Champagne of teas. There are about 86 tea estates in Darjeeling which produce 10 million kg tea every year. The story of Darjeeling tea started some 160 years ago when a civil surgeon, Dr. Campbell planted a few seeds in his garden at an altitude of 7,000 feet. The soil and the weather being conducive to tea growth soon tea gardens became popular and later became the main source of income of Darjeeling. One can visit a tea estate and see all the stages of tea being made, right from plucking to processing it and also can taste the tea and buy it.
Eastern Golden Triangle with Sikkim and Darjeeling / PI-089 (16 Days / 15 Nights)
Kolkata-Bhubaneshwar-Konark-Puri-Gopalpur-Bhubaneshwar-Kolkata-Bagdogra-Darjeeling-Gangtok-Kalimpong-Bagdogra-Kolkata
This itinerary will take you to the journey of eastern India. Starting from the largest city of India, Kolkata, which has a wonderful fusion of modern and ancient with rich and poor, to the religious and ancient towns of Konark and Puri. The world heritage temples will give you an insight of the East Indian architectural prowess of the ancient days. Experience the soothing sea at Gopalpur and the calmness of the Chilka Lake. Take an extension to the tiny state of Sikkim, nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas and shadowed by the majestic Kanchandzonga. With spectacular view of the Himalayas, Sikkim is one of he largest orchid producer in India which bloom at every nook and corner of the state.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Kolkata
Day 2 : Kolkata
Day 3 : Kolkata - Bhubaneshwar
Day 4 : Bhubaneshwar - Konark - Puri
Day 5 : Puri
Day 6 : Puri - Gopalpur
Day 7 : Gopalpur
Day 8 : Gopalpur
Day 9 : Gopalpur-Bhubaneshwar-Kolkata
Day 10 : Kolkata
Day 11 : Kolkata-Bagdogra-Darjeeling
Day 12 : Darjeeling
Day 13 : Darjeeling - Gangtok
Day 14 : Gangtok
Day 15 : Gangtok - Kalimpong
Day 16 : Kalimpong-Bagdogra-Kolkata
Kolkata-Bhubaneshwar-Konark-Puri-Gopalpur-Bhubaneshwar-Kolkata-Bagdogra-Darjeeling-Gangtok-Kalimpong-Bagdogra-Kolkata
This itinerary will take you to the journey of eastern India. Starting from the largest city of India, Kolkata, which has a wonderful fusion of modern and ancient with rich and poor, to the religious and ancient towns of Konark and Puri. The world heritage temples will give you an insight of the East Indian architectural prowess of the ancient days. Experience the soothing sea at Gopalpur and the calmness of the Chilka Lake. Take an extension to the tiny state of Sikkim, nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas and shadowed by the majestic Kanchandzonga. With spectacular view of the Himalayas, Sikkim is one of he largest orchid producer in India which bloom at every nook and corner of the state.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Kolkata
Day 2 : Kolkata
Day 3 : Kolkata - Bhubaneshwar
Day 4 : Bhubaneshwar - Konark - Puri
Day 5 : Puri
Day 6 : Puri - Gopalpur
Day 7 : Gopalpur
Day 8 : Gopalpur
Day 9 : Gopalpur-Bhubaneshwar-Kolkata
Day 10 : Kolkata
Day 11 : Kolkata-Bagdogra-Darjeeling
Day 12 : Darjeeling
Day 13 : Darjeeling - Gangtok
Day 14 : Gangtok
Day 15 : Gangtok - Kalimpong
Day 16 : Kalimpong-Bagdogra-Kolkata
Sandakphu Singalila Ridge Trek - II / PI-0251 (13 Days / 12 Nights)
Delhi-Darjeeling-Manebhanjang-Tonglu-Gairibas-Kalipokhari-Sandakphu-Phalut-Ramam-Rimbik-Darjeeling-Kolkata
Best Time : Oct - April
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi
Day 3 : Delhi-Darjeeling
Day 4 : Darjeeling
Day 5 : Darjeeling -Manebhanjang - Tonglu
Day 6 : Tonglu -Gairibas -Kalipokhari
Day 7 : Kalipokhari - Sandakphu
Day 8 : Sandakphu - Phalut
Day 9 : Phalut
Day 10 : Phalut - Ramam
Day 11 : Ramam - Rimbik
Day 12 : Rimbik - Darjeeling
Day 13 : Darjeeling-Kolkata
Delhi-Darjeeling-Manebhanjang-Tonglu-Gairibas-Kalipokhari-Sandakphu-Phalut-Ramam-Rimbik-Darjeeling-Kolkata
Best Time : Oct - April
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi
Day 3 : Delhi-Darjeeling
Day 4 : Darjeeling
Day 5 : Darjeeling -Manebhanjang - Tonglu
Day 6 : Tonglu -Gairibas -Kalipokhari
Day 7 : Kalipokhari - Sandakphu
Day 8 : Sandakphu - Phalut
Day 9 : Phalut
Day 10 : Phalut - Ramam
Day 11 : Ramam - Rimbik
Day 12 : Rimbik - Darjeeling
Day 13 : Darjeeling-Kolkata
Sikkim / PI-0411 (18 Days / 17 Nights)
Kolkata-Bagdogra-Pelling-Uttarey-Uttrey-Chewa-Dhud-Dhor-Sikkim Megu-Parey Megu-Garakhet Megu-Parey Megu/Gararkhet-Dafey Bhir Meadow-Gomathang-Gomuthang-Baktok-Boktok-Pangden-Dzongri-Bakhim-Yuksom-Gangtok-Darjeeling-Bagdogra-Kolkata
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Kolkata
Day 2 : Kolkata-Bagdogra-Pelling
Day 3 : Pelling - Uttarey
Day 4 : Uttrey - Chewa
Day 5 : Chewa - Dhud
Day 6 : Dhor - Sikkim Megu
Day 7 : Sikkim Megu - Parey Megu - Garakhet Megu
Day 8 : Parey Megu/Gararkhet - Dafey Bhir Meadow - Gomathang
Day 9 : Gomuthang - Baktok
Day 10 : Boktok - Pangden
Day 11 : Pangden - Dzongri
Day 12 : Dzongri - Bakhim
Day 13 : Bakhim - Yuksom
Day 14 : Yuksom - Gangtok
Day 15 : Gangtok
Day 16 : Gangtok - Darjeeling
Day 17 : Darjeeling
Day 18 : Darjeeling - Bagdogra - Kolkata
Kolkata-Bagdogra-Pelling-Uttarey-Uttrey-Chewa-Dhud-Dhor-Sikkim Megu-Parey Megu-Garakhet Megu-Parey Megu/Gararkhet-Dafey Bhir Meadow-Gomathang-Gomuthang-Baktok-Boktok-Pangden-Dzongri-Bakhim-Yuksom-Gangtok-Darjeeling-Bagdogra-Kolkata
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Kolkata
Day 2 : Kolkata-Bagdogra-Pelling
Day 3 : Pelling - Uttarey
Day 4 : Uttrey - Chewa
Day 5 : Chewa - Dhud
Day 6 : Dhor - Sikkim Megu
Day 7 : Sikkim Megu - Parey Megu - Garakhet Megu
Day 8 : Parey Megu/Gararkhet - Dafey Bhir Meadow - Gomathang
Day 9 : Gomuthang - Baktok
Day 10 : Boktok - Pangden
Day 11 : Pangden - Dzongri
Day 12 : Dzongri - Bakhim
Day 13 : Bakhim - Yuksom
Day 14 : Yuksom - Gangtok
Day 15 : Gangtok
Day 16 : Gangtok - Darjeeling
Day 17 : Darjeeling
Day 18 : Darjeeling - Bagdogra - Kolkata
Forts, Haveli, Palaces & Monasteries Tour with Bhutan / PI-0436 (22 Days / 21 Nights)
Delhi-Mandawa-Bikaner-Jaisalmer-Jodhpur-Luni-Udaipur-Deogarh-Jaipur-Agra-Delhi-Bagdogra-Darjeeling-Pelling-Gangtok-Phuntsoling-Thimphu-Paro-Delhi
In addition to being the place of several historical incidents and events, India is also a land of spiritualism with the country being home to several important pilgrimage centers from various religions. Of these, Buddhism is an important one. This tour takes you across the medieval palaces and forts of the country followed by several ancient Buddhist monasteries.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi - Mandawa
Day 3 : Mandawa - Bikaner
Day 4 : Bikaner - Jaisalmer
Day 5 : Jaisalmer
Day 6 : Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Luni
Day 7 : Luni - Udaipur
Day 8 : Udaipur
Day 9 : Udaipur - Deogarh
Day 10 : Deogarh - Jaipur
Day 11 : Jaipur
Day 12 : Jaipur - Agra
Day 13 : Agra
Day 14 : Delhi - Bagdogra
Day 15 : Darjeeling
Day 16 : Darjeeling - Pelling
Day 17 : Pelling - Gangtok
Day 18 : Gangtok - Phuntsoling
Day 19 : Phuntsoling - Thimphu
Day 20 : Thimphu
Day 21 : Thimphu - Paro
Day 22 : Paro - Delhi
Delhi-Mandawa-Bikaner-Jaisalmer-Jodhpur-Luni-Udaipur-Deogarh-Jaipur-Agra-Delhi-Bagdogra-Darjeeling-Pelling-Gangtok-Phuntsoling-Thimphu-Paro-Delhi
In addition to being the place of several historical incidents and events, India is also a land of spiritualism with the country being home to several important pilgrimage centers from various religions. Of these, Buddhism is an important one. This tour takes you across the medieval palaces and forts of the country followed by several ancient Buddhist monasteries.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi - Mandawa
Day 3 : Mandawa - Bikaner
Day 4 : Bikaner - Jaisalmer
Day 5 : Jaisalmer
Day 6 : Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Luni
Day 7 : Luni - Udaipur
Day 8 : Udaipur
Day 9 : Udaipur - Deogarh
Day 10 : Deogarh - Jaipur
Day 11 : Jaipur
Day 12 : Jaipur - Agra
Day 13 : Agra
Day 14 : Delhi - Bagdogra
Day 15 : Darjeeling
Day 16 : Darjeeling - Pelling
Day 17 : Pelling - Gangtok
Day 18 : Gangtok - Phuntsoling
Day 19 : Phuntsoling - Thimphu
Day 20 : Thimphu
Day 21 : Thimphu - Paro
Day 22 : Paro - Delhi
The Dragon Trail - Sikkim And Bhutan / PI-0489 (19 Days / 18 Nights)
Delhi-Bagdogra-Darjeeling-Maneybhanjang-Tonglu-Kalpokhari-kalipokhari-sandakphu-Rimbik-Darjeeling-Gangtok-Kalimpong-Phuentsholing-Thimphu-Trongsa-Bumthang-Gangtey-Paro-Delhi
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi - Bagdogra - Darjeeling
Day 3 : Darjeeling
Day 4 : Darjeeling-Maneybhanjang
Day 5 : Tonglu-Kalpokhari
Day 6 : kalipokhari-sandakphu
Day 7 : Sandakphu-Rimbik
Day 8 : Darjeeling-Gangtok
Day 9 : Gangtok - Kalimpong
Day 10 : Kalimpong-Phuentsholing
Day 11 : Phuentsholing-Thimphu
Day 12 : Thimphu
Day 13 : Thimphu-Trongsa
Day 14 : Trongsa-Bumthang
Day 15 : Bumthang
Day 16 : Bumthang-Gangtey
Day 17 : Gangtey-Paro
Day 18 : Paro
Day 19 : Paro-Delhi
Delhi-Bagdogra-Darjeeling-Maneybhanjang-Tonglu-Kalpokhari-kalipokhari-sandakphu-Rimbik-Darjeeling-Gangtok-Kalimpong-Phuentsholing-Thimphu-Trongsa-Bumthang-Gangtey-Paro-Delhi
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi - Bagdogra - Darjeeling
Day 3 : Darjeeling
Day 4 : Darjeeling-Maneybhanjang
Day 5 : Tonglu-Kalpokhari
Day 6 : kalipokhari-sandakphu
Day 7 : Sandakphu-Rimbik
Day 8 : Darjeeling-Gangtok
Day 9 : Gangtok - Kalimpong
Day 10 : Kalimpong-Phuentsholing
Day 11 : Phuentsholing-Thimphu
Day 12 : Thimphu
Day 13 : Thimphu-Trongsa
Day 14 : Trongsa-Bumthang
Day 15 : Bumthang
Day 16 : Bumthang-Gangtey
Day 17 : Gangtey-Paro
Day 18 : Paro
Day 19 : Paro-Delhi
Darjeeling, India Tours
