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Best time to Visit |
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April to June |
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Darjeeling,
known as the Queen of Hill Stations,
lies in the north of West Bengal, India
-the 3rd highest pick in the world.
Darjeeling owes' its grandeur to its
natural beauty, its clean fresh mountain
air and above all, the smiling resilient
people for whom it is a home. 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.
Darjeeling is widely known as visitors
paradise because every day it offers
something new to everyone, may be the
first time visitor and may be the regular
one. The morning bell comes to the viewers
when the first ray of sun touches the
mountain pick.
Darjeeling was gifted to the British
East India Company in 1835 by the king
of West Bengal. Darjeeling is world
famous for its toy train, one of the
few remaining steam powered trains in
the world. The Tiger Hills, the highest
peak in Darjeeling, offers a splendid
view of the Kanchenjunga and Mt. Everest.
A steep ride, five kilometers from Ghoom,
or an invigorating walk up a steep incline,
leads sun worshippers to Tiger Hill.
The air is chilly with darkness and
damp, but unique to get an experience.
Here the new day starts with the world
famous blend of tea, foggy and smoky
weather, Mountain View and smiling face
of local Gorkhi people. Darjeeling is
also a place to know Tibetan culture,
Himalayan Tribal Life, and to see the
Tibetian Monasteries, Pine Trees, Tea
garden etc. very closely. |
| History
of Ooty |
Trekking
- One of the famous trekking route taken
by the trekkers is that of the Darjeeling-Sandakphu
/ Phalut trek. This trekking route is
best during the months of April, May,
October and November. As during these
seasons the visibility is clear and
the weather is also hospitable. On this
route the trekker must be prepared for
all kinds of weather and high altitude
mountain sickness. The trek passes through
low areas and very high ridges so temperature
varies a lot be prepared for all types
of weather. There surroundings may be
very attractive but there are some areas
which have long stretches without any
water, so carry water with yourself.
Regular meals are available. Guides
and porters can also be arranged.
Phalut is also called the view point
of the Himalayas and is one of the most
important & famous treks in the
region. The trek starts with a small
bus trip to Manaybhanjang. From here
the trek passes through the mountains
to Sandakphu. From here you can proceed
further up or you can return via Rimbik
then to Darjeeling by Bus. One can also
take a short cut and not go to Ohalut.
From Sandakphu backtrek to Bikhay Bhanjang
and cut across to Rimbik. But keep in
mind that this trek is a difficult one
with no water or food in between. |
| Major
Attractions in Darjeeling |
There
are so many major attractions, which
draws the attention of tourists in Darjeeling.
Few of them are –
Batasia
Loop - This railway loop is
an interesting example of engineering.
At this loop the toy train takes a very
unique turn. This loop is just five
kilometer from the main town of Darjeeling.
This place also has a very good market
where you can buy the purses, bags and
other decorative items made by the local
women at very reasonable price.
Bhutia Busty Gompa -
With the back drop of the Kanchenjunga
range stands a monastery called the
Bhutia Busty Gompa. This monastery was
shifted from the observatory hills to
the present place. The Gompa is a branch
of the Nyingmapa sect's Phodang Monastery
in Sikkim. The monastery is not far
from the chowrasta and is very tastefully
decorated. It also has a library which
has a copy of the Tibetan Book of the
Dead.
Botanical Gardens
– This place is worth
a visit for its exotic and exclusive
collection of a variety of Himalayan
plants, flowers and orchids. This place
is near the taxi stand. The gardens
also has a green house.
Chowrasta
- This one of the important
shopping places in Darjeeling. Here
the Nehru Road and the Mall Road Intersect
each other. The snow capped peaks of
Kanchenjunga are visible from this place.
Near Chowrata are several Hindu and
Buddhists temples. This place is over
flowing with foreign tourists. You can
also enjoy a pony ride form this place.
Dhoom Gompa -
About 8 kms from Darjeeling is the Dhoom
Gompa. Here a very beautiful statue
of the Maitrayie Buddha ( prospective
Buddha) is established. The Monastery
has also preserved some of the rare
handwritten Buddhist manuscripts.
Himalayan Mountaineering
Institute & Museums - The
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is
on the West Jawahar road. The institute
runs courses for training mountaineers
as well as has the very good collection
of mountaineering equipments which have
been used in various mountaineering
expeditions and other wise. Specimens
of Himalayan flora and fauna are also
kept here. The record of attempts made
to conquer Mt. Everest has been kept
in the Mt.Everest Museum. The institute
also screens short films on mountaineering.
You can also view the Himalayan peaks
through the Zeiss Telescope given to
the Nepalese Maharaja by Hitler. Sherpa
Tenzing Norgay was the Director of this
institute for many years and he was
cremated near the institute after his
death in 1986. Near the institute is
Srabri which gives a very good view
of the Single valley and the Kanchenjunga
range. One can sit at Srabri and feel
the cool breeze from the valley.
Kanchenjunga View - From
Darjeeling one can have the best, uninterrupted
view of the worlds third highest peak.
Bhan Bhakta Sarani provides one of the
enthralling views of these snow capped
peaks. The Chowrasta also gives you
a good sight to the Kanchenjunga peak.
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 you can come up to Kurseong. This
place is equally beautiful and is full
of natural splendour.
Observatory
Hills - This point provides
one of the breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga
peaks. This place is also very sacred
for the Hindus and the Buddhists as
there are temples and the monasteries
at this place. The Kali temple is decorated
with the colourful flags. Be aware of
the monkey groups as some these are
very aggressive.
Passenger
Ropeway - Another tourist attraction
in Darjeeling has been the ropeway.
This was the first ropeway in India.
It connects the North point (7000 ft)
to the Singla Bazaar (800 ft). The rope
covers a distance of 8 kms in 45 minutes.
The seats in the rope way is limited
and it is better to get the tickets
in advance. The ropeway is exciting
and unique for any one visiting Darjeeling.
Senchal Lake - A
scenic place near the tiger hills. This
place has popularly come up as a picnic
spot among the tourists. The lake supplies
drinking water to the town of Darjeeling.
Siliguri / New Jalpaiguri
- The twin Cities of Siliguri
and New Jalpaiguri are the departure
point to Darjeeling, Sikkim and the
North Eastern States. Being the nodal
point this place has become very busy
and crowded. This area has got population
over 2.5 lakh people. Siliguri also
acts as a transit point for Nepal. This
place is not very pleasant to stay as
there are always long lines of buses
and trucks. These trucks and vehicles
might be good for business but they
provide very ugly sight. Tourists come
to Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri mainly
to change bus or catch trains. If you
have time then visit the almost forgotten
wild life sanctuary of Jaldhapara. The
best season to visit this park is between
October and May. This the time when
the new grass has come up and animals
are out there. The sanctuary has elephants,
dears, tigers and other animals but
the main attraction is the Rhinos which
are threatened by the poachers. Elephant
Safari can be taken from Hollong.
Snow Leopard Breeding Programme
- Nowadays the zoologists and
the environmental scientists are trying
to protect the endangered species by
breeding them in captivity. Following
this trend is Kiran Moktan who has devoted
his life in breeding program of snow
leopards. The snow leopards are not
known to have bred in captivity but
in this center thanks to the efforts
of Kiran Maktan these animals have given
birth in captivity. Snow leopards are
animals who have to be kept in large
enclosures. Visitors are allowed in
the center but they have to watch the
animals in utter silence.
Tibetan
Refugee Self-Help Center -
In 1959 was established a center for
the refuges who had fled Tibet with
the Dalai Lama after the Chinese invasion.
This self help center has been developed
as workshop for the manufacture of handicrafts.
The fine and superb carpets, woollens,
woodcarvings and leather work form this
center has been very popular among the
tourists. The money collected after
the sale of the products goes to the
Tibetans who work here. The variety
Tibetan Curios on sale are also attracting
the visitors in a big way. This center
has established it self in the International
scenario as place for hard work, self
esteem and truth.
Zoological
Gardens - The zoo is situated
two kms form the main town. This zoological
garden houses some of the rare species
of animals and birds. This is only zoo
in India having the Siberian Tigers.
Apart from these the rare Red Panda
is also there. The Snow Leopards, Great
Grey Birds, Snow Yaks are some the animals
which are attracting tourist in great
numbers. The entry in the zoo is by
tickets which are also valid for the
natural history museum and the mountaineering
institute & museum. |
| How
to reach |
Darjeeling
can easily access through air, train
or bus.
By Air:
Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri is the
nearest airport, with flights being
run by many operators.
By
Rail: The toy train connects
Darjeeling to Siiguri and passes through
some spectacular forests, mountain passes
and tunnels. The New Jalpaiguri and
Siliguri railway stations are well connected
to Kolkata (West Bengal), New Delhi,
Guwahati (Assam) and Mumbai (Maharashtra)
through trains.
By
Road: There is a good road
between Darjeeling and Siliguri, which
is 80 kilometers way from Darjeeling.
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| So,
what are you waiting for...!! Just
pack your bags and Get going for the
most adventurous vacation of your lifetime
in Darjeeling with us. |
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