| Darjeeling
Travel Guide
Darjeeling is the legendary British hill station
perched in the foothills of the Himalayas. Located in
the northern extreme of the Indian state of West Bengal,
Darjeeling is just east of Nepal, just south of Sikkim,
and a bit west and south of Bhutan. It is most famous
for its once magnificent tea estates. Despite a steady
and inexorable decline since independence, roughly a
half century ago, these estates still produce a substantial
portion of the world's tea.
Darjeeling is a fascinating place, where the tourist
can see Buddhist monasteries, visit a tea plantation,
see how the tea is processed, go for a ride on the chairlift,
go shopping in the colourful markets or go trekking
to high altitude spots, near the border with Sikkim.
Darjeeling has the unique feature of a toy train, which
takes you from Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling through the
steep mountainsides.
Suggested
Itinerary:
JAPANESE TEMPLE/PEACE PAGODA
A recent lank mark built by Japanese monks worth a visit.
LAL KOTHI
Near to the Japanese Temple.It houses the office
of the Chairman of the Gorkha Hill Council.Its well
kept lawns,artificial waterfalls and ponds along with
a fantastic view of the Kanchendzonga Range,it a great
view.
DIRDHAM TEMPLE
Just below the Railway Station lies this beautiful
Shiva Temple.
AVA ART GALLERY
This gallery if specially famous for embroidered
paintings.
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
It is one of the finest and small museum in the
world exhibiting a rare collection of the fauna of the
Himalayan region
Access:
From Kathmandu, take the one hour flight to Bhadrapur
(the nearest Nepalese airport to Darjeeling) drive to
Kakarbhitta (Nepal-India border, 34 km) to Siliguri
(36 km) and to Darjeeling (77 km) 3 hours, An alternate
and quicker route is to hire a taxi at Bhadrapur and
drive for about 2 hours to the border town of Pahupatinagar
in the north( For only Indian Citizen Holder) From here,
Taxi are available to Darjeeling, which is merely 45
minutes away. Darjeeling is also connected by road with
Sikkim (120 km) and Bhutan (about 200 km). Darjeeling
town is 90 km from Bagdogra, the nearest Indian airport,
where scheduled flights operate from New Delhi, Kolkata
and Guwahati. The nearest railheads are Siliguri and
New Jalpaiguri (88 km) which are connected to Kolkata,
New Delhi, Guwahati, and other major Indian cities.
From Siliguri, buses, taxis and the famous toy train
( hours) leave for Darjeeling
Season:
March-May and September-November are the best times
to visit. Bring light woolen clothing during summer
(maximum temperature 16 degree Celsius) and heavy woolens
in winter (minimum 1.6 degrees)
Adventure:
Trekking, White water rafting, Kayaking, canoeing, mountain
biking, and rock climbing.
Accommodation:
There are modern hotels and restaurants in Darjeeling
and Kalimpong and comfortable lodges in Kurseong and
Mirik
TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES:
Accommodation on twin sharing basis as per Tour category
(standard/Deluxe), full board meals, Ground transfers.
Sightseeing as per Itinerary with English speaking guide,
Entrance fees and permits.
On Treks Camping Equipment consisting of Two men-tent
& mattress, Freshly cooked meals, Dinning &
Toilet tents, Ponies and trek staffs. And necessary
travel documents.
ADDITIONAL COST:
Air fare, Expenses of personal nature, Travel Insurance
and re-entry visa.
Transport:
Transport is provided by buses, four-wheel drive
and smaller vehicles. Local taxis are also available
for hire for getting around
CLOTHING:
During Summer-light jackets & rain gears. In winter-down
gears at high altitude.
ENTRY FORMALITIES:
All foreigners intending to visit Darjeeling must process
an Indian visa which can be obtained at any Indian Embassy
or Mission abroad. No special permit is required for
either travelling or trekking inside Darjeeling. However,
necessary travel documents need to be shown as and when
required
Tourist
Attractions:
Tiger Hill:
Situated at an altitude of 2590 metres (8482 ft.)
and 13 kms 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.
Batasia Loop
About 5 kms from Darjeeling, this Railway Loop is
a marvellous feat of engineering. It is fascinating
to watch the toy train wind its way round the loop.
The War Memorial constructed in the memory of brave
sons of Darjeeling who died in different action since
1947, is worth a visit. A glorious view of snowy peak
and town can be seen from this place. Entrance fee:
Rs. 2/- Timings: sunrise till two hours after sunset.
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum has a collection of over
4300 specimen . Established in 1903, this natural history
museum packs in its folds a rich collection of fauna
found in the Himalayas and in Bengal. Among the attractions
are included the estuarine crocodiles. This unique museum
also has a good collection of butterflies. The mineral
forms of various stones are displayed in a very attractive
manner in the museum.
Senchal Lake
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.
Kanchenjunga View
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.
Darjeeling Himalayan Train:
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) is one of
the most well known mountain railways in the world.
It was built in 1881 and is over a hundred years old
today. It connects the plains of West Bengal at New
Jalpaiguri with the popular hill station of Darjeeling
(6812 ft), a distance of 88km. |
