This hill station was the summer retreat for residents of Calcutta and its surrounding plains and the government moved up here during the hottest months. Like Shimla, it is built on a crescent shaped ridge surrounded by coniferous forests and terraced tea gardens.
Views are stunning and if you are lucky with the weather you can marvel at the Khangchendzonga Range. Mount Khanchendzonga is India’s highest peak, and the third highest in the world. The town’s name derives from the monastery of Dorje Ling (Place of the Thunderbolt) that once stood on Observatory Hill. The windy, prayer flag-lined Hill is a good place to view the Eastern Himalayan range.
Darjeeling is an interesting mix of slightly faded Raj splendour with Tibetan, Nepali and Bengali influences. Best time to visit is from October, although the roads may be in poor condition if the monsoon rains from June to September have been heavy. Winters are obviously cold, so wrap up well, especially if you are trekking.
Bagdogra is the nearest airport (56 miles) and trains connect Kolkata with Siliguri (49 miles.) The Toy Train runs from Siliguri, but travels sedately!
Places of Interest:
GHOOM MONASTERY
This is the important Yiga-Choling Gompa, a yellow-hat Buddhist Monastery built in 1875. It houses famous Buddhist scriptures. It can be visited by steam train (only in high season) or by car when returning from Tiger Hill.
HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINEERING INSTITUTE
Within the zoological grounds the institute has an interesting Everest Museum which traces the history of attempts to conquer it. On a nearby hill is the Tenzing Samadhi statue where Tenzing Norgay was cremated. He lived in Darjeeling and was the institute director for many years.
TEA
The tea estates set up in the time of the Raj still remain and thrive. Nowadays it is possible to stay in planters bungalows and have the opportunity to live and learn on a real working plantation. One such property is Glenburn about 45 minutes from Darjeeling. It is beautifully maintained and intimate, with fantastic views of Khangchendzonga. A walking tour of the estate is available where you can learn about tea production or simply sit on the veranda and sip the product!
TIGER HILL
At 9000ft this is the ideal place to watch the sun rise over Mount Everest ( 225km away) and Khangchendzonga, Kabru, Janu, Llotse and Makalu, weather permitting! Jeeps leave Darjeeling at around 4.30am during peak season and take about 45 minutes. It is has become a popular outing. For a few rupees you can even watch it from a heated lounge in the pavilion and drink chai!
