Darjeeling

Darjeeling the dream land of the East, it has been a popular hill station since
the British period. The tourist flow to this place has been increasing day by
day. Due to the proximity with three international borders, this place is
strategically very important.

Darjeeling is surrounded by lofty mountains. Except for the monsoon months and
if weather is clear then the Kanchenjunga peak can be seen. Down below in the
valley flow the rivers swollen by rain water or melting snow. Darjeeling is a
fascinating place rich in natural beauty and surrounded by the Buddhist
monasteries. Its beauty surpasses any other hill station.

Darjeeling has some of the lovely tea plantations (estates) in the country. One
can visit these plantations and watch tea being processed. Darjeeling is a
place where one feels as if being in the lap of mother nature.Due to the vast
and abundance of natural splendour Darjeeling is called queens of hill
stations. Darjeeling is also a trekkers paradise and the Gorkha hill council
has provided ample trekking facilities for the adventure loving people.

The toy train coming from Siliguri is some thing which is liked by the elders
and the children equally. The real fun in coming to Darjeeling is on the toy
train. It takes six to seven hours to cover a distance of 82 kms and the slow
speed gives you enough time to watch and appreciate the beauty which nature has
provided it. This train passes through the Forests, waterfalls, over deep
valleys and through the mountains and tunnels.

SIGHTSEEING:
Tiger Hill - Tiger hills is the highest point in the area which provides the
most exotic view of the Kanchenjunga peaks. From this place the other peaks of
the Eastern Himalayas can be seen. On a clear day the sight of Mt.Everest is
just enthralling.

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.

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.

Happy Valley Estate - Here the tea from the gardens is processed. One can spent
a few hours here. Entry is only allowed to persons who have permission from any
officer of the estate.

Natural History Museum - The 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 - 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 - 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

EXCURSIONS:
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.

Mirik : Mirik is 52 kms from Siliguri and 55 kms from the nearest Airfield of
Bagdogra. Mirik is being developed as a new hill station in the mountains.
Mirik is surrounded by tea estates, orange orchards and cardamom plantations.
It has all the facilities to fulfill the needs of a tourist.

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.

Kalimpong : Kalimpong is within Darjeeling province and is a sub-division of
Darjeeling. It is a small but bustling town in the Himalaya foothills of West
Bengal- Kalimpong is at an altitude of 1250 meters. This bazaar town was
originally a part of Bhutan but later it was taken over by the British and
finally it settled down with West Bengal.