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Published: September 24th 2014
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Darjeeling '
the queen of hills', awesomeness is the word falls short for this place. Though bit overcrowded but everyone will surely have something in the store for this place. Darjeeling is at an altitude of almost 7000ft and is situated in West Bengal (A state of India). Darjeeling is internationally acclaimed as one of the best hill resorts and it is also a paradise for trekkers and adventure seekers.
I have travelled Darjeeling during the month of December. This was the first visit of any north-eastern part of India. We, my wife and I, flew from
Delhi to Bagdogra airport. Quite pleased to see the tranquility in the airport. I was sure that the journey will a life time remembering one. We booked a government controlled taxi from Bagdogra to Darjeeling for Rupees 2000. Travelling through the narrow and crowded road of Bagdogra, the adjustant tea garden and from the far giving the glimpses of hills starting. We were busy talking of how much area and how beautifully looking tea gardens are. They are spread like a green carpet, protecting the environmental concerns of reducing forest coverage areas and also reducing the soil erosions.
On our way, got the
first glimpses of toy train running on the narrow gauge. In around 1.5 hrs, Darjeeling was in giving us the joy and freshness of air on it’s lap. Humongous hotels are there but have pre-booked the Hotel Elgin. This is an old heritage hotel and at prime location. Hotel is nearby The Mall and Taxi Stand so there was no inconvenience for transport as well.
Same day evening, we went around in evening around 8pm for a walk however some local told that not to go out at such time as it might not safe thus we returned to hotel. Going out in night was a splendid experience due to chilling and airy winter.
Next morning after having a good breakfast and sips of Darjeeling tea, famous for its fragrance, we went out to get the local conveyance. Though, we got a good deal and a good driver. Thus we hired him for next 5 days.
Places of interest which one can visit in Darjeeling and nearby:
First place we visited was ‘
Natural History Museum’, It is quite near to the hotel. Thus spend a bit of time of there and could able to see the
flora and fauna of Darjeeling.
Second place we went to
‘Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI)’, this is the place dedicated to the mountaineers who has spent their life conquering the thousands of feet of Himalayan Mountains. We fascinated to see the historic Norgay-Hillary climb and equipment used.
Next on the plate was ‘
Darjeeling Zoological Gardens’, initially we thought that it might be the same as other zoological gardens of India however it was an interesting place to be. Few things which interested me here are ‘Black Panther’, ‘Red Panda’ and a massive ‘Bengal Tiger’.
Next, we went to
Japanese pagoda. It is always a pleasant walk to go a monastery, try your hands on the drum for spiritual eternity. The enthusiasm of watching people beating the drums was a positive creation of spirituality.
Darjeeling is famous for ‘
Tea estates’ and the tea found here are famous for it’s flavor. There are hundreds of Tea estates in and across the Darjeeling. They look like a green carpet put over the hills. We had a good chance to see the tea garden outside the crowded ones.
‘Rangeet Valley Ropeway’, one of
the best ways to experience the panoramic views is by taking a ride on Rangeet Valley Cable Ropeway. All across you could have a look of extensively flourished tea gardens.
‘The Mall’, Is the town center in Darjeeling. This is a lovely little flat area, a public square where four roads meet. This public place is where you would like to lounge & bake in the sun, sit and watch the wonderful views of the mountain range and see many locals and tourists hanging around. One side of the mall is lined with pine trees through which you get wonderful mountain vistas, the other side is lined with lovely boutique shops of different kinds. And all around the mall, you have benches to sit and relax. We spent almost every day on the Mall.
Next, we went to
‘Tiger Hill’. We until didn’t know about the Tiger Hill and what it is famous for. We got up around 3 am and moved in the chilling road of Darjeeling with massive movement of cars in the same direction. We reached to the top and see a good crowd there. By then, we
came to know that this place is famous for seeing Kanchenjunga and sunrise. It was very cold morning with chilling winds blowing all round. People were amazingly waiting for the glimpses of seeing the sun rays falling on the snow cover peaks of Kanchenjunga and it turning to red. It was a wonderful experience to see it, a lifetime experience.
Next destination was ‘
Pashupati Market’, Nepal border. The wonder of having a private cab has helped to see the marvelous beauty of in and around Darjeeling. We went on a drive towards the Mirik. On the we reach to the Nepal border and seemed to know about Nepal border is so closed to the Darjeeling. As you might be knowing that for moving from India to Nepal, you just need to show a identity proof like voter card. We made a entry to Nepal (Pashupati Market), this market is famous for all foreign goods. A Kind of good bargain market. Had few buy from there, these goods always keep a remembrance for visiting this small town of Nepal.
Traveling in Darjeeling will not be completed if you ain’t travelled in ‘
Toy Train’. Toy Train,
a UNESCO world heritage, this narrow gauge train does deserve this title. We reached the station and was expecting to get the ticket in the morning. However, this happiness was seemed to short lasting. Tickets weren't available. We requested to the station master and was trying our luck. At the end, to our luck, we got the tickets as few people were un-presented.
‘Batasia Loop’, Our happiness has taken us to Batasia Loop. Batasia Loop is a loop or a spiral of a narrow gauge railway track where the Toy Train negotiates a sudden sharp descent from Ghoom. Train stopped there for few minutes. It's a wonderful viewing place with manicured gardens, streams and falls, from where you can get a wide range view of the Darjeeling's landscape, Kanchenjunga and the other Eastern Himalayan peaks.
I trust that this will help all Darjeeling traveller a guide to have a good luck on their journey.
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