Darjeeling

Darjeeling is known as the "Queen of the Hills", It is a beautiful Hill Station located in the Northern part of West Bengal, India. Situated at an High Altitude of 2045 m above the sea level, Darjeeling is famous for it scenic beauty, pleasant climate, lush tea garden and rich cultural heritage. 

Darjeeling is famous for their Tea cultivation all over the World, often known as the "Champagne of Teas". A Unique combination of  Climate, Soil and High Altitude makes the Tea delicate aroma, light color and unique flavor that can't found anywhere, which makes the tea highly valued across the India and all over the World.

Climate

• In Summer (April to June) Pleasant and Mild, perfect for tea garden and views of Kanchenjunga, Temperature around 10°C to 25°C.
• In Monsoon (June to September) :- Heavy Rainfall, High Humidity and Lush Greenery Temperature around 10°C to 18°C.
• In Winter (December to February) :- Heavy Snowfall and cold, Good for Sightseeing, Photography and Tea Garden Tour, Temperature around -1°C to 10°C.

Places to Visit in Darjeeling

Tiger Hill 

Tiger Hill is one of the most famous viewpoint and picturesque hill, located about 11 km from Darjeeling at an high altitude of about 2590 m above the sea level. Tiger Hills is known for its "Sunrise View", when the sun rise illuminating the Kanchenjunga Mountain which glowing in shades of Gold, Pink and Orange is truly unforgettable.

On clear days, Mount Everest can be seen clearly from the Tiger Hill which making the experience even more special. The atmosphere of the Tiger Hill is calm and serene and it is surrounded by the Rolling Hills, Lush Forests and Tea Gardens. 

The name Tiger Hill is believed to be derived from the shape of the hill, which resembles like a "Crouching Tiger". Over the Year it become the most popularity and crowded place of the Darjeeling. Their is a viewing platform at the top of the hill, that allows tourist to comfortably enjoy the scenery of the surrounding.  

Best Time to Visit

• (October to March) when the skies are clear, offering the best view of sunrise and Kanchenjunga Mountain.

Batasia Loop

Batasia Loop is a spiral railway track were the Darjeeling Himalayan Train, also known as the Toy Train passes move in loop around the hilltop, as the train move through the loop it offer the panoramic view of Darjeeling Town, Surrounded Valleys and the Himalayan Mountain Range. 

At the Center of the loop, their is war memorial dedicated to "Gorkha Soldiers" who sacrificed their lives for India after Independence and their is a beautiful landscape garden filled with colorful flowers, trimmed lawns and paved walkways. This garden enhances the charm of the place and provides a peaceful environment for the visitors to relax and enjoy the surrounding. 

Ghum Monastery

Ghum Monastery is also known as the "Yiga Choeling Monastery", It is one of the most famous and Oldest Buddist Monasteries located in Ghum, Darjeeling. Stand at an high altitude of approximately 7407 m above the sea level. 

The Area of the Monastery is surrounded by the misty hill and serene landscape, it hold a great spiritual and cultural important in Ghum. 

One of the most Striking feature of the Ghum Monastery is 15 foot high statue of "Maitreya Buddha", which is made up of clay and brought from Tibet. The Statue symbolizes hope, compassion and peace.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) is one of the most iconic and remarkable feat of engineering ingenuity in Darjeeling. It connect Darjeeling with a Jalpaiguri plains of West Bengal, The DHR is popularly known as the "Toy Train" because of narrow gauge track of 2 ft. 

It covers a distance of about 88 km , passing through Lush Forests, Tea Garden, Darjeeling Roads, Towns and Marketplaces. Its ability to negotiate steep gradients and sharp curves without use of tunnels. Engineers devised innovation solution such as loops and zigzags.

One of the famous place is the Batasia Loop, where the train circles a landscape garden and offers a panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga Range, Valleys and Forests. 

Singalila National Park

Singalila National Park is  high altitude park, located at an height of 2500 m to 4000 m above the sea level, which make it the highest national park in West Bengal. The park is known for its rich biodiversity, trekking routes and panoramic view of Eastern Himalayas. 

The Park is world famous because here we found a Red Panda of Flagship species. Other mammals include Himalayan Black Bear, Clouded Leopard, Serow, Barking Deer and Wild Boar. 

Singalila is also a living place of about 300 species of birds, such as satyr Tragopan, Blood pheasant, Himalayan griffon and various species of flycatchers and sunbirds. 

Singalila National Park has a various viewpoints like Sandakphu and Phalut, from were we see the world highest peaks Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu. 

Rock Garden and Ganga Maya Park

Rock Garden and Ganga Maya Park is known for its natural beauty, landscape surrounding and charming hill. It is located about 12 km from the Darjeeling town, lies along the scenic road leading to Chunnu Summer Falls, makes the favorite spots for tourist and local residents. 

The Rock Garden also known as the Barbotey Rock Garden, developed by the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, it show an impressive blend of natural rock formation and human made landscape. It gives the panoramic views of surrounding hills and valleys.

Ganga Maya Park offers a calmer experience than the Rock Garden, it provides excellent viewpoint of the surrounding hills and Tea plantation, making it a pleasant and memorable experience.

Together, Rock Garden and Ganga Maya Park highlight Darjeeling Natural Landscapes. They are best visited place during the spring and summer months, when the weather is pleasant and the greenery is at its peak.

Happy Valley Tea Estate

Happy Valley Tea Estate is a historically significant tea garden in Darjeeling, located about 3 km from the Darjeeling town lies at an high altitude of 2100 m above the sea level. 

It cover an area of 177 hectares, with nearly half of the land is under Tea Cultivation and surrounded by the Misty Hills, Lush Greenery and Eastern Himalayas. 

The high altitude, cool climate, frequent rainfall and rich soil condition makes the Darjeeling Tea which is also known as the "Champagne of Teas. 

Visitors can explore the Tea gardens, observe traditional tea processing method inside the factory and enjoy tea tasting sessions.

Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park

It is one of the most prominent zoological parks in India, situated at an altitude of about 2134 m above the sea level, which making it one of the highest altitude zoological park in the world.