Darjeeling

Darjeeling is one of the most popular hill stations of India, also known as 'Queen of hills'. Darjeeling is a Town which is Located in a State of West Bengal India. It is noted for its Tea Industry. Darjeeling Districts is one of the most popular hill stations of India and the preferred choice for a Vacation for Indian, Foreigners and for neighbour Countries. The district continues to be popular holiday destination in India .Owing to its scenic beauty and Pleasant climate. Apart from tourism Darjeeling is also Popular for its many British Style Public School which attracts a student from across India and neighbouring Countries.

Kalimpong, Kurseong and Mirik are three subdivisions of Darjeeling hills. It is also known for its Mountain railways of India popularly known as Toy Train. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in the year 1999. It scales an elevation of 326 meters to 2,203 meters. We charter / hire Darjeeling Himalayan Region or attach bogie subjected to the number of guest. We do organize excursion with Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Darjeeling Himalayan Train with Steam locomotive or diesel locomotive is hired or chartered by us. There are regular trains from New Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Kurseong and few arrangement for joy ride in DHR.

Climate

Darjeeling has a temperate climate with wet summers caused by monsoon rains The annual mean maximum temperature is 14.9 °C (58.8 °F) while the mean minimum temperature is 8.9 °C (48.0 °F), with monthly mean temperatures range from 6 to 18 °C (43 to 64 °F).The lowest temperature recorded was −5 °C (23 °F) on 11 February 1905. The average annual precipitation is 309.2 cm (121.7 in), with an average of 126 days of rain in a year. The highest rainfall occurs in July. The heavy and concentrated rainfall that is experienced in the region, aggravated by deforestation and haphazard planning, often causes devastating landslides, leading to loss of life and property.

Culture                                                       

Apart from the major religious festivals of Durga Puja (Dashain), Diwali, and Christmas the diverse ethnic populace of the town   celebrates several local festivals. The Lepchas celebrate Nam-Soong or Nam-Baan (the lepcha`s New Year) and the Bhutias and   Tibetans celebrate Losar. The birthday of the Buddha or Buddha Jayanti, is celebrated on the full moon day in April or May with   processions. Darjeeling Carnival, initiated by a civil Society movement known as The Darjeeling Initiative is a ten-day carnival   held every year during the winter with portrayal of the Darjeeling Hill`s musical and culture heritage as its central theme. 

Places of interest in Darjeeling

Tiger Hill

Tiger hills is the highest point in the area which provides the most exotic view of the Mt.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. While we always talk about the sweeping views of sunrise from Tiger Hill and the view of the colossal Kanchenjunga with many other snow clad eastern Himalayan peaks from here, but we hardly talk about the summit of Tiger Hill itself.

Tiger Hill is located 11km (6.8 miles) from Darjeeling town and above Ghoom. It's the highest point in Darjeeling hills at an altitude of 8482 feet (or 2590 meters). The best season to see the dazzling snow covered peaks as the sun rises is between Mid October to December. March to April is also a good time. 

Ghoom Monastery

About 8 kms from Darjeeling is the Ghoom Monastery. 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

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. If you are taking a toy train ride from Darjeeling, you will pass by this magnificent loop. Otherwise, take a cab from Darjeeling town and visit the Batasia Loop. It's located on Hill Cart Road (i.e. National Highway 55) and takes 20 minutes by taxi from Darjeeling town. You can walk along the track and complete the loop for yourself. Or take the many pathways in the garden and walk around, enjoy the many flowers and the surroundings.There is also an Eco Garden in Batasia. It provides a lot of information about organic farming and plantations in Darjeeling. Here you will find many rare species of plants like the Gingko biloba. And there are Rhododendrons, Silver Firs and even tea plants. 

 

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 Mt.Kanchenjunga peak.

Zoological Gardens(Park)

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 

Observatory Hills

This point provides one of the breathtaking views of Mt.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 colorful flags.

Bhutia Busty Gompa

With the back drop of the Mt.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.

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. 

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, woolen`s 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. 

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 mountaineering. 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

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 are 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 Mt.Kanchenjunga are visible from this place. Near Chowrasta are several Hindu and Buddhists temples. This place is over flowing with foreign tourists. You can also enjoy a pony ride form this place.

Outside Darjeeling

Kalimpong

Kalimpong is within Darjeeling province and is a subdivision 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.

Kurseong

Kurseong is mid way between Siliguri and Darjeeling. The way from Darjeeling to Kurseong is generally open throughout 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 splendor.

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.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 Tourists come to Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri mainly to change bus or catch trains. 

Communication/Connectivity

Darjeeling can be reached by the 88 km (55 mi) long Darjeeling Himalayan Railway from New Jalpaiguri, or by National Highway 55, from Siliguri, 77 km (48 mi) away. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a 600 mm (2 ft) narrow-gauge railway that was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999 for being "an outstanding example of the influence of an innovative transportation system on the social and economic development of a multi-cultural region, which was to serve as a model for similar developments in many parts of the world",[57] becoming only the second railway in the world to have this honour. Bus services and hired vehicles connect Darjeeling with Siliguri and Darjeeling has road connections with Bagdogra, Gangtok and Kathmandu and the neighbouring towns of Kurseong and Kalimpong. However, road and railway communications often get disrupted in the monsoons because of landslides. The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport located 90 km (56 mi) from Darjeeling.Within the town, people usually traverse by walking. Residents also use two-wheelers and hired taxis for travelling short distances.

 
Tags: tourist information darjeeling
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