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Place : Darjeeling District,West
Bengal
Altitude : 7000 ft (2100 m) above sea
level
Temperature : Receives plentiful of rain and
has a wide range of climates, from tropical to
sub-alpine
Significance : Popularly known as the
'Queen of hill stations', it is famous for its fine tea and splendid
views of the snowcapped Himalayas and of the Kanchenjunga
Peak
Best Season : April to Mid-June, Mid September to
November ( October to May)
 In the foothills of the Himalayas,
overlooked by the white peaks of Kanchenjunga, 'Darjeeling'
has been a popular hill station since the British established it in
the mid 19th century. Located in the northern extreme of the Indian
state of West Bengal in Darjeeling district, the
exotic town lies just east of Nepal, south of Sikkim, and a bit west and south of Bhutan.
The town, also the headquarters of Darjeeling district is situated
305 miles north of Kolkata and is perched on the narrow Ghoom
Senchal Ridge at an altitude of (7000ft), and descends
abruptly to the bed of the Great Rangit River. The hill station
presents the most spectacular views of the snow capped Himalayan
peaks including Mt.Everest and Kanchenjunga.
The
name Darjeeling is derived from the Tibetan word ' Dorje Ling'
(Place of the thunderbolt). According to legend, Darjeeling was
struck by a mystic thunderbolt of the Lamaist religion, said to be
the scepter of Indra, Lord of the Gods, which supposedly fell on the
site known as the observatory hill. In Sanskrit, the word
'Durjay Ling', means 'Siva of invincible prowess, who rules the
Himalayas'. Until the beginning of the eighteenth century,
Darjeeling belonged to the Rajas of Sikkim, who lost their domain to
invading tribes of Gurkhas from Nepal in 1780. In 1828, two British
officers Captain G.W.A.Lloyd and Mr. J.W Grant stumbled on this
remote Shangri-La and realized its potential as a strategic link
with Nepal and Tibet, as well as a hill station sanitarium. On the
direction of the then Governor General, Captain Lloyd negotiated
with the Raja Of Sikkim and in February 1835, Darjeeling was
presented to the East India Company. It became a popular resort for
the British who wanted to escape from the sweltering heat of the
plains.
Orange and Cardamom are two cash crops of this
district. Darjeeling peaks has steeply sloping conifer forests and
terraced tea plantations surrounded by around 4,000 types of
flowering plants and 300 varieties of ferns, including the rare tree
fern. Darjeeling tea is famous throughout the world. During
April - May, Magnolia and Rhododendron flowers magnifies the charm
of the valley. The town is occupied by people from all over the
eastern Himalayas who have come to work or trade as well as Tibetan
refugees. This fascinating place also has a number of Buddhist
monasteries and a considerable presence of visiting Buddhist monks
and Tibetan scholars.
Darjeeling has the unique attraction for its
"Toy Train" whic h UNESCO recognizes as a World
Heritage Railway. This famous narrow gauge steam railway makes its
way from Siliguri -Kurseong in the plains up to Ghoom and Darjeeling
in the hills. Its slow speed (six to seven hours to cover a distance
of 82 kms) gives you enough time to watch and appreciate the beauty
which nature has provided. This train passes through the forests,
roaring rivers, over deep valleys and through mountains and tunnels.
Darjeeling is also a trekkers paradise and the Gorkha hill council
has provided ample trekking facilities for the adventure loving
people.
Kanchenjunga
 Located in the Himalayas,
Kanchenjunga is the third highest mountain peak in the world. One of
the most beautiful peaks it presents spectacular views from various
spots in Darjeeling. The best uninterrupted views are to be had from
Bhan Bhakta Sarani.
Chowrastha or the mall is the heart of the town. In
the local dialect, Chowrastha means the place where four roads meet.
Mall road ascends to a hill lined with shops and there is a huge
flat platform surrounded by benches for people to sit and watch the
Kanchenjunga standing with all its might. A walk along the Mall Road
provides a beautiful view of the surrounding hills with
rhododendrons in bloom during season.
 Observatory Hill (Mahakal Baba Ko
Sthan)
A few minutes walk from the Mall Road leads to the
Observatory Hill offering a magnificent view point for the twin
peaks of Kanchenjunga. The sacred Mahakal temple is situated here.
Mahakal is considered as the incarnation of Lord Shiva. Adjacent to
Mahakal temple is a Buddhist Shrine. This view point is sacred to
both Hindus and Buddhists and the Hill is thronged by worshippers
throughout the year.
Tiger hill and Senchal Lake
 Tiger Hill, about 11km from
Darjeeling at 8,515 feet is famous for its spectacular views at
sunrise. The gold and orange vision of the peaks on the horizon is
worth watching. From Tiger Hill, the top of Mount Everest is
visible, peeping out through two other peaks Makalu and Kanchenjunga
standing by its side. The peak that looks highest is that of Makalu.
The trip to the summit of the hill is through Ghoom(7407 ft), the
highest railway station on the Darjeeling Hill Railway. Situated
close to the Tiger hill, the Senchal lake at 8031ft.supplies
Darjeeling with its domestic water. It is particularly a scenic area
and popular as a picnic spot.
Bhutia Busty Gompa
This colourful
monastery, located near Chowrasta, originally was a branch of the
Nyingmap sect's Phodang Monastery in Sikkim. It was transferred to
Darjeeling in 1879. The shrine here originally stood on Observatory
Hill. The Gompa also has a library of Buddhist Texts which has a
copy of the Tibetan 'Book of the Dead'.
Ghoom Gompa
 The Ghoom Gompa or Yogachoeling Gompa
is the largest and most famous monastery located 8km south of
Darjeeling Town, just below Hill Cart Road and the railway
station near Ghoom. It was established in 1875 by a Mongolian
astrologer-monk and contains a giant seated image of 'Maitreya
Buddha' surrounded by sticks of incense, bells, drums and ornate
thanka scrolls. Foreigners are allowed to enter the shrine and
take photographs. A small donation is customary and the monks are
very friendly.
Other Gompas
There are three other gompas
in Ghoom, the very large but relatively uninteresting
Samdenchoeling, the nearby and smaller Sakyachoeling and the Phin
Sotholing. Nearer Darjeeling, on Tenzing Norgay Road, there is the
Aloobari Monastery. The monks sell Tibetan and Sikkimese handicrafts
and religious objects here. There is a cottage next door for
enquiries. Halfway between Ghoom and Darjeeling is the Thupten
Sangachoeling Gompa at Dali. Westerners interested in Tibetan
Buddhism can study here.
Dhirdham Temple
The Hindu temple in
Darjeeling was erected by Dhir Shamsher Rana of Nepal. Situated
below the railway station, the shrine is modelled on the famous
Oashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu.
 Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
and Museums (HMI)
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
located on the West Jawahar Rd, was established after the conquest
of Mt. Everest by Hillary and Tenzing. Tenzing Norgay was the
Director of the institute for many years and after his death in
1986, was cremated near here. The institute conducts preliminary
course on Rock climbing on Tenzing Rock and Gombu Rocks which is
situated at Lebong Cart Road. Short films on mountaineering is also
screened here. The mountaineering museum here contains a collection
of mountaineering equipments including the ones that were used on
that historic Tenzing Hillary climbs; specimens of Himalayan flora
and fauna and relief model of the Himalaya. The Everest Museum next
door traces the history of attempts on the great peak. Open daily
9am to 5pm. Near by, there is an interesting well manicured
cemetery of former Raj residents.
Himalayan Zoological Park
The
Himalayan Zoological Park (2km from the town) next to the
Mountaineering Institute is the only center in India for the captive
breeding of Snow Leopards. The Park houses a wide variety of animals
and birds some of which are Siberian tigers, Himalayan black bears,
Yaks, Red Pandas and the Llama of the Andes. Open daily from 8am to
4pm.
Tibetan Refugee Self Help
Center
Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center was established
for the refugees who had fled Tibet with the Dalai Lama after the
Chinese invasion. Developed in 1959, this center is a workshop for
the manufacture of handicrafts such as carpets, woolens,
woodcarvings and leather work. These products and a variety of
Tibetan Curios are on sale and the sale proceeds are shared by the
Tibetan workers here. The center which has established itself in the
International scenario as a place for hard work, self esteem and
truth is very popular among the tourists.
Lloyd's Botanical Gardens
 The botanical garden near the market
was laid out in 1865 by Mr.W. Lloyd. It has an exotic and exclusive
collection of a variety of Himalayan plants, flowers and orchids.
There are beautiful orchid hothouses containing over thousands of
species, Alpine flora including azaleas and rhododendrons, magnolias
and a representative collection of the flora of the Sikkim
Himalayas. The herbarium has rare botanical specimens. Closed Sunday
and bank holidays. Open 6an to 5pm.The Victoria Falls is a half an
hour impressive walk from the gardens.
Lebong Race Course
The Lebong Race
Course, one of the world's smallest and highest race courses,
was laid out in 1885 as a parade ground. Situated at a distance of
about 8 km from the main town, the complete lap of the race course
is only 480 yards long. It is pleasant for walks.
Tea Gardens
 Darjeeling is one of the world's most
famous tea growing centers. Here plantations were started in 1840's.
The hill station is dotted with more than 70 tea plantations. Some
of the well known tea estates are Thurbo, Margarets Hope, Castleton,
Badamtam with a 14ft. bronze statue of the Buddha. The garden
closest to Darjeeling is the Happy Valley Tea Estate. Here one can
see the processing of the world famous Darjeeling tea. Open 8 am to
12am and 13 am to 16.30. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway
Located at North Point about 3 km from the town, the ropeway
covers a distance of 8kms in 45minutes and connects the North point
(7000 ft) to the Singla Bazaar (800 ft). This was the first ropeway
in India. The seats in the rope way is limited and it is better to
get the tickets in advance. Timings 8am to 3.30pm.
Singhalila National Park and
treks
Located about 20km from Darjeeling is Singhalila, the
highest National Park in West Bengal.
How to get there
Air: The
nearest airport is 74 km (3 1/2 hrs) away at Bagdogra, a town on the
plains near Siliguri. It is the airport for Darjeeling hill
areas and has direct air connections with New Delhi, Kolkata (45
minutes flight duration) and Guwahati.
Rail: You can take the famous toy train,
which is a meter gauge train operating over breath taking scenery.
The journey takes approximately seven and half hours. Nearest
railhead is New Jalpiguir Junction ( 75 km / 3 1/2 hrs) and Siliguri
both of these railway stations have direct railway connections with
Kolkata ( Darjeeling mail, Kamroop Express, New Jalpaiguri, Teesta
Torsa), Delhi (Rajdhani Express), Mumbai, Guwahati (Assam Mail),
Lucknow, Chennai (Howrah Mail) and other major cities of
India.
Road : Darjeeling is connected to Siliguri
the main city in the plains by the Tenzing Norgay Road (formerly
Hill Cart Road). The distance from Darjeeling to other places
:Kolkata (665 km), Guwahati (513 km) and Siliguri (80 km-
4hrs.drive). There are frequent bus services between Darjeeling and
Siliguri. Private taxis, land rovers are also available.
Sanatorium, Mall, Observatory Hill,Mahakaal
Temple, Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering, Lloyd Botanical
Garden, Darjeeling Zoo, Natural History Museum, Race Course and
Tiger Hill.
Tourist Offices to Contact
Places to stay
Darjeeling offers a wide range of hotels, many with
breathtaking mountain and valley views and which suits all budgets.
Prices varies according to season
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Windamere Hotel
Observatory Hill
Darjeeling -734101
West
Bengal
Facilities : 37 rooms, other facilities are
library, bar, garden, miniature golf course, badminton court,
multi-cusine etc.
Ph: 0354-2254041-42; Fax : 0354 -
2254043, 2254211
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Hotel Sinclairs
18/1 Gandhi
Road
Darjeeling -744101
West Bengal
Facilities : 3 Star,
48 rooms, Cuisine : Indian, Chinese,
Continental
modern set up with a sun deck, a children's playing
room, library etc
Phone : 0354 - 2256431/ 432/ 949; Fax
: 0354 - 2254355
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Hotel Mohit
H.D. Lama Road (Mount
Pleasant Road)
Darjeeling-734101
West Bengal
Facilities :
3 Star (Government Approved) with 30 rooms. Other facilities
are Colour TV with Satellite Channels, Running H/C Water, Direct
Dialing Telephones with STD, Message on call, Cuisine: Indian,
Chinese, Continental, Tandoori, Local etc.
Ph : 0354 -
2254723 / 818 / 706, 2255875 / 327, 2253782, Fax : 0354 -
2254351, 2255327,
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Fortune Resort Central
Robertson
Road
Darjeeling:734101
West Bengal
Facilities :
Heritage (Government Approved) , 45 rooms, other facilities
are H/C running water, Telephone, Fax, CCTV, Indoor games ,
Cuisine : Indian, Chinese, Continental etc
Ph:
0354 - 2258721 /22 /23, Fax : 0354 - 2258720,
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Hotel Apsara
61, Ladenla
Road
Darjeeling-734 101
West Bengal
Facilities
:Government Approved, 34 with facilities are H/C running water,
STD/ISD, Colour TV and CCTV
Cuisine :
Vegetarian, Indian
Ph: 0354 - 2252242, 2252983,
2256285, 2254486,Fax : 0354 - 2254484,
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Hotel Garuda
64, Ladenla
Road
Darjeeling-734101
West Bengal
Facilities : 2
Star (Government Approved), 26 rooms, Cuisine :
Multi-cuisine
Ph: 0354 - 2254563, 2257412,
2257580,Fax : 0354 - 2256110,
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Hotel Lunar
51, Gandhi
Road
Darjeeling-734101
West Bengal
Facilities :
10rooms,Cuisine : Vegetarian - Indian, South Indian,
Gujarati, Chinese, Tandoor
Ph: 0354 - 2254194, 2254195,Fax
: 0354 - 2257013,
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Hotel North Star 11-H.D., Lama
Road
Darjeeling -734107
West Bengal
Facilities : 3
Star (Government Approved) with 21 rooms .Cuisine :
Indian, Chinese, Continental
Phone : 0354 -
2253938, 2254499,Fax : 0354 - 2254499,
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Hotel Seven Seventeen
26 H.D.
Lama Road
Darjeeling :734101
West Bengal
Facilities : 3
Star (Government Approved) with 36 rooms. Other facilities
are Safe deposit, Room heater, Bar, Colour T.V with Cable
TV. Cuisine : Indian, Chinese, Continental, Tandoori,
Tibetan, Nepali etc.
Ph : 0354 - 2255099, 2252017, Fax
: 0354 - 2254717,
- Hotel Shambu
73, Gandhi
Road
Darjeeling-734 101
West Bengal
Facilities :
Government Approved with 18 rooms. Other facilities are Room
heater, Telephone, Multi channel CTV, Cuisine :
Indian, Chinese, Tandoori, Vegetarian)
Ph: 0354
- 2254926, 2253297, 0353 - 2431608, 2535675
- Hotel Sunflower
5C, Chowrasta
Road,
The Mall
Darjeeling:734 101
West
Bengal
Facilities : 14 rooms with facilities Room
service, Telephone, T.V., Safe deposit, Channel music, In
house generator, Lockers, Car parking, Heaters in rooms,
Cuisine : Indian, Chinese, Continental (Purely
Vegetarian)
Ph: 0354 - 2254391, 2253358, Fax : 0354 -
2253358,
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Pinridge Hotel
The Mall,
Chowrasta
Darjeeling-734101
West Bengal
Facilities : 36
rooms. Other facilities are Telephone in room, Travel Counter with
Jet & Nepal Air Booking Lawns & Gardens, Library, Open
fire places in all rooms
Ph: 0354 - 2254074,
2253909,
Fax : 0354 - 2253912,
- Sterling Holiday Resorts (I) Ltd
- Ghoom Monastery Road,Ghoom
Darjeeling-734102
West Bengal
Facilities : Government Approved. 103 Rooms. Other
facilities are Telephone, Fax, C.C.T.V. Banquet and Conference
facilities, Table tennis, Discotheque, Evening entertainment,
Adventure sports , Multi-cuisine
Ph: 0354 -2274365,
2274215,
Fax : 0354 - 2274365
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