Places to visit:
Tiger Hill
War Memorial
Dhirdham Temple
Japanese Peace Pagoda
Buddhist Monasteries
Tea Gardens
Bengal Natural History Museum
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
Llyod Botanical Garden
Toy Train
Things To Do:
Blessed with lush greenery and salubrious weather, Darjeeling not only provides peace and rejuvenation to the mind and soul of a person, but also offers him the opportunities of wild adventure and sheer fun. It is said that Darjeeling was the first place in India where trekking expeditions came into fashion. About 80 years back, this art was pioneered in Darjeeling, by Mr. Jesuit Rev.Fr Macdonald. Since then, the hill resort has become one of the most preferred destinations for adventure lovers. Trekking amidst the unscathed serene beauty of the Eastern Himalayas, in Darjeeling, surely has its own pleasure.
Trekking Seasons:
There are two popular trekking seasons in Darjeeling. The first season begins around March and closes in the first week of June, before torrential monsoon rains make it dangerous. The best part of trekking in this season is the occasional dribbling shower, which makes the journey all the more refreshing. The second season begins around last week of September and stretches until the end of December. The best part of trekking in this season is the magnificent vistas of snow-clad mountains, one can see on the way. However, the trekking in this season becomes a little difficult, due to extremely chilling weather and occasional snowfall at high altitudes.
Popular Treks:
There are two most popular treks in Darjeeling - Sandakphu Trek and Neora Valley Nature Reserve Trek. Sandakphu Trek offers mountain trail from Mane Bhanjyang to Sandakphu and on to Phalut and Rimbik. In this trek, you will get to see magnificent views of the Kanchenjuna, Makalu and Everest peaks. You will also get to visit Singalela National Park and the famous tea gardens of Darjeeling, on this trek. Noera Valley Nature Reserve trek offers views of one of the last remaining pristine ecosystems of the Eastern Himalaya. This trek takes you through colorful flora-fauna, beautiful hamlets, cardamom farms, gushing streams and gorgeous waterfalls and is, indeed, a cherishing experience.
Some Tips:
The trek altitude in Darjeeling ranges from 1000 meters to 4000 meters, so while trekking here, do not forget to carry woolen clothes, like heavy pullovers, windcheaters, woolen caps, gloves, etc. A raincoat is also compulsory, because a drizzle or snowfall is unpredictable at such high altitudes. It would be advisable to wear Hunter boots, as only they can tolerate the rocky uneven mountain surfaces. Carrying a light sleeping bag, with foam mattress, is also worthwhile. Other than the basic trekking equipments, do not forget to carry light snacks and mineral water with you, as there are certain places uphill where you may not get these things. |
How To Reach:
By Air:
The nearest airport to Darjeeling is the Bagdogra Airport, which is about 90 km from this place. It is connected to Kolkata and Delhi by daily flights. This airport also receives direct flight from Guwahati and Patna. From here onwards, one has to hire private cabs or taxis for reaching the hill resort.
By Rail:
The nearest railhead from Darjeeling comprises of the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. It is connected to Delhi by Guwahati Rajdhani and to Kolkata by Darjeeling Mail. Except for monsoon, a toy train runs from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling in all seasons. You can also hire a taxi or bus for covering the distance.
By Road:
In case you prefer to travel by road, you can board the ‘rocket’ buses, ITDC deluxe or AC buses from Dharamtala in Kolkata until Siliguri. From Siliguri you can either take a Trekker or hire a Maruti Van to Darjeeling, depending upon your budget. It is noteworthy that the Trekkers are quite cheap as compared to the private Maruti Vans. |