Darjeeling - A Introduction
Darjeeling- For witnessing the sheer magnificence of mountains, unsullied and pristine, nothing compares with a visit to the famous hill station of Darjeeling in West Bengal. Even as you drive up the curvaceous roads or take the famous toy train to your destination, you will be awestruck by the resplendence of nature. From the humid plains, you suddenly fill your tired lungs with fresh mountain air. Gurgling streams rush past and in springtime, the ranges are flaming with rhododendrons. The ethnic population is friendly and the influence of Buddhism is strong. Past the Batasia loop, past the Ghoom Buddhist monastery, past the lush tea gardens, you finally arrive in a quaint town with slanting red roofs among the recent upsurge of concrete, peeping at you from behind lofty pines. Like many other hill stations, Darjeeling rose into prominence during the British Raj when it was developed as a major rest and recreation centre. Until the 19th century, Darjeeling (derived from Dorje Ling, meaning the place of the thunderbolt) was part of Sikkim. In 1817, Sikkim conceded the rights to use the place as a health sanitarium to the British after they helped to settle a rather disastrous dispute between Sikkim and Nepal. The imprint of the English on Darjeeling is indelible and can be seen in its gardens, tea estates, hotels and lifestyle.

Places of Interest
Tiger Hill
A strategic point to watch the spectacular sunrise is Tiger Hill located at an altitude of 2,590 meters above sea level. It offers a magnificent view of the rising sun over the snow-capped Mt. Kanchenjunga and other great Eastern Himalayan peaks. You can also witness some of the high Himalayan peaks from here on a clear day.

Ghoom Monastery
No visit to Darjeeling is complete without a visit to Ghoom, which is six kilometers away from the main town. The hillock is dominated by the famous Yiga Choeling Monastery and a 4.5-metre tall image of the Maitreya Buddha. Ghoom is at an altitude of about 2,407 meters, and offers a spectacular view of the Valley.

Observatory Hill
Strolling up the Mall, past the quaint Tibetan market, you arrive at the Observatory Hill, the popular meeting place for tourists as well as residents. It is a major tourist spot of Darjeeling, not only for its religious importance but also for the picturesque views the place offers. The view of the magnificent Mt. Kanchenjunga and the entire landscape below is a site worth seeing.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
Located about two kilometers from the marketplace is the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, which was established after the conquest of the Everest in 1954 by the then Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru. The institute has an interesting Everest Museum and also offers some mountaineering and adventure courses. Situated on the Jawahar Parvat, the institute is famous for its unique collection of mountaineering equipment and findings.

Darjeeling Excursion:- Places nearby
Kurseong
Kurseong is a peaceful hill station surrounded by some beautiful tea gardens. Situated at an altitude of 1,458 meters, the pollution-free climate and pleasing atmosphere of Kurseong make it an ideal resort to beat the summer's heat. The Makaibari Tea Estate and Forest Museum on Dow Hills are its main attractions. It also makes a mid-trip halting place between Siliguri on the plains.

Mirik
Set in idyllic surroundings Mirik, 49 km Darjeeling, is a place for those seeking peace and tranquility. Perched at an altitude of 1,967 metres above sea level, the climate here is cool and temperate. The Sumendu Lake at the bottom of Mirik Spur is the most dominating feature reflecting the magnificence of the eastern Himalayas. You can ride in the colourful boats or cross the lake over an artistic bridge that leads you to a charming path through forests on the other side. Fishing is a popular pastime here. Mirik is almost completely surrounded by some of the best tea gardens of the region. It is also the largest producer of oranges in West Bengal. The orchards are on a spur two kilometres from Mirik.

Sandakphu
Sandakphu, 58 km from Darjeeling, is the only vantagepoint from where one can see four of the five highest peaks of the world, namely, Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Lhotse. Popularly known as the "trekkers paradise" Sandakphu offers you an opportunity of trekking among the virgin forests and vales of the Himalayas with magnolias, rhododendrons, primulas, and other alpine flowers lining the way.

Takdah
Situated at a distance of 26 km far, the Takdah valley is famous for the beautiful nurseries that preserve some of the rare species of orchids and plants of Himalayan origin. Takdah also produces some of the best-flavoured tea of the world.