The lush greens, the lofty mountains, the cascading
rivers, the view of views of Kanchenjunga and Mount
Everest pass by your the gradually chugging train.
That is the queen of the hills for you at its natural
best when you are onboard the toy train. The world
famous hill resort on the foothills of the Himalayas
is the paradise of the plant and adventure lovers.
The vegetation comprises of fir, pine and birch. The
animal lovers flock to the natural habitat of the
monkeys, wildcats, leopards and jackals. You may indulge
is sports and activities like trekking, mountaineering
and river rafting.
The most important and organized hill resort in Eastern
India is Darjeeling which lies 686 kms from Calcutta
perched at a height of 2134 meters with a backdrop
of the mighty snow clad Himalayan Peaks. The mighty
Kanchenjunga peak overlooks the town from where one
can get a clear view of the peak on a sunny day. The
world's highest peak The Everest can also be seen
from near the town. Re-discovered by the British in
Calcutta, every year at the beginning of summer, the
Viceroys of India and after 1911 the Lieutenant Governors
of Bengal would move lock, stock and barrel to Darjeeling.
Its the British who rapidly developed Darjeeling into
a pleasant resort. In the 1840’s Tea Plantation
was introduced in the area. Darjeeling "orthodox"
tea is now famous and among the most expensive in
the world.
Darjeeling is an abrupt change from the plains and
Calcutta. The population is Nepali, Lepcha, Tibetan
and Bhutia. Surrounded by Tea Plantation a popular
hill station since British established it as a rest
and recreation centre for its troops in mid 1800.
The hill resort that means the 'place of the thunderbolt'
in Tibetan dorje ling has become the most desired
holiday destination with innumerable tourists who
throng it. Amongst the must visits are the Buddhist
monasteries and the Hindu temples. The list of must
haves is topped by the finest blend of tea that makes
good souvenirs too. The curio carpets and pieces of
Himalayan handicrafts closely follow it. Visit the
dreamland of the East and for sure many of your dreams
will realize. A tourism experience with a difference
is Darjeeling.
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