| Darjeeling region is a paradise for the | | | | Kalimpang and the northeastern states. The busy |
| honeymooners. Darjeeling, a land of natural beauty | | | | and bustling Shiliguri city is surrounded by beautiful |
| with picturesque tea plantation is idle for | | | | landscapes of tea gardens, Sal forests and the |
| celebrating marriage. Darjeeling, which is situated | | | | nearby hills. |
| 2123 m above sea level, popularly known as the | | | | Tibetan Refugees self-Help Centre: Tibetan |
| Queen of the Hills, is the jewel in the crown of | | | | Refugees self-Help Centre is situated at a |
| the East Himalayas and a perfect destination for | | | | distance of 10 km. This refugee centre was |
| honeymooners, nature-lovers, trekkers. This is a | | | | established in 1959 to rehabilitate displaced |
| honeymoon tour for couples who want privacy, | | | | Tibetans who had followed the Dalai Lama when |
| seclusion and do not want to jostle with other | | | | he fled from Tibet to India. Tibetan men and |
| tourists in common destinations. If you want a | | | | women can be seen at work here, producing |
| completely relaxed tour for you and your partner, | | | | exquisite woollen carpets, shawls, jackets, leather |
| Darjeeling is best. The natural beauty with | | | | coats and carved wooden furniture. |
| picturesque tea plantation is idle for celebrating | | | | Tiger Hill: Tiger Hill is situated at a distance of 11 |
| marriage. Darjeeling is world famous for tea and | | | | km. It is located 2573 m above sea level, offers a |
| tea gardens. Darjeeling is located in the shadow of | | | | breathtaking view of sunrise over Mt. Everest and |
| the mighty Kanchenjunga. Studded with exotic | | | | the Kanchendzonga. Tiger Hill provides an |
| little bazaars, lovely villas, forests and gardens. | | | | unforgettable view of the sunrise over the mighty |
| Darjeeling also boasts of the quaintest Toy Train | | | | peaks of Everest and Kanchenjunga. Tiger Hill is |
| run by Darjeeling Himalayan Railways, which have | | | | also the starting point for one-day treks through |
| been awarded world heritage status by UNESCO. | | | | Himalayan mountain trails. |
| The other major attractions of Darjeeling include | | | | Kalimpong: Situated above 1243 mts. is a quieter |
| the Lloyd Botanical Gardens, the Himalayan | | | | destination, fabled for orchids, the rarest cacti and |
| Mountaineering Institute, the Zoological Park and | | | | nurseries. A trip from Darjeeling to Kalimpong |
| the Ropeway. One can get a clear view of the | | | | thereby enjoying the excellent view of the |
| world's third mightiest and highest mountainous | | | | confluence of River Rangeet and River Teesta |
| snow peaks, Kanchenjunga, from the town on a | | | | and also the view of the East Himalayas from |
| sunny day. The world's highest peak The Everest | | | | several viewpoints provides an unforgettable |
| can also be seen from near the town. Darjeeling | | | | experience. Since long days back Darjeeling, |
| is a paradise for shopping and for connoisseurship | | | | Karsiyang and Kalimpong have become popular |
| of a kaleidoscope of Indian, Chinese and Tibetan | | | | destinations for running high standard residential |
| cuisines. After experimenting for 8years, the | | | | schools. |
| British set up a railway in the hills of Darjeeling. | | | | Mirik: It is the youngest hill station of India, is |
| Darjeeling Steam Tramway Co came into | | | | woven around a natural lake that reflects the |
| existence. The trains began plying from Siliguri to | | | | majesty of the Himalayan range. Lava (218m), |
| the hills of Darjeeling through narrow winding | | | | Lolaygaon (1516m), Samsing, Sukha, Kalijhora and |
| mountain paths and thick forests. Sometimes the | | | | Latpanchor are amongst the new destinations of |
| train would disappear in the forest. The lost, | | | | tourist attraction. |
| bewildered train seemingly in fright would loudly | | | | Mahanada Sanctuary: This sanctuary, consisting of |
| blow the whistle and running close by the edge of | | | | mixed forest on the foothills of the Eastern |
| the tea estates and winding its way through the | | | | Himalayas, was established in 1976. The altitude, |
| sal, china, cedar and teak trees would somehow | | | | ranging from 150 to 1300 metres, is reflected in |
| find an opening and emerge. The train ascends at | | | | the range of animals found here. |
| the highest point in Ghoom. Then comes the | | | | Takdah: Takdak is situated around 26 km. |
| amazing Batasia Loop. It is adventurous to ride | | | | Located at an altitude of 2000 metres, Takdah is |
| this train. There are no tunnels along this route. | | | | famous for its orchid culture centre, run by the |
| This is also called Toy Train. | | | | West Bengal Forest Development Corporation. |
| This is a honeymoon tour for couples who want | | | | Nearly 110 varieties of Himalayan and hybrid |
| seclusion, privacy and do not want to jostle with | | | | orchids are grown here. |
| other tourists in common destinations. If you | | | | Sandakphu: A trek to Sandakphu from Darjeeling |
| want a completely relaxed tour for you and your | | | | 58 km takes one through fragrant and enchanting |
| partner, you would love it. | | | | forests of firs and conifers, rhododendrons, |
| Tourist Attraction: | | | | primulas and orchids of unusual and bewildering |
| Batasia Loop: A unique and marvellous feat of | | | | varieties. April-May is the best time to visit, as the |
| railway engineering of the 19th century, the | | | | green plateau will be covered with beautiful |
| Batasia loop provides a delightful view of the 'toy' | | | | flowers. Home to nearly 600 species of birds, |
| train to Darjeelling as it winds its way around the | | | | Sandakphu is also a birdwatcher's paradise. |
| loop. | | | | Mungpo: The drive from Shiliguri to Mungpo 49 km |
| Ghoom: It is located 2247 m above sea level, | | | | is filled with beautiful scenery as high mountains |
| which is famous for the beautiful Buddhist | | | | rise majestically on either side of the rushing Tista |
| Monastery and the highest railway station in the | | | | River. The river beaches here are popular among |
| world. The monastery houses many priceless | | | | picnickers. Mungpo also has a medicinal plants |
| Buddhist manuscripts and precious statue of the | | | | farm. |
| "coming" Buddha. | | | | Karsiyang: It is situated at a distance of 52 km. |
| Happy Valley Tea Estate: One of the nearest tea | | | | Karsiyang is located 1475 m above sea level, |
| gardens from Darjeeling town, here one can see | | | | enroute to Darjeeling, is an excellent hill station |
| the processing of the world-famous Darjeeling | | | | with wonderful views of the Kanchendzonga |
| tea. | | | | range and the Balson valleys below. Though the |
| Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: This institute | | | | vast expanse of countless mountains and valley |
| was founded in 1954, to commemorate the first | | | | regions flows the tempestuous River Teesta |
| conquest of Mount Everest in 1953 by Tenzing | | | | arousing in the viewers a mixed feeling of beauty |
| Norgey and Edmund Hillary, which provided the | | | | and reverential fear. She also provides excellent |
| impetus to mountaineering as an organized sport. | | | | water sports and adventure sports options like |
| Located on the Western spur of the Jawahar | | | | white-water rafting, canoeing and kayaking. |
| Parbat, the institute's buildings command a | | | | Best time to visit: March to mid-June and from |
| magnificent view of the Kanchenjunga. The | | | | September to Mid-December. |
| Museum in the main building contains many | | | | Temperature:8. 5degree-18. 5degree C in summer |
| interesting exhibits including a detailed relief model | | | | and 1degree - 11degree in winter. |
| of the Himalayas, costumes of the Himalayan | | | | Cost: Customised as per guest requirement |
| hill-folk, a chronological history of the attempts to | | | | Getting There: |
| reach the peak, and flags and pennants planted on | | | | Air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra, 90 km from |
| the peaks by climbing expeditions. | | | | Darjeeling town, connecting Kolkata, Delhi and |
| Himalayan Zoological Park: Located adjacent to | | | | Guwahati. |
| the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, this | | | | Rail: New Jalpaiguri or NJP Railway Station near |
| Zoological Park contains high altitude wildlife such | | | | Siliguri is connected with several superfast trains |
| as the Siberian tiger, Himalayan black bear, deer, | | | | from Kolkata, the Northeast and other parts of |
| panda, snow leopard and llama. The nature trail | | | | the country. From NJP the narrowgauge hill trains |
| commencing near the Bears' Enclosure is ideal for | | | | leave at 9-00, reach Darjeeling at 15-30 via Siliguri |
| a pleasant stroll, as a wealth of bird life can be | | | | town jn/sukhna/tindharia/kurseong/sonada. |
| observed here. | | | | Road: Siliguri is the gateway to all these hill |
| Lebong Race Courses: One of the smallest and | | | | stations, as also to Sikkim, Bhutan and |
| highest racecourses in the world, races are held | | | | neighborhood country Nepal. Regular bus services |
| here during the spring and autumn seasons. | | | | and hired cars ply between Siliguri and these hill |
| Lloyd's Botanical Gardens: Located just below the | | | | stations. Siliguri is connected with a large number |
| main Market Motors Stand, this garden has a rare | | | | of long-distance bus routes from Kolkata, Delhi, |
| collection of Himalayan flora including alpine plants, | | | | the Northeast and other parts of the country. |
| geraniums, rhododendrons, tree ferns and various | | | | Darjeeling Tour (03 Nights/ 04 Days): |
| conifers. Opened in 1865, the Lloyds Botanical | | | | Day 01: Arrive Bagdogra airport or New Jalpaiguri |
| Garden is also one of the oldest Botanical Gardens | | | | train station and transfer to Darjeeling (94 kms |
| in India. The Orchid House here has some unusual | | | | 03 hrs). Night stay at Darjeeling. |
| species of orchids. | | | | Day 02: After breakfast proceed for the sight |
| Natural History Museum: Located within walking | | | | seeing of Darjeeling covering Himalayan |
| distance from Darjeeling Mail, the Natural History | | | | Mountaineering Institute, Parmesan Nadia |
| Museum contains an interesting and | | | | Himalayan Zoological park, Ropeway, Tensing |
| comprehensive collection of mammals, birds, | | | | -Gumbo Rock, Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center, |
| fishes, butterflies and reptiles of this region. | | | | Tea Estate, Lebong Race Course, Peace Pagoda. |
| Rangeet Valley Ropeway: India's first passenger | | | | & Rock Garden - Gangamaya Park. Night stay in |
| ropeway, a 30-minute joyride down the | | | | Darjeeling |
| mountainside by cable car is quiets an experience. | | | | Day 03: Early Morning Excursion to Tiger Hill, |
| The Shrubbery: Shri A. L. Dias, the then governor | | | | Ghoom Monastery & Batasia Loop. Return to the |
| of West Bengal, planned this beautiful rock garden | | | | Hotel. After breakfast at hotel go for Mirik Lake |
| on the Jawahar Parbat behind Raj Bhavan, in | | | | via Nepal Border. Rest of the day, Free at Leisure. |
| 1976. A magnificent view of the Kanchenjunga | | | | Night stay in Darjeeling. |
| Range and Singla valley can be had from here. | | | | Day 04: After breakfast check out from the |
| Excursion: | | | | Hotel & transfer to the Bagdogra airport/NJP |
| Shiliguri: "The gateway to north-eastern India" | | | | railway station for your onward destination. |
| Shiliguri is the main transit point for Darjeeling, | | | | |