Sightseeing in Darjeeling - what to see. Complete travel guide

Do you want to get acquainted with the “Queen of the Himalayas”? Come to the breathtaking Indian city – Darjeeling. This wonderful settlement is neatly located at the foothill of the gracious and spectacular Himalayan Mountains. Gorgeous snow-capped mountain tops, endless tea plantations on the hills – all these make Darjeeling a unique and absolutely enchanting city. This settlement has long become the calling card of India’s West Bengal State. Due to mountain sceneries of striking beauty, more and more tourists from different parts of the world visit Darjeeling every year. It is hard to find a similar tourist destination in India.

Chogyals (Kings) of the Kingdom of Sikkim controlled the territory of modern Darjeeling until the 80s of the 18th century. Later, the Gurkhas of Nepal tried to conquer the territory. After that, East India Company started controlling Darjeeling, but the region’s border still belonged to the British. It was British officers who discovered an old monastery in a remote area in 1828. They considered the monastery a suitable place to build a sanatorium. The Sikkim’s leader had nothing against leasing the uninhabited territory.

This is how the first station called Darjeeling appeared in this region in 1835. This is also the time when the first tea plantations were founded here. Forests started disappearing, and new buildings and manufactures appeared instead of them. Moreover, tea plantations required more free territory. When the Gurkhas formed the National movement to free their people, a period of violence and endless riots started in the region. Outbreaks emerged in different parts of the state. This was a period of decline for Darjeeling. Attempts of the Gurkhas to get their national identity haven’t stopped until now. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

It is simply impossible to visit this “tea world” and fail to attend a tea plantation. This is simply inexcusable. Tea plantations in Darjeeling are a popular tourist destination that attracts many guests every year. They are located on the slopes of the Himalayan Mountains that amaze visitors with their beauty and grandeur even from afar. The total area of the plantations is twenty thousand hectares. The comfortable microclimate of this region makes it possible to grow elite tea varieties, for example, red tea. This tea has an unforgettable taste that differs from other tea varieties.

The premium quality tea is, consequently, the most expensive one and is harvested in April. If you smell this tea, you will notice that it perfectly combines scents of rode and honey. The second harvest has a distinctive taste, and so many gourmets prefer this tea variety to others. The tea harvested in autumn is less fragrant but it is stronger. An excursion to the “tea paradise” will show you how the tea is cultivated and, of course, will teach you how to brew tea correctly. Each excursion finished with pleasant tea sampling.

Tiger Hill is another important natural landmark in the region. This is the highest point in Darjeeling. The top of the mountain is 2600 meters tall. It offers a tremendous view of the Himalayas, and watching the sunrise from this mountain is such an enchanting and mesmerizing view that this is certainly an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Tiger Hill has a unique shape that makes it suitable for tourism. Nowadays, there are many trails for trekking in different parts of the mountain. Besides that, tourists can spend many precious moments with their friends and family members in comfortable picnic areas. Finally, there are several viewing platforms that offer breathtaking panoramic views of Darjeeling. It would be a mistake to fail to mention the highest railway station in the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Take an interesting train ride in the region to see the beauty of this region in detail.

Are you interested in alpinism? If the answer is yes, you will find the local Museum of Everest worth visiting. The museum is a unique establishment that has a 3D detailed model of the Himalayas. Visit this venue to find out more about alpinism, gear, and natural secrets of the Himalayas. You will also learn more about the lives and achievements of famous alpinists. A collection of flags that once were on the top of the highest mountain – Everest – is a nice addition to the exhibition.

After your arrival in Delhi, you can take a train that heads to Kolkata. The journey time can vary from 10 to 36 hours. Upon reaching Kolkata, you will have to take a bus that goes to Darjeeling, to Siliguri to be precise. From Siliguri, tourists usually hire a car that takes them to Darjeeling. It is also possible to buy tickets for an excursion train to Darjeeling, but its speed is very slow. That being said, the ride won’t be boring because the surrounding nature is so spectacular that time flies fast.