The mesmerizing hill station of Darjeeling is located at a height of 2050 meters in the state of West Bengal. Darjeeling is home to countless tea gardens; stunning viewpoints; picturesque backdrops; good food; and packs a lot to keep the average traveler busy and happy.
The weather in Darjeeling is welcoming for a major part of the year. Summer season here lasts from April to June and temperature settles in the mid-20s. Cool winds in the evening make the experience even better during summer. Monsoon in Darjeeling is observed in the months of July and August and despite heavy rain showers, tourists continue to pile up. During winters, that is right from September to March, the pristine beauty of Darjeeling as a hill station comes to life. Simply speaking, you can visit the place throughout the year, but the months of September and October are most suited.
Darjeeling’s iconic toy train is a must for everyone. The Joy Train Ride runs on the scenic Himalayan railway tracks and has been declared a World Heritage Site. The train chugs along fascinating loops and curves and allows tourists to get closer to the stunning natural beauty of Darjeeling. The Batasia Loop is where the train does a full circle and one can see the lush green mountains along with the Gorkha War Memorial.
Another popular tourist spot in Darjeeling is the view from the Tiger Hills. You can see the snow-clad Himalayan peaks from the Tiger Hills which also offers a memorable view of sunrise. Also, if you’re carrying binoculars or are ‘far-sighted’ indeed, you may even get a view of the Mount Everest on a fine day. Then there is Glenary’s, the famous bakery of Darjeeling, which is totally for foodies and the laid back lot. Cakes, pastries, tea, coffee, and other bakery items on your table as you gaze at the amazing view in front of you.
The Rangeet Valley ropeway in Darjeeling is perhaps the best way to soak in the natural beauty and vastness of the hill station. Once up in the ropeway, you get to see beautiful patterns of tea gardens, classy cottages lined up together, and rivers pushing through valleys looking hazy in the distance. Lastly, shopping can be of some interest to most visitors.
Darjeeling is popular for its tea across the world. Your Darjeeling experience is incomplete without a farm fresh cup of tea. Darjeeling’s charming tea estates sprawl across the length and breadth of the city. When coupled with the many eateries present here, the Darjeeling tea experience only gets better. You can trek about and take a short break at one of the many tea shops for a refreshing farm to table cup of tea.
Darjeeling’s marketplaces are loaded with several big and small gift items which you can take home for friends and family. Bookstores, eateries, tea stalls, handicrafts, woolens, along with other places and items of interest can found at Chowk Bazaar and Mall Road. The Oxford Book Store is a treat for all bookworms visiting Darjeeling.
So plan an escape trip to Darjeeling if and when you can. You can choose to stay at one of the many affordable and hospitable hotels in the city or if your budget permits you can also go for the luxurious and upscale hotels. Many people also opt for tea garden bungalows located at Glenburn, a tea estate established by Scottish planters in 1860. To sum it up, Darjeeling is definitely a part of the creamy layer of hill stations in India. It’s not about the tea, it’s not about the toy train, and it’s not about the history of the city which was a darling among the colonialists too. Simply speaking, it’s about the amazing experience which only Darjeeling can offer you.
(Featured Image Credit: heeraholidays.com)
(Top Image Credit: happytrips.com)
