Located at the height of 2134 metres, a hill station in North East India in West Bengal, Darjeeling. Settled snugly and comfortably among rolling mountains. Luring Kanchenjunga mountains overlooking this exquisite town. Containing exceptional tea gardens on slopes, the orchids, the pines and rhododendron. Darjeeling is echoing your name. In a parlance of Zen G this place can give you FOMO!

HISTORY

Darjeeling has a vast and deep history. Bringing in a nutshell it was a part of Sikkim and was inhabited by Lepchas, a tribe native to the area. The Gorkha army invaded in 1780s and it belonged to Nepal till 1816. A dispute between Nepal and Sikkim led to British army intervention. They acquired it and was converted into sanatorium. After independence Darjeeling became a part of West Bengal. 

CUISINE 

Who doesn’t want a delectable hot and spicy food in such pleasant weather. Darjeeling offer you myriad of options. 
Thupka and momos are available at every nuke and corner. Food Street joints are filled with this particular tangy food. 
Churpi a distinct taste chewing bar is a must try. It is also used as a energy bar in city.
Kwati a mixed soup made with beans, it is very nutritious and delicious. 
Gundruk is a made of fermented green leafy vegetables. It’s scrumptious and highly nutritious.
Darjeeling thali is what you need to taste for sure. It will give you a peek into authentic food of city. Hog a lot to finish it in one go.
Tea: It doesn’t even need a mention on to do list. Darjeeling tea is refreshing and abundant variety will leave you perplexed. 

CULTURE AND DANCE 

Darjeeling has a diversified culture population. But every ounce of it is drenched in fun and festivities. Different dressing like Chaubandi choli with a skirt it’s called a dumdem dress. 
Nepali folk dance is famous in Darjeeling. It has so many branched dance forms that you can’t distinct one from another. With zeal and enthusiasm they perform regional dance on every festival and occasion. 

FESTIVAL 

Darjeeling is renowned for tea. From being an exporter to having tea plantation on slopes facing Kanchenjunga, tea resides in every nuke and corner of city. 
• TEESTA TEA AND TOURISM FESTIVAL is organized in month of November. Where you are acquainted with flavors of tea and people flock across the world to see this exhibition. 
• DARJEELING CARNIVAL is also organized near same time as tea festival. It brings in diversified culture of Darjeeling. Folk dance forms, food and cultural blend is showcased in several plays and competitions. 
• DARJEELING ORANGE FESTIVAL is organized somewhere near Nov and Dec. Due to favorable climatic conditions city is  rich in fruits and vegetables. Orange festival calls people across India to trade and understand it better. 
 

PLACES TO VISIT 

• TIGER HILLS:  Vivid imagination of snow capped Himalayas sun rising amidst and changing snow color to orange. How mesmerizing it is. Tiger hills provide you this view every sunny day. Tiger hills are famous for its captivating landscape of Kanchenjunga and Himalayas. 
• BASATIA TOP: As name suggests it’s a loop of train track containing garden in between. While travelling in train you can sight Kanchenjunga and eastern Himalayan peak. It is just at 15 minutes  distance from city. 
• DARJEELING TOY TRAIN: Haven’t we all seen in movies hero singing in these trains. You have an opportunity to do same. This 2 hrs. train runs on daily basis. Starting from Darjeeling, crossing batasia top and then reaching Ghum station. It halts on ghum station where you can see ghum museum and then it travel same way back to Darjeeling. 
• DARJEELING ZOO: Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park ia another tourist attraction here. Containing so many flora and fauna species that you will be baffled. White leopard, red panda, Tibetan wolf and copious others. It also has a museum and HMI (Himalayan mountaineering institute) where you  know how Zoological park has be restored in years. Reptiles, migrated birds, insects and other species which are rare to find. 
• PEACE PAGODA: A Japanese temple built in Japanese style is a monument of symbolizing peace and tranquility. Located in Jalapahar hills it will take you closer to inner self and fall for chirping and chants. Meditate to get rid of all your worries. 
• ROCK GARDEN AND GANGA MAYA PARK: Rock garden and Ganga Maya  just about 3 kms proximity from one another and 10 kms from city. Rock garden is cut through rocks sculptures and having a waterfall with seating arrangement. And Maya park is a spread out park and have a stream flowing across. In both gardens you can sit and appreciate nature. 
• HAPPY VALLEY TEA ESTATE: Established by British planters in 1854 and located just downtown. Proximity has made it one of the most visited sites. Don’t forget to indulge in aromatic aura of tea. 
• DALI MONASTERY: Many Tibetans have migrated in Darjeeling. One utmost such monastery to visit is Dali Monastery. Perched on a hill it’s a place to take you closer to Tibetan culture. Relax and worship with Lamas and listen to theirs chants. 
• DARJEELING CABLE ROPEWAY: To capture panoramic view of this thunder city don’t miss out on cable ropeway. Built in 1968, this is a tourist attraction from where you can witness denser forests and snow capped mountains. 
• NIGHTANGLE PARK: Also fondly known as Shruberry it’s an artificially developed park. An effigy of Shiva, musical fountain and manicured gardens are a treat for tourists. 
• OBSERVATORY HILLS AND MAHAKAL TEMPLE: To get a 360° view of city as name suggests you have observatory hills. Indulge in offering prayers to lord Shiva as well. 
• KANCHENJUNGA VIEWPOINT: There are several hotels, resorts, places and gardens to give you a peek into humungous mountains. But city has a specific viewpoint to give you panoramic view of snow covered mountains. 
• KALIMPONG: Take an extra day in your itinerary to visit this quaint town. It’s mesmerizing and breathtaking beauty can take your heart away. 

HOW TO REACH 

• Airport: Bagdogra airport is the nearest airport from the city. Around 96 kms from Darjeeling it has several carrier connected to major cities. You can prior book a cab or just hire a taxi after reaching there. 
• Railway: Nearest railway station to Darjeeling is New Jalpaiguri which is nearly 65 kms of distance. Several trains form Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and other metro cities connect. You can hire a cab from here.
• Road: Roads are well connected to Darjeeling. There are several buses which operate on daily basis from cities like Siliguri, Guwahati and nearby areas. 
 

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Best time to visit Darjeeling is April to June and October to December. 
• SUMMERS: Temperature ranging from 14°c to 25°c (Ideal time to plan a visit) 
• RAINS: Temperature ranging from 11°c to 19°c (Cloudy and heavy rains) 
• WINTERS: Temperature ranging from 2°c to 10°c ( Cold days but rare snowfall)