Darjeeling-The Queen of Hills

Spread over a steep mountain ridge, nestled amidst acres of lush green tea plantations, Darjeeling situated in West Bengal state of India. Famous for tea industry, views of Kangchenjunga(world's third highest mountain), and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Best Time to visit

Summer months from April to June is ideal time although Darjeeling is like anytime bucket list place. I visited during last week of September'16.

How to reach

By air:Bagdogra International airport is nearest airport at a distance of 70km(3.5-4hrs)
By rail: New Jalpaiguri Junction(NJP) is nearest station (71km) or Siliguri Junction(64km)
By road: One can get reserved(depends on season) as well as shared(200/-) cabs outside NJP railway station or Siliguri taxi stand near Siliguri junction. One can get North Bengal State Transport Corporation(NBSTC) bus(100/-) from Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminus near Siliguri Junction.
By Toy train: Leaves NJP station in morning(10am) with halts at  Siliguri Junction, took 7:20hrs to reach Darjeeling.Can be booked through IRCTC( AC Chair class(1700/-); AC First class(1420/-))

Top Places

1. Tiger Hill
2. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park & Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
3. Happy valley tea estate
4. Darjeeling ropeway
5. Tenzing&Gombu Rock
6. Rock garden
7. Pashupati market
8. Mirik Lake

Day 1:NJP to Darjeeling

I reached NJP Junction in the morning and find myself surrounded with lots of cab drivers who were trying to fetch passengers in their cabs to Darjeeling.There are lots of dhabas and small shops outside station to get your tummy filled with delicious puris and sabji with masala tea.

Small tourist shops with tour agents are also there who books your trip on spot. I talked to one of agent and got my trip booked for Rs 15k including accommodation and sight seeing for 2days.

Darjeeling was my 1st hill destination and obvious north eastern region. Being a north Indian, I feels bit scary and security issues in North eastern region so I preferred not to explore at my own.But believe me, it's been 3years to this trip and now north east is my "always bucket list" destination.

Enroute to Darjeeling

My tour agent booked an auto to Siliguri Taxi stand where my reserved cab was waiting. Way to Darjeeling is far pretty than any other hill stations like Gangtok, Shillong, Guwahati etc in North eastern region amidst of tea gardens, deep valley views under the shadow of foggy giant Himalaya.

After approx 2hours of journey, driver halted at Kurseong (also known as "Land of white Orchids") for refreshments.I ate maggi with view of tea plantations, lush green forests in the panoramic setting of foggy mountain.

view from Kurseong

Finally, I reached Darjeeling after 4hours of journey, checked into wooden walled hotel(not good stared hotel) with a beautiful view of Mount Kanchenjunga from window.

Cab left me at hotel and I was free to explore Darjeeling at my own. Hotel was at hill cart road at a walking distance of 850m from Darjeeling station and 1.5km from Mall road.
In the evening, I went for toy train ride from Darjeeling station and it was mesmerizing to have view of valley from station.

toy train

valley view 

Mall Road

Further, I walked to explore Mall road, mountain walkway British families once used for leisure strolls to enjoy the sheer serenity and the best views that the Darjeeling has to offer.

As you walk along, you will find out stony wall of hill which is perennially covered with green moss and shrub.Road leads to Chowrasta('chow'-four; 'rasta'-road), public square where tourists and locals come lounge in the sun, take a seat on one of many benches along the periphery, and watch the wonderful views of the mountain peaks and valleys all around. 
#Do not miss Keventer's and Glenary's cafe for English breakfast with Darjeeling view from their rooftop.

Day 2

Tiger Hill

Sleepless night started off with excursion to Tiger's Hill at 3am to witness sunrise and illuminated peaks of Mount Kanchenjunga.It was approx 1.5hr distance from my hill cart road. I reached there at 4am and was shivering like hell(normally Darjeeling temperature was moderate cool during day).

4:30am view from Tiger's hill

Thanks to local ladies who were serving coffee and tea to tourists since 3am in morning.I was continuously staring at sky without taking my eyes off in a hope to catch sight of first ray illuminating peaks of Kanchenjunga.

5am view from Tiger's hill

Finally got panoramic view and believe me that was worth waiting.

Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park

After returning back to hotel, I went Darjeeling zoo(bagged international award "Earth heroes 2014" for superb job of conserving Himalayan animals and plantations) and saw vulnerable Himalayan animals like Tibetan wolf, Red Panda, Snow leopard etc in their semi natural habitat.

red panda

Yak

Do not miss Darjeeling traditional "lepchas dress"(150/-) with colourful beads and traditional basket used during tea plucking.

There were many souvenir shops outside zoo and i purchased a magical stole, a colourful neckpiece and a woollen cap.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

Inside the zoo, there is HMI to commemorate the success of sherpa Tenzing Norgay so that he could impart his skills to all those who pursued climbing activities in Himalayas. It comprises of residential school for mountaineering students.

Happy valley tea estate

This is a nearest tea estate to town at the end of narrow downhill road. One can have beautiful view of tea shrubs and a valley.There were varieties of raw and processed tea outside estate along road. I bought a pack of locally home packed semi processed leafy tea(do not buy that, tasteless, colourless tea).

Darjeeling Ropeway(200/-)

There was a queue of hundreds of people to get a spectacular view of valley.
Waiting time:1-1.5hour depends on season
Timings:10am to 4pm(winter and monsoon); 10am to 2pm(summer and autumn)
I waited for 1hour but alas!(clock striked 2'O clock).

Tenzing and Gombu rock

Gigantic natural rock named after Tenzing and his nephew Nawang Gombu who was the first person to climb the Everest twice. Rock is used for rock climbing training by HMI.

Rock Garden

Located some 10km from town, as I walked towards garden, found that entire garden area has been created by cutting rock at different levels and and making terraced seating arrangements. There is wonderful waterfall that comes all the way from top to bottom over rocks.

I kept climbing stairs, go up the ramp and cross small bridges across the rocks to reach the top( bit tiring)

There were various shops for refreshments and souvenir.

Day 3
It was time to say goodbye to Darjeeling but "picture abhi baaki hai mere dost".
Returning back journey is much more beautiful with view of alpine forest, wet roads, drizzling sky, sloping tea gardens and much more.

Pashupati market

Further down, I reached Pashupati market entrance at Indo-Nepal border. The main market is approx 1km from border. You can either walk or take Nepal taxi at the border to reach market, I took a taxi(300/-) for a round trip of half an hour. Before advancing towards market, I was asked to complete border formalities(ID checking) which was a quick process.
The market was full of imported electronic gadgets, jackets, perfumes & cosmetics etc that too in very low price. As a makeup lover, I trapped in beauty products and bought so many branded(Lakme, Mac, Loreal. Olay) lipsticks, eyeshadow palette, Eyeliners, Charlie perfumes etc. After returning back, I found those products fake(made in PRC, People's Republic China).
#Do not buy beauty products and electronic gadgets

shopping street

I bought two leather Jackets for my bro which were good, quite warm. Later, I was out of cash and they do no accept cards, only cash(INR). #Shopping Stopped

Mirik

Small hill town located further 12km from Pashupati market. Mirik lake was point of attraction where one can sit along bank and relax.

There were stalls of maggi, momos, shops of toys, gifts, clothes etc and restaurants. I did lunch there at Hotel Lohit Sagar  and returned back to NJP station to catch train.