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of a hill resort with its mild climate and laid
back charm. Its verdant hills and valleys are steeped in
color, and are interspersed with vast stretches of lush
green tea gardens. Presiding over all these is the
8,586 m Mount Khangchendzonga looming over the northern
horizon, giving a magical aura to the land that entices
thousands to its environs and leaves all the senses
intoxicated.
Darjeeling is hemmed in by Sikkim in the north, Nepal in
the west and Bhutan in the east. Darjeeling town,
Kalimpong and Kurseong are the major urban centres.
Heavily influenced by British India, Darjeeling still
carries imprints reminiscent of its colonial past. The
toy train is one of the most striking examples of
Darjeeling's British Raj influence.
DARJEELING TOWN
 Darjeeling town (population 83,000 and elevation 2,134
m) is located on a spur with houses hugging the
hillside. The places to visit are Chowrasta, a wide
promenade atop a ridge lined with shops and restaurants;
Mall Road, starting and finishing at Chowrasta, for a
leisurely stroll amidst peaceful surroundings and
splendid views; Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
which has the Siberian tiger, Himalayan black bear, red
panda, snow leopard and many other animal and bird
species, and the nearby snow leopard breeding center and
the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, a training
center for mountaineers which also houses the Everest
museum' Natural History Museum, with its fine display of
Himalaya wildlife; Observatory Hill which has Hindu and
Buddhist Shrines; Dhirdham, a pagoda style Hindu temple;
Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Center, a major center for the
production of Tibetan carpets, woodwork and leather
goods; the Buddhist monasteries of Bhutia Busty, Thupten
Sangag Choling(Dali) and Yiga-Choling (Ghoom); Batasia
Loop, a marvelous feat of railway engineering; Tiger
Hill for its renowned sunrise view over Khangchendzonga and
the eastern Himalaya; Japanese Peace Pagoda, established
by the Japanese Buddhist order, Nipponzan Myohoji; and
Lloyd's Botanical Garden which has a varied collection
of Himalayan flora. Visitors can also take a ride in the Darjeeling-Rangit
valley passenger cable car or hop on the toy train which
wheezes and winds all the way from Siliguri to
Darjeeling town via Kurseong.
AROUND DARJEELING
KALIMPONG(pop.45,500) is a sleepy little town situated
at an altitude of 1,200 m, some 50 km to the east of
Darjeeling. It once used to be the hub of the
trans-Himalayan trade between India and Tibet when
merchants used to ferry commerce by mule caravan over
the Jelepla pass on the Sikkim-Tibet border. The places to visit are Kalimpong Arts and Craft Center
for handicraft goods; Tharpa Choling Monastery, a
repository of old scriptures, and documents; Thongsa
(Bhutan) Monastery, the oldest in the area; Dharmodaya
Vihar, a Nepalese Bhuddhist temple; Parnami Mandir and
Mangal Dham; Durpin Danda from where the mountain ranges
of Sikkim, including Jelepla, Tiger Hill and the
confluence of the Relli, Riang and Tista rivers can be
views; Zong Dog Palri Fo Brang Monastery at Durpin Danda;
Delo View Point for magnificent views: and Kalimpong
famous flower nurseries.
LAVA - LOLAYGAON
Lava is situated at a height of 7200 ft. and is 101 kms
from Siliguri via Kalimpong. The beauty of this quiet
and romantic place lies in its dense forests of Berch,
Pine and Juniper and the variety of orchids. While at
Lave, enjoys a day's outing to the fascinating Chhangey
Ralls (12 kms from Lava) with 2 Sunrise points viz.
Ghanti Dara and Tiffin Dara, Lava Monastery, Nature
Interpretation Centre. If you are a little adventurous
you can take a 12 km trek to Jelepa and Rachela pass
situated on the Trijuntion of Sikkim,Bengal and Bhutan.
Just 24 km from Lava, at 7012 ft, Lolengaon offers
wondrous views of the peaks of Khangchendzonga, Pandim,
Kabru, Jana Siniolchu, Kang, Talung, Kaumbhakarna, Dome,
Jupuno, Narsing and Simvo.
Rishap at 8500 ft. is a small hamlet at tri-junction of
Sikkim, West Bengal and Bhutan and it reached by a 9 km
jeep able road from Lava. You can also reach there by a
3 km trek from Lava. Over viewing Neora Valley National
Park and with spectacular 360 degree views of snow clad
peaks & passes (Mt. Khangchendzonga, Nathula, Jelepa),
Rishap is a real treat for tired eyes and souls.
KURSEONG (elevation 1,458 m) is a quaint little
town about 30km to the south of Darjeeling on the way to
Siliguri. The market consists of rows of shops lining the main
road which is crisscrossed at several points by the
railway tracks of the toy train. The places to visit are
Eagle's Crag which has a park from where glorious views
of Khangchendzonga on one side and the southern plains on
the other can be taken in; Dow Hill which has the forest
museum, Deer Park a water reservoir, all set amidst
moss-laden conifers; and Chimney, a serene, open meadow.
MIRIK (elevation 1,767 m) is another tiny hill
resort easily accessible from Siliguri, Kurseong or
Darjeeling. The center-piece of the town is the Sumendu
Lake where boating under the serene gaze of
Khangchendzonga
makes for a most relaxing pastime. Rameetay Dara and
Deosi Dara are two elevated points near the lake from
where the view is terrific. Apple orchards and tea
gardens are other attractions.
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