DARJEELING TOUR

DARJEELING TOUR: Darjeeling used to be a cluster of villages that was administered intermittently by Nepal and Sikkim. It grew in prominence during the mid-19th century when, because of its climate, the British established a hill station there. Nestled among the rolling mountains with the glistening Mt Kanchenjunga towering over the azure sky, Darjeeling fondly called "Queen of the Hills", provides a perfect gateway for those seeking to be in harmony with nature.

Later it was discovered that the area was particularly well suited for tea plantations and Darjeeling tea is still exported worldwide. In 1849, the British annexed the area and Darjeeling became a part of British India. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was opened in 1881 (it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the town became the de-facto summer capital of India during the days when the Raj was governed from Calcutta.

A lovely Victorian town was built among the Himalayan foothills, the remnants of which are still visible around the Chowrasta and Darjeeling remains a popular summer and fall resort for the natives of Kolkata today. For foreign tourists, the main attractions are the cultural diversity (many Tibetan refugees moved here after Tibet was annexed by China and they co-exist with the descendants of the many Nepalis who once came to the land as soldiers of Prithvi Narayan Shah and settled down there to work as labourers in the tea plantations. The town is also a jumping off point for travelers heading to Sikkim.

There has been intermittent political action from Gorkha groups demanding an independent state (Gorkhaland). In June 2008 a strike paralyzed the area, with closed hotels, restaurants and shops, and the accompanying protests even turned violent a couple of times. Though inconvenient, tourists generally are not at risk, but you should check the status before going there.

This is the land of the muscatel flavored Darjeeling tea revered by connoisseurs across the globe. This is the land of the world heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway where the century old miniature steam engine still chugs uphill vying for space with the fast disappearing Land Rovers.

"Flowers are everywhere. The days are cold and the sun almost seems to play hide and seek with us". - Rabindranath Tagore.

It is certainly that Darjeeling in the postmodern era comprises of six T’s -Tea, Teak, Tourism, Toy Train, Tiger Hill and Trekkers’ paradise.

PLANNING FOR THE TOUR

So are you preparing for a trip to Darjeeling? One must be attracted by the dazzling snow peaks of Kanchenjunga and the beautiful tea gardens on the slopes of rolling hills, the orchids, pines & rhododendrons. The ever whelming Himalayan toy train whistling its way through the mountains, the aroma of Darjeeling Tea.

This blog is all about sharing those facts and findings that can help yourself easily design a great vacation in Darjeeling hills.

We are here to provide you the places to visit, their reason to visit, foods to try and shopping spot. let us GO DARJEELING NOW.