Darjeeling is a picturesque town nestled in the hills of West Bengal. I call this town as Darling of Himalaya when I fell in love at the first sight. In 1997, I traveled Darjeeling for the first time. I have a faded memory of my first tour. 16 years later from my first trip in 2013, I had the pleasure of visiting this charming destination with my family. Both trips were so memorable, filled with breathtaking natural views and unforgettable experiences. I have a fond memory from 2013 because I recalled my travel experiences by seeing the pictures from digital camera. We started our overnight journey by taking a train from Sealdah Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri. From there, we hired a cab to reach to Darjeeling. The 3 hours journey was captivating through lush green forests, cascades and misty mountains with steep slopes.
SAJJAD TRAVELOGUEOne of the main reasons of visiting Darjeeling for the second time in 2013 was like an inspiration from Shah Rukh Khan’s famous film “Mai Hoo Na”
WELCOME TO DARJEELING II DARLING OF HIMALAYA
The first thing that struck us about Darjeeling was its old-world charm. The town is dotted with colonial-era buildings, quaint tea shops, and charming cafes. We strolled through the narrow streets, taking in the sights and sounds of this delightful town. After check-in to our hotel in Darjeeling, we found a complete peace though it was not a star rated hotel. I still remember we had a stunning view of the Kanchenjunga mountain range from the rooftop. We enjoyed our daily breakfast on the rooftop with special request.
MEMORABLE SIGHTSEEING II DARLING OF HIMALAYA
Tiger Hill
If you want to see the sunrise in Himalayan Range, then Tiger Hill is the best place to visit. It starts from 4am to get an ideal location for the sunrise watcher. Thousands of people are gathering in this iconic location every day to see the sunrise. If you get an opportunity, you must sacrifice your early sleep for a day that will be worth memorizing for your life time.
St. Paul School
One of the highlights of our trip was visiting the famous boarding boys’ school named St. Paul Darjeeling. The main reason of visiting the school was like an inspiration from SRK’s famous film “Mai Hoo Na”. It was really worth visiting the school because we found the iconic Kanchenjunga backdrop from the school ground. Just to enlighten my readers, you can enjoy the title song of the movie. Click the link and enjoy the song
Batasia Loop
Another memorable experience was seeing the Steam Engine ‘Toy Train.’ This narrow-gauge railway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a must-visit when in Darjeeling. We did not board the train but wanna ride if we get chance in future. The JOY RIDE that chuggs through the hills, passing through tunnels and over bridges. The views from the train were spectacular, with the mountains, valleys, and tea gardens passing us by.
Japanese Peace Pagoda
The Japanese Temple in Darjeeling also known as the Peace Pagoda, is a Buddhist temple. It was built by the Japanese monk Nichidatsu Fuji in 1972. The temple was built with the aim of spreading the message of peace and non-violence. The Japanese Temple in Darjeeling is located on the slopes of the Jalapahar Hills, overlooking the town of Darjeeling. It is a popular tourist attraction and is visited by people from all over the world who come to admire its beautiful architecture and serene surroundings.
Rock Garden
I must recommend visiting Rock Garden located in Darjeeling. It is a popular tourist attraction. The garden is situated on a hillside and features a series of terraced gardens. A creative mind Neeraj Sarcar, in the late 1980s built this garden. He was inspired by the natural beauty of the surrounding hills. It was truly a unique garden that showcased the local flora and fauna.
Ropeway
The Darjeeling Ropeway or Darjeeling Cable Car is a popular tourist attraction in Darjeeling. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of Darjeeling town, the surrounding hills, and the Himalayan mountain range. The cable cars travel over a distance of 8 km and take about 45 minutes to complete the round trip.
Tenzing Rock
Tenzing Rock is a famous tourist attraction located in Darjeeling. It is named after Tenzing Norgay, the famous Sherpa mountaineer who along with Sir Edmund Hillary, was the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1953. Tenzing Rock is a natural rock formation that is around 30 meters high. It is a popular spot for rock climbing and is considered to be one of the best places in India for rock climbing enthusiasts.
TIPS FOR MALL ROAD EXPERIENCES II DARLING OF HIMALAYA
- Stroll along the Mall: Take a leisurely stroll along the Mall and soak in the colonial charm of this iconic street.
- Enjoy a cup of tea: Darjeeling is famous for its tea, and there are several tea shops and cafes along the Mall where you can enjoy a cup of freshly brewed Darjeeling tea.
- Indulge in local cuisine: There are several street food stalls along the Mall that serve delicious local cuisine. From momos to thukpa to chowmein, there are plenty of options to choose from. Enjoy a leisurely meal while taking in the views of the surrounding hills.
- Watch a movie: The Rink Mall on the Mall Road has a cinema hall where you can catch the latest Bollywood and Hollywood movies. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a movie in a comfortable and air-conditioned theater.
- Go shopping: Mall Road is a shopper’s paradise, and there are plenty of shops selling everything from clothes to handicrafts to souvenirs. Take your time and browse through the shops, pick up some souvenirs, and indulge in some retail therapy.
EXPLORING AS A MORNING TRAVELER II DARLING OF HIMALAYA
As my signature travel style, I always love to explore places in the early morning. Darjeeling town was not exception of that. Exploring Jai Kali Temple amidst the long logs and morning walk facing towards Himalayan Range were spectacular. I found best photographic shots during my early hour exploration from Darjeeling Tour. If you are early riser, don’t miss this opportunity.
ENCHANTED ENDING SHOT II DARLING OF HIMALAYA
As our trip came to an end, we couldn’t help but feel a little sad to leave this enchanting town. We had created some unforgettable memories and experienced a culture that was vastly different from our own. Darjeeling had left an indelible mark on us, and we knew that we would have to come back someday. In conclusion, my trip to Darjeeling in 2013 was a fantastic experience that I will always cherish. From the stunning scenery to the delicious food to the warm hospitality of the people, everything about this town was perfect. If you haven’t visited Darjeeling yet, I highly recommend it – you won’t regret it! Happy traveling.