Darjeeling

Darjeeling:

Darjeeling is a town in India's West Bengal state, in the Himalayan foothills. Once a summer resort for the British Raj elite, it remains the terminus of the narrow-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, or “Toy Train,” completed in 1881. It's famed for the distinctive black tea grown on plantations that dot its surrounding slopes. Its backdrop is Mt. Kanchenjunga, among the world’s highest peaks.

Best Time to Visit Darjeeling. While summer months from April to June are the ideal time to travel to Darjeeling, some travellers including couples also prefer to visit the beautiful town during winter months from October to December.

Darjeeling is famous throughout the world for the tea it grows and the great view of Kanchenjunga range of mountains that it offers. It is also known for its richness in cultural & natural heritage and the famous toy train that has been declared a UN heritage.

Snowfall in Darjeeling is very rare and may not happen every year. It can snow anytime in late Dec, Jan, Feb. There is no guarantee. For seeing snow, go to Tsomgo lake in Sikkim in Dec-Jan.

5 to 7 Days are sufficient to have a leisure time in Darjeeling and around Gangtok. Keep Darjeeling in the begining and Gangtok later in the loop of your trip. 2 days in Darjeeling and 2 days in Gangtok are enough for sightseeing. Nathula,Changu lake is just a one day tour from Gangtok.

Tiger Hill, Batasia Loop,Peace Pagoda,and many more places to visit. 

Tiger Hill:

Tiger Hill is located 11kms (6.8 miles) from Darjeeling town and above Ghum. It's the highest point in Darjeeling hills at an altitude of 8482 feet (or 2590 meters). The best season to see the dazzling snow covered peaks as the sun rises is between Mid October to December.

Tiger hill was given its name because of 527 

years ago when tigers roamed freely in wales. Once this hill was differnet to other hills. Different because it was in stripes.

It is perhaps the most splendid experience one can have, while in Darjeeling. At an altitude of 2590 meters and 13 km away from the Darjeeling, Tiger Hill offers magnificent view of the mountains.

Batasia Loop:

If you are taking a toy train ride from Darjeeling, you will pass by this magnificent loop. Otherwise, take a cab from Darjeeling town and visit the Batasia Loop. It's located on Hill Cart Road (i.e. National Highway 55) and takes 20 minutes by taxi from Darjeeling town. 

There is no better place to get a 360 degree view of Darjeeling's landscape including the hill town and the snow covered peaks of the Eastern Himalayas with the majestic Kanchenjunga on one side. And all this from the middle of a lovely flowering garden around which the toy train track is laid. 

Peace Pagoda-A Japanese Temple.

There is a wonderful Japanese temple located at a 10 minutes driving distance from the Darjeeling town center. The temple is also known as the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple. The two storied white building was built in a traditional Japanese style in the year 1972. 

Close to the temple is the Peace Pagoda that showcases four avatars of Lord Buddha. From the top of the Pagoda, you get a panoramic views of Darjeeling landscape including the Kanchenjunga range.