Darjeeling (India)

Darjeeling, just the name makes us dream of exotic, oriental travels... Visitors are drawn here not just for the tea plantations but also to experience being in the Himalayas. But what we don't really expect is the remarkable, cultural shock. Nestled between Bhutan and Nepal, Darjeeling and its surrounding region is populated by people who come from a diverse range of origins. Buddhism is as prominent as Hinduism, which creates an interesting melting pot...you may ask yourself if you're actually in India!

Moreover, a lot of people will tell you that Darjeeling is a 'bowl of pure air...' And they're not just talking but its clean, mountain air but also an ambience that seems far removed from the chaotic buzz of the rest of the country. It's true that getting there by bus/train/jeep takes time, but you should plan to visit Darjeeling when youtravel to India and enjoy its (I'm talking figuratively here) mild climate.

As for what to do, well, visiting the plantations and enjoying tea time are a must, as is waking up early to see the sun rise above the lofty Kangchenjunga 8,600 meter peak. When the sky is clear, the view is breathtaking. Equally spectacular is the view of the Himalayas from Observatory Hill at the top of the town. And those of you who like hiking will appreciate the scenic trails (but at the risk of repeating myself, make sure the weather's good). There's a choice of beautiful routes, whether its the Sikkim trail or along the Nepalese border. 

Though any big tea drinker can tell you that Darjeeling is the standard by which other teas are judged, few people know what this remote region actually looks like. When I went there on my trip do India, I intially traveled by shared jeep to reach Darjeeling from the city of Siliguri.

But rather than going directly to the terminus in this antique resort in the foothills of the Himalayas, my two friends and I chose instead to get out at Makaibari train station. This little village, located a few kilometers below Darjeeling, is actually the location of the oldest organically certified tea factory in the region. After a highly interesting guided tour of the plantations and factory at the Makaibari Tea Estate, we enjoyed the opportunity to stay with a local family in the village.

With this wonderful and human experience having inspired us to learn even more about the habits and customs of these lands, which at one time belonged to the British East India Company, we next climbed aboard the charming steam train of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. On this legendary railway, which is inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage, you don't travel at more than 20 kilometers per hour. This does, however, give you ample opportunity to admire the scenery! With the Himalayan Mountains as the backdrop, we passed through numerous tea plantations before arriving at the steep slopes of the former summer residence of the Viceroy of India. Located at an altitude of almost 2100 meters, Darjeeling is an ideal place for trekking and serves as the departure point for many routes The town also offers amazing panoramic views of the summit of Kangchenjunga.

Mainly populated by people from communities originating from Sikkim, Tibet or neighboring Nepal, Darjeeling has everything you would expect from a Himalayan town. Buddhist philosophy plays an important role here, and many of the temples and monasteries can today be visited. In particular, be sure not to miss the sacred site at the top of Observatory Hill, which is covered in prayer flags, as well as the Tibetan monastery of Ghoom. Finally, when in Darjeeling consider paying a visit to the talented weavers of the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre, who make fabulous rugs as well as other textile creations.