Darjeeling is the ideal place for you to unwind, relax, and reconnect with your lost true inner-self. This Hill Station nestled in the foothills of the Lower Himalayas, West Bengal, bears testimony to its majestic history. The once summer capital of the Bengal Presidency is now a tourist paradise. It would be blasphemous not to talk about the world-renowned palatable 'Darjeeling Tea' while referencing Darjeeling, or Wes Anderson's famous 2007 movie 'The Darjeeling Limited'. This is a perfect destination to visit once restrictions are relaxed for travel, as it is the perfect medley of culture, nature, and fun. Some must-do things in Darjeeling are:
- Visit The Padmaja Naidu Zoo, Batasia Loop, and Japanese Peace Pagoda: Named after the former Governor of Bengal, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is a haven for endemic and rare species of animals, be it the Royal Bengal Tiger or the Red Panda. The entry fees are quite nominal for both Indians and foreigners, and tourists need to pay a few extra bucks to carry their cameras inside the zoo. Batasia Loop is popular among the tourists for the war memorial and the local market. The cenotaph standing in the middle of the garden stands as a testimony to the bravery of the Gurkha soldiers who sacrificed themselves for this country. It is a must-visit - to observe an essential piece of history, and take in the beauty of such solidarity.
- Witness the sunrise at Tiger Hill: Kanchenjunga is indeed a sight to behold. Adding icing on the cake is to witness the sunrise at Tiger Hill with the sun rays embellishing Kanchenjunga's beauty. Do leave your hotel rooms by 4 am as the routes to the Tiger Hill start to get crowded and you may end up missing the picturesque scene.
- Shopping in Darjeeling Mall and Chowk Bazaar: Want to grab some memorabilia or buy woollies and a pack of Darjeeling Tea? Darjeeling Mall and Chowk Bazaar are the places to be. The mall is also known as Chowrasta - The Mall and Chowk Bazaar offer an exciting range of stores for tourists to go on a shopping spree. Some of our store recommendations for the tourists visiting Darjeeling Mall and Chowrasta include:
> Nathmulls Tea and Sunset Lounge in Darjeeling
> Mahakal Market in Chowk Bazaar
4. Darjeeling Cable Car Ride: Rope Cars ply between the "North Point" in the town of Darjeeling and Singla on the banks of the Ramman river. These take nominal charges to board, but the views are unforgettable - in the short ride, you can experience seeing the tea estates from an ariel point, take in the rolling green hills of Darjeeling, and gawk at the picturesque view of the city below!
For a great way to top off this experience, enjoy a cup of piping hot and fresh tea estates and shops offer for less and take bags of the special tea leaves home too.
Ogonn is a rapidly emerging car/bike rental company. You can hire your favourite car to enjoy a hasslefree and safe journey.
