detail guide darjeeling sikkim

7/25/2019 Detail Guide Darjeeling Sikkim

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Darjeeling

Top 10 Tourist Places in Darjeeling - Our Favorites

Here are the top places to see in Darjeeling. If you are visiting Darjeeling for a short vacation,

then you should target to visit some of these places listed in this section.

Day 1Darjeeling RopewayThis is one way you can be part of special diverse offerings from the nature and all in one place.

From the ropeway of Darjeeling which is also nown as the Rangeet !alley "assenger #able #ar,

you can have mind blowing view of the valley below, see the spread of lush tea gardens, denseforests, mountain streams in their full flow, waterfalls, and the awesome snow peas at the

bacground. $et off at a lower station and enjoy the tea estates, wal through the tea gardens, or

just rela% and enjoy the view around. It&s hard to find all these together in one place.

Darjeeling 'all (#howrasta)The #howrasta or the 'all is the town center in Darjeeling. This is a lovely little flat area, a

public s*uare where four roads meet. This public place is where you would lie to lounge + baein the sun, sit and watch the wonderful views of the mountain range and see many locals and

tourists hanging around. ne side of the mall is lined with pine trees through which you get

wonderful mountain vistas, the other side is lined with lovely bouti*ue shops of different inds.-nd all around the mall, you have benches to sit and rela%.

apanese Temple + "eace "agoda-bout /0 minutes by car, you will reach a wonderful area that is symbolic of peace and

tran*uility. 1ocated in the alapahar hill, the apanese Temple is built in traditional apanese style

where you can join the prayers and feel the spiritual peace amongst humming and chants. #loseto it is the "eace "agoda where there are four large avatars of 1ord 2uddha. The view from thetop is magnificent. 3ou can see the snow pea range from here including the 4anchenjunga.

2engal 5atural History 'useum6hat started as a modest effort in /708 to display butterflies and birds of the Darjeeling district,

has grown to house a large collections of mammals, birds + nests with eggs, reptiles + fishes

and even insects of wide varieties. The displays are actually specimens of real creatures that hadbeen captured, stuffed and preserved. The 2engal 5atural History 'useum can be reached by

few minutes wal from the #howrasta 'all.

bservatory Hill and 'ahaal TempleRising from behind the 'all, bservatory Hill is an ideal place to get a 890 degree view of

Darjeeling and the peas surrounding it. The 'ahaal Temple, the central temple of Darjeeling

of all faiths is located on top of the hill where the original Dorjeling 2uddhist 'onastery oncestood.

:hrubbery 5ightingale "ar
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-bout /0 minutes wal from the #howrasta 'all you will reach this lovely par. It&s well nown

for hosting daily local cultural programs in the evenings during the high season. During the day

time the par offers a great place for rela%ation with sweeping views of the snow peas on oneside including that of 4anchenjunga.

thers2otanical $arden

-lso nown as the 1loyd&s 2otanical $arden of Darjeeling, it is a sprawling landscaped garden

spread over ;0 acres of area on an open slope. It has grand collections of indigenous Himalayanplantations, rchids, #acti and other e%otic collections from across the world that are laid out

over three sections. The garden is located at a short distance from the #how 2a It&s a wonderful

scenic drive through tea gardens on hill slopes. 3ou will pass by

the famous Thurbo tea estate of $oodrice as well as severalothers lie $opaldhara Tea ?state. n the way you will also see a lot of orange orchards.

If you start early and have a reserved car, a short @ ms from :uhiapohri you can reach a

beautiful place called orpohri. This tiny place on a hill top has twin laes, surroundedby forest and offers magnificent views of 4anchenjunga. This is where you can see the rare

li


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itself belongs to India and the viewing area falls in 5epal. 2ut you can freely cross over to get

the views.

Simana ie! Point" on t#e !ay to Mirik

3ou can see 'aneybhanjan below and the beautiful mountainson a clear day. 3ou can also see the narrow winding road leading

to :andaphu on the other side of the valley. 1oo to your right

and you can see the da


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about /m wal from the border. 2e careful about the faes. 'any items sold here are too cheap

to be good. The 'aret is located in 5epal area.

3ou can *uicly complete formalities with the border security and enter the road that leads to the

maret. This road can be taen to get into 5epal and go all the way to 4atmandu. #ameras are

not allowed inside. 5ote that only Indians and 5epalese are allowed to cross over the borderarea. ther foreign nationals are not allowed to access the border. 3ou are re*uired to carry a

"hoto ID card in case you want to cross over the border and visit the shops. 3ou can also visit the

maret on your way bac.

.opal(#ara Tea /state an( .opal(#ara Tea Stall

Having visited :imana and "ashupati 'aret, as you move onfurther towards 'iri, you will come across lovely landscapes

full of tea gardens on your left. There are several small round

hilloc formations with pine trees on top maing it a picture

perfect site. This is $opaldhara Tea ?state. In fact you canwal down the isle through the tea gardens and reach a view

point from where you get wonderful view of the gardens allaround.

-nd here on the opposite side of the road is $opadhara Tea :tall. Halt for a while to taste a cup

of tea. The tea is prepared to perfection by a lady and served ina transparent cup so that you can see the color. If you haven&t

yet tasted green tea, this is the place to try that. 2ut you should

not mi% mil or else you won&t get the authentic flavor. The tea

served here is from $opaldhara Tea $ardens. In fact you canalso buy pacaged tea of the gardens from here. I do so

whenever I am traveling on this route. They have different

brands... the blac tea sold with maroon cover is good for getting colors as well as nice flavor.There is toilet facility here. The stall also sells pacaged snacs.

Mirik'iriis located further /@ms from "ashupati 'aret and at an average altitude of A,000ft. -fter

reaching 'iri, first visit the 'iri 'onastery on top and then the

'iri 1ae. These are the top attractions of the place. There areseparate bus and car pars on the right side of the lae on an open flat

area.

:it along the ban of the lae and rela%. 3ou can also do boating in thelae (mostly paddle boats). r wal over the arching footbridge and crossover to the other side

(western ban) of the lae, turn left and tae the walway through the dhupi forest and enjoy the

nature. There is a temple in the forest (nown as Devi :than). "ony rides are also availablearound the lae and *uite popular with children.

Mirik )ake
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n the eastern (right) side of the lae, there is a flat land and number of small stalls and

restaurants. The stalls have colorful umbrellas and chairs laid out where you can rela%, have

some momos or chaats and fresh tea. :everal stalls here sell curios, gift + souvenir items,clothes, hats etc. pdate ctober @0/;CThe flat open land area at the eastern side of the lae has

been converted into a fenced garden with many flowering plantations. There is no entry fee. It&s a

good place for families to sit and rela%.

TheDay Centeris on the eastern side of the lae. It has a nice seating area and you can have tea,

snacs or lunch here. The Day #enter is operated and managed by $T- (erstwhile D$H#). nthe right of the Day #enter you will see "ar Hotel + Restaurant. The restaurant here is also

*uite popular for tourists and serves Indian + #hinese dishes at budget prices. 2ut the

preparations are *uite ordinary.

Mirik Day ,entre - For Day ooking

For lunch, one of the best places in 'iri is the

restaurant at Hotel agjit. They serve multi cuisine

dishes and speciali


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ere is t#e route

Darjeeling town to $hoom via Hill #art Road (9 ms)

$hoom to :uhiapohri (// ms) :uhiapohri to "ashupati 'aret (/@ ms)

"ashupati 'aret to 'iri (/@ ms)

Day 3

/arly Morning Session

Tiger Hill

1ocated at the highest point in Darjeeling area, Tiger Hill is best nown for the da


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shop and more. H'I is located on awahar Road or the 2irch Hill that can be accessed from the

'all Road and 1ebong #art Road. ne can actually wal down 'all road + then awahar road

to reach H'I.The Goo is located in the same premises where H'I is and therefore should be covered at the

same time. The uni*ue feature of this


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Pelling

ne Day :ight :eeing

"laces of interest covering the following spots for a one day sightseeing program that all the

travel agents organi


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Tashiding monastery

1egships River dam

and 4irateswarmahadev 'andeer

Reshi hot spring and

cave.


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Tourist Information Centre, Helipad Rd (Adjacent to Pelling School Girl Hosteland opposite the Handicraft and Handloom Oce!, (ticpelling"gmail#com!#edit

Changey Waterfall:$% &m from Pelling#

Khangchendzonga waterfallsThe 'hanchendongna )aterfall lies *+ &ma)a from -arap en route to .u&sam and / &m 0efore reaching .u&sam# It isone of the most 0eautiful )aterfalls in Si&&im and is normall acti1ethroughout the ear#

Khecheopalri Lake:This is considered one of the sacred la&es of Si&&im#The la&e remains hidden in the rich forest co1er# It is 0elie1ed that 0irds donot permit e1en a single leaf to 2oat on the la&e surface# 3nsure maintainingthe sanctit of the place 0 0eing silent, and 0 not tring to feed the 4sh#

Pemayangtse Monastery Pemaangtse literall means perfect sublimelotus# This is one of the oldest and most important monasteries of Si&&im#5ounded in $6%/, this monaster 0elongs to the 7ingma8pa sect# The 98storied 0uilding of the monaster houses a good collection of )all paintingsand sculptures# On the 9rd 2oor of the monaster, there is a 68tiered painted)ooden model of the a0ode of Guru Rimpoche, complete )ith rain0o)s,angels and the )hole panopl of :uddha and 0odhisatt1a# In ;anuar85e0ruar e1er ear, a religious dance called onaster ou canta&e a left turn and ta&e a )al& for $% min to reach to the gate)a of

Ra0danse Ruins# The ruins lie hidden from the main road# The )al& to)ardsRa0dantse is through a forest area )ith some rare species of orchids and afe) la&es# These la&es are also home to local carp 4sh# There are good 1ie)sfrom the top of the ruins loo&ing across the deep 1alle and to the 'hang8chen8-onga ranges#

Rimbi Water alls ! Karchen Power "ouseSituated /&ms do)n from-arap en route to 'hecheopalri# Adjacent to the falls is the 'archen hdroelectricit po)erhouse# It is the oldest in )est Si&&im 0eing constructed inearl 6%s during the reign of the last Si&&imese 'ing#

#angachoeling Monastery Situated on a ridge a0o1e Pelling ando1erloo&ing the famous Pemaangtse >onaster# :uilt in $?@6 A-, it isconsidered to 0e one of the oldest monasteries in the State# In order to reachthis >onaster one has to 0e prepared to spend at least % min )al&ing upthe steep hill slope and through the forest#

#ewaro Rock $arden A 0it further along from 'archen hdro electricitpo)erhouse is Se)aro roc& Garden# This is a tourist picnic spot de1eloped 0the department of tourism# It is surrounded 0 dense greener and 2o)ers
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and eBuipped recreational amenities including fountains, resting sheds, 2atstone foot paths, large gardens, cafeteria, s)imming pool, ponds,handsomel maintained roc&s (stones!# In the *nd )ee& of ;anuar e1er earthe cele0ration of >aghe mela is held along this ri1er 0elt#

%raditional Cultural Programillage people are 0 nature music lo1ers#

Traditional dances has 0een )ell preser1ed in this 1alle for mangenerations# The most popular ma 0e the Cha0rung dance and -haan7aach#


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Gangto& Sightseeing

$angto J the capital city of :iim on a ridge at AA00 feet height is a beautiful hill station and

the hub of different activities of this 5orthB?ast Indian state. 5estled in the clouds and

surrounded by the plush greenery, deep valleys and scenic view of 4hangchend


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Institute of Ti0etolog 8 A )orld famous institute doing research on Ti0etan

language and culture, also has a great museum and li0rar )ith rare and huge

collections# Itonaster The -harmacha&ra Centre

A Ti0etan >onaster, Rumte& >onaster is a must see place during ourGangto& tour#

Himalaan oological Par& A Home to Rare to 3ndangered Species of Animals

The 0eautiful oological par& is a home to a )ide species of Himalaan faunali&e the 0lac& 0eer, 0ar&ing deer, sno) leopard, ci1et cat, red pandas and thespotted deer##

Rope)a 3Dplore the :eautiful Cit from S&

Rope)a ta&es ou to the highest point of the cit 0 co1ering the distance ofaround $ &m# -eorali >ar&et (the Fo)er Terminal Station!, 7am 7ang (The

intermediate terminal! and Secretariat (Tashiling! are diEerent stations of thisrope)a# In addition to the aforementioned attractions, Ganesh To& (theHindu Temple dedicated to Ford Ganesha!, Temi Tea Garden, 3nche>onaster, -o8drul Chorten, -odrupchen >onaster, Hanuman To&, :anjha&ri=aterfalls, Institute of Ti0etolog and Handloom Center are also must seedestination during ou r Gangto& tour#

Ganesh Tok

Ganesh To& is one of the most famous God Ganesh temple in Gangto& capitalcit of Si&&im# It stands at a height of ?,/%% feet#The path to Ganesh To& isco1ered )ith sacred 2ags hoisted and tied across the roads# The 2ags arecolored in =hite, Red, Green, :lue, .ello) and Purple#

Temi Tea Garden

Temi Tea Garden )as esta0lished in $@?@# The total area of the Temi Teagarden is approDimatel 9/ acres# The garden emplos a0out /% people
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and produces $%% matric ton of orthodoD tea annuall# The garden producessome of the 0est teas in the )orld# The garden oEers 0eautiful natural 1ie)s#

The picturesBue 1ie) of tea pluc&ing can 0e seen here during the pluc&ingseason# The factor can 0e 1isited to ha1e an interesting lesson on teaprocessing#

Hanuman Tok

Hanuman To& is one of the most important places to see in the Indian state ofSi&&im# It is one of the most reno)ned temples of the state# The Hanuman

To& at Si&&im is dedicated to Hanuman, one of the gods in the Hindureligion#The temple of Hanuman To& is loo&ed after 0 a di1ision of the armdepartment of India# The Hanuman To& in Si&&im itself pro1ides )onderfulphotographic 1ie)s of the 'hangcendonga# The sno)8capped mountainpea&s loo& hea1enl from this temple##

Tashi View Point

The Tashi ie) Point of Si&&im is famous among the tourists )ho 1isit Si&&im,0ecause it oEers a )onderful 1ie) of the >t# 'hangchendonga and otherneigh0oring hills# The monasteries of Fa0rang and Phodong are locatednear0 on a hill close to the >t# 'hangchendonga# >t# Sinilochu is one of themountains located near0#

Banjhakri Waterfalls

:anjha&ri =aterfalls lies amidst a lush green 1alle spread o1er nearl *acres and is Buite nice and popular among tourist# It is surrounded 0 treesand gushing mountain stream# The Par& has a Shamanistic theme# Hence,)hile the location of the par& penetrating the forest spreads and see&s toenhance the essence of the occult and the un&no)n# The place itself islittered )ith ethnic sculptures and 4gurines of the ;ha&ri culture#

Institute of Tibetology

The main attraction here is the museum )hich houses around large num0erof :uddhist icons, antiBue paintings, thang&as, statues, shrines, tapestries,mas&s and other religious )or&s of Ti0etan Art# >oreo1er, the place also0oasts of ha1ing more Dlographs and has the translation of :uddhaJsoriginal teachings 0 eminent scholars from all o1er the )orld#

DO Drul horten


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-O -rul Chorten has 0een 0uilt in the ear $@/ under the super1ision of lateTruslshi Rimpoche# There are more than hundred praer )heels (>ani8Fha&or!in this chorten# There are some mantras ha1e 0een engra1ed in these praer)heelsK 0 turning these praer )heels, the de1otees can read and chantthese mantras# The reno)ned chorten has a gold8plated steeple#

!G !arg

Set in the heart of the cit is the most happening place in Gangto& # A totalfree 1ehicle road )ith man eateries and shops on 0oth sides, this place isideal for spending time )ith friends and famil especiall in the e1ening# Infact, a perfect place for shopping )hile in Gangto

Handloom enter

Handloom Center )as founded in $@/6, as Handloom and Handicrafts Centreof Si&&im# In this centre, the 1isitors can see 0lan&ets, elegant hand8car1enfolding ta0les (Cho&tse!, hand8loomed carpets )ith con1entional themes,hand8painted masBues, sha)ls, traditional paintings, )ooden dolls and manother handicrafts#


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6alimpong Sig#tseeing Tours

1ocal sightseeing in 4alimpong area includes visits to famous monasteries that have old rare

scriptures + Tibetan architecture, lovely view points offering sweeping views of 4anchenjungasnow peas, rivers + landscapes, visits to museums, pars, flower nurseries, historical

missionary schools and so on. 3ou can also mae great day trips to near by areas lie "edong,

1ava, 1oleygaon, Rishyap, virgin villages etc.

-ll ta%i drivers and tour operators in 4alimpong offer standard pacage tours for local

sightseeing in 4alimpong. It could be half day or full day pacage covering the major attractionsin and around 4alimpong. However such local pacage tours will tae you to places and

attractions within =B/0 ms of the town center. If you lie to reach out to places further away,

you will either need to wor out the cost with the ta%t driver or go through a tour operator.

)O,A) S5.TS//57. 8/AST 6A)5MPO7.9 - A)FDA'" : O+4S

/) Dr Graham's HomesC This missionary school was set up by Dr. - $raham in /700 as an

orphanage cum school for the destitute -nglo Indian children. It started only with one cottagethat accommodated up to 8A children. ver the years it has grown as a well nown multi

religious and coBeducational school spanning over A00 acres of lush landscape and having some

A0 cottages. It is located on the way to Deolo Hills. 3ou can wal across to various parts of theschool.

Dr .ra#am;s omes" 6alimpong

@)Lord Buddha StatueC #lose to Deolo there is a small roc garden in which you will find this

nice statue of 1ord 2uddha sitting in a lotus position. This is only a *uic stop over point and agood place to clic a picture.

u((#a statue < park" 6alimpong


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8) Sherpa View PointC This is a watershed near 2uddha statue from where you get great viewstowards both north and south. 3ou get e%cellent views of :iim hills and 'ount 4anchenjungif you loo north, towards south is the beautiful view of a valley and the Relli river flowing

through it as well 1oleygaon (4afer) and also the hills of :amthar plateau. This view point is

unfortunately not well maintained.

;)Durga MandirC This is a Hindu temple of $oddess Durga located near :herpa !iew "oint. -

nice garden full of flowering plants and a viewing gallery. The temple is small but *uite nice.$ood place to rela% for a while.

A)Hanuman TempleC Right after Durga 'andir is a huge statue of 1ord Hanuman perched on the

hill. #limb several flights of stairs to reach up to the temple.

9) Deolo HillC This is the major attraction in ?ast 4alimpong. The tourism department has

created an =Bacre lush parland with manicured flower gardens and several view points with

breathtaing views of 4anchenjunga, Durpin hill, 4alimpong Township and the valley withrivers flowing through them.

Deolo" 6alimpong


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Deolo hill is the highest point of 4alimpong with an altitude of about A,A00ft. There is a $T-

(erstwhile D$H#) lodge here and a multi cuisine restaurant. #hildren can also tae pony rides.

-t one corner of the lawn are stalls offering coffee and snacs. verall a great place to have apicnic or just rela%. ?ntry feeC Rs. /0KB for day visitors.

)Mangal DhamC -n e%cellent temple comple% built in the memory of late $uruji 'angal Dasjiand dedicated to 1ord 4rishna. Devotees come from far away places.

Mangal D#am" 6alimpong

=) Thongsa GompaC This is the oldest monsatery in 4alimpong which was built in /97@. It&s alsonown as the 2hutan 'onastery and located close to 'angal Dham.

)O,A) S5.TS//57. 8=/ST 6A)5MPO7.9 - A)F DA'" : O+4S

/) Nature nterpretation CenterC This is a museum run by the forest department. It has many

pictures and paintings of flora + fauna e%plaining the nature and environment of 4alimpong

area. It&s located close to the town.


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@) !rmy Gol" CourseC - scenic 7Bhole golf course which was conceived and laid by the army

authorities. 3ou can see the golf course from the roadside 6atershed !iew "oint. From here youalso get splendid views of the mountains as well as 1oleygaon. It&s located close to the #ircuit

House.

Army .ol$ ,ourse" 6alimpong

8) Morgan HouseC This used to be an old 2ritish property and reflect a typical colonialarchitecture with sprawling garden and views of 4anchenjunga. It has been converted into a

hotel and now run by 6est 2engal Tourism Department. 3ou can enter the premises and wal

around, but can not go upstairs in the building where most rooms are located. 'organ House islocated opposite to the -rmy $olf #ourse.

Morgan;s ouse" 6alimpong


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;)Durpin MonasteryC This Tibetan monastery is located on the Durpin hill and hence such name.

The actual name is Gang Dog "alri monastery. It was built in /7@ and has some rare 2uddhist

scripts that were brought here by Dalai 1ama from Tibet. From the upper terrace of themonastery, you get magnificent views of 4alimpong town with 4anchenjunga in the

bacground, the valley and the plains, Teesta + Reang rivers flowing down, and lovely tea

estates of "eshoe area.

Durpin Monastery" 6alimpong

A)#elepla View PointC 3ou get spectacular view of elepla "ass which once used to be a route forregular trade with Tibet. 3ou can also see the confluence of river Teesta, Reang and Relli. The

view point is maintained by the army.

*elepla ie! Point" 6alimpong


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9) Pratima Tagore HouseC This house with nice garden and lovely views was built by "ratima

Tagore in /7;8, daughterBinBlaw of the poet Rabindranath Tagore. 3ou will find original

furnishing, lot of memorabilia and poet&s verses in this house. It is located on -tisha road close tothe "ine !iew 5ursery.

) Pine View NurseryC It has great collections of cactus and ornamental plants. 3ou get greatview of 4alimpong town from the bacside lawn. ?ntry feeC Rs. /0KB per person.

Pinevie! 7ursery 6alimpong

=)$ali MandirC Temple of goddess 4ali. #limb a stairway from the roadside to reach up to the

temple. From an adjoining terrace, you get wonderful view of west 4alimpong and the mountain

range.

F+)) DA' )O,A) S5.TS//57. TO+4 OF 6A)5MPO7.

3ou can combine the ?ast and 6est 4alimpong local tours I have described above to mae a fullday local sightseeing tour. In addition to all the places I have mentioned above, you can also

cover the followingC

/) 4alimong&s colorful maret (particularly Haat 2a

detail guide darjeeling sikkim

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