Darjeeling :: Colorful Indian Holidays, Online Tour Operator in India, Tours in India, Tours Travel to India

About Darjeeling
Kolkata may be an overpopulated, grimy, poverty-stricken noisy city, but it also has an abundance of charm deriving from the faded decadence found in many parts of the city, and its plethora of historical, cultural and religious buildings. Till 1912, Calcutta was the capital of India, when the British moved the capital city to Delhi. In 1947, when India gained freedom and the country got partitioned between India and Pakistan, Calcutta was included in the Indian part of Bengal, West Bengal. Calcutta became the capital city of the state of West Bengal.

Today Kolkata remains one of the most prominent cities in India, a city with a soul, a fabled past and a rich artistic tradition. Great wealth and great poverty live side by side; the last of the hand-pulled rickshaws operate on the land above the new Metro system. Shops with antiques and traditional arts are as busy as high fashion boutiques and contemporary music.

The city also has the (deserved) reputation as the cultural and intellectual capital of India. Literature is still a buzzword here and as one local put it, ‘A Bengali must know how to discuss literature, music, books, ideas - otherwise he doesn’t really feel he belongs.’ Not that intellect is only a male domain, indeed women have a welcome and strong presence in Kolkata society compared with most Indian cities. And while Mumbai churns out an all-singing all-dancing film every minute, Kolkata prides itself on a more cultural, measured approach to film-making. This is, after all, home to Rabindranath Tagore (Nobel Prize-winning poet) and film director Satyajit Ray.

Major Tourist Attractions
Tiger Hill & Kanchenjunga
Situated at an altitude of 2590 metres (8482 ft.) 15 km from Darjeeling town. A view of the sunrise Kalimpong Market

amidst the Himalayan range has earned it an international fame. From here you can get a glimpse of Mount Everest, the highest mountain, Makalu (27,799') and Kanchenjunga range.

Ghoom & Ghoom Rock
About 15 km from Darjeeling, on the Ghoom-Sukhia Pokhri Road, offering a grand view of the mountains and the Balsan Valley. It is a popular spot with the tourists. Batasia Loop and the War Memorial About 5 kms. From Darjeeling, this loop is almost one of the greatest attractions among the journey.

Japanese Temple
The Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple, Charlimont started in 1972. It commands an excellent view of the town and the Himalayan range.

Dhirdham Temple
Situated below the Railway Station, it is built on the style of the famous "Pashupatinath" temple of Katmandu, Nepal.

Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
This is the only Zoo in the world to breed Tibetan Wolf in Captivity and the first South Asian Zoo to breed Snow Leopard and Siberian Tiger. It is internationally recognized because of conservation breeding of Snow Leopard and Red Panda.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute Situated on Jawaharlal Parbat about 2 km. From Chow Rasta, this unique institution trains mountaineers. The Everest Museum is one of the main attractions here.

Tenzing Rock and Gumbo Rock
Tenzing Rock and Gumbo Rock Situated at Lebong Cart Road, HMI conducts rock-climbing lessons on this rock.

Victoria Falls
Short distance away from the Railway Station, downward to the south, are the stunningly beautiful Victoria Falls created by the Kalijhora, a small stream. Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway The Darjeeling Ropeway connects Darjeeling with the little Monasteries Ghoom Monastery, Aloobari Monastery.

Lloyd Botanical Gardens
This is One of the best gardens in Asia comprising 16 Acres of land.

Climate of Darjeeling
Summer: 16 �C
Winter: 1.6 �C

How to Reach
Air: The nearest airport to Darjeeling is Bagdogra about 94-96 kms away from Darjeeling. There are direct flight connections with Delhi, Calcutta and Guwahati

Train : The closest Railway Station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) about 88 kms away from Darjeeling. It has direct railway connections with Calcutta, Delhi, Guwahati, Varanasi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Jaipur and other major cities of India.

Road: Darjeeling is connected to Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan and all of its surrounding hills. The major access to Darjeeling is via Siliguri, which is connected to all the major cities Gangtok 119 km, Guwahati 590 km, Kolkata 759 km, Kathmandu, Nepal 677 km, Sikkim 120 km.

Entry Formalities for Non Indian Citizens in Sikkim and Darjeeling.
All foreigners have to obtain a special innerline permit for Sikkim which they could get from Indian Embassy. Foreigners can avail only 15 days permit to visit Sikkim which can be renewed.

You should be part of a group of minimum 4 persons in order to visit Dzongri (in West Sikkim) for the purpose of trekking. All the permits can be collected from the Indian Missions in different countries. It can also be collected from Foreigners' Regional Registration Offices in Calcutta, Delhi, Madras & Bombay or the Office of the Assistant Resident Commissioner, Govt. of Sikkim, Calcutta or the office of the Deputy Director (Tourism), Govt. of sikkim, New Delhi. If you have already come to the region without obtaining proper permits, naturebeyond will assist you in arranging the same from the Assistant Director (Tourism), Govt. of Sikkim, Siliguri or the Deputy Commissioner, Darjeeling. Presently permits can also be obtained from Rangpo at the time of entering Sikkim.