Enjoy the Champagne of Teas with Darjeeling

Added: 05/08/2006

Regarded as the Land of the Celestial Thunderbolt, Darjeeling was given to Britain as a present from the independent kingdom of Sikkim. Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas and surrounded entirely by snowcapped vistas, the place became soon a popular summer resort of British. Today, the third highest mountain in the world, Mount Kanchnjunga is recognized as the most well-favored attraction in Darjeeling, though the town has also established itself as a renowned producer of teas, retaining some of its Gothic Victorian ambiance.

Known best for its champagne of teas, Darjeeling is a favorite vacation destination that offers its guests charming old-world accommodations in colonial hill-station environment. As with a number of other hill stations, it is associated with climbing, hiking and other great outdoor activities.

Upper Darjeeling is home to the Chowrasta and the Mall, where the life proceeds in slow relaxing pace, providing you with a wonderful opportunity to enjoy leisure strolls, shops with artifacts and trinkets and cafes and bars offering great variations of tea. Among major attractions of Darjeeling are Himalayan Zoo, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Buddhist temples and monasteries and the Kanchendzonga in its splendor from Tiger Hills.

With more than 70 different tea plantations, Darjeeling is the type of place you are sure to enjoy, offering you to drink a cup of tea in relaxing atmosphere. Most visitors to the town a tour of Darjeeling, demonstrating everything from tea harvesting to the way tea varieties are sorted and prepared for export. For the greatest selection of non-organic and organic teas, consider Nathmulls, with some 20-30 plantations - a family business specializing in tea growing and sales since 1931.

A good viewing point is Observatory Hill, regarded as sacred by Buddhists and Hindus. The town also boasts a significant Tibetan presence and many Buddhist monasteries worth a visit. Located against the backdrop of Kanchenjunga is the spectacular Bhutia Busty Gompa, known for the contents of its renowned Buddhist library with the original Tibetan Book of the Dead as one of its treasures.

A definite must-do during your stay in Darjeeling, a Glorious Sunrise is watching the sunrise from the Tiger Hill, close to the sleepy town of Ghoom. Some 140 miles away is Mount Everest, visible on clear days. On your way back don't miss the opportunity to visit the Ghoom Gompa - one of the best known Buddhist monasteries around the town, established in the late 1800s.

For its visitors Darjeeling offers a wide selection of accommodations, with most widely reputed of these being Windamere Hotel, a Victorian building situated on Observatory Hill and featuring large and charming heritage rooms. Another great option, the New Elgin Hotel is ranked with the oldest hotels in Darjeeling and is frequented by travelers looking for reliving the splendor of the British Raj. The public spaces are filled with deep armchairs, old-fashioned sofas and wonderful rugs, while the guestrooms feature less luxury.

Those looking for quiet and peace should consider the nearby hill station of Kalimpong, located at some 4,000 feet and recognized as a magnificent destination, with relaxing walks, spectacular views, and plentiful wild orchids. Here you'll be offered an array of places to stay and enjoy your vacation, including such charming hotels as Silver Oaks, Himalayan Hotel, Dekeling Hotel, Mayfair Hill Resort and more.

For fine dining consider Dekevas Restaurant, Lemon Grass, Glenary's, Keventer's Snack Bar and Windamere Hotel Restaurant among lovers. Famous all over the world for its tea that is extremely aromatic and has a delicate taste, a number of eateries and bars feature an extensive list of Darjeeling tea recipes to please every visitor.

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