 |
Section 2: When to go.
Section 3: Where to stay.
Section 4: Where to eat.
Section 5: Which places to visit.
Section
1: Ways to go ( जाने के तरीके )
(by AIR)
Nearest airport to Darjeeling is "Bagdogra" airport which is roughly naughty 69kms away from Darjeeling main city and will take you approx 3 hours to reach via cab. Shared cabs will charge around ₹600/person and ₹2400 for a reserved taxi. You will get the taxis just outside the airport or could book one from the prepaid taxi counter inside the airport. (Which generally run out of cabs)
Nearest Railway station to Darjeeling is "New-Jalpaiguri" in Siliguri town which is roughly 71kms away from Darjeeling main city and will take you approx 3 hours to reach via cab. The cab fares should be more or less the same as discussed above which is approx ₹600/person in shared cabs and ₹2400 for reserved taxis. Shared jeeps will cost you even less, say ₹200/person as they would accommodate 10persons and also they take longer time to reach as they had to stop at several places along the way for dropping and picking up passengers.
Note: In both the scenarios travellers can take busses from Siliguri town and travel to Darjeeling. The bus services will be slow but economical. The 9kms distance between New Jalpaiguri railway station and Siliguri bus stand will cost you roughly ₹100 (autos) ₹50(cycle rickshaws) ₹250 (taxis) and will take 10-30mins depending on the mode of transport
Bagdogra Airport to Siliguri bus stand is 15kms and cost roughly ₹400 by taxis and will take 20-30mins.
Note: Bus fares from Siliguri to Darjeeling will be approx ₹100/person and an important thing to pay attention here is; the busses takes 6 hours+ to reach Darjeeling and employs between 0530-1030HRS (AM) only. Depending on your budget, you can choose to travel the way you like. There is an option available to everyone.
(by ROAD)
The main complexity lies in this. Who doesn't loves to drive? Be it 4 wheelers or two! Generally it takes 3 hours to reach Darjeeling main city and after 1 hour from your source the hilly roads start. The roads itself is a blessing in disguise. The beautiful scenic view that it provides comes with a cost. The dangerously narrow roads coupled with many of the hair pin bends. The roads runs parallel with the mighty mountains on one side and the deep narrow steep valleys on the other.
An
important thing to note here is that you are not allowed to stop anywhere in
the middle of the roads as there will be hardly any space left for the third
vehicle to pass. No matter how skilled a driver you are, you will find yourself
in not so comfortable position as other drivers will be racing past beside you
and cars behind honking to overtake you.
You
need to be a Pahadi, being born and brought up in these roads to be capable to
drive through. Nevertheless my warning should not de-motivate you from sitting
behind the wheels as the landscape is picturesque.
Tip: Avoid
Travelling at night.
Note: You should start your to and fro journeys before noon as it's very difficult to find any mode of transport post noon. As the drivers has to return back to their destination and mostly avoid night travel. Even the busses don't operate at night. In case night travel is your only option you can ask your hotel management to arrange a car in advance.
If you have any doubt feel free to comment.
Section 2: When to go ( कब जाना है )
Legend says one can come and explore Darjeeling in any
time of the day, during any month of the year.
The cold mountains during WINTERS are bone chilling and a heaven for chill lovers.
There is hardly any possibility for snowfall and snow cleared roads and the
chill factor of the mountains has its own charm.
Mid November to January: the
cold season. Winter is in full swing and you can expect a temperature variation
from as low as minus 2 to 11 degrees C. Don't forget to pack woolen clothes as
they will be your best friends. Darjeeling is best explored by foot and the
steep climbs will help you keep your body warm. No matter how much you walk, a
mere 5 min rest along roadside will be enough to give you a fresh parcel of
energy for your onward expedition. If you love to explore by foot, winter is
the time.
July to mid September: the rainy season.
Monsoon is in full swing and the visitors can experience the lush green flora
and fauna. The hustle and bustle of the crowd is minimum and the tourist
density is least. Being off season you will get great deals in accommodation
and transport. Apart from the surprisingly green valleys, one can enjoy the
cloud covered mountains, foggy roads and the sweet aroma of Darjeeling tea
perfectly blending with the atmosphere. The temperature remains
mostly between 13 to 19 degrees C.
April to June: The Summers: the best time to beat the torching heat of the plains and escape to the pleasant mountains. The temperature is about 25 degrees C and possibly the best time to visit Darjeeling as the sky is clear and you get to see the most spectacular view of the mighty Kanchenjunga mountains which remain hidden at other time of season. And as legends has said: Darjeeling is all about the majestic view of mighty Kanchenjunga, the 3rd highest peak in the world. But honestly, there is more than that which we will see in later part of the blog. KEEP READING : )
Section 3: Where to stay (ठहरने के उत्तम स्थान)
This depends mainly on two things, namely; BUDGET &
PREFERENCE
You might either want to stay in some of the best hotels loaded with facilities
or in home stays mingling with the locals and experiencing raw.
no matter what's your choice and preference is, Darjeeling has got a lot to
offer.
below
are the top luxury resorts of Darjeeling
15 best resorts in and around Darjeeling
below
are the top luxury hotels of Darjeeling
top 3-5 star hotels of darjeeling
below
are the top budget hotels of Darjeeling
Budget
hotels in Darjeeling
Below
are some of the cool homestays in Darjeeling
HOMESTAYS
Now before you book any hotel or
homestay, you should decide on one more important factor and that is; Location.
you can stay either chose to stay close to the mall road or say within the
proximity of Darjeeling's main hub or a little outside of the hustle and bustle
of the crowd.
Both has its advantages and disadvantages!
Being close to the main city will give you access to the
happening crowd, famous restaurants and shopping areas but, in most cases will
hinder the great views one desire for, on the other hand if you chose to nestle
among the hills with great exceptional views you will miss out on the hustle
and bustle of the tourists and would be far away from popular eateries and
shopping centres.
One important thing to keep in mind is that the hotels and
home stays which are located little farther from Darjeeling city are in such
places where the views are no doubt absolutely stunning but the fewer
restaurants and shops which are there, closes too early, some as early as
evening 5pm. So it would be always a good idea to stock some food if you are
planning to toil around in those areas itself.
Moreover, keep in mind that you always have to walk a
distance of 1.5 to 2kms to reach the main market area but don't you worry. We
have got you covered. You also have the option to hire shared vans or jeeps
which takes ₹10 per person or else ₹60 reserved.
so the power of choice lies in your good hands.
Section 4: Where to EAT (खानपान)
you can click on the
above link to look for some of the famous local foods and the below link for
the famous restaurants you can try out during your stay in Darjeeling.
Glenary's and Keventer's are such
two restaurants which has become a tourist spot over the years.
Both the restaurants are over 100 years old and has their establishments since
the British Colonial days.
While Glenary is famous for its bakeries Keventer boasts of its English
sumptuous breakfast.
Having said so, I personally could not establish Darjeeling as a food heaven. Most restaurants provide non vegetarian food so the vegetarians are left with very little options. Also, the taste of most food items are blunt and many restaurants are overhyped. The cafes are great, providing relaxed ambience and great views combined with warm hospitality but again when it comes to taste, all of them lacks behind. It's my very personal opinion and many would like to differ.
Section 5: Which places
to visit (भ्रमण स्थान)
Whenever someone says Darjeeling,
3 things comes on one's mind
Tea Garden
Toy Train
Mount Kanchenjunga
DARJEELING TEA: Is also known as the fine wine of teas as Darjeeling tea, like champagne, enjoys a
geographical indicator status and cannot be grown or manufactured
anywhere else in the world. The tea produced in the region is
processed and manufactured in factories in Darjeeling before
it is sent to other parts of India and exported around the world.
Happy Valley Tea Estate is one of many
such tea gardens which you can visit and while being there don't forget to
Visit the tea factory where you will get a guided tour of the process of making
tea.
Four times Tea leaves are harvested.
- First
Flush: March – April
- Second
Flush: May – June
- Monsoon
Flush: July – August
- Autumnal
Flush: October – November
This is the time when you can watch the tea pluckers plucking early in the morning, when the leaves are still covered with dew singing to themselves and merrily bonding with the blue skies and the mountain dews, surrounded by the green valley which is more than enough to give your heart those little kick of joy and happiness. Don't forget to buy some tea before leaving.
TOY TRAIN: is referred as moving, hooting and rumbling a
grand piece of history. The popular toy train joy ride in Darjeeling takes
place for a duration of 2 hours. This is a round trip of 16 kilometres. The
train starts from the Darjeeling station goes up to Ghum, makes a brief halt at
the Ghum station so that you can take a look at the DHR museum and then on its
way back stops at Batasia loop for soaking in the great views of Kanchenjunga
as well as Darjeeling town on the hill slope and then returns to Darjeeling.
For longer rides you can take the toy train between NJP and Darjeeling or
between Kurseong and Darjeeling.
This train ride can be booked normally as you book any
other train tickets via IRCTC website or via any other app. For Diesel engine
the fare would be ₹1000/person and for the legendary steam engine the fare
would be ₹1500/person.
Tip: If you don't want to spend that much amount of money
on ticket price, you can always go up to Batasia loop and watch the train
surpassing you slowly hooting and rumbling to its glory.
MOUNT KANCHENJUNGA: The Darjeeling hill station will give
you a spectacular view of the world’s third highest mountain peak, the
Kanchenjunga. Not only this, one can also enjoy an outstanding view of the
world’s highest peak, The Everest from the Tiger hill.
Talking about Tiger hills one can go and view some of the spectacular Sunrises and Sunsets but one thing to be kept in mind that during winters and monsoons these delicate views are restricted due to clouds and fog and are not worth a visit.
You can click on the below
link to see all the places you can visit here.
Try
to cover as much as possible by foot and once all nearby areas are well
explored hire a cab to visit not so nearby places. Mix with the locals. I have
definitely not been to any other place which made me feel so welcome. The
random Morning wishes from the locals, the never ending smile, the cute Pahadi
faces and the Energy and Charisma. Everything is so welcoming about this
place. The fresh cool atmosphere and the clean-green topology will make sure
you never run out of breath and feel rejuvenated and revitalized all the time.
Darjeeling
is not a city, it's an emotion. The calmness that it provides will fill your
soul with peace and tranquility. You will live the place and not just gonna
love it.
My
Opinion: Book a personal homestay with a kitchen (not just a private room but a
whole house) You can use Air-Bnb app for that. They are quite affordable and
within budget. I Myself have stayed in one of such houses. Buy your groceries,
cook yourself and get sucked in the mystic beauty of this place that has
so much to offer to feed your hungry soul. If you are planning to stay in
winters don't forget to check for gysers and room heaters. Trust me! Those will
be blessings.
Happy Roaming! Happy Travelling!
If you have
any doubt feel free to comment.
Comments
Post a Comment