Much needed and planned break from busy life in the jungle of concrete, we planned to spend some time in the "Queen of Hills" Darjeeling.
We travelled by train, its a overnight journey from Kolkata. There are plenty of trains available but Darjeeling Mail is the best option as it takes much less time and timings are good. Darjeeling mail starts from Sealdah at 22:05 and reaches at New Jalpaiguri at 8:00 in the morning. You will have enough time to get fresh , have breakfast and morning tea.
It was an adventurous journey through hills and tea estate via Sevok road.
After a great road trip through hills and greens with great testy foods finally we reached to Darjeeling in the afternoon. After check in the hotel we had great food and reached to Mall. It's and amazing place surrounded by hills. We spent the evening post that a walk through hilly road to the hotel.
Next morning we woke up early as we had planned to go to Tiger Hills. For me it's very difficult to wake up in the morning, but I am always excited about hills. We reached at the view point before the sunrise. Even though the weather was foggy and we could not get good view of the mountain Kangchenjunga during sunrise, we got good view of the mountains.
A cup of warm tea in the cold morning on the top of hill is always bliss. You will get tea available there, it will cost more there.
A small road trip with foggy weather we reached to Batasia loop. It looks mesmerising with foggy cloud. We drenched in small dews by the passing frequent clouds.
After breakfast we booked a car to reach to Darjeeling. Though we did not carry any camera, but we had phone to get some pics.
Warm food with team in such misty wether makes the journey wonderful. After having good breakfast we reached to Ghum monastery. Its a calm and peaceful place, we spent some time there with monks. The architecture, beauty and the history will mesmerise you.
Before ending the journey for the day, we decided to roam around through the small villages, through hills. You will get several restaurants with amazing food and of course tea. The view of green hills and villages with shed of clouds and sunshine is always charming.
After the trip for the day we head back to Mall in the evening for a walk. You will find the kids are playing with friends, parents are spending quality time and playing with their kids. Thats kinda life I want.
So the last day of the trip, we went to the Rock Garden. It's a beautifully planned garden with small bridges and staircase alongside the beautiful waterfall.
It feels wonderful to walk through the bridges on top of the waterfall and forest.
This is how it looks from the top.
After having food we headed towards Darjeeling Zoo. A lots of animals you can find. Though I don't have good knowledge on animals, but got lots of information about animals, birds.
Oh its leopard!!
There are a lots of animals you can find, I did not capture all of them but you must get the experience.
After visiting the zoo we went to Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, got the complete history of mountaineering and Himalayas. A lots of knowledge on highest peaks and their history you will find here. I have a dream to get certified from this institute.
With lots of memory, knowledge and experiences and a bit of sadness we started our journey from Darjeeling to NJP. Yes, the journey ended. I believe not yet, did not have idea that some more is waiting. Travelled via Pashupathinagar, the gateway of Nepal from India. You can walk through the market in Pashupathinagar, you have to present any of Indian Identity Card, no visa/permit required. You can buy a lots of souvenir from here. Also taste good food here.
One of the best place by this route is Mirik. A small village with a beautiful lake alongside of green forest. Walking by the lake with closed once makes the journey memorable.
If you choose to travel in right season, you can get amazing view of green tea gardens uniformly shaped. Stop and spend some time here, feel the breeze and good vibes.
And we reached to New Jalpaiguri Station by the evening. Time to go back to hometown.
Few words before I end:
a) You can get good hotels easily, book in right time.
b) Try local cousins, drinks, foods. You will get good momo here.
c) Spend time, don't rush and try to travel most of the places. You cannot enjoy and feel the people, culture.
d) You can avail shared cab from NJP to darjeeling and local trips, but it's better to book for your own as you can plan as per timings.
e) Last but not the least, just enjoy the places, people and culture.
