Darjeeling:Travel

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[All About Darjeeling]

Himalayan Zoological Park & Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: 7/10

Both the Zoo and the HMI are located at the same premises.An interesting feature about the zoo is that not many animals are caged.Their home is the downside open enclosure with the wall and we can see the animals when we stand at the upper edge.It was the first time that we saw red panda and the black panther(bageera) at the zoo.HMI is a museum for the climbers,and in honour of those who have climbed the mountains,the everest etc.Photography is strictly prohibited inside the HMI museum.

Video on Darjeeling



Tenzing Rock HMI: 8/10

If you are looking for a kind of rock climbing that's fun and not all strenuous,this cutie rock is for you :)..Many people including children enjoy the art of rock climbing here.It gets more easy when one of the instructor is standing just at the middle of the rock,to make it more easy for you,incase you think how to and where to go next.Same while coming down.

Tiger Hill : 9/10

Tiger Hill is one of the major attractions in Darjeeling where the glowing sunrays over the Mt Kunchenjunga charms you with its beauty.We reached early by around 4,and there were many others like us to witness the event.Though we missed the sunrise over the snow clad mountains,maybe it was due to the cloud the other night.An advice to those who travel:

Make sure you have two days in hand for tiger hill.And best is to go by a shared vehicle,as that would cost you less.


Ghum Batasia Loop And War Memorial:7/10

Batasia loop at ghum is where the toy train makes a turn of 360 degrees.The war memorial is situated at the loop premises.Many people go to the Batasia loop in the morning wee hours,while returning from Tiger Hill that's when the whole rail track is covered with track bajaar..In fact at that time ,you would not be able to figure out the track much.As the day passes by,the crowd disperses,and the place is neat and clean over a certain 10 am.That's when we have the toy train running on those tracks.

We get the best chicken and veg momos on the roadside of batasia loop,spicy tangy and delicious.


Shanti Stupa: 7/10


Shanti Stupa also popularly known as "Japanese peace pagoda" is a white pagoda carved with wooden work,and golden statues of budha,similar to the shanti stupa we have in Leh.

Darjeeling toy train: 9/10

How can we miss the experience of a chuk chuk gadi,how much I love the trains!The popular route people travel by is Darjeeling-Ghum,though we travelled till Kurseong.A very different feature about the toy train was that the seat was reversible and whenever the train changed directions,we were at our liberty to change our seat directions as well.The best view is when the toy train makes a 360 degree at ghum,so keep your eyes open when you hear "ghum,ghum,ghum".

Ghum Monastry:7/10

While coming back from Tiger Hill,we have the ghum monastry and the batasia loop.The Monastry is very small,and there were many small roadside dhele wale to sell goodies right in front of the Monastry gate.A 15 minute visit to the Monastry is prefered..

Rock Garden:6/10

A man made garden,made of rocks and artifical waterfall.Great for picnics.

Tibetan Refugee Centre:9/10

A scenic trek alongside the police station and ccd is the kacha road that leads to TRC and the gorkha statium and the horse race.Tibetan refugee centre is about the livelihood of tibetan refugees and all of them were busy in their small industrial workshops(Carpets,woolens,carpentry etc) they had there.TRC has a refugee museum,and the quote below is the one I clicked at TRC and it stands true 100%.

We have bigger houses but smaller families;

more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees, but less sense;

more knowledge, but less judgement;

more experts, but more problems;

more medicines, but less healthiness.

We’ve been all the way to the moon and back,

but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbour.

We build more computers

to hold more information,

to produce more copies then ever,

but have less communication.

We have become long on quantity,

but short on quality.

These are times of fast foods,

but slow digestion;

Tall men but short character;

Steep profits but shallow relationships.

It’s a time when there is much in the window,

but nothing in the room.

Gorkha Stadium & Horse Race Course:6/10

Both the stadium and Race course is visible while going down the trek.As the locals advised us otherwise,that the horse race doesnt have the horses and the stadium no longer is open,we skipped it altogether.

Ropeway:9/10

The ropeway was a great experience.The gandola is similar to the one at gulmarg.The panoramic views of tea gardens right at the path of the ropeway was beautiful.At the other end of the ropeway is a small village.A cute little girl dressed us as tea pickers,in a lovely red attire.We had maaja,some beer..and a great time at darjeeling.

That pretty much sums up Darjeeling.Hope you guys now have a fair idea of the place and the journey to Darjeeling now will be more easy and simple for you.

Take care guys,and drop in comments.