Darjeeling Tour

After a hectic week of official Kolkata tour, I got a chance to break the monotony on last weekend. Without giving a second thought, I travel to Darjeeling on Friday night through a Darjeeling Mail. I boarded this train on Friday evening and reached Darjeeling on Saturday morning. There were several reasons behind this decision among all the foremost one is Darjeeling Toy Train ride. Though I visited this place during my childhood days yet its scenic memory is still lingering in my mind even after 15 years.

Darjeeling is the land of immense scenic beauty, which designated it with the title of the Queen of Hill Station. It is famous for its snow-clad Himalayan mountain ranges, widespread tea gardens and diversity in floral and fauna collections. Tourists in a large number flock to this place to enjoy the splendid beauty of Himalayas with the slow moving toy train, Hindu temples, Buddhist monasteries, flower gardens and zoo for Himalayan fauna. It is the land of nature’s scenic potpourri, which makes it one of the most sought after hill resorts of India.

The moment when I reached Jalpaiguri my heart was throbbing like anything because of my desperation to board 2 feet (610 mm) narrow-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway alias Toy Train. It was declared as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

The toy train has only 2 coaches First Class coach with capacity of 12-17 passengers and the second class coach with capacity of 30 seats. I had a ticket of first-class and boarded the train to begin the journey of 86 kilometers. It is advisable to book your ticket in advance because less availability of seats, which are always on high demand.  The train begins from an elevation of 100 meters from Siliguri and reaches up to an altitude of 2,200 meters in Darjeeling. Throughout the journey, I was mesmerized by the ambiances of passing by destinations.

Through the glass window, I was watching passing by destinations, which delighted my visual feast. The visual extravaganza of Mahanandi valley, tea garden landscapes, monasteries and forests of pine and oak trees stimulated my soul whose experience is still lingering in my thoughts.

I was totally lost in the slow puffing train and passing by destinations. While I was enjoying the mesmerizing blend of nature the train reaches Batasia Loop. It is an interesting track-loop between Ghoom and Darjeeling where train corkscrews through a tunnel. This is the most interesting and most awaited turn of the toy train because it gives spectacular views of Darjeeling town with the Kanchenjunga and other snowy mountains in the backdrop.

Finally, after 8 hours ride amidst serene and scenic nature’s ambiances, I reached Darjeeling around 04:30 pm. The toy train ride was so ecstatic that I haven’t felt excursion on my Darjeeling arrival. Based on my experience I would recommend this toy train ride is must for every visitor during their Darjeeling Tour. It is the best way to feel the charm of nature’s exotica.

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After exploring a number of beautiful places in India, I have started

considering every bit of rejuvenating nature as the source of my inspiration. I watch and admire crystal clear waterways, chirping of birds, pleasing greenery with dew drops and the divine morning prayers. As I made a wish to seek God in nature, luckily I got an opportunity to visit Gangtok on an official tour. This city of beauty, adventure, spirituality and relaxation has always been a favourite of all the travellers.

As I arrived Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, I was welcomed by snow capped Himalayas, dense greens, aromatic air filled with Buddhist chantings and the true sense of relaxation. Kush, my guide, told me that this bewitching hill-station located amidst the multiple-hued mountains of Sikkim, is perched at an altitude of 1,870 m. Being an impeccable tourist destination, it has ample of places to see and appreciate.

I started my exploration with the monasteries. I could see Buddhist Lamas, wearing red chogas, and brightly painted pagoda roofed houses in every street of the city. My first halt was the famous Labrang Monastery, which belongs to the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The best part with the monastery is that it showcases a wide range of ancient Buddhist artifacts and manuscripts. The Thanka paintings

were simply spell-binding. Similarly the Enchey, Rumtek and Phodong monasteries are the excellent examples of Buddhist architecture.

Next I visited the picturesque Kangchendzonga National Park that lies over the green forest floor and covers a few treetops. The snow line on the higher altitude offers splendid views. It is a wonderful place to explore the superb flora and fauna of the place. Besides, the Deer Park (adjacent to the new secretariat; also called the Rustomji Park) is also a nice place to spend some quality time with family or friends.

In the evening, I headed towards the crystal clear Kechopari Lake. The entire region is surrounded by dense forests and green hills. A few species of colorful birds add some more beauty to the place. Kush insisted me to pay a short visit to Lachung as well, which is the last habitation on the road to Yumthang monastery. But we were running short of time and I asked him to take me to the market.

Kush told me that the main markets for shopping in Gangtok are Old market, New Market and Lal market. These market areas are loaded with good quality carved furniture, Lepcha weave bags, wooden clothes, bamboo artifacts etc. My last halt in Gangtok was the handicraft and handloom directorate office in New market, where I found a huge variety in carpets, masks, bright Choktse tables and Thanka hangings.

I found the natural splendor of this beautiful city quite enchanting and mesmerizing. Steep mountain slopes along with lush rice terraces, encircled by graceful, babbling & foaming rivers add to the beauty of Gangtok.

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