Darjeeling
is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Hills’.
Situated on a height of 2,042 meters above sea level, this hill station
lies in the lesser Himalayan mountain ranges. The town is one of the most
popular hill stations in India. Darjeeling is the crowning jewel in West Bengal
state’s tourism portfolio. It offers some breathtaking panoramic views of
snow-clad mountains and lush green valleys.
Darjeeling
enjoys tourist attention all year round. While summers are peak season for the
crowds to come in, winter months also see a fair share of visitors. The hill
station has been a favorite holiday destination since the time of the British
rule in India. Officials who were not used to the hot tropical climate of this
country would escape to this Himalayan town for some respite from the heat. The best
place to stay in Darjeeling is some of the old guest houses which
date back to the colonial period. The old architectural style of these
buildings has an old world charm which attracts many tourists.
Darjeeling
is most well-known for two things – toy train and tea. The Darjeeling Himalayan
Railway line is UNESCO world heritage site. This railway route passes through
many twists and turns of Himalayan foothills treating passengers to some
splendid scenic views. The commercial production of Darjeeling Tea was
introduced to the region by the British officials somewhere around mid-1850s. Many
tea lovers and enthusiasts hail Darjeeling Tea as one of the finest brews of
tea in the world. The mountain slopes of Darjeeling and surrounding regions comprise
of many small and large tea estates. There are also a few ancient monasteries
and some famous eateries in this town that are great sightseeing spots for the
tourist population.
Darjeeling luxury
resorts offer guests with lavish accommodation facilities and
spectacular views. Most of them are built on top of a hill, surrounded by tea plantations
on all sides. Guests staying at these resorts are can enjoy the beautiful views
of snow-clad mountain peaks while sipping warm Darjeeling tea. All the windows
of these rooms overlook lush green tea gardens. Away from any civilization of urban
life, these luxury resorts are perfect for a quiet vacation. Guests are treated
to the best kind of hospitality services. All rooms are equipped with 24 hours
warm water supply and room heaters. These resorts also include multi-cuisine
restaurants. Open air barbeque is also available in some resorts. There is also
wellness spa available for the relaxation and rejuvenation of the guests.
There
are many tea estates in Darjeeling that have opened their gates for the tourist
population. Spread over a large property, these tea estates give guests a
chance to indulge in tea tourism. The best place to stay in Darjeeling is a tea garden resort. Guests are
free to roam around the adjoining tea gardens and enjoy the serene views of
nature. They can take part in the delicate activity of plucking tea – two
leaves and a bud. These resorts also offer complimentary tea tasting sessions
for their guests. In some cases, a visit to the tea factory is also arranged to
take them through the stages of commercial tea processing. Holidaying at a tea
estate is a unique and unforgettable experience.
