Paradise Island Resort & Spa

Places to Visit in Darjeeling

Gangtok

Gangtok is a famous hill station in the north --eastern part of India. Gangtok has the largest hospitality industry as the basis of Sikkim tourism and is the capital of the state. Hence, the hospitality of this hill station is something to really look forward to. Just for enjoying the hospitality alone, many people pay a visit to this state almost every year. Thus, it can be clearly understood that apart from having hills, mountains, scenic, and natural beauty, Gangtok is also famous for its hospitality.

Baba Mandir (Harbajan Singh Memorial)

Further 10kms from Tsongo Lake on the way to Nathu-la - Jelepla pass lays the legendary Baba Mandir at an altitude of over 13,000 feet. It was built in memory of a soldier in the 23rd Punjab Regiment, who drowned in a stream near the spot. Legend says he later appeared in a dream to one of his colleagues where he requested that a temple be built in his memory.

Tsongmo Lake

Tsongmo Lake or Changu Lake is a glacial lake in the East Sikkim, India, some 40 kilometres (25 mi) away from Gangtok at altitude of 3,780 m (12,400 ft).

The road to Nathu La passes the lake on north side. The Chinese border crossing is only some 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) east-northeast in a straight line, but some 18 kilometres (11 mi) by road.

Nathula Pass - Day Trip From Gangtok

56 km from Gangtok is the Nathula Pass at an altitude of 14450 ft, bordering between India and China in the Tibetan Plateau. It is one of the highest motorable roads and is richly covered by many varieties of alpine flora and fauna. It is most tranquil place to visit. At present domestic tourist are given permit to visit Nathula 4 days a week (Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday) and only 30 vehicles are allowed each day.

Nathula Pass used to be a main gateway for Sikkim -Tibet Trade (also known as SILK ROUTE) until it was called off in 1961. Shortly later China and India fought a bitter war and trade never resumed. Till then, China had a trade office in Kalimpong, a People's Bank of China in Kolkata and also a consulate there.

Thanks to the Prime Minister's China Visit, the announcement of Resumption of Indo-Tibet trade through Nathula was made official on 23rd June 2003. With declaration of trade, tourism will not be far behind.

A Pilgrimage tour to Tibet via Sikkim will be one of the most fulfilling experiences whether it is Lhasa (Roof of the world) or Manasarover Lake (Spiritual freedom).

Kalimpong

Kalimpong is hill station in the Mahabharat Range (or lesser Himalaya ) in the Indian state of west Bengal . it is located at an average elevation of 1,250 metres(4,101 ft). Thw town is the headquarters of the kalimpong subdivision . a p[art of the district of Darjeeling .The Indian Army's 27 mountain Division is located on the outskirts of the town.

Kanchenjunga Falls

Kanchenjunga Falls Situated at a distance of 25 km from Pelling, the Kanchenjunga Falls is a perennial waterfall and takes about an hour to reach. There are small steps which lead to the base of the water fall.

Toy Train (DHR)

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), popularly known as the 'Toy Train' is one of the main attractions of the region. The track on which the train runs is only 600 millimeters wide. The size of the train is commensurate giving it the name `Toy Train`. Narrow Gauge trains are used in parts of India to travel to hill stations. The total area of the Narrow Gauge in India is about 4500 kilometers. Arguably, the most magnificent train journeys through the narrow gauge are the 88 kilometers through the gorgeous terrain to Darjeeling from Siliguri. UNESCO has declared the DHR as a World Heritage Site.

Trekking

Trekking in the Darjeeling Hills began almost a century ago. In fact, the first organised trekking route in India was setup here along the Sangalila range. The trek begins in Darjeeling and proceeds through Maneybhanjyang, Tonglu, Sandakphu and ends in Phalut.
There are trekker huts under the management of Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council Tourism Department all along the route to Sandakphu. For further information contact, Delhi Tour n Travels Head Office, Delhi.

Water Rafting

The White Water Rafting on the river Teesta & Rangeet (Triveni), the scenic beauty of the banks, surrounding hills, its flora & fauna and sighting of several varieties of fishes is simply enchanting. A river trip is often an adventure. An amateur with a little sense of adventure can equally enjoy it.

Birding Tours

Eastern India is home to more than 850 species of birds and is considered as being the richest birding area in the country. The abrupt juxtaposition of many different biotopes or life zones ? ranging from almost plains level to over 6000m, and from tropical heat to arctic cold, has given to the Eastern Himalayas a flora and fauna that for richness and variety is perhaps unequalled in the world. Sheltered in the rain-shadow lie dry practically rainless valleys adds to the ecological complexities of the jumbled habitats and make the area rich in birds, plant and insect life.

Anybody who wants to start birding in the north-eastern India, could find birds such as the Eurasian Cuckoo, Oriental Cuckoo, Himalayan Griffon, Common Kestrel, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Grey-chinned Minivet, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Plain-backed Thrush, White-collared Blackbird, Eurasian Blackbird, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Little Pied Flycatcher, Orange-flanked Bush Robin, Golden Bush Robin, Aberrant Bush Warbler, Yellowish-bellied Bush Warbler, Buff-barred Warbler, Grey-hooded Warbler, White-throated Laughingthrush, Scaly Laughingthrush, Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Rufous-capped Babbler, Red-billed Leiothrix, Blue-winged Minla, Gould?s Shortwing, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Stripe-throated Yuhina, Black-throated Parrotbill, Green-tailed Sunbird, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Maroon-backed Accentor, Dark-rumped Rosefinch, Gold-naped Finch. Tours are offered covering the best birding areas in Lava, Neora Valley National Park, Darjeeling, Tiger Hill, Sandakphu, Singalila National Park, etc.

So now book a holiday of your dreams !!