Darjeeling: A Tale of Tea, Toy Train and Tiger Hill

Nestled amidst the lush greenery of Eastern Himalayas, Darjeeling is one of the top hill stations in India. It is known for its charming tea plantations and breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga. With an elevation of 2,042 meters above sea level, Darjeeling enjoys a cool and pleasant climate all round the year. Summers are the peak tourist season when everyone comes here to escape the sultry heat in other parts of the country. There are many leading hotels and resorts in Darjeeling which promise a delightful stay in this hill station.

Darjeeling is most known for its production of the Darjeeling Tea. Tea cultivation in the region was introduced by the British during the 1850s. The high altitude, cool climate and optimum rainfall received made the hill slopes in Darjeeling ideal for tea cultivation. Today, it has become of the largest tea producing regions in the world. Darjeeling Tea is popularly known as the ‘Champagne of Teas’ by many tea connoisseurs. Large numbers of tourists come to Darjeeling to visit the tea gardens here.

Darjeeling has three famous T’s – Tea, Toy Train and Tiger Hill.

The Toy Train refers to the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Route which has been marked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Running between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling, this narrow gauge train travels through the lush green terrain of the Himalayas. Travelling from a height of about 328 feet at New Jalpaiguri up to 7,218 feet at Darjeeling, this joyride offers some spectacular scenic views. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway operates two kinds of trains: the diesel locomotive engine and the steam engine. The Toy Train ride is a big attraction among tourists here.

Tiger Hill is the highest point in Darjeeling. It is located about 25 km from the main town centre. Among the must-visit places, Tiger Hill is known for its spectacular sunrise views. One can see the entire Kanchenjunga range from here. You must reach the place well before dawn to get the perfect view point. As the sun rises from behind the snow-clad mountains, the sky changes colours from a faded blue to bright orange. On a clear sky day, one can even see the Mt. Everest from here. Some of the best resorts in Darjeeling claim to offer a direct view of the Kanchenjunga from their rooms.

Tea tourism in Darjeeling is also seeing a high demand nowadays. People are willing to pay a high price for the unique experience of staying at a tea estate resort. Tourists can enjoy a walk among the tea plantations, talk to the local tea workers, take part in tea tasting sessions, and maybe even get a chance of plucking tea leaves. These estates are usually built in two sections – one side is the plantations and the other side is the accommodations. Be it deluxe rooms or spacious bungalows, these properties are built in a colonial architecture style with contemporary interiors and modern amenities. These rooms offer a captivating view of snow-clad peaks on one side and bright green tea plantations on the other side.

The tea estate resorts in Darjeeling are all about providing luxury in the lap of nature. Each morning, guests can sip a warm cup of Darjeeling Tea grown locally in the estate. Take a leisurely stroll in the tea gardens and get a chance to know about the types of tea grown and its distinguishing features by talking to the local tea workers. Many of these resorts also offer a complimentary tea tasting session, together with an entire procedure of how exactly tea tasting is done. Guests can relish a collection of unique blends of teas presented in this session. A few tea estate resorts even provide guided tours to the tea manufacturing factory where one can learn more about the commercial processing of tea leaves.

From joyful Toy Train rides to mesmerizing sunrise views, Darjeeling has its own flavour and charm. For the best tea tourism experience, book a stay at one of the tea estate resorts in Darjeeling for a memorable time.