Darjeeling is one of the most popular hill stations in India. Situated on an elevation of 2,042 meters above sea level, the picturesque town lies amidst the lesser Himalayan ranges. The lush green hills are well-known for its beautiful panoramic views and the world-famous Darjeeling tea. Each year, thousands of tourists visit this scenic destination for some quiet and blissful time in the mountains. Snow-capped mountain peaks, floating mist over the hills, and tea plantation as far as the eye can see – these are a few of the main attractions of Darjeeling.
The high altitude of Darjeeling offers a cool and pleasant climate during the summer months. Tourists come here to get a respite from hot humid weather prevalent in the rest of the country. There are many Darjeeling luxury resorts that are ideal for spending a relaxed holiday. If guests are lucky enough, they may even get a room with a direct view of snow-covered peaks.
Darjeeling is most known for its ‘Toy Train’ ride. Officially called the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the route covers a distance of 88 kilometers from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling. The narrow gauge railway line is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The train travels from a height of about 328 feet at New Jalpaiguri to an altitude of 7,218 feet at Darjeeling. The Toy Train ride is an old tradition for tourists in Darjeeling. Twisting and turning through the Himalayan slopes, this train ride consists of some pretty amazing scenic views.
Another major attraction of the hill station is the numerous tea estate resorts in Darjeeling. Commercial tea production in the region started in the early 1800s during the British rule. Today, the Darjeeling Tea is famous all over the world. Many tea connoisseurs regard Darjeeling Tea as the ‘Champagne of Teas’. Tea tourism is quite a popular concept among the tourists in Darjeeling. There are lots of tea estates in the region that back to more than 100 years. Tourists get a chance to stay in bungalows build amidst a large tea plantation.
As one of the primary tea-producing regions in the world, tea tourism is a highly favored concept in and near Darjeeling. Sprawling tea estates open up their gates to provide accommodation to tourists. Guests have the opportunity to witness the complete process of tea production – starting from cultivation of tea, picking of the tea leaves, and finally, the commercial processing of tea in a factory. These tea estate resorts also provide complimentary tea tasting sessions, together with an entire procedure of how exactly tea tasting is done. A collection of unique blends are presented in the session. Guests can also go for tea picking activity and get the chance to speak to local tea workers. If the resort is associated with any reputed tea manufacturer, guests also get the opportunity to visit a tea factory.
Tea tourism also gives tourists a chance to be close to nature. Most of these resorts are located close to large tea plantations where guests can enjoy peace and quiet. It is ideal for a getaway from the busy city’s life. Guests can lazily walk among the adjoining tea gardens and take in the amazing view of picturesque mountains. These hills are also home to a lot of migratory birds, which is a great bonus for nature lovers and also photography enthusiasts.
