Morning & Afternoon Points in Darjeeling, Darjeeling Morning & Afternoon Points

MORNING SIGHT SEEING POINTS IN DARJEELING

TIGER HILL
‘If one does not wake up to see the sunrise at Tiger Hill the tour will remain incomplete”.
(Recommended time to start from your hotel – 4: 30 am) Tiger Hill (2590 mtrs/8482 ft. is 13 km away from Darjeeling town & commands one of the most spectacular views.
It is here that one encounters nature at its magnificent best. Four of the world’s highest mountains all 8000 mtrs high towering over us at an incredibly close distance present a sight one can never forget. The contrast between Everest and Khanchendzonga is very much marked. Khanchendzonga is remarkable for its imposing bulk and massive proportions while Everest soaring above a series of valleys and ridges is more graceful & majestic. Snowy ranges occupy the space between the two. The entire ranges of Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal are visible but the panorama is completely dominated by Khanchendzonga and its neighbouring peaks. The change in the colour of the mountains as the sun rises is surely to be noted.

Tiger Hill

SENCHAL LAKE
A scenic place near Tiger Hill. This place has popularly come up as a picnic spot among the tourists. The lake supplies drinking water to Darjeeling town.

GHOOM MONASTERY
On the way back from Tiger hill one can visit Ghoom Monastery. Built in 1875 by Lama Sherab Gyatso, this ancient monastery is said to have been blessed by the renowned Tomo Geshe Rimpochee of Tibet. The speciality of this monastery is that it houses the statue of the “Future coming Buddha” known as Maitreye Buddha. The monastery also preserves some of the ancient and rare handwritten Buddhist manuscripts.

BATASIA LOOP & THE WAR MEMORIAL
A visit to Darjeeling is incomplete without a ride in the toy -train. 5 km from Darjeeling at Ghoom is the Batasia Loop - a marvelous feast of railway engineering. At Batasia ("windy place") one gets a grand view of the town of Darjeeling perched on the slopes of hills and Kanchenjunga in the background and the War Memorial in honor of three Gorkhas who laid down their lives in the service of the nation.

AFTERNOON SIGHT SEEING POINTS IN DARJEELING


	PADMAJA NAIDU HIMALAYAN ZOOLOGICAL PARK Established on 14th August 1958 the zoo was dedicated to the memory of Padmaja Naidu, former governor of West Bengal on the 21st November 1975. Considered one of the best Zoos in the country, it is the only centre that breeds the Tibetan Wolf in captivity. Breeding programmes for the endangered Red Panda, Snow Leopard and the Siberian Tiger are also carried out at the Zoo. The Zoo is open on all days except on Thursdays and other national holidays.

	HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINEERING INSTITUTE (HMI) The HMI was set up following the successful ascent of Mt. Everest – the highest peak in the world by the local hero Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary on 28 May 1953. The oldest mountaineering Institute of the country carries out various mountaineering courses every year. Apart from Tenzing, legendary mountaineers like Nawang Gombu (the first man to climb Mt. Everst twice) and Lattoo Dorjee Sherpa have helped build the reputation of this pioneering Institute. The Institute is presently under the purview of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India and its museum is worth a visit.

	JAPANESE TEMPLE (PEACE PAGODA) The Nipponzon Myohoji Buddhist temple was set up in 1972 by Fuji Guru, a close friend of Mahatma Gandhi for world peace. The Peace Pagoda provides the perfect place to rediscover the serenity in your life and commands a stunning view of the hills.

	DHIRDHAM TEMPLE This temple is a replica of the famous Pashupatinath temple of Kathmandu and was built in 1939. It is a minute’s walk from Darjeeling Railway Station. This place is very sacred for the Hindus and the serenity of the temple offers another reason for its attraction.

	AVA ART GALLERY A mere 2 km distance from Darjeeling town, the gallery is situated along the National Highway – 55 and houses unique art and embroidery works of Mrs. Ava Devi.

	TIBETAN REFUGEES SELF-HELP CENTRE After his Holiness escaped from Tibet, thousands of Tibetan refugees came to reside in India. Darjeeling too became a home away from home for the Tibetans in exile. To rehabilitate the community a ten – member committee was formed in Darjeeling to organize a rehabilitation centre which is known as ‘Tibetan Refugee Self - Help Centre”. The centre was established on 1st October 1959 and the residents of the centre are today known for their handicrafts. The centre makes excellent carpets, woolen goods, woodwork etc which are famous across the globe. Note: While visiting the centre one can also stop by Tenzing and Gombu rock to watch the HMI Students perfecting the art of rock climbing.

	ROCK GARDEN and GANGA MAYA PARK Situated at a distance of about 12 kms (approx.) from Darjeeling town the garden has been constructed with rocks and boulders as the name suggests. An ideal picnic spot. One can also visit Ganga Maya Park about 2 kms from Rock Garden. The park boasts of a small boating facility and one can enjoy the serene and cool atmosphere of the place. Build in remembrance of a martyr & the designing concept being provided by Mr. Subhash Ghising the present chairman of the DGHC this park serves as a major attraction of Darjeeling. Gangamaya Park serves as an example of blending of modern architecture with the natural grandeur of nature.

	MIRIK LAKE Mirik is a newly developed tiny hill station. Mirik has grown around the lovely Sumendu Lake. Boating in this lake under the serene gaze of Khanchendzonga makes a most relaxing pastime. Two elevated points Rameetay Dara & Dosi Dara near the Lake offers you a magnificent view. Mirik has a milder climate. Other attractions are Apple Orchards & Tea Gardens in Mirik. This place is easily accessible from Siliguri, Darjeeling & Kurseong.

KURSEONG

About 30 kms to the south of Darjeeling town on the way to Siliguri, Kurseong (4860 ft.) is the ideal place for those who look for pleasant holidays amidst a mild & rejuvenating climate. The great Himalayan range forms the backdrop & the area around the town is dotted with lush tea estates that create an aura of freshness. Kurseong also enjoys a congenial weather. This place has its own charm with many old English type beautiful bungalows & cottages also well known for its educational Institutes. Kurseong was also a home for a host of famous personalities like Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore, the great freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose & the famous British writer Mark Twain.