Eavesdrop on the Secret Sounds of Nature with Darjeeling Tour

Naturally beautiful destinations in India have always been on my wish-list to visit places. Last month, I jumped at the opportunity to visit Darjeeling, a heavenly destination in India. This beautiful destination of North India proved a great combo of mesmerizing snowfalls, enchanting lakes and dense forests.

Darjeeling Tours

Started from the capital city of Delhi, I with two of my colleagues-Richard and Samuel left for a desiderata experience. As we chose the option of going by train, we had a lot of time to discuss of must visit places. Samuel and Richard did it fabulously and we were all set to explore the various facets of Darjeeling tour. Soon, we were in Darjeeling and moved towards the hotel that we already booked.

Charmed by the beauty of hill station, I was simply spell-bound when entered Darjeeling. Snuggled in the rolling Himalayan Mountains, Darjeeling is a quaint hill station in India. Offering fascinating views of the hills, the clouds in the land seem playing hide and seek with the sun.

Next morning we were off to view the sunrise at the famous Tiger Hills. The very sight of sunrise left me with an invigorating feel. Making ways through the pitch darkness, the sun rays seem like distributing the blessings of God.

At last, I could not resist myself to visit Ghoom monastery, which has always been a key attraction to me. Built in the Tibetan style, Ghoom houses a graceful statue of Maitreya Buddha, which is around 15-feet high.

The monastery positions itself around eight km away from Darjeeling. Besides the statue, we could also see the images of Buddha’s disciples, Chenrezi and Chongapa. Based on our experience, I must say that this peaceful place fills your heart with tranquility and divinity.

My wish to board Darjeeling Toy Train left me restless and we all left for a joyous ride. We boarded from New Jalpaiguri and enjoyed this exciting ride around 3 to 4 hours. This 2 feet narrow-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

Passing through varying terrain is itself a different experience. It also provided us the opportunity to see Batasia Loop, another feat of engineering.

Victoria Falls became another part of our exploration. Gushing down to the valley through deep ravines from around 100 ft, that wonderful waterfall just took away my heart with its picturesque beauty.

Darjeeling Tea Gardens

Our next day started with a visit to Happy Valley Tea Gardens, another attraction in Darjeeling. The view of the gardens itself fills my heart with a refreshing feel that would last for long time. The guide who was accompanying us shared his knowledge about the garden. He told us that the garden houses the bushes that are around 80 years old. Samuel was very much interested in observing the processing of the tea leaves at nearby factories while Richard plucked and kept few tea leaves safely with him.

Next morning, Samuel insisted us to go for a ride through Darjeeling Passenger Rope way. I with Richard joined him for that ride at Darjeeling travel that was an ultimate adventure.

Starting at North Point that is 3 km from town, this ropeway is around 5 km long and links Darjeeling with Singla Bazaar. While passing over Ranjit River at the bottom of the valley, I transported to another world, where all I could enjoy was the breathtaking views of the fascinating surroundings.

The memorable Darjeeling tour concluded yet Darjeeling Tea that we shopped was reminding me of the delightful moments that we spent there.

Sikkim Tour- Exploring the Treasures of Nature

Sikkim, the destination which conjures up the images of immense natural beauty, old monasteries and romantic hills in my mind. With my husband, I had planned it several times but every time we left in lurch. This time when I got to know about 1 week break of my husband, I too applied for leaves. I was feeling myself fortunate enough when I got the approval and we packed our bags for Sikkim Travel.

Rumtek Monastery Sikkim

Leaving from Delhi, we reached Bagdogra Airport from where Sikkim was a six-hour jeep ride away. On being reached theres, I found it among the most beautiful places which I had even seen in my life.The moody weather, the pristine purity, colourful flowers and beautiful peaks just enlighted my mood the moment I entered the place.

We stayed in a comfortable resort lodge in Gangtok which was situated in the outlying areas. The modern facilities and a good view from our room just made it a really refreshing experience for us. The home like atmosphere and scrumptious food allowed us to enjoy our tour without worrying anything. We used to get awake in the early morning as soon as the cool wind entered the room.

Endowed with wondrous natural resources, Sikkim is nestled in the Himalayas and offers an impressive scene with each turn of the road. We found people of Sikkim was very warm and welcome tourists with a big smile on their face which helped us to be friendly with them.

I had heard a lot about the attractions of Sikkim and among those, one was the Rumtek Monastery so I was eager to visit the place. Unwillingly my husband accompanied me to the monastery, which lies about 24 km from Gangtok. This monastery houses a number of sacred things and Golden Stu-pa is worth to mention. Visiting the monastery was to fulfill my much awaited desire to experience the spirituality at a monastery.

On our day trip, we visited Tsomgo lake which is an alpine lake with many rainbow trout. Considered as a sacred lake of Sikkim, it is a must visit attraction. Along with it, we also went Nathuala pass. It used to be a gateway to Tibet and prior to Chinese aggression, it was the only silk route to Lhasa.

Tsomgo Lake

We also visited a 17^th century monastery, known as Pemayangste Monastery. Belonging to the Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism, the monastery is known for its majestic sculptures. While seeing their decorated paintings on first floor, I was completely mesmerized.

How can I forget to mention the amazing view of mount Kanchendzonga which we enjoyed during our trip? Believe me, it seems like beckoning you with its spectacular views and to experience it, really enthralled me.

Being a passionate adventure, my husband decided to go for trekking in Sikkim and soon he was there. The thrill and excitement made me hold my breath till the time he was back. I wished to be with him but being scared of heights, I could not make it. After coming back from trekking, my husband told me that trekking through its dense forests, frosty waters and rocky trails is an amazing experience in itself. Next day, we woke up early morning, especially to visit Tiger hill. It was simply awesome and the best part of our Sikkim tour.

I love shopping and the charm becomes double when I am on any tour. The popular shopping items like handicrafts, the wall hangings and Tibetan carpets were just grabbed my attention and I could not help myself from buying them. At the end of our tour we drove to Bagdogra from Darjeeling to come back.  Our Sikkim tour ended with lots of photographs which we clicked with Sikkimese people.

Darjeeling Tourism: The Best Of Sightseeing & Adventure

It wasn't easy. I've experienced sleepless nights. Coffee was my only companion in silent nights when I was going through a number of Indian tour guides searching for a quiet, relaxing and lazy destination. Finally, I noticed a small town – Darjeeling – at the foot of Himalayas, filled with clean fresh mountain air and offering marvellous views of snow capped Everest, Kabru, Kanchenjunga, Jannu and other peaks. Around 6 km away, before reaching Darjeeling, I stopped at Ghoom – a renowned place dominated by the famous Yiga Choeling Monastery. As I entered the monastery, I found 15 images of the Maitreya Buddha, ancient palm leaves and paper manuscripts in Tibetan language.

Darjeeling Tourism

After having a quick bite at a roadside dhaba, I visited the Museum of Natural History that showcases a wonderful collection of Himalayan animals, reptiles, birds and insects. On my way to the city centre, I also paid short visits to Aloobari and Bhutia Busty monasteries. These holy Buddhist places not only showcase the rarest of antique articles and manuscripts but also depict an excellent architectural pattern. My hotel was quite close to the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park that is the only center in India for the breeding of snow leopard.

The next morning, I started my exploration with the Mountaineering Museum (run by the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, which trains mountaineers). I also wanted to experience the thrill of mountaineering, for which the museum authority provided me with all the equipments and clothes along with a trained assistant. Sanjog, my assistant, told me that it is the first place in India where Dr. Hooker organized trekking in the 1840s. I also enjoyed breathtaking views of Everest and Kanchenjunga peaks from high altitudes.

My next destination was the Observatory Hill, which is attached to strong religious faiths for the Hindus. The renowned Mahakal temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a holy Hindu site here. Post lunch, I headed towards the market, where I found all the shops loaded with good quality woolens and other Tibetan crafts like carpets, wood and leather work. My driver took me to the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center for the best of souvenirs, which is frequented for ethnic Tibetan artifacts.

At the end, I also enjoyed a journey in the Toy Train of Darjeeling. Started in September 1881, the train was declared a World Heritage icon in 1999 by UNESCO on the recommendation of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. That short journey left a long-lasting memory to me.