Darjeeling

Outside of the monsoon season (June-September) the views over the mountains to the snowy peaks of Kanchenjunga and down to the swollen rivers in the valley bottoms are magnificent. It's a fascinating place where you can see Buddhist monasteries, visit a tea plantation and see how it's processed, go for a ride on the chair lift which takes you down 2050 metres over eight km to the valley bottom, spend days hunting for bargains in colourful markets and handicraft shops, or go trekking to high altitude spots near the border with Sikkim. Like most places in the Himalayas, half the fun is in getting there and Darjeeling has the unique attraction of the famous 'toy train'. This miniature train which loops and switchbacks its way up the steep mountainsides from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling has been a favourite with travellers for many years.

Ghoom Buddhist Monastery: This is probably the most famous monastery in Darjeeling and is located about eight km from town just below the Hill Cart Rd and railway near Ghoom. It enshrines an image of the Maitreya Buddha (the coming Buddha). Foreigners are allowed to enter the shrine and take photographs. A small donation is customary and the monks here are very friendly. There is another monastery nearby in Ghoom itself.

Aloobari Monastery: Located nearer Darjeeling, on Tenzing Norgay Rd, this monastery is still in the process of construction. Visitors are welcome and the monks often have Tibetan and Sikkimese handicrafts and religious objects (usually hand bells) for sale.

Dhirdham Temple: The most conspicuous Hindu temple in Darjeeling, it is located just below the railway station and built along the lines of the famous Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu.

Tea Plantations: Tea is, of course, Darjeeling's most famous export. From its 78 gardens are produced 10.5 million kgs annually — 2% of India's total. It employs over 46,000 people in the area. The most convenient garden to visit is the Happy Valley Tea Estate only two km from the centre of town where tea is still produced by the 'orthodox' method as opposed to the 'Curling, Tearing and Crushing' (CTC) method adopted in the plains. The process is a fascinating one to observe and you should set aside a half day to visit the estate.

The Passenger Ropeway: Located at North Point, about three km from town, this was the first passenger ropeway to be constructed in India. It is eight km long and connects Darjeeling with Singla Bazar on the Little Ranjit River at the bottom of the valley. This is a superb excursion though not one for vertigo sufferers.

Zoological Park: Adjacent to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the park has a collection of high-alititude fauna including the Siberian Tiger, Himalayan Black Bear, deer, panda and a bird collection.

Botanical Gardens: Located below the bus and taxi stand near the Market these gardens contain a representative collection of Himalayan plants, flowers and orchids. The hot houses are well worth a visit.

Bengal 'Manjusha' Emporium: Located on the Cart Rd about two km from town on the way to Ghoom and opposite the Ava Art Gallery, this emporium sells Himalayan handicrafts, silk and handloom products from West Bengal.