Darjeeling: Famous Hill Station of India

Darjeeling is one of the most beautiful hill stations of India. Greenery all around, water running across narrow valleys and clouds touch the land, this all you can see in Darjeeling. Toy Train of Darjeeling is world famous. Tourist can travel from siliguri to Darjeeling in this train.

Historical Background: Darjeeling was discovered by British officers Lord and Grant in 1829. In 1935 it became a sanitarium (Heath Resort) of British people.
Darjeeling was gifted to Britain by the king of Sikkim as token of friendship with governor general Lord Bantick.

Tourist Spots:

1. Tiger Hills: This is the highest point of Darjeeling. Tourists come here to see the sunrise specially.
2. Sanchal Lake: This beautiful lake is near Tiger Hills. So do not forget to be there.
3. Natural Museum: This is unique museum, known for collection of Himalayan and Bengali Fauna. This museum has collection of 4300 species. It was built in 1903.
4. Rope way: This is the first Rope way of India. Though rope way tourist can reach from North Point to Singla Bazaar. 45 Minutes of this rope way route is really exciting. To enjoy this thrilling adventure tourist will have to book ticket in advance.
5. Happy Tea Valley: This valley is famous for tea gardens. Where tea preparing process is done with modern machines. Tourist can see this process by getting permission of tea state officer.
6. Jaldapadra Sanctuary: Tourist should not forget to visit this sanctuary, as this sanctuary gives you glimpses of nature’s beauty. This sanctuary is famous for Rhino sours. Right time to visit this place is October to May.
7. Ghoop Gonpa : 8 km from Darjeeling , this gonpa has statue of Buddha. This gonpa has manuscripts which are written in pali.
8. Batasiya Loop: This place is 5 km from main city. At this place toy train takes unique turn. Most tourists come here to see this loop.
9. Zoo: This zoo is not ordinary one. In this zoo tourist can see the rarely found birds and animals. This is only zoo where tourist can see Siberian Tiger. Except that tourist can see Red Panda, Snow Leopard, Snow yak and Great bird.
10. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: This is mountaineering training institute cum museum. In this training institute cum museum you can see collection of old and new equipments of mountaineering. Equipments which are used by Sherpa Tensing are also here and a telescope to see Himalayan hills, which was gifted to king of Nepal by the Hitler.

Except thes tourist spots you can visit Manbhakta, Observatory hills and Botanical gardern in Darjeeling.

How to reach:

By Air: Bagdogra is nearest airport. This is connected to Delhi, Kolkata and Guhati with major airlines.

By Rail: Newjalpaiguri is the nearest rail station.

By Road: Nearest bus station is Siliguri. There is good facility of taxi, bus and jeep from here to reach Darjeeling.

Where to stay: Here you can find cheap and costly hotels and guest houses. Except that government tourist lodge is available here.

Seven Seventies, Sangrila and Neelkamal are the main hotels.

Nainital - Lake City

Full of natural beauty Nainital is one of the famous hill stations of India, known as Lake City. This hill station is part of kumaon region (Uttarakhand state). Himalayan hills covered with snow, shadow of trees and chirping of birds invites tourist to be here again and again.

Credit of discovering Nainital goes to British Officer P. Barren. He visited this place in 1841 and impressed by the natural beauty of Nainital. He built a house here which is known as pilgrim cottage.

Tourist Spots:

1. Naina Peak: One of the famous tourist spot of Nainital is Naina Peak which is 6 km. away from nainital. Tourist can reach here on foot or by riding horse. From Naina Peak tourist can view hill of Himalayas covered with snow and view of Nainital city.
2. Dorothi Steat: 4 km. from Nainital, this place is also known as Tiffin Top. Height of this place 2, 292 meter from sea level. At a height of 1951 meter this is another place which is known as Hanumangarhi, famous for beautiful sunset.
3. Nani Lake: Being at the center of city, this is the main attraction of Nainital. Upper corner of this lake is known as Mallital and lower corner of this lake is known as Tallital. Most tourists enjoy boating in this lake.

Except that there is another lake, known as Bhimtal, which is 22 km from Nainital. Green like a leaf this is present at the height of 4450 ft. from sea level. A restaurant is present at the center of this lake.

This area is peaceful and free from pollution. Tourist can enjoy boating here as well.

10 km from Bhimtal is small lake known as Khurpatal and 26 km away there is a deep lake known as Naukuchiyatal. This lake has nine corners as name suggests Naukuchiya means nine.

Group of seven lakes known as Saattal is also there.

Snow View: 2.5 km form Nainital there is place snow view. This place is famous for viewing hill of Himalayas. Tourist can reach here by rope way.

Time to Visit: April to June is the best time to visit here, but tourists visit here in winters as well.

Nearest Railway station: Kathgodam(35 km away)

Bus Facility: There is good bus facility from cities like Delhi, Lucknow, Dehradun, Chandigarh, Haldwani.

Where to stay: Main Hotels are Man sarowar, Naini Street, Pratap Regency, Sharwani Hilltop, Alps etc.

Government Guest house is there with good facilities.

Kalandani Kahal Trek

This high altitude trek route from Gangotri to Badrinath, via Kalandani Khal required some basic experience of mountaineering. During the trek one can enjoy the beautiful view of Himalayan peaks, ‘source of Ganges’; Gangotri glacier, meadow of Tapovan, natural lakes, sacred temple Gangotri and Badrinathji, wild life etc.

Area: Gangotri – Badrinath (Garhwal)
Best season: July and Auguest.

Deori tal – Chopta Trek

Chopta:

Nestled between the majestic Himalayan peaks at an altitude of 2900 mts., Chopta is a land of vast open thick grasslands, most ideal for camping. The nights are especially beautiful with an unobstructed view of the star-studded skies in the absence of "lighting pollution .

Tunganth/Chandrashila:
Tungnath temple, which is one of the five temples of Lord Shiva known as the " Panch Kedar" and is situated at one of the highest altitude of 3680 mts in Garhwal. According to the legend Lord Shiva’s arms are supposed to have emerged here. The trek from Chopta to Tungnath is beautiful and for first one and half kms., we walk through Rhododendron and Silver Oaks’s dense forest. Suddenly the valley opens and one finds himself/herself above the tree line and the trail proceeds between green alpine meadows onwards to the Tungnath Temple. After "puja", one km of trek will take you to "Chandrashila" peak. and rewards to the ardent trekkers are the rare & panoramic view of innumerable and eternally snow covered peaks from an altitude of approximately 4000 mts. The trek from Tungnath to this magnificent spot takes one through alpine forest and rhododendron meadows.

Deorital:

Deoriatal, one of the most beautiful high altitude lakes which are sprinkled all over the Garhwal Himalayas. Deorital situated at an altitude 2800 mts and is an excellent spot for angling and birdwatching. It is most famous for reflection of surrounding snow covered peaks of Chaukhanaba & Kedarnath on its surface at dawn and early in the morning.

Area : --------------- Rudraprayag(Garhwal Hiamalays)
Best season: ---------------- April – June & September - December