A train to the Himalayas? No kidding, that too on a Toy Train. For re-living your childhood fantasy, dial D for Darjeeling. Darjeeling Tours on a Toy Train, take you through cliffs, valleys, bridges and rivers. The train serenades across the mysterious, mystical and magical Himalayan region. The journey offer beautiful views of the Himalayan peaks, a wondrous spectacle never ever seen before.
The “Queen of Hill stations”, is a perfect gateway for nature enthusiasts seeking to be in harmony with nature. With its sprawling tea gardens, fruits orchards, exotic natural beauty, undulating slopes, Darjeeling is a Nature Lovers, haven.
In fact, Darjeeling on wheels through a toy train is a journey through time, traditions and more. A few minutes into the ride, you see the demographic changing visibly, with local people having sharp mongoloid features, mostly Nepali. Bask in the blue mountain ranges of the foothills, as the train rises from the plains passing through tea gardens and forest of teak and sal.
As the train chugs uphill, the view of wooded mountains is supremely serene, surrounded by tea gardens and forests. At a height of 2,822 feet, stands the Tindharia Railway workshop. This was in the old times, the venue for a Tea Party. Halfway through the ride, you realize it has been a while since you set your sights on a human being! As the thought sinks in and the enormity of the silence around you strikes you with an eloquence beyond any hearing, you feel a tinge in your spine. No man’s land!
On top of this hill is the famous Tiger Hill giving a unique view of the Himalayas and the sunrise. This region is actually the world’s biggest spot for bird-watching, home to six hundred varieties of fairy bluebirds, sunbirds, orioles, flycatchers, finches, woodpeckers, Rufus piculate, emerald cuckoos, three-toed kingfishers, long-tailed broadbills, long-legged falcons, Hoogson’s imperial pigeons, emerald doves and other migratory birds.
The highest point of the journey is just ahead of you – at Ghoom (7407 ft/2260 m). On the way down, you get a spectacular view of Darjeeling town with the Kanchenjunga and other snowy mountains in the back-drop. From here till you set your foot on Darjeeling, the snowy peaks fill your eyes. As the train winds down and you disembark, the town engulfs you with all its charm and ethereal beauty.Dial D for Darjeeling.
Observatory Hill: No one ever comes to Darjeeling without experiencing the magnificent view of the sunrise over ‘Kanchenjunga’ and the great Eastern Himalayan Mountains, from an altitude of 2590 meters, and Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. Several important Hindu Temples and Buddhist shrines dot the hill.
Happy Valley Tea Gardens: Established 1854 by David Wilson, the bushes of this tea garden are very old. They range from a minimum of 80 years and go up to 150 years! Take time out to smell the flowers at the aromatic gardens in the world’s greenest Ambience.
The Lloyd’s Botanical Gardens: An initiative of W. Lloyd in 1878, this beautiful botanical garden is spread over an area of 40 acres. One can see here the exotic collection of Cacti, Succulent, Orchid and other plants numbering over 150 plants species.
Other hot spots in cool Darjeeling: The Mall, Lover’s Road, Chowrasta, Lloyd’s Botanical Garden and many more.
Shopper’s Stop: For antiquities, Darjeeling shawls and of course, Darjeeling Tea.
Tourist hotspots: Tiger Hill, Batasia Loop, Gangamaiya Park, Rock Garden, Happy Valley Tea Estate, Ava Art Gallery, Japanese Temple( Japanese Peace Pagoda), Dhir Dham Temple, Mirik Lake, etc.
For nature lovers, travelers, vacationers, honeymoon couples, and for everyone who pines for a taste of the mountains, and a walk in the skies, Darjeeling is the ultimate holiday experience. Explore Darjeeling on our luxury East India Tours with Bespoke India Holidays.
