Darjeeling travel guide

Come for the tea and be humbled by the Himalayas at 6,982 feet.

Darjeeling, translated from Tibetan to mean "the land of the thunderbolt," is a priceless gem of a town in the lower Himalayas; if you consider almost 7,000 feet to be 'low.' Six hours by jeep from nearby Siliguri, beware of motion and altitude sickness, but truthfully, it's worth a visit even if you experience both. Mostly known for its world-renowned tea production and distribution, the hillsides surrounding Darjeeling are mostly tea plantations. The British used Darjeeling as a hill station to escape the heat of the nether regions of India during summers. In fact, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 1999, as the oldest steam engine still in use. Darjeeling is also a popular jumping off point to the ancient kingdom of Sikkim to the north, but make sure you get the proper paperwork before being driven another six hours into the hills.
Since Darjeeling is a small town, it is having a hard time adjusting to the new influx of tourists. Pollution is becoming an issue and economic resources are being stretched. Water crisis are occurring more often. In fact, you'll be lucky to get a hot bucket of water to bathe in at most hostels, though these were actually some of the most satisfying baths I took.
Hostels are inexpensive, and for a small town there is a lot to do, including visiting the Buddhist temple at the top of Tiger Hill. Arriving after monsoon season promises unbelievable views of the Himalayas.

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