Darjeeling - "Land of the Thunderbolt."

Darjeeling, in West Bengal, is high up, around 6,800 feet above sea level, and everywhere you look there are tea plantations. Not just any tea - but the " Champagne of Tea" believed by many to be the finest in the world. Darjeeling has a majestic landscape with many opportunities for adventure such as leisurely scenic walks, more serious trekking and river rafting. Darjeeling is also home to the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a World Heritage Site - for a quick History of this amazing railway click here. This railway line passes hill slopes covered with tea estates up to the highest point at Ghoom (7407 ft) and then journeys down to the hill resort of Darjeeling. The train was constructed by Franklin Prestage in 1888. The train moves at a slow pace so passengers can even jump off the train to admire the view or have a pee, and then catch up and jump back on.

Darjeeling used to be the place for overheated British administrators to get relief from the intense summer sun in Calcutta and you can see why. It is such a stunning place, in the Himalayan foothills, with the world famous view of Kanchenjunga which is the third highest mountain in the world. Darjeeling is a great place to visit, and somewhere which should be included on any big trip around India.