Northeast India Tour

Tiger Hill and the Famous Sunrise The trip to the summit of the hill is through Ghoom, the highest railway station on the D.H. Ry. The elevation of Ghoom is 7,407 feet from sea level, while the altitude of the top of this hill exceeds that of Ghoom by 1,100 feet. In the fast receding glimmer of the night, the spectator finds himself standing on the mound bedewed with sparkling frost, plunged in hush and silence and steeped in frigid cold. A traveller whose vision has not been entertained with the two sights, the Taj Mahal by moonlight and sunrise from Tiger Hill, has missed a pleasure that does not lend itself to be substituted. The altitude of Senchel (water reservoir for the supply of water to Darjeeling town) and Tiger Hill are 8,163 and 8,515 feet respectively. The first rays of the sun shoot ahead and shed light upon the twin peaks of Kanchenjunga and gradually paint the whole of its snow body with a beautiful orange colour. From Tiger Hill, just the top of Mount Everest (29,002') is visible, peeping out through two other peaks standing by its side. The peak that looks highest is that of Makalu (27,799'). These three peaks are seen to the north-west a little left of Phalut. Everest looks smaller than any of its two sisters, although Everest is not only higher than either of them, but the highest peak in the world, the distance in straight line of Everest from Tiger Hill being 107 miles. This phenomenon arises from the fact that Everest is several miles beyond them. Kurseong is visible to the south. In hazy distance are noticeable like so many silver bands, the Teesta, the Mahanady, the Balasun and the Mechi, meandering down to the south. Chumal Rhi mountain of Tibet which is by far the most beautiful mountain in the world is seen in the north-east, 84 miles away as the crow flies. It looks like a great rounded mass over the snowy Chola Range. One comes face to face with this peak of superb beauty from Phari Jong which is 129 miles away from Darjeeling. Darjeeling, which is internationally acclaimed as one of the best hill stations in the world, is covered with pine trees, rhododendrons, magnolias, primulas and orchids. With houses hugging the hill side are various places to visit, which are of great interest. 1. Chowrastha: Chowrastha is the heart of the town where every visitor is seen taking a stroll and relaxing their weary heads. In the local dialect, Chowrastha means the place where four roads meet. While proceeding towards Chowrastha or the Mall, visitors have to ascend a hill full of curios, studios etc, and suddenly the visitor finds himself on a huge flat platform surrounded by benches for people to sit. The view is exhilarating with the view of the Kanchenjunga standing with all its might. A walk along the Mall Road opens a beautiful view of the surrounding hills and if the time is right then rhododendrons can be seen all around. 2. Natural History Museum: Near to Chowrastha is the Museum of Natural History, containing a representative and comprehensive collection of the fauna of the region. The specimens are displayed in true to life attitudes of all birds' species, reptiles and animals found in different altitudes in the Eastern Himalayas. The butterfly and beetle section merit a special mention. 3. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park: This is the only Zoo in the world to breed Tibetan Wolf in Captivity and the first South Asian Zoo to breed Snow Leopard and Siberian Tiger. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoo is a unique zoo in the country. It is situated at an elevation of 2133.5 meters against the glorious background of the mighty Kanchenjunga. This zoo in Darjeeling is the only specialized zoo in the country and is internationally recognized because of conservation breeding of Snow Leopard and Red Panda. It was established on 14th August 1958 under the Department of Education of the State for study and conservation of the Himalayan Fauna. On 21st November 1975, the zoo was dedicated by Shrimati Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, to the memory of Shrimati Padmaja Naidu, former Governor of West Bengal. Since then the zoo is known as "Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park". 4. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: "The lure of the Himalayas is spreading now all over India among our young people, and that is a sign and symbol of the new life and the new spirit that is coursing through India's veins" Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Tenzing Norgay's ascent of Everest (8848 m/29,028 ft) along with Edmund Hillary, in 1953 provided the impetus to mountaineering as an organised sport in India, and it was to commemorate this singular success that the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) was founded in Darjeeling with the personal initiative of Late Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. The Institute was established on 4th November 1954, which was then the hub center of all mountaineering activity in India. Late Maj N.D. Jayal was the first Principal of the Institute whereas Late Tenzing Norgay was Director of Field Training. The Institute is located at an altitude of 6800 feet above sea level. The Institute is the landmark in Darjeeling and an important center of tourist attraction. It commands a magnificent view of Kanchenjunga massif. The Swiss Foundation for Alpine Research was approached to prepare a scheme for the HMI and Arnold Glatthard, Principal of Swiss Mountaineering School, Rosenlaui, visited Darjeeling for this purpose. 5. Shrubbery Park: This beautiful park situated on the top of a hill is on the way to the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park. A magnificent view of Kanchenjunga Range and Singla Valley is unforgettable. People are of the opinion that it is shaped like a ship especially "Titanic". 6. Observatory Hill: The Hill feature above Chowrastha and a few minutes walk from the Mall Road, on which the Sacred Mahakal temple rests. Mahakal is considered as the incarnation of Lord Shiva. Adjacent to Mahakal temple is a Buddhist Shrine, manifesting the complete harmony that exists between Hinduism and Buddhism. KALIMPONG Kalimpong is a small sleepy hill resort and lies within Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council. With a population of about 50,000, it is ethnically and culturally similar to Darjeeling. Most activity centres around the Bus Stand in the heart of the town which has a few cheap hotels and restuarants. During the days yonder, Kalimpong used to be the hub of trade of India with Tibet and the trade route passed through Pedong, Rongli in Sikkim and then the pass of Jelepla on the Sikkim-Tibet border but the Chinese invasion in 1962 put an end to all that. Kalibong in the local dialect stands for Kaulim, a fibre plant used for making paper and paper goods. This grows in abundance in this region. Kalimpong a part of West Bengal, with its rich culture and religious heritage, the fascinating scenic beauty and wonderful flora and fauna has got immense tourist potential. On the north are Deolo Hills, towering above the town, supplies water to Kalimpong, to the south Durpindara Hills, while in the centre is the large market square where the people assemble to trade their wares on Wednesdays and Saturdays. North of square is the Rishi Road with shops on either side and space for the caravans of wood traders and muleteers; the numerous Chinese and Tibetan shops bulge with curious and leather goods. Situated at an altitude of about 1250 metres (4100 ft) and cradled on a saddle between the hill features of Durpin and Deolo Hill, Kalimpong has a climate that is very mild unlike Darjeeling which becomes extreme cold during the winters. Kalimpong means the fort of the King's minister. And the name got established when this area was under the Bhutanese, who occupied it in 1706. Before that Kalimpong was a part of Sikkim. Bhutan retained Kalimpong till 1865 after which it along with Dooars was ceded to British India under the Treaty of Sinchula. In gorgeous costumes Bhutanese archers, Nepalese and Sikkimese dancers, perform as warriors, demons and kings, wild bulls, bracing deer and the shaggiest yaks combine to lend a feast to this quiet resort town. The richness of feature and costume cannot be rivalled elsewhere. With rewarding walks, and trekking trails, coupled with the fishing in the Teesta and its tributaries, Kalimpong is the ideal place for a quiet holiday, but not without colour or excitement. All the fun of the fair but filled with exotica is the order of the day at the Kalimpong Mela held every December and the Pedong Agricultural Mela every February