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Darjeeling, at 2,134 metres, is West Bengal's primary hill station.
Covered with tea gardens and buildings that are a legacy of the days of
British rule in India, Darjeeling is still unspoilt and pristine. The
region abounds in rhododendrons, primulas and orchids of many
varieties. Over 600 species of birds have been recorded in the forests
and hills around Darjeeling.
Darjeeling is mainly inhabited by a mix of Nepalis, Lepchas, Tibetans
and Bhutias who make excellent trekking guides and porters. The main
attraction of Darjeeling, however, is the uninterrupted view that it
offers of the magnificent Himalayas.
Darjeeling is accessible through Bagdogra airport, or from the
railheads at Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri. A toy-train journey up is a
fascinating experience. The best trekking months are April May and
October-November. The simplest treks here are for a day, but a longer
trail is detailed here.
This is a popular trek for those who have limited time to spare. This
trail offers spectacular views of Kanchenjunga and Everest and runs
through picturesque tropical countryside. The first day's walk from
Manaybhanjan to Tonglu is fairly steep and taxing and zig zags all the
way up to the hamlet. Tonglu is well located and offers a breathtaking
view of Darjeeling and the Kanchenjunga peak.
The second stage from Tonglu to Sandakphu passes through many steep
climbs and steep descents till Kalapokhri. The last part of the hike to
Sandakphu is a steep climb and takes about three hours to cover.
Sandakphu offers views of Kanchenjunga and Mount Everest, which is only
144 km from here as the crow flies. From Sandakphu the journey to
Phalut begins with a steep descent and then levels out, finishing with
a steep zig zag ascent to the Phalut tourist bungalow. Located at the
tri junction of Nepal, Sikkim and West Bengal, Phalut also offers good
views of the mountain ranges of the eastern Himalayas. It is possible
to return to Manaybhanjan from Phalut in one day's continuous walking
of about eight hours. Alternately, the trekker can cover this distance
in two days, breaking trek at Tonglu.
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