Among the most renowned hill stations in India, Darjeeling has a most colourful history dating back to the 19th century when the British set up a military hold and Sanatorium. Known the world over for its production of the finest Black Tea, Darjeeling has seen its ups and downs due to political unrest but however with the dawn of the 21st century, tourism has picked up with renewed enthusiasm. With the old world charm of its mall and picturesque tea estates dotting the hill sides , a visit here is a must for those travelling this part of the country.
The Tea Garden Experience Living up to its reputation, Darjeeling boasts of magnificent tea estates set up way back in the 1800 by british civil servants looking at ways of attracting settlers. Incidentally finding that the conditions were ideal for tea that was of Assam and Chinese variety, the plantations grew and took on the proportions of estates. Today many of these plantations exist and are open to visitors looking at spending time in the gardens and savouring first hand, the tea grown there.
Jatraprasad,Chukchuki,Jungle Safari which includes a visit to the Mahakal water reservoir : Upon arrival at the New Mal junction railway station/airport, you are received and driven to your hotel/resort at Lataguri. This place is close to the Garumara National Park. We prefer to put up our guests in hotels/resorts which give you a feeling of being either in the forest or in a tea garden. Late in the afternoon, we take you to have a feel of the Forest. Depending upon the availability of tickets/entry passes, we would take you to any one of the following watchtowers at: Jatraprasad, Chukchuki, or Jungle Safari which includes a visit to the Mahakal water reservoir. Overnight at Lataguri Hotel/resort
Jhalong, Bindu, Samsing, Sunthalekhola - This morning after breakfast, we take you for an excursion to Murti, Jhalong, Bindu samsing and Sunthalekhola. Murti is a small village by the side of the Murti River. It is an ideal picnic spot where one can enjoy the scenic beauty. Lucky ones can even catch a glimpse of elephants and other animals by the side of Murti River when they come to drink water. Jhalong is situated on the bank of the river Jaldhaka on the Indo-Bhutan border. It lies at the foothills of the Himalayas, on the way to Bindu in Kalimpong sub-division. Jaldhaka Hydro Electricity Project on Jaldhaka River is a major attraction in this area. Bird lovers can enjoy a varied collection of hill birds as well as migratory water fowls here. Bindu is the last village of West Bengal before one enters Bhutan. It is a beautiful valley on the bank of the river Jaladhaka. This river serves as a natural physical boundary separating West Bengal and Bhutan. Bindu is also famous for its cardamom plantations. Visit to this place is an experience worth remembering. Samsing is a tea estate in the Dooars, a small locality of about 100 houses which has grown around the tea gardens. On the top of the hill there is a beautiful Guesthouse. The silence of the place is disturbed only by the noise of the gurgling river Murti, which flows about half a kilometer below. The drive to Samsing is through lush green tea gardens and the descending mist on the tea gardens during the monsoons is a sight to behold. It is a great spot to watch birds. Suntalekhola or Suntaley Khola (also Suntaleykhola) is a small village and a tourist spot in the Darjeeling District of West Bengal. The altitude of the place ranges from 650 to 950 m. It gets its name from a small stream: Suntaley Khola. In Nepali, Suntaley means orange and khola means stream. This place is nearly 5 km from Samsing. The green patch on the left side of the way to Suntalekhola is amazing and holds many rarities of birds and butterflies. Overnight at Lataguri Hotel/resort
Elephant safari and Excursion to South Khayerbari and Jaldapara. -After breakfast, drive straight for an excursion to South Khayerbari animal rescue centre and Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary. As on 11th Jan, 2011, there are eight tigers in South Khayerbari rescue centre of which seven had been seized from different circus troupes and one was brought from Alipore Zoo. The South Khayerbari Animal Rescue Centre is also the home of 18 leopards. A leopard safari (Optional), the only one of its kind in India, can also be availed in South Khayerbari Eco Park. Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1991, for the protection of the Indian one-horned rhino, Jaldapara is situated in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas. The river Torsha flows through this rain forest sanctuary which is mostly covered with tall grasses. The sanctuary encompasses luxuriant vegetation and a rich variety of wildlife. The Malangi River also flows nearby from east to west. Riding elephants is the only way to move inside this forest and Visiting time is 9A.M. to 4 p.m. The forest is mainly of Savannah Type covered with tall elephant grasses. The main attraction of the sanctuary is Asiatic one-horned rhinoceros. The sanctuary holds the highest rhino population in India after Kaziranga National Park in Assam. The other animals found are tigers, elephants, deers, sambhar, barking deer, spotted deer, hog deer, wild pig and bison. Jaldapara is a paradise for bird watchers. It is one of the very few places in India, where the Bengal Florican is sighted. The other birds to be found here are the crested eagle, Pallas's fishing eagle and shikra, besides jungle fowl, peafowl, patridges, and lesser pied hornbill. Python, monitor lizards, kraits, cobras, geckos and about 8 species of fresh water turtles have also been found in the sanctuary here. A thrilling elephant safari is organized in the early morning from Hollong to offer the exquisite beauty of the vast grassland of Jaldapara. You can also enjoy the jeep safari (Optional) inside the sanctuary which is another main attraction. Overnight at Lataguri Hotel/resort
Watch Tower, Kalipur or RhinoCamp or Gorumara Elephant Camp - In the morning, we take you to have a feel of the Forest from a watchtower. Depending upon the availability of tickets/entry passes, we would take you to any one of the following watchtowers at: Jatraprasad,Chukchuki or Jungle Safari which includes a visit to the Mahakal water reservoir. In the afternoon, you would check-in either to the Kalipur Eco Village, The Gorumara Elephant Camp or the Rhino Camp. Enjoy the evening at leisure. If you are at Kalipur, in the evening, you will enjoy the bullock ride and visit the Medhla Watch. Watch wild animals from the watch tower and return at evening. Enjoy an evening of tribal dance. Overnight at Kalipur Eco Cottage/Rhino Camp/Gorumara Elephant Camp.
“Our first trip to Sikkim and we had a blast at Yumthang...Just as you had advised the timings were perfect..not too many people and beautiful weather..it was a trip to remember..Thumbs up to you driver for being so patient and friendly,ours family trip has been sucessfull. all arrangment from them are so good for our 10 days trips. such a wounder full experience , unexpected hospitaly came from every guys. ''- Amit( Mumbai)