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Darjeeling, India

With fine tea, colorful monasteries and Himalayan peaks, Darjeeling is a must see on the Himalayan trail.

Darjeeling Tea plantations, West Bengal, North India

Draped like a green velvet over a steep Himalayan mountain ridge Darjeeling is covered with lush forests and endless tea plantations.The small town Darjeeling is densely packed with endless shops and its catacomb of narrow roads provide a maze to explore this hill station. Once you've dragged yourself away from a Tibetan handicraft store and escaped the aroma of fine tea brewing the surroundings of this town provide excellent treks with amazing viewpoints. Here we'll touch on some of the places we plan to see during our 4-nights in Darjeeling.

Tea pickers at a tea plantation in Darjeeling, West Bengal, India
A refugee at the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre in Darjeeling
Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre
Darjeeling, like many other places in India, has played host to the hundreds of thousands of Tibetans that have escaped China ruling Tibet. Here we'll visit the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre and meet some amazing Tibetans who have made India their new home. The Centre hosts an orphanage, home for the aged, clinic, school, gompa and craft workshop that produce carpets, woodcarvings, leatherwork and woolen items.
Tibetan Children at the Tibetan Self-Help Refugee camp in Darjeeling
A view of the Himalayas from Tiger Hill in Darjeeling, West Bengal, India Sunrise at Tiger Hill, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India
Tiger Hill
Sunrise over the Himalayas viewed from Tiger Hill is a breathtaking experience. With a view of 250kms of the Himalayan range, on a clear day you'll get to see Everest (8848m), Khangchendzonga (8598m), Lhotse (8501m) and few of the other tallest peaks in the world.
We'll have to rise early (3:30am) and take jeeps head out to Tiger Hill in order to catch the sunrise. With such a spectacular show we won't be the only one there for sure.
Bhutia Busty Gompa Buddhist monastery in Darjeeling, West Bengal, India
Colorful Monasteries
Pictured to the right is the Bhutia Busty Gompa, a Buddhist monastery in Darjeeling with mount Khangchendzonga providing an amazing backdrop. This gompa is a short hike from town and well worth the visit. The view is amazing on a clear day. It is said that this gompa stores the original Tibetan Book of the Dead.
Buddhist monk at Druk Sangak Choling Gompa in Darjeeling, India
A Buddhist monk at Druk Sangak Choling Gompa. This Buddhist monastery that was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama is picturesque and colorful. Young and old monks can be seen serving, worshiping and going about their daily routine.
View more photos of the monasteries and monks.
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