Dear Baral
This was the first time I booked directly through the WEB , and I thought it's a little risky, especially when I had to send my money to Katmandu and I wend to Delhi .
The land of mountain crests lies between the kingdom
of Bhutan, Nepal and the plateau of Tibet. This small
stretch of rugged land may just be a speck on the world
map but its size belies its’ richness and diversity
of culture, customs, heritage, flora and fauna.
Sikkim, one of the most beautiful nooks in the Himalayas,
offers the visitors nature in all its grandeur. The third
highest mountain of the world, Kanchenjunga (8598m) and
attendant peaks present a surreal vista unmatched.
Crowning hilltops are fabled centers of Buddhist worship
and learning, such as the monasteries at Rumtek, Enchey
and Pemayangtse, to mention only a few. Awe inspiring
Stupas and Chortens are set amidst fluttering prayer flags,
and numerous prayer wheels spun by clear mountain streams
tinkle melodiously to remind you that you are in the abode
of the Gods. Come and explore the wonder that Sikkim is.
Area of Sikkim: 7,096 sq. kms.
Altitude (Gangtok) 1.547m
Population of Sikkim: 500.000
Commonly spoken languages: Sikkimese, Nepali, Hindi and
English
The Place of Thunderbolt
Darjeeling is a popular hill-resort and fascinating place.
"The Queen of the Hills" lies perched at a height
of 2134m with a panoramic view on the mighty Kanchenjunga
Cluster.
Darjeeling has attracted many generations of visitors
to enjoy the joys of the cool and healthy climate of the
mountains. It was the very first "Hill Sanitarium"
developed by the British to escape the heat, humidity
and hassle of the North Indian plains.
Until the late 1800s, all supplies for Darjeeling
and all the tea exported had to be transported by bullock
carts along the Hill Cart Road (beginning in the plains
at Siliguri). An agent of East Bengal Railway, Franklin
Prestage, came up with the plan for a narrow gauge rail
link between Siliguri and Darjeeling. Construction started
in 1879 and the first train pulled by the "gutsy"
little steam engine and three coaches puffed into Darjeeling
on 4th July 1881. The "Toy Train" has been making
daily journeys for over a century. The 88km journey to
Darjeeling is certainly not the quickest way to get there
but is nevertheless an experience that should not be missed.
A joy ride on the train is included in your sightseeing
tours.
"Darjeeling" and "tea"
have become synonymous. Tea drinkers all over the world
must constantly bless the memory of the person who decided
around 1840 that the climate of the Darjeeling region
was very conducive to the growth of tea. Huge forest areas
were cleared and tea was planted. Chinese experts were
called in to teach the art of tea making and thousands
of Nepalese were hired to work in the tea gardens. Darjeeling
Tea became so famous for its aroma and delicacy of taste
that it was soon named "Champagne of the East".
The Governor’s Fort
Kalimpong nestles in West Bengal at a modest altitude
of 1250m. enjoying moderate climate. Forming a triangle
with its more illustrious "neighbors", Darjeeling
and Gangtok.Kalimpong is an excellent spot for a restful
and quiet holiday. It has a number of houses, which speak
of the town’s heritage and gracious living in earlier
decades of this century when it was the main trading post
between Tibet and British India. Today it is a flourishing
floriculture center as the climate has proved to be extremely
conducive to this activity.
Siliguri serves as a gateway because of
its location and connects 3 international borders: Bangladesh,
Bhutan & Nepal. Siliguri is the only road and rail
link to North Eastern India, Sikkim and the hills of Darjeeling.
The train station is known as NJP (New Jalpaiguri) and
the airstrip of Bagdogra is only 13 km away. However the
town by itself has not much charm other then being a convenient
stopover.
