The district of Darjeeling is spread over approximately 1,200 square miles with the main town of Darjeeling as the district capital. The description of Darjeeling is never complete if one does not mention Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest peak. The view of the snow capped mountains from anywhere in Darjeeling is spectacular, but its view at sunrise from one of the highest peaks in Darjeeling, the Tiger Hill is incomparable. Tiger Hill is approximately 8 kilometres away from the main town and transport can easily be arranged. After the magnificent sunrise, on the way back to the main town you could stop at the beautiful Buddhist monasteries on the way. Darjeeling has a very strong Buddhist influence, resulting in numerous monasteries across the entire district.
Darjeeling has a very colonial feel about it. Some of the buildings and structures have been preserved and still have the British architecture. The best way to explore the main town is by foot. Like any other hill station in India, the heart of the town is a mall area. In Darjeeling this mall area is known as chowrastha, a huge open circle surrounded by small shops, cafes and curio shops. The chowrastha is overlooked by an observatory hill, which is home to one of the oldest temples in Darjeeling, the Mahakal temple. One can either sit in one of the cafes in chowrastha for hours together or take a stroll on the road that circles the observatory hill. This road offers one of the most spectacular views in Darjeeling. In close proximity to the chowrastha is the zoological park of Darjeeling, which houses Siberian tigers, Tibetan wolves and snow leopards. One can either take a walk to the zoo from chowrastha or hire a taxi.
Darjeeling was home to the famous conqueror of Everest, Tenzing Sherpa. Continuing the legacy is the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute of Darjeeling. The HMI, as it is known as, is the main centre for all the mountaineering aspirants across India. There is also a natural rock, very near to the HMI, where one can get a few tips and get an experience of rock climbing. Darjeeling has a numbers of parks and gardens. The most famous among these are the rock garden and the botanical garden. The rock garden is approximately 12 kilometres from the main town and is a picturesque garden, landscaped surrounding a stream that cuts across the hills. Situated 2 kilometres away from the rock garden is the Ganga Maya Park, which has a small man-made lake with boating facilities. The botanical garden is spread over 40-acres and is surrounded by firs, conifers, alpine tress, cherry, maples, willows, chestnut trees and lots of Himalayan evergreens. Its houses numerous species of orchids and species of flora have been brought here from all over the world to create a spectacular picture.
Darjeeling is also a paradise for adventure sports. It offers one of the most spectacular trekking routes in India, the trek to the adjoining hills with the breath-taking views in the Singalila ridge. If not a trek one can opt for mountain biking in this area. The two magnificent Himalayan rivers, the Teesta and the Rangeet River flow through the low lying regions of the district. It is because of these two rivers that white water rafting has become so popular in Darjeeling. For the laid back tourists, Darjeeling offers the perfect ride, the ropeway. The ropeway spans from Darjeeling to Rangeet valley and hangs over acres of happy valley tea estate.