Darjeeling is the name of a township as well as a district in the West Bengal state of India. Both as the town and the district, it is famous as one of the most important tourist destinations in the country. Darjeeling is recognized throughout the world for the tea it grows and the great view of Kanchenjunga series of mountains that it offers. It is also known for its affluence in cultural & natural heritage and the famous toy train that has been declared a UN Heritage. The district covering about 1144 sq km, exerts a pull on millions of visitors every year for the assortment of attractions it offers. The hill rises from the `Terai` and `Dooars` plains of Bengal and attains an altitude of more than 12,000 feet. Three dissection of the district, specifically Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kurseong comprise the hilly areas and the Siliguri subdivision is located in the plains.

To the north of the section is the Indian state of Sikkim, it borders Nepal on the West, and Bengal plains in the South and East. In Darjeeling, those who matured up in the mountains identify themselves according to their origin: viz. Nepalese, Bhutanese, Tibetan or Lepcha. The region also contends with a religious mix - Though Hindus represent the majority, there is a strong presence of Tibetan Buddhism and other religions too.

Darjeeling Himalaya is renowned for its prosperity of flora and fauna. Darjeeling has two national parks (Neora Valley National Park and Singalila National Park) and one wildlife sanctuary (Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary) in this district. Singalila National park is recognized for the red panda, a very rare and endangered species. Neora valley - a beautiful tropical forest, a large part of which is still untainted - offers a great attraction to the tourists.

When the British first arrived here, the place was almost completely forest and virtually uninhabited, though it had once been a sizeable village. Swift progress work by the British affected in the construction of a road in early 1840’s, numerous residences and a sanatorium was built and hotels were established.

By early 1857 Darjeeling had a population of about 10,000. The population amplify was mainly due to the recruitment of Nepalese laborers to work in the tea plantations established in the early 1840s by the British. Even today, the vast majority of people converse in Nepali as a first language.

Sightseeing in Darjeeling tour comprises of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) The train often known as ‘Toy Train’ is given heritage status by UNESCO, it covers the distance of approximately 88 km connecting New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) and Darjeeling. Tiger hill standing at a height of 2590m, Tiger Hill is 11 km from the central town. The place is famous for its outstanding view of Kanchenjunga, Mt. Everest and other eastern Himalayan peaks exceptionally at the time of sunrise. Zoological Park which is located about 2 km. from the town. This zoo houses a wide collection of high-altitude birds and animals, India's solitary collection of Siberian tigers and some atypical species such as the red panda. The Zoological Park is famed for its success in the snow leopard breeding program.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) & Museum which is located adjacent to the Zoological Park runs courses on mountaineering. It has a mountaineering museum encloses mountaineering gears and the specimens of Himalayan flora & fauna. The museum also displays equipment used by Tenzing Norgay (who lived most of his life here) and Edmund Hillary on their way to Mt. Everest and the letter written by George Mallory, the British climber who was lost while climbing Mt. Everest and whose body was discovered couple years back.

Lloyd Botanical Garden, Ghoom Monastery, Senchal Lake, Passenger Ropeway, Dhirdham Temple / Mahakal Dham, Nehru Park, Ava Art Gallery, Darjeeling Gymkhana Club, Observatory Hill, Bengal Natural History Museum, Rock Garden, Batasia Loop are other major places of tourist interest.

Climate: Average temperature varies between 20°C and 25°C near the foothills and goes down sharply as the altitude increases. In the town of Darjeeling or Kalimpong temperature may vary from 7°C to 15°C in summers and 1°C to 6°C in winters. An umbrella is a must throughout the year since rain in the area is quite unpredictable; however the umbrellas are available cheaply in the local markets.

The best time to visit Darjeeling is commencing of mid-September to mid-December, although it gets quite arctic by December. The season resumes around mid-March and continues till mid-June but as the miasma builds up the views become less clear. During the monsoon months (June to September), clouds obscure the mountains and the rain is often experienced.