Known as the ‘Queen of the Hills', Darjeeling is nestled away in the northern reaches of West Bengal. This ethereal wonderland embodies quaint, small town charm with wonderfully warm people. Once a British retreat, the town is famous for its internationally acclaimed tea and offers tourists a variety of tea-centric activities—high tea anyone?—besides the usual hilly recesses of nature exploration: trekking and hiking with a end the evening award of continued, culinary adventures.
WHERE TO STAY
Darjeeling has a variety of heritage hotels that keep the old British Era atmosphere alive:
The Elgin Hotel
Undoubtedly one of the most stunning properties in Darjeeling, The Elgin has been home to everyone from Tenzin Norgay, the Crown Prince of Sikkim, and Dominique Lapierre to Mark Tully and Manoj Kumar. It's snug and cosy interiors come adorned with etchings, lithographs, period furniture, oak wood flooring and panelling, crackling fireplaces, candle-lit tables and strains of majestic music courtesy their grand piano. Traveller's tip: partake in high tea service and spend the afternoon tasting your way through different teas, paired with scones and sandwiches.
The Elgin,18 HD Lama Road, Darjeeling (+91 354 2254082; www.elginhotels.com)
The Revolver
The hippest—and newest hilly respite to open in an age—The Revolver promises travellers a Beatles-themed getaway. Fans of this iconic band can even pick and choose to live in John, Paul, George, Ringgo and Brian suites. This trendy property also packs perks like free Wi-Fi and a diner that serves the almost-obscure Naga Cuisine.
Revolver 110, Gandhi Road, Behind Union Chapel Darjeeling (+91 9002908465 and 9635839614; www.revolver.in)
WHERE TO EAT
Cake Lady
Helen, an ex-New Zealander, promises to make all your baked goods fantasies come true. Order these sweet treats the moment you enter, they're absolutely divine. Health hounds, Helen also whips up whole wheat cakes topped with sunflower seeds.
Cake Lady, YouthHostel, Darjeeling, (+91 95 47457734)
Hot Stimulating Café
This “Hot Café” is the perfect hotspot for an afternoon-pick-me-up: a cup of tea paired with a plate of hot momos—arguably the best in Darjeeling. Want to try your hands at actually creating momos? You've arrived at the correct address; Stimulating also offers budding-chefs a lesson (or two) in learning how to make these perfect parcels. All that's left to do is relax, unwind and meet locals.
Hot Stimulating Café, HookerRoad, near Governor's Palace,Darjeeling (+ 91 99322 60769)
Keventers Restaurant
This institution is renowned for serving up the most delicious breakfast. The charming kitchen dishes out delish bacon and eggs meant to be washed down with milkshakes. We recommend the meat platter, because it comes plated with sausages, bacon, ham and eggs, with a side of hot chocolate.
Keventers Restaurant,1 Nehru Road, Darjeeling (+91 354 2254026)
WHAT TO DO
Visit Tiger Hill—a picturesque peak—at dawn, to glimpse the sun's rays illuminate the Kanchenjunga Range. Next, make your way to the region's largest and most striking monastery, Yogachoeling or Ghoom Gompa.Established in the year 1875, by a Mongolian monk, this misty mountain site also houses a Maitreya Buddha idol that towers tall at 15ft. Walk on the wild side and visit Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park—the main objective of this zoo is to preserve endangered animal species and is known to have the largest population of varied animal species, from snow leopard, Siberian tigers and Himalayan black bears to Tibetan wolves.
WHERE TO SHOP
Sunset Lounge by Nathmulls
Sniff, sip and buy. Nathmulls, one of the oldest tea stores in the city, and the Sunset Lounge at Chowrasta allow tea connoisseurs to sample different tea varietals before purchasing. This curio store also shelves tea-related paraphernalia like Tibetan brewing kettles and the classic, silver tea sets.
Habeeb Malik and Dorjees
For Tibetan antiques and gorgeous turquoise jewellery make your way to Dorjee and Habeeb Malik. Antiquing paradise this; also glance at the silver, agate, ivory, amber and coral all set in heritage jewellery.
Habeeb Malik, Chowrasta; Dorjee, Laden La Road
DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT
Tasting Dansberg Blue Premium Lager Beer founded by Sikkimese Bollywood actor Danny Denzongpa.
HOW TO GET THERE
The nearest airport is in Bagdogra, 88kms from Darjeeling. Air India (www.airindia.in), Kingfisher Airlines (www.flykingfisher.com) and Jet Airways (www.jetairways.com) have direct flights to Bagdogra from Delhi, Guwahati and Kolkata daily. Druk Air (www.drukair.com) flies to Bagdogra from Kathmandu, Paro and Bangkok weekly.