Darjeeling or Dorjeling (Place of Thunderbolt) originated as a summer retreat during the British Raj in the 19 th Century. The town is still dotted with colonial buildings and Churches. It is interesting to know how the British East India Company got the land as a gift from Raja of Sikkim in exchange for one double-barreled gun, one rifle, one 20 yards of red-broadcloth, and 2 pairs of shawls.

Darjeeling is 2134 meters above mean sea level with a temperate climate, and the best way to explore this hill town is on foot. One can visit the Museum at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. The museum houses outfits and equipment used by Tenzing Norgay, who climbed Mt Everest in 1953 with Sir Edmond Hillary. The town has a good population of Tibetan refugees too. A visit to the Tibetan refugee self-help centre gives you insight into their lifestyle and the opportunity to buy their handicraft and help the community.

The most popular attraction of Darjeeling is the Toy train. Darjeeling Himalayan railways is a UNESCO declared a world heritage site. The toy train is still pulled by a steam locomotive (built in the 19th Century) between Ghoom and Darjeeling. One can experience this forty-minute journey. Today Darjeeling Tea is a global name, and one can visit or stay in one of the Tea plantations on the outskirts of town.