| Darjeeling
Darjeeling,
West Bengal's famous 'hill station', situated at an altitude of
7000 ft and now surrounded by tea plantations, was gifted to the
British East India Company in the early 19th century and quickly
became a popular resort for the British seeking to escape from the
sweltering heat of Calcutta and the plains. From nearby Tiger Hill
there are wonderful views of the Kanchenjunga peaks and the Eastern
Himalayas - including (on clear days) Mt Everest. The area offers
excellent trekking. An unforgettable way to arrive is by the scenic
narrow-gauge train journey up into the mountains from Siliguri (it
takes up to seven hours to cover 50 miles) past forests, waterfalls
and deep valleys.
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