Cities of North East India

Darjeeling:
Darjeeling is the Queen of India's hill stations. Its setting is one of incomparable beauty. A Victorian town of old world charm 'discovered' by the British, it is almost completely surrounded by fragrant tea gardens which seem to flow over the layered slopes like emerald swells on a rough sea. These are in turn interspersed by untamed jungle of Fern and Bamboo, groves of sweet smelling Coniferous trees and hamlets lost and which may be the finest this earth has to offer, It hits one like Darjeeling's true name, "Dorje Ling", or 'Place of the Thunderbolt'.

Darjeeling is surrounded by lofty mountains. Except for the monsoon months and if weather is clear then the Kanchenjunga peak can be seen. Down below in the valley flow the rivers swollen by rain water or melting snow. Darjeeling is a fascinating tourism place rich in natural beauty and surrounded by the Buddhist monasteries. Its beauty surpasses any other hill station of India.

Darjeeling has some of the lovely tea plantations (estates) in the country. One can travel these plantations and watch tea being processed. Darjeeling is a place where one feels as if being in the lap of mother nature.Due to the vast and abundance of natural splendour Darjeeling is called queens of hill stations. Darjeeling is also a trekkers paradise and the Gorkha hill council has provided ample trekking facilities for the adventure loving people.

Darjeeling has been famous for its Tea with a particular aroma. Throughout the world tea drinkers love having the special Darjeeling tea. So, how can some one miss getting some Darjeeling tea if he comes to this place. Packed small bags tea from this place make good souvenirs.


Sikkim:
Small but beautiful. Sikkim is situated in the eastern Himalayas . Spread below the Mount Khanchendzonga (8534 mts), the third highest mountain in the world, and revered by the Sikkimese as their protective deity. With an area of 7,300 sq kms and measuring approx. 114 kms from the north to south and 64 kms from east to west, the elevation ranges from 300 mts to over 8540 mts above sea level.

Amidst the grandeur of the mountain peaks, lush valleys, fast flowing rivers, hills, Sikkim offers her visitors a rare and singular experience. Within a matter of hours one can move from the sub tropical heat of the lower valleys to the cold of the rugged mountain slopes that reach up to the area of perpetual snow .


Gangtok:
Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim with a population of approximately 50,000 has emerged into the mainstream of the Tourism Industry, with more and more tourist visiting this little Himalayan state every year. Gangtok, the "Lofty Hill" or the "Hill made flat to build the Gangtok monastery in 1716".

An air of enchantment hangs over the city, indeed the whole valley; the mysticism, the stupas, the monasteries reach out as soon as one has crossed the border. While across the hills and valleys comes the sounding of the long trumpets by robed lamas.

With different cultures and religion existing in perfect harmony, Gangtok has shown that "Unity in Diversity" exists in Sikkim. Sikkimese have strong bonding with their age-old traditions and customs.

Foreigners visiting Gangtok must possess an Indian visa. In addition to an Indian visa, foreigners must obtain Inner Line Permit (ILP) to visit Sikkim. The permits can be obtained from all Indian missions, Tourism Office, New Delhi, Sikkim Tourism Office, Calcutta and Sikkim Tourism Office, Siliguri on the strength of an Indian Visa.


Kalimpong:
A small town in the Himalaya foothills of West Bengal- Kalimpong is at an altitude of 1250 meters. This bazaar town was originally a part of Bhutan but later it was taken over by the British and finally it became a part of West Bengal. Kalimpong is famous for its monasteries, Churches and a private library for the study of Tibetan and Himalayan languages, culture etc. This place is also famous for orchid nurseries and some beautiful sights of the Himalayan range, the town offers excellent views of the Mt Kanchenjunga and the other Himalayan peaks. The popular view points are Durpin Dara and Deoro Hill

The name, Kalimpong, has three different origins. One, it means the place where the local tribesmen gathered to organize field sports, second, it takes it's name from the Bhutanese king's minister's stronghold and thirdly, it is named after Kaulim, a fibrous plant found in abundance in this region.

Kalimpong has several monasteries and also a Kali temple. The Tharpa Choeling Gompa, which belongs to the Yellow Hat, sect of Tibetan Buddhism, is a 40 minute walk from town. The Tongsa Gompa, or Bhutanese Monastery, is the oldest monastery in the area and dates back to 1692.

Kalimpong is approachable by roads from Darjeeling (51kms) and Gangtok (79 kms).


Pemayangte:
The small town of Pemayangtse is an important Buddhist religious center in the state of Sikkim. Pemayangtse is not only a religious center, but it offers a panoramic view of the eastern Himalayas to the traveler including the mighty Kanchenjunga peak that overlooks the town. The area around Pemayangtse offers to the adventure seeker a number of trekking and hiking trails.

Pemayangtse is located in the southwestern part of the state of Sikkim, in the northeastern region of India. It is set amongst the Sikkim Himalayas at a height of 6,000 feet above sea level and is near Great Rangit River.

The Pemayangtse monastery is the main attraction of this small town. It is one of the principal monasteries in the state of Sikkim, which held highest regard, as it is the second oldest monastery in the state was built in 1705. This monastery is the main center of the Nyingamapa sect, which is a tantrik sect established in the 8th century ad.

The monastery contains numerous antique idols and objects of worship and is filled with wall paintings and sculptures. A stand-out feature of the Monastery is a seven-tiered painted wooden structure on the top floor portraying the Guru Rimpoche's Heavenly Palace 'Santopalri' which was completed single handedly by the late Dungzin Rimpoche in a span of five years.