A quixotic toy train run by the DHR between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling, it chugs uphill on a narrow gauge no wider than two feet, clinging tenaciously to the sides of the rugged Himalayas. The eight-hour journey is a thrilling, edge-of-the-seat experience. To make the most of your journey, don’t forget your binoculars. For those who can’t handle the giddy eight-hour ride, a fun ride operates between Ghoom and Darjeeling past the world-famous Batasia Loop. UNESCO has declared DHR as a World Heritage site.

About 5 km. from Darjeeling, this Railway Loop is a marvellous feat of engineering. You will always recall the rush of exhilaration that will overcome you when you see the snowy peaks and town centre from here.

Standing at a height of 2590 m, 11 km from the main town is the most stunning viewing point  of the Kanchenjunga, Mt. Everest and other eastern Himalayan peaks. The multihued rays of the rising sun can hurt the eyes if one stares too long.

Another important tourist site,  it dates back to the 18th century when a monastery was built here. Its significance increased under British rule as many officials and affluent local families chose to reside in the locale. Equally eye-catching is the temple of Mahakal (Dhirdham Temple) on Observatory Hill. Modelled on the famous Pashupati Temple of Kathmandu, it is said to be a religious centre for all local inhabitants. It has a natural cave formation and offers a view of the Kanchenjunga. There is also a Buddhist shrine just below this revered temple.

About 2 km from the town, this zoo houses a wide collection of high-altitude birds and animals, India’s only collection of Siberian tigers and rare species such as the red panda and the Tibetan wolf. The Darjeeling zoo is famous for its success with the snow-leopard breeding program.

Head to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute on Jawaharlal Parbat that provides training to amateur mountaineers. The Everest Museum at HMI has exhibits on the history of attempts on the great peak. The museum exhibits equipment used by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary and a letter written by George Mallory, the famous British climber.

The garden houses a flora that is rich, abundant and at times bizarre. Ablaze with the numerous colors of orchids, rhododendrons, magnolias, primulas, ferns and many varieties of Himalayan plants, it is worth a look.

A logistical wonder, it has come up as a picnic spot among tourists. The lake supplies drinking water to the town of Darjeeling.

A 45-minute walk from the Chowrastha, and located in a picturesque place, it was set up on October 1, 1959, when the Dalai Lama and his followers sought refuge in India. It is home to more than 650 Tibetans who are engaged in various activities such as theproduction of handicrafts, carpets, woodcarvings etc. Workshops at the centre are open to visitors.

To see how Darjeeling tea is processed, visit the Happy Valley Tea Estate which is 3 km outside the town. Here, tea is still made the traditional way and 1,000 kilograms of orthodox tea are processed daily. With excellent prospects in the international market, no other garden in the world is situated at an altitude as high as that of Happy Valley - 6,300 feet (1,890 metres). Owing to its high perch, the garden can fully utilise the mountain mist, which has a great effect on the pollen of the plants. The mist gives Darjeeling tea the aroma it is famous for.

Ghoom Monastery is the largest monastery in the region. It was established in 1875 and belongs to the Yellow Sect of Buddhists. A walk inside is a voyage of discovery that centres on a  15-ft tall idol of Buddha, generally called Maitreya Buddha (Coming Buddha). Thangkas and sculptures adorn the giant halls of the monastery, which also preserves ancient palm leaf and paper manuscripts. The Buddhist Tibetan Gospel, in 108 volumes, is also kept here.

The cable car ride takes 6 passengers at a time and it passes over the lush green tea gardens while offering glorious views of Sikkim and the river Rangeet. The breathtaking view of the Kanchenjunga make it a cherishable experience.

To surround yourself in serene surroundings, head to the Japanese Peace Pagoda which is , also referred to as the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple. The beautiful view of the Kanchenjunga mountain and the humming sound that reverberates when the mantras are chanted are a treat for the senses.

An 8 km drive from the main town, will take you to a delightful excursion point.. The small and pretty Chunnu waterfall adds to the scenic charm of the place.

Named after an innocent victim of police firing during the Gorkhaland agitation, it meanders by the course of a chortling mountain stream, past gazebos, clumps of flowering shrubs and trees, over hump back bridges and into a circular lake with paddle boats and a waterfall. A must-watch are the Gorkha folk dances.

Darjeeling’s most popular commercial street, the Mall, is lined with Tibetans selling hand-knitted sweaters, artifacts and antiques. The mall leads to the Chowrasta, a square that doubles as a pony-riding area and as a haven for lovers.

A large, open, asphalted area, which is a hive of commercial activity, it is surrounded by shops and  restaurants and small, dark pony stables. Along one side of the Chowrasta, you'll find shop named Habeeb Mullick and Oxford Bookstore, both worth a visit. Oxford has a wide range of books that include a good selection on local geography, customs and people. Habeeb Mullick has every wood, bone, silver and cloth artifact you might want to buy. Also peep into some of the smaller shops that are a veritable paradise for souvenir collectors.

History lovers must head to this museum as it contains specimens of the fauna of the region. The specimens are displayed in true-to-life attitudes of all the bird species, reptiles and animals that are found at different altitudes in the Eastern Himalayas. The butterfly and beetles section are, however, the main attractions.

Built in 1939, the Dirdham temple resembles the renowned Pashupatinath temple of Kathmandu. There is a statue of Lord Shiva outside the main temple that depicts ’’Pancha Bakram Tri Netram” or the five facial expressions of Lord Shiva.

Yolmowa Buddhist Monastery, lovingly known as the Aloobari Monastery is located on the Tenzing Norgay Road. It was founded in 1914 by Sangay Lama, the revered religious head of Yolmowas (a small ethnic clan from northeast Nepal). The picturesque Kanchenjunga mountain forms the backdrop of the red and white structure.

On your way back to the zoo, take a slight detour to reach the well-manicured Shrubbery Park, located right behind Raj Bhawan. Besides the green surroundings, stop by for one of the cultural programs that take place here. Don’t miss out the nearby Hot Stimulating Café (five-minute walk), which serves warm tomba (beer) and steaming momos.

Previously the palace house of the Maharaja of Cooch Behar, Lal Kothi is today the office of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council. The surroundings are wonderful and the view is fabulous.

Tourists often miss out this art haven that houses the collection of the artist Ava Devi. Admire the 60-odd pieces of art that use water, oil and thread as mediums.

Surrounded by the slopes of Cryptomaria Japanica trees, the grande dame Kanchenjunga, orange and cardamom plantations, tea estates and a serene water body, Mirik is a jewel nestles in the Eastern Himalayan foothills. A few kilometres away from Darjeeling, Mirik is popular with tourists. Attractions worth visiting in Mirik include the Sumendu Lake, Deosi Dara, Kawlay Dara, Rameetay Dara, Devi Sthan, Rai Dhap, Bokar Chokhor Ling Monastery, orange orchards, cardamom plantations, The Helipad and Swiss Cottage and the Thurbo Tea Garden and Factory.