Early in the morning, drive towards Tiger Hill which is located at the height of 2590 meter above sea level. This place is famous for offering splendid views of the sunrise. From here you will view the breathtaking scenery of the peaks of Kanchenjunga being illuminated by the rays of the rising sun. The magnificent view of snow-capped mountains and cotton clouds attract tourists to Tiger Hill from all over the country. After that, come back to Darjeeling.
En-route you will visit Ghoom Monastery which lies at a grand elevation of 8000 feet. It is one of the famous Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries. It was established by Lama Sherab Gyatso in 1850 and is a part of the Yellow Hat Sect which is known as Gelupka who worship the "Coming Buddha". You will be amused to see a 15-feet high statue of Maitreya Buddha and rare Buddhist manuscripts within the premises. You can also witness the beautiful view of the majestic Kanchenjunga from outside of this monastery.
Then you will be moving to the War Memorial which stands as a reminiscence of the Gurkha martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the wars for their country since independence. This place was constructed to honor 76 brave sons of Darjeeling. You can also see War Memorial while riding on the famous Darjeeling Toy Train. Now, go to the Batasia Loop which is one of the most picturesque train routes. It is a lush green toy train pathway which is meant to minimize the elevation of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and it overlooks the snow-laden peaks of Kanchenjungha. The design of this point is mesmerizing and allows the track to wrap around itself via a hilltop tunnel.
As you reach a hotel, enjoy a hearty breakfast. Then, get ready for Darjeeling sightseeing that starts amidst cool mountain breeze and the stunning landscapes. At first, you will be visiting Peace Pagoda which is the symbol of spirituality and peace. It reflects four avatars of Lord Buddha and attracts people belonging all religion. Before moving further, take a ride on the cable car which is renowned across the world. Through this ride, you will witness a myriad of exquisite landscapes ranging from the glorious snow-capped mountains to the charming valley replete with verdant tea estates. This place gives an array of divine panoramic views to the visitors. Next highlight of the trip is taking a stroll amidst verdant tea estates. You can take the pictures and purchase the world-best tea for yourself.
Also, you can set your foot into Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park, a splendid place in Darjeeling and a haven for animal lovers. Spot a wide variety of animals such as barking deer, blue & yellow Macaw, Asiatic black bear, Himalayan Monal, Eastern Pangolin, Leopard Cat, Red Jungle Fowl, Himalayan Wolf, yak, and many more. It is also known as Darjeeling Zoo.
Thereafter, you can head to explore Himalayan Mountaineering Institute which is recognized as one of the best mountaineering institutes in the world. The main aim of this institute was to encourage, enhance and support the interests of the people in mountaineering. It also wanted to the channel the abundant energy of the youth into a productive and self-awarding sport. Aspiring mountaineers from all over the world come to this institute to develop their skills.
Also, move to Tensing and Gumpo Rock. Tenzing Rock is a gigantic natural rock and named after Tenzing Norgay who created history by climbing the Everest first time with Edmund Hillary in 1953. On the other hand, the Gombu Rock is named after Nawang Gombu who is the nephew of Tenzing and was the first person to climb the Everest twice in 1963 and 1965. Both of these rocks are used for rock climbing training purpose by Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. Afterward, head towards Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center which was set by the Tibetan refugees in 1959 after they followed Dalai Lama and escaped from Tibet. The people of this place adopted the principle of self-help so that they can become self-independent. Handicraft items are the earning source for the natives of this place. The main objective of this self-center is self-rehabilitation and to help the underprivileged Tibetan community.
Last but not least, visit Natural History Museum which exhibits more than 4000 specimens including Toddy cat, Himalayan Brown Wood Owl, Estuarine crocodile, leopards, etc. It also shows the varieties of butterflies and birds of the hills. You can find preserved remains of reptiles, bird species, fishes, insects, and mammals that are displayed in a replication of their natural habitats. Later, you can stroll at Mall Road for shopping to collect some souvenirs to be taken back home.
After this amazing day and retire into your room for a good night's sleep.
