Darjeeling - Sikkim

Darjeeling-Sikkim is perhaps the most popular tourist spots in whole of India. Located to the north eastern side of India, Darjeeling is also known as the educational capital of India. During their rule in India, British officers developed Darjeeling as a summer residence to escape from the heat of India and in due time built finest colleges and schools. The British also constructed Darjeeling railway, which today is a world heritage and still runs efficiently. Darjeeling is a cooler place as compared to rest of India and is home to Tenzing Mountaineering Museum, Botanical Garden, and Tiger hill, a perfect spot for viewing world’s third highest mountain in the world, Mt. Kanchendzonga. Late Tenzing Norgay Sherpa made Darjeeling his home much of his adult life till the time of his death. 

 

Sikkim is just a 30 minute ride from Darjeeling. Sikkim is a culturally and naturally rich place. The state has 80 glaciers and 28 peaks including the third highest mountain Kanchendzonga. Almost 70% of the flowers of India are found in Sikkim. Rhododendrons, orchids, poinsettia, debdrobium, ferns, primula, figs, laurel are just a few of the flower plants. 

 

Similarly, Red Panda, Himalayan Tahr, Tibetan snowcock, bearded vulture, clouded leopard, Asian black bear are some of flagship faunal species found in Sikkim.