Darjeeling, the beautiful hill station remains as one of the most popular and scenic tourist destinations in India. I am not going to touch on the history neither the popular spots in Darjeeling that are covered in travel itineraries. I am throwing in my tit bits about some places and activities known only to locals.

The Ghoom Monastery might be one of the oldest in Darjeeling and is a must visit, but the Druk Thoptsen Sangag Choling Monastery (Dali Monastery) is the more beautiful one. I have seen the monastery growing from a humble 2-storeyed building to the massive structure that it is now. The monks are even helpful enough to give a full tour of the monastery. The Japanese peace pagoda is another beautiful sight, do visit the adjoining Japanese temple there, preferably during the evening prayers. If you have a lot of time to spare then take a hike from the Dali monastery to the peace pagoda through Gandhi road, which has very less traffic. One can also walk another 15 minutes from peace pagoda to reach the main town. Make pit stops at small shops selling hot momos (Tibetan dumplings), aloo dum and of course tea. One crosses 2 good monasteries and the famous residential school, St Pauls on this road.

Everybody who visits Darjeeling knows about chowrasta and the mall road. The walk around the observatory hill offers the best views of the hills of Sikkim and the Kanchenjunga range. Very few tourists know about the road that connects chowrasta to the Darjeeling Himalayan Zoo. I consider that road as one of the best trails in Darjeeling for a walk; the locals call it “Lover’s Road”, why? Well it’s beautiful with absolutely no traffic, small lanes with pine tress and awesome views. To go on this trail, instead of taking a turn around the observatory hill, you need to cross the raj bhavan and follow the road. Don’t work, you will never lose your way in Darj.

Do visit the temple in the observatory hill also, there aren’t many places in India where you will find a Hindu priest and a Buddhist monk sitting together and praying to the same idol. There is a small cave in the temple and there are local legends that state that the cave has a secret tunnel. I am not sure about how true these are, but the temple in the observatory hill are unique. Try your hands in white water rafting in the Teesta river and go on a mountain biking trip. Check out the rare salamanders in Jorepokhri and shop in Pashupati, the Nepal border.  

Any visit to Darjeeling is incomplete without trying its delicious momos. I recommend the small restaurants near the Big Bazaar area as the best places to try these out, also try the thukpas (noodles in soup) and of course aloo dum. These aloo dums are extremely spicy and have not found potatoes sold in this style anywhere else in India. My favourite restaurant in Darjeeling is the Kevenders, it still has the colonial charm. You get the best continental breakfast in Darjeeling in Kevenders and Glenarys is where you will get the best home made chocolates and the best apple pie. Try buzz for a drink in the evening, it is located at the basement of Glenarys, occasionally local rock bands play there after 7pm.

This is just a glimpse of Darjeeling from a local’s eye. Yes Darjeeling has its own share of political tensions and water issues but the place is beautiful and people are warm. I might be a little biased when it comes to Darjeeling, because the place is home to me.