The queen of the hills, Darjeeling is a town in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the headquarters of Darjeeling district, in the Shiwalik Hills on the lower range of the Himalaya, at an average elevation of 2,134 m. During the British rule in India, Darjeeling's temperate climate led to its development as a hill station (hill town) for British residents to escape the heat of the plains during the summers.

Darjeeling is internationally famous for its tea estate and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tea plantations date back to the mid 19th century as part of a British development of the area. The tea growers of the area developed distinctive hybrids of black tea and fermenting techniques, with many blends considered among the worlds finest. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway connecting the town with the plains was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 and is one of the few steam engines still in service in India.

Darjeeling has several British-style public schools, which attract students from many parts of India and neighbouring countries. The town, along with neighboring Kalimpong was a major center for the demand of a separate Gorkhaland state in the 1980s, the democratic movement for a separate state has begun again, this time without any accompanying violence. In recent years the town's fragile ecology is threatened by a rising demand for environmental resources, stemming from growing tourist traffic and poorly planned urbanization.

Itinerary:

Day 1
Kathmandu - Darjeeling Welcome on arrival at Darjeeling. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 2
Darjeeling Sightseeing Early morning at 3.30 start for Triger Hill to watch the spectacular sunrise and its amazing Ghoom Monastery and Batashia Loop War Memorial while returning to the hotel. Breakfast at the hotel is followed by full day local sightseeing covering Padmaja and Zoological Garden, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Tibetian Refugee Self-help Center and visit to all the local market (City Life). Enjoy the historical Toy Train ride, provided the train is running for the day.
Day 3
Darjeeling - Pemayangtse Morning transfer to Pemayangtse (65kms/4.5 hrs), this is the nearest motorable point from Mt. Kanchenjunga, world's third highest peak. One can also enjoy the spectacular Eastern Himalayan range from this place. Evening tour to Pemayangtse monastery, the second oldest in Sikkim.
Day 4
Pemayangtse - Yuksom Morning transfer to Yuksom (32kms). En-route to Kanchenjunga Falls, Kenchodphelri Lake, Rimbi Falls. At Yuksom, one can simply enjoy the scenic beauty of this beautiful Himalayan hill village. You can also enjoy the walk around the Kartak Lake which is just in front of the hotel. Tashi Gang Chorten is also worth viewing and indeed a memorable experience . Overnight at Yuksom.
Day 5
Yuksom - Gangtok Morning transfer to Gangtok. En route to Ravangla, evening free. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 6
Gangtok Sightseeing Morning starts with the full day sightseeing in and around this capital city of Sikkim, covering Chortan ,Stupa, Institute of Tibetology and Institute of Handicrafts and Handlooms & Roomtek Monastery, the seat of the Kagyupa sect of Buddhism.
Day 7
Excursion Trip to Tshongu Lake The morning start for a half day trip to Tshongu Lake (12400ft), which is only 32kms from Gangtok City. Evening free for shopping.
Day 8
Gangtok - Darjeeling - Kathmandu. Tour Ends.