Darjeeling

West Bengal’s picturesque Himalayan hill station Darjeeling, best known for the tea by the same name that’s grown there, attracts Kolkata natives seeking relief from the heat during summer and autumn, and foreign visitors for the stunning natural scenery and rich cultural diversity.
While wandering the compact and walkable village which flows down a west-facing slope, you’ll often spot a mix of people from Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Sikkim, all carrying about their business in front of a backdrop of snowcapped peaks, including the imposing Khangchendzonga with a summit at 28,209 feet (8,598 meters).
With so many trekking possibilities in the region, Darjeeling’s top attraction is rightfully the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, which houses a museum detailing some of the earliest Everest expeditions, as well as a boarding school for students polishing their mountaineering skills.

Practical Info

The nearest airport to Darjeeling is in Bagdogra, about 56 miles (90 kilometers) away.