East India Hill Stations

Darjeeling Hill Station:

Darjeeling , the queen of all hill stations,famous for its natural beauty, clean fresh air,year round plesent weather and above all, the ever smiling and welcoming local people.The 3rd highest pick in the world,mount Kanchenjunga is very close to this lpece and also gives the clearest view.Darjeeling is widely known as visitors paradise because every day it offers something new to everyone ,may be the first time visitoe and may be the regular one.The morning bell comes to the vewers when the firts ray of sun touchesthe mountaina pick.This is tiger hill,a steep ride of five kilometers from Ghoom, is the place where one can witness this hevenly feelings.Here the air is chilly ,but unique to get an experience.Here the new day starts with the world famous blend of tea,foggy and smokky weather,mountain view and smiling face of local Gorkhi people.

Darjeeling is also a place to know Tibetan culture,Himalayan Tribal Life, and to see the Tibetian Monasteries, Pine Trees,Tea garden etc.very closely.

Gangtok Hill Station:

Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim with a population of approximately 50,000 has emerged into the mainstream of the Tourism Industry, with more and more tourist visiting this little Himalayan state every year. Gangtok has developed into a cosmopolitan flavour where old-world charm and hospitality exist along with the Internet Age.

With different cultures and religion existing in perfect harmony, Gangtok has shown that "Unity in Diversity" exists in Sikkim. Sikkimese have strong bonding with their age-old traditions and customs. However, a quick survey of Gangtok shows that the bubble of modernization has burst with a bang in the town. The capital is definitely not behind the rest of the world in terms of urbanization - Broad roads, flyovers, posh markets, state-of-art hospital, educational institutes, fast food outlets, discothèques, and all other modern amenities that the heart can desire for. One imposing manmade landmark of the town is the 200 ft-high TV tower which overlooks the town and is situated near the Enchey Monastry below Ganesh Tok. A stroll along the Mahatma Gandhi Marg is shopper's delight- Hotels, restaurants, curios, footwear and almost everything is available. Be here to experience the magic.

Kalimpong Hill Station:

The first thing that strikes the traveler visiting Kalimpong is its quiet atmosphere. The peaceful ambience that pervades is heightened by the presence of monasteries and churches across the town.

Mirik Hill Station:

Mirik, the youngest hill station of India, is built around a 1.25 km long natural lake. The magical hill resort lies close to Siliguri in the West Benga l state of India. The peaceful and tranquil hill resort of Mirik boasts of several nature spots. The wild flowers, lovely lake and flourishing forests of Cryptomaria Japanica trees make Mirik appear as a tropical paradise. Mirik is surrounded by tea estates, orange orchards and cardamom plantations. There is a floating fountain in the middle of the lake and a quaint little footbridge connecting the flower garden on the eastern bank to the heavily forested ridge on the west. The lake is provided with boating facilities.

The place is only 49km from Darjeeling and 52km from Siliguri and can be reached from either place quite easily. This place is 1767 meters above the sea level and has a relatively thin population of 15,000 people. A relatively new tourist destination, Mirik came in the tourist map of Darjeeling District only in the 1970s. Mirik has all that it takes to attract tourists; it is surrounded by forests, flowers and is a very peaceful place, which attracts the tourists automatically.

Shillong Hill Station:

It is named after the "Shillong Peak" overlooking the city. There are many legends about the name Shillong.One of the many legends run that the name Shillong was derived from U Shylong, a supernatural half-deity born of a virgin human mother. In another legend, it is told that the name Shillong originated from the name of Shillong Deity who lived in a cave known as Krem Marai near Shillong Peak.The city was founded by Col. Henry Hopkinson, Commissioner of Assam in 1864.In that very year the headquaters of the District Officer of the khasi Hills were transferred from Cherrapunjee to Shillong.Shillong's picturesque setting and salubrious climate were found very suitable for sanatoria and holiday home of the British civilians, who were tormented by heat in the plains. It was also considered an ideal situation for the establishment of a military cantonment to keep vigil on the entire North East.Termed as "Scotland of the East", Shillong is situated at a height of 5,000 feet on the plateau of gentle hills. Cool colonnades of tall pine trees clad with whispering green leaves glistening in the sun surround the city. On its bosom lie several lovely waterfalls - Spread Eagle falls, Elephant Falls, Beadon Falls etc. sprightly dancing down from their hilly heights.

Shillong with its veritable beauty spots like Ward's Lake, the Lady Hydari Park with its mini zoo, and its 18-hole Golf Course, one of the oldest and best in the country, is a great tourist center, attracting people from far and near.

In the mini-zoo, various species of birds, such as, hornbills, pheasants, pelicans, and storks can be seen besides the animals like antelope, slow loris, clouded leopard, leopard cat, golden cat and golden langur.

Tawang Hill Station:

Tawang, perched at a height of over 10,000 ft, is world-renowned for its 400-year-old Buddhist Monastery, one of the biggest in India.

The Monastery was founded by the monk Mera Lama, a contemporary of the fifth Dalai Lama. The sixth Dalai Lama was born here. The Tawang Monastery has an interesting collection of Thangkas (Tibetan painting on cloth) and a large gilded statue of Sakyamuni (the historical Buddha) in the prayer hall. The Tawang Monastery, also known as the 'Galden Namgyal Lhatse', is beautifully situated on a spur about 2 km from the heart of the town. Before the establishment of the Monastery, Tawang was a centre of Tantric religion.