DARJEELING

Steep mountain ridges, lush green tea plantations and a ringside view of the Himalayas - Darjeeling's reputation as the Queen of the Hills is well deserved. While the spectacular view of the sun's rays kissing the mighty Kanchenjunga peak is enough reason to visit this hill station, Darjeeling has a lot more to entice every traveller. Home to some of the oldest Buddhist Monasteries, Darjeeling also has a strong colonial past, reflected in the vintage buildings that line the streets. The British who helped King Tshudpud Namgyal reclaim Sikkim from the Gorkhas asked him to gift Darjeeling to them. The King is believed to have exchanged Darjeeling for a parcel that contained a double-barrelled gun, a rifle, 20 yards of red broadcloth and two shawls.

A visit to Darjeeling is incomplete without a dream ride on the toy train as it chugs along the mountain slopes, with breathtaking views of oak and pine trees. The train is part of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's hard to head back home without lots of memories and loads of the famous Darjeeling Tea.