Darjeeling is the legendary British hill station perched in the foothills of the Himalayas. Located in the northern extreme of the Indian state of West Bengal, Darjeeling is just east of Nepal, just south of Sikkim, and a bit west and south of Bhutan. It is most famous for its once magnificent tea estates. Despite a steady and inexorable decline since independence, roughly a half century ago, these estates still produce a substantial portion of the world's tea.

For rail enthusiasts, however, Darjeeling is better known for its "Toy Train." This famous narrow gauge steam railway plies its way from Siliguri in the plains below up to Ghoom and Darjeeling in the hills.

Blessed with a cool and bracing climate, and a panoramic view of the Himalayas, the world renowned hill resort of Darjeeling is a welcome respite during the hot summer months.

Climate: SUMMER:  Min: 8.5 degrees C  Max: 20 degrees C

Annual Rainfall:320 cm (126 inches)

Best Tourist Season: April to Mid-June; Mid September to November

Best Mountain Views: Mid Sept. - Mid Dec.

Recommended Clothing: Light woollens and tropicals in summer (umbrellas and raincoats are useful) and heavy woollen in winter.

Language Spoken: English, Nepali, Hindi Bengali and Tibetan

Adventure: Trekking, white water rafting, kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking and rock climbing