The last trip I went on was back in January 2020 to Rajasthan, however, this time my colleague from the UK wanted to explore the North East and Kolkata. I was obviously more than happy; what better way to escape the hot Indian summer!!
7 Nights of exploring Pelling, Darjeeling and Kolkata was a journey where you get to experience the most scenic, serene and picturesque side of India.
I was happy to see the Bagdogra Airport back in service after being closed for 15 days for runway repair. Bagdogra is a small hill station town resting at the foothills of the Himalayas, in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. It is often regarded as the gateway town to North-East India and the Himalayas.
We had a smooth flight and landed in Pelling which indeed makes one believe in serendipity; where nature embraces you with open arms. Pelling is a small town in state of Sikkim and once you land here, you are literally sitting at the foothills of Mount Kanchenjunga; the highest peak in India and third highest mountain in the world.
While in Pelling you must visit the Pemayangtse Monastery set amidst the woods. What I liked personally was the fact that it’s a Zero Plastic Waste monastery where you are not allowed to carry plastic bottles nor anything in a plastic bag. Truly sustainable. The monastery was a pleasant walk from our hotel, The Elgin Mount Pandim, Pelling.
From the monastery our next stop was the Rabdentse Ruins which is often called as Macha Pichu of India, the ruins are a part of Buddhist religious pilgrimage circuit.
We also made a stop at the Khecheopalri Lake, situated at an altitude of 5,600ft. Prayer wheels along the wooden jetty, the Tibetan flags fluttering in the wind, it’s all so magical……I recommend it not only from the spiritual aspect but also to nature lovers who are bound to enjoy their time here.
While in Pelling, I fell in love with the cuisine; I had the best dumplings, you can’t miss the thukpa, fermented bread and fritters as well.
We left Pelling after 2 days with happy thoughts of wanting to return to its peaceful charm and headed towards Darjeeling by road. The Queen of Hills as Darjeeling is fondly called is where we enjoyed our cup of tea at the Glenburn Tea Estate, a heavenly little plantation retreat, high in the Himalayas, overlooking the mighty Kanchenjunga mountain range. You can image what our mornings were like staying there…magical.
A joy ride on Darjeeling Himalayan Railway which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site will remain my favourite memory of this trip; chugging along the hill slopes, passing through very picturesque country. You have to have this on your itinerary while in Darjeeling; it is an experience to remember.
We visited the Tibetan Refugee camp which was followed by lunch with a Tibetan Family, an immersive experience where we got to interact with the family and enjoy a local meal with them.
At every corner you can spot Darjeeling’s favourite all day snack Alu Mimi; a simple dish of Alu Dom (Steamed potato curry) with a packet of Wai Wai Mimi instant noodles added to it. Absolutely delicious.
We managed to explore Darjeeling well in two days and then left for Kolkata, the capital of India’s West Bengal state. The city has a soul of its own; colonial architecture, lots of culture, unique festivals and some amazing street food.
What did we do? Well, straight after our arrival by air (we took a car from Darjeeling to Bagdogra Airport) we drove to a 300 year old boutique heritage property; The Rajbari Bawali. The luxurious property sits in the middle of a village and lets you best soak in the beauty of nature – while enjoying the magical splendour of the estate. You are sure to find a selfie corner here!
One of our best experiences in Kolkata was the adda session- an identity of Kolkata. An adda session can be identified by the freestyle conversation that’s often intellectual coupled with tea and snacks. We loved it! It makes you experience the vibe of Kolkata.
Kolkata can leave you high on sugar; the variety of local desserts is endless. The Bengali Thali as a complete meal is a grand affair, my favourite was the Baigan Bhaja, crispy on the outside and tender inside- eggplant fries.
We enjoyed the best high-tea at leisure in Kolkata at the Glenburn Penthouse (we were staying here as well) which serves the most delicious scones, tarts and finger sandwiches.
Kolkata, the city of joy is sure to fill you with joy! And that is how we spent our 3 joyous days in Kolkata before returning back to New Delhi! The Eastern part of India is rich with experiences and a must include in your India itinerary.
See you on my next travel across India !
