Introduction
Darjeeling, the Queen of Hills is one of the most legendary Indian destinations. Located in the Eastern Himalayas in West Bengal at an altitude of 2,045 metres, it has been known throughout the world because of three features in breathtaking mountain views, the legendary Darjeeling tea and the Toy train that synonymous with the place. It can be best experienced in summer.
[?] The return of Summer is the Reason to Visit.
The temperatures in Darjeeling range between 18degC and 25degC in summer and so, it makes an invigorating escape to the vacationer not only in India, but in the whole world. Darjeeling remains cool, green and alive in summer unlike in the scorching plains, it is the best place to walk, sightsee and take tea at a misty hillside.
There are two seasons of peak tourist seasons in darjeeling April to May and September to November with summer (April-June) being the most exuberant due to the Second flush tea crop, gardens in full bloom, and clear skies prior to the monsoon.
Darjeeling Tea in Summer – The second flush Season.
This happens to be the largest reason why tea lovers come during summer.
The Second Flush-harvested in early summer- has the richness fairy-tale tea admirers all over the world will desire. It is renowned with its muscatel flavour, its special grape like, fruit taste that any Darjeeling tea is the exclusive tea in the world called the Champagne of Teas.
Darjeeling has 80 operational tea gardens taking up acres of land and it is referred to as the Champagne of Tea. The peak period of tea plucking is between March and May yet seasonal plucking is sometimes done during the months between June and November.
Best Teas that can be visited over the summer:
Happy Valley Tea Estate
Happy valley Tea Estate is the second oldest in Darjeeling, which was established in the year 1854. It deploys bio-dynamic farming and organic farming. An guided tour of the factory gives the visitors a chance to learn how fresh leaves would be withered, rolled, fermented, dried, sorted and graded, and how such tea would be tasted at the end as a culmination to the factory tour.
Makaibari Tea Estate
Makaibari is one of the oldest tea estates that were established in 1852 in Darjeeling. It is a pioneer of organic Darjeeling tea and bio-dynamic farming with iconic brands of green tea and high grade first flush.
[?] The best activities to do in Darjeeling in summer.
Sunrise at Tiger Hill
Tiger hill is a great place to watch the sun rising in the mountains in all its blazing splendor. On bright summer mornings, the golden light is observed touching the snow peaks of Kanchenjunga, which is the third biggest peak in the world.
Ride the Toy Train
The Toy Train is one of the engineering wonders of 1880s when engineers wrestled with the difficulty of negotiating high mountain grades and curves and created a picturesque rail journey passing through the mountains. One of the experiences they will not miss in UNESCO world heritage.
Walk Through Tea Gardens
Taking a stroll in tea gardens, meeting the growers, and observing the art of picking and processing the tea will take you to the real world and make you feel how special Darjeeling tea is.
Wandering around Monasteries and Culture.
Also of popular interest in Darjeeling are the monasteries, botanical gardens, a Zoo and the Darjeeling- Rangeet Valley passenger Ropeway cable car which is one of the longest in Asia.
Food You Must Try
The food of Darjeeling is a mixture of Bengali, Nepali and Tibetan cuisines. Special food sold are Must-try Momos, Thukpa, Aloo Dum, Sael Roti, Nepali Thali, and a hot cup of Second Flush Darjeeling tea right out of the garden.
Quick Summer Visit Tips
Best months: April, May and early June (before monsoon)
Temperature: 18 o C-25 o C- carry a light jacket.
The attractions worth missing: Second Flush tea tasting in an estate
|human|>Things not to be missed: Second Flush tea tasting in a local estate.
Make reservations: Toy Train tickets are in high demand during high season times.
Buy original tea: Buy GI-certified tea in estate boutiques.
Darjeeling in summer is not merely an adventure but sensual adventure in the misty mountains, the golden tea garden, and the best brew of the world. Visit it prior to the heavy downpour in July.