India. Leaving Darjeeling for Kakarbitta and later on to Janakpur

Tiger Hill at dawn is a must if you can face rising at 0330hrs. Spectacular views are par for the course in Darjeeling, but this beats everything. You'll be above the clouds when the sun hits Katchenjunga, the 4th highest mountain in the world (pray for a clear morning) Needless to say the road down is great for views too. The short walks around Darjeeling town are varied in difficulty and distance. The walk down to the snow leopard sanctuary is easy.

Quick Tips:

Pack something to eat as the journey to the Siliguri is long. Alternatively be prepared to eat at roadside vendors and run the associted risks. Bring good walking footwear. Some Western style shoes will struggle with ice that forms every night. Bring an umbrella too!

Best Way To Get Around:

In Darjeeling itself the roads are too steep for rickshaws. You'll find the odd taxi but generally its better to walk. You'll need to head to Siliguri to pick up a share Jeep to Nepal. If the share jeep owner tries to pile people on top of you, stand up for your rights because you'll have paid more than the locals anyway. There is a bus station here too.

The Shamrock guest house is run by a sherpa and his mother. It'll be full of treckers. The rooms are basic and the bathroom is a room with a bucket full of hot water. Its not for everyones taste but the people who stay here are very knowledgible and friendly.

The food here ia mix of continental European and British high tea. Pizzas are available as are many other snack type dishes. Its a breath of fresh air after the other cities in India. One curious mentionable item; the butter is unpasteurised and gives off the odour of something not quite right.

Tiger Hill is the highest point in the area providing spectacular views of Kanchenjunga peak. If the day is clear, the sight of Mt. Everest at a distance of 70 miles is truly stupendous. The sun rising and striking first Katchenjunga and then the surrounding area including the clouds which it appears you’re standing over is an unforgettable experience. Every day, a large number of people flock to this place to catch a glimpse of sunrise. The ideal way to enjoy the sunrise is over a cup of steaming coffee. Hot drinks are the order of the day since the drafty viewing structure afford very little protection against the freezing morning air. The viewing structure which can be accessed by paying a few rupees dates back to the British Empire and it shows. Tiger Hill can be reached by jeep, but if you want you can trek to the top. It is possible to take a jeep to the top of the hills and return on foot. The return journey is a pleasant two-hour walk and the scenery, full of little mountain streams and flowers. There is a Tibetan market on the road bak to Darjeeling and whether you're on foot or in a Jeep its worth a look. As well as the usual T shirts, sarongs etc you can get a bit of breakfast/brunch or even another sweater if you're finding the chill morning air a touch too much.