I had a terrific weekend touring Darjeeling with Kiran Rai as guide and Dipu Lepcha as driver. We packed a lot of sights into a short period of time but they managed things smoothly so it never felt rushed. Kiran was extremely knowledgeable about everything and gave me a lot to learn and think about throughout the weekend, as we discussed the background of the Tibetan monastery, Buddhism, the tea industry, the politics of the hill country within the state of West Bengal, as well as history of the region from the British Raj to independence to the present day. Dipu did an amazing job driving amidst difficult traffic in Bagdogra and the mountain road to Darjeeling.
I took a trekking tour with this tour agencythat covered around 10-12 miles through the Himalayan foothills through Tonglu and Tumbling. I went around mid-February. This area is incredibly beautiful, there are rolling green hills, cloud capped peaks, good views of the snowy Himalayas which feel so close, and also small houses and huts that serve as both posts for travelers and homes for those that live in the surrounding region.
I think its safe to say that this was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I absolutely loved this trekking tour - not just because the surrounding landscape was so beautiful but because our guide was so knowledgeable about the flora, fauna, and history of the region. He taught us things about the wildlife and the kinds of plants that grew there, about the hidden temples/monasteries and Buddhist writings, flags, and monks that you will find all over. The trek also covers a lot of ground - because it lasts a full day you have time to stop and appreciate all these things. On a clear day - you will get a view of Mt Everest. It was a little cloudy at the exact time we were passing by the spot you were able to get a view. However, a couple trekkers who left earlier on a similar tour with a different guide got a great picture on their camera.
Our guide was also a really good guy. Unfortunately I forget his name but it was Subash who set up the tour for us. He taught us about the history of the region, shared his views on its future and helped us talk to people there to learn more about them. He also treated us to a really delicious breakfast in the mountain town before heading out. He told me he was a very serious mountaineer and was planning to study in Seattle for a more ambitious climb the next year.
I think it was quite dark when I got back. I forget the time but it was late and I remember being tired. I was with 3 of my friends and they were fast asleep. He gave us green Buddhist sashes with markings on them and they were very beautiful. I really liked this company because the whole experience was very personal. There were times we would just walk for a long time in silence. They really want you to experience everything first hand and for yourself. I believe its because they love the region so much, and they want everyone to love and experience it too.
One of the best days of my life.
