What do you do when you meet the queen?

You courtesy, of course.

Likewise, during your rendezvous with the Queen of the Hills, Darjeeling. She’s known for putting on quite a welcome show. But whatever you’ve heard about the city, nothing quite steadies you for evenings here.

It’s a beautiful mise en scène; the sky’s colours light up the landscape, and the sunsets thrill with their cameo now and then. For a city that lies at the intersection of colonial charm, lip-smacking food, and breathtaking mountains, Darjeeling has a lot to offer.

Have 24 hours to spare? Well, that’s not much, but let’s ensure you get to do it all. Come along.

Where to stay in Darjeeling?

Singtom Tea Estate

Said to be one of the oldest tea estate resorts in the world, built in 1862, the Singtom Tea Estate lets you walk through 1,600 acres of private estate. It’s got quite a beguiling story.

The estate was started by Joachim Stoelke, a German priest, in 1854, and its name borrows from Singtam (which means the house of tigers and leopards in local parlance). It’s hearsay that the beasts used to prowl around in the adjoining forests.

Currently managed by the Chirimar family, the Singtom Tea Estate offers various suites, each opening to panoramic views of the Eastern Himalayas.

Here, the thrum of the city hustle melts away, as you’ll be dining on organic home-cooked food, idling among tea plantations, and taking part in bird watching.

Address: Singtam Tea Garden, Darjeeling, West Bengal –........

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