Out of the smog and poor air quality that was Delhi into the mountain and tea plantations of Darjeeling (in West Bengal state). Our flight out of Delhi was a bit delayed because of the air quality, but we made it. We are traveling as a convoy of about 5 vehicles, and escorted everywhere by a police vehicle (complete with sirens and lights). It means we are able to travel as a convoy and relatively quickly, but it does feel a bit weird.
We were in a hotel in Siliguri last night and then made our way to Darjeeling today - a couple of stops to check out rivers/alluvial fans, slides, tea plantations, and amazing Himalaya views. The road went right along the Nepal border, and we had a view into Bhutan at sunset. We were also lucky that the clouds cleared over Kanchenjunga around sunset - which is uncommon. Kanchenjunga is the highest peak in India and the 3rd highest in the world!
Tomorrow is an early start (leaving at 4am) to go to Tiger Hill for a sunrise view.
Balason River - Darjeeling gneiss in the foreground.
Heading up the Balason valley toward Mirok and Darjeeling. Some landslides and a lot of tea plantations.
Mirok - for a walk around the lake and lunch.
Mirok - for a walk around the lake and lunch.
Tea plantation - one of the oldest in the region.
Darjeeling is the city area on the right and Kanchenjunga is the peak in the Centre. To the far right, on the most distant horizon is Bhutan.
Wonderful to see these clear skies again! Being as you are in West Bengal, I was thinking about the tiger connection (as in Bengal tiger). Now you are heading to Tiger Hill at sunrise. What time do the tigers get up?
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