Darjeeling
Situated on a high ridge and surrounded by terraces of rice, tea, quinine and fruit trees, Darjeeling is a collection of villages linked by steps and lanes so steep that they appear to almost be built on top of each other. The views are fantastic from here, looking down on to the rivers below with Mount Kanchenjunga in the background - and on a clear day even Mount Everest can be seen in the distance. For the very best view, take a pre-dawn excursion to Tiger Hill, where you can see the magnificent sunrise over the Himalayas, definitely worth the early start. The cool climate and slow pace of life here are an abrupt contrast to the rest of India. It's a pleasant place to explore, with monasteries and tea plantations to visit and Tibetan craft shops and markets to browse through.
