{"id":11218,"date":"2021-11-26T15:28:08","date_gmt":"2021-11-26T09:58:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/traveltriangle.com\/blog\/?p=11218"},"modified":"2023-04-28T14:14:59","modified_gmt":"2023-04-28T08:44:59","slug":"picture-postcard-trip-to-kurseong-darjeeling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/traveltriangle.com\/blog\/picture-postcard-trip-to-kurseong-darjeeling\/","title":{"rendered":"Toy Trains & Fragrant Teas: My Trip to Kurseong & Darjeeling"},"content":{"rendered":"

Creative writer Sukanya Sen takes you on a quick and captivating journey to the picturesque land of white orchids, tallest peaks, lush forests and beautiful monasteries, with a picture postcard trip to Kurseong & Darjeeling<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Day 0: Bon Voyage<\/h3>\n

Sealdah station seemed dirty, sloppy and excessively over-crowded in the evening. It was a challenge to manage a less-than-enough place to settle the luggage as we waited for the train to arrive in the platform!<\/p>\n

“Good lord…! Are all these people travelling to New Jalpaiguri?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0I was amazed and quite irritated with the space paucity and over-population.\u00a0The station digital clock blinked 21:30 hours as Darjeeling mail entered platform number 8. We were off to our planned holiday \u2013 a much-awaited trip to Kurseong and Darjeeling and Ghum \u2013 the land of \u2018laughing Buddhas\u2019.<\/p>\n

The train took close to 10 hours to reach NJP and passed through several stations. Some of them were small, unnoticed and passed in complete midnight darkness, but some were big and crowded like Bolpur Junction and Malda Town. The train didn\u2019t have any pantry service so we carried our dinner and ended the meal with authentic and delicious Sitabhog (white-colored popular Bengali sweet, tastes somewhat similar to meetha chawal) from Barddhaman Junction station.<\/p>\n

Day 1: Land of White Orchids<\/h3>\n

As soon as we woke up the next day, it was time to wrap up for deboarding. We sipped the morning tea in Bhanr (Bengali word for Kulhad)<\/em> and soon the train reached New Jalpaiguri Junction – the doorway to the hills and forests of North Bengal.<\/p>\n

We grabbed a quick breakfast in Siliguri before starting the journey. Our first destination was Kurseong. As we ascended up the slope, the tranquility of Sukna forest area and Rohini mesmerized us along with swift hairpin bends, streamlets dripping by the slope and small hilly scattered settlements. It took us an hour and 30 minutes to reach Kurseong; precisely Cochrane Palace, our address for the next two days.<\/p>\n

Places To See In Kurseong<\/h2>\n

Cochrane Place:<\/strong> Located in the outskirts of Kurseong, the hotel is one of its kind. The exclusiveness lies with the Chai Country or the Tea Bar, which serves freshly boiled tea combined with anything and everything. You name the ingredient and the special tea will served in few minutes!<\/p>\n

\"Outside<\/div>\n

Image Source<\/a><\/p>\n

Kurseong Toy Train Station:<\/strong> It was lunch time followed by a small tour of the Land of White Orchid (the meaning of Kurseong in Lepcha Language). Post lunch we visited Kurseong toy train station, where the toy train reminded me of so many Bollywood numbers! Wish life was as filmy as it is in my thoughts.<\/p>\n

\"Kurseong<\/div>\n

Image Source<\/a><\/p>\n

Eagle’s Craig:<\/strong> The train headed towards Darjeeling<\/a> and we towards Eagle’s Craig, a panoramic viewpoint. We enjoyed the sunset from Eagle\u2019s Craig along with the fascinating views of the myriad landscapes, misty mountains, rivers and Siliguri plains.<\/p>\n

After some trivial retail therapy, we reached Cochrane Palace dead tired and dozed off right after dinner.<\/p>\n

Must Read:<\/strong> 18 Beautiful Train Journeys In India That Will Compel You For A Ride!<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Sikkim-Gangtok-Darjeeling Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle<\/h3>\n

Visit Sikkim and explore Yumthang valley, Tsomgo Lake, Gangtok, Nathula Pass, and Pelling. Experience peace and tranquility while exploring Buddhist monasteries, snow-capped mountains, and wildlife sanctuaries. Book packages inclusive of airport transfers, cab, resort, sightseeing, and meals.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n