Later, we settle into the living room to watch the IMAX film of Jamling’s ascent of Everest. Afterwards the son of the world’s most famous sherpa turns to me and asks: ‘So, how do you feel about your climb now?’
An hour of watching him skip over crevasses and scale almost vertical walls of ice has put my paved road and teahouse trek into perspective.
But still, I’d done it. I couldn’t be more proud of myself than if I had, indeed, scaled the mighty Everest.
Where To Stay
There are numerous options in Darjeeling, to suit all budgets. At the top end, there’s the Elgin Hotel (www.elginhotels.com) and the Windamere (www.windamerehotel.com);
down the scale try Hotel Seven Seventeen (www.hotel717.com)
or Snow Lion Homestay (www.snowlionhomestay.com)
Tenzing Norgay Adventures
(www.tenzing-norgay.com)
How To Get There
The nearest airport to Darjeeling is at Bagdogra, near Siliguri. Fly to Delhi or Kolkata, then on to Bagdogra. Jet Airways, Spice Jet and Air India all fly there.
When To Go
Choose the non-monsoonal warmer months: April to mid-June, mid-September to mid-December.
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