##### ACTIVITIES

##### Adventure tourism

##### Treks in and around Kurseong

Kurseong (meaning the Land of White Orchids in the local Lepcha language) has many trekking and hiking trails. The most popular among them are:

The Baggaura hike from Kurseong town, also known as zero point because of its highest elevation in Kurseong.

Kurseong town to the Dowhill forest, past the Victoria and Dowhill schools. Further on, Deorali and Chimney Dara offer wonderful views of the Kanchenjungha and the Balasun river.

Kurseong to Gairigaon (10km from Kurseong on the way to Darjeeling) via Old Military Road is lined with birch, pine and silver firs as you trek.

Baggaura to Tiger Hill via Chatakpur. A majestic view of the Kanchenjungha plus a mind-healing nature trail awaits you here.

A leisurely walk past cascading waterfalls from Giddhapahar (10km from Kurseong) to Maldiram Tea Estate (one of the oldest gardens in the hills) via Chittrey, Majua and Jungpana.

##### White water rafting on the Tista

White water rafting in Tista was introduced in Darjeeling hills more than a decade earlier and has gained tremendous popularity since then. Several private organisations along with DGHC tourism have set up rafting facilities. River Tista is graded at IV on an international scale. With a series of rapids with varying intensity and character, Tista extends a challenging invitation to the enthusiasts.

##### Visit to schools

Kurseong has always been known and respected from being an educational hub. Right from the colonial architecture of the schools to their unmatched ambience and views, a visit to these schools can be an enchanting experience. From Dow Hills haunting forest to Victoria Boy’s grandiose architecture this visit is a must.

##### Tea tourism

The Makaibari Tea Estate is probably the most talked about and fabled tea garden in Darjeeling area. And there are reasons for that. This is one of the oldest tea gardens in Darjeeling and was the first to establish a factory in the year 1859.

Located in Kurseong subdivision, in Darjeeling district, Makaibari sustains seven villages and 1.587 people. Kodobari (Millet fields), Fulbari (Flower Garden) and Koilapani (Blackwater) and cheptey are in the Western side of the estate, while Makaibari (Cornfields), Thapathali (Thapa Village) and Chungey are situated in the Eastern side.

Take a trip into the enchantment that is Makaibari. Do exotic tea tasting, hike on trails within the estate or simply be enthralled by the flora and fauna within the garden. Or simply taste a simple local meal in one of the adjacent homestays.

##### Viewpoints and museums

The popular tourist spot of Eagle's Crag viewpoint is a short walk distance from Kurseong railway station seemingly p erched on a cliff. One can have a sweeping view of the surrounding mountain, hill, hamlets and slopes from here. It has a cafeteria, a watch tower and a flower garden; this place also houses the water reservoir for the entire town of Kurseong. The place also has a concrete altar built in the park with a khukri on top called shahid smarak. The panoramic view from this point is breath taking, you will get a magnificent view of the Mt Kanchenjunga and its ranges, the plains of Siliguri, the hills of Nepal, rivers, tea gardens.

The Forest Museum is located on Dow Hill area and is a one of the attraction of the ecotourism. The museum is maintained by the Forest Department. The complex also holds the Forest School. It contains animal skins, bones and hides and wooden products. It also has models of different dams, forest houses etc. and it has a skeleton.