Snow after a decade drives tourists to Darjeeling for a white year-end

DARJEELING: The snowfall in Darjeeling and Kalimpong on December 26 after a decade has driven hordes of tourists to the Hills to celebrate a “white year-end”.
The rush has been such that Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park on Sunday received 3,978 visitors, a figure, officials called “impressive”, especially at this time of the year. “Winters usually see mostly foreign visitors.But this time, we have a rush of domestic tourists. Maybe it is the effect of the recent snowfall as well as the year-end celebrations,” said Upasana Rai, a zoo official. “So far, the zoo had more than 5 lakh tourists. By the end of the financial year, it could be six lakh,” said Rai, adding this had been the trend for the past couple of year.
Pradeep Lama, Blue Line Tours and Travel operator, attributed the surge in tourists to the snowfall. “Darjeeling town received snow after a decade or so. Every day, we are getting inquiries from visitors,” he said. The last time it snowed in Darjeeling town was in January, 2008. Anticipation of another round of snowfall—the minimum temperature has been hovering around 4-5 degrees—most tourists have been staying back. “The temperature in Kolkata never gets to 2-3 degree. It is really cold, here but we are enjoying it, with steaming cups of tea and coffee. We have extended out stay, hoping for another round of snowfall. Our friends, who were in Darjeeling for Christmas, were lucky to get snow,” said Soumitra Mukherjee, a resident of Park Circus.
The snowfall in Darjeeling town and surroundings last week had been brief but tourists are thrilled with the little that they have got. Salt Lake resident Rupa Roy and her husband have been visiting Darjeeling to celebrate New Year for the past three years, but it had never been so exciting. “Darjeeling gives out a colonial aura. The drive uphill is breathtaking, with the tea gardens and mountains all around. Today, we saw the Kanchanjunga at its majestic best from Mall Road. What more can one ask for?” she said.
Hoteliers and restaurateurs are also ready with their New Year offers. Pine Tree Spa Resort on the upper fringe of the town will allow its guests to arrange their own celebrations on its premises. “We will provide the logistics and open our heritage building with fireplace to the guests for an old-world charm,” said Rajesh Rajak, general manager at the hotel. Mince pies and special chicken roasts are favourites at Glenary’s, the popular confectionery, while Heritage Elgin Hotel has arranged for a bonfire, cultural activities and dinner.