Are you ready to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Eastern Himalayas? Darjeeling, Tonglu, and Sandakphu should be on your bucket list if you enjoy trekking and exploring serene hill stations. Nestled in India’s West Bengal, these destinations offer stunning panoramic views, rich culture, and thrilling trekking routes. For travelers from Bangladesh, this guide will provide everything you need to know to plan an unforgettable trip to these amazing destinations. Darjeeling Location Darjeeling, known as the "Queen of the Hills," is located in West Bengal, India, at an altitude of about 2,045 meters (6,709 feet). It is famous for its tea plantations, colonial-era architecture, and majestic views of Mount Kanchenjunga. Journey/ Path/ Route The most convenient way to reach Darjeeling from Bangladesh is through the Burimari border. You can take an overnight bus from Dhaka to the Burimari border (8 hours). Complete immigration formalities at the border, then take a bus to Siliguri (3-4 hours). From Siliguri, catch a shared jeep to Darjeeling (3 hours), which will cost 150 INR each. Along the way, enjoy scenic views of hills and tea gardens.  Read more: Moulvibazar Travel Guide: Explore the Top Tourist Attractions What to See There or On the Way On the way to Darjeeling, you will pass through picturesque tea gardens, small hill towns, and lush green forests. Once in Darjeeling, start with a sunrise at Tiger Hill, offering stunning views of Mount Kanchenjunga and Everest. Visit Ghoom Monastery and its 15-foot Buddha statue.  Explore the Darjeeling Zoo to see rare animals like the red panda and snow leopard. Discover local wildlife at the Bengal Natural History Museum and tour the historic Happy Valley Tea Estate. Do not miss the spiritual tranquility of the Japanese Peace Pagoda and the adventure-filled Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.  Interesting Activities to Do - Ride the Toy Train through the hills for scenic views and a unique experience.- Take a cable car ride on the Darjeeling Ropeway for aerial views of tea gardens.- Climb Tenzing Rock for some amateur rock climbing.- Visit the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre to explore Tibetan culture.- Stroll through Rock Garden & Ganga Maya Park for a peaceful retreat.- Trek and river raft in Singalila National Park and Teesta River. Read more: Exploring Sreemangal: Top Destinations for an Unforgettable Travel Experience

The hilly trenches of Bandarban offer a heavenly feeling from a surprising height. In Bangladesh, seeing white cotton clouds flowing is nothing new. Chimbuk Hill, known as the “Darjeeling of Bangladesh” for many years, has become a favorite destination for Bangladeshi trekkers. Let's delve into this magical place shrouded in clouds. Location and Significance of Chimbuk Hill This hill is also known as Kala Pahar to many locals in Thanchi of Bandarban, a hilly district in the Chattogram division. The distance from the place to the Bandarban district headquarters is about 26 km. Located approximately 2,500 feet above mean sea level, this natural wonder is the third-largest hill in Bangladesh. Standing at this height, in addition to witnessing the sunrise and sunset, everyone can easily observe the cloud-covered mountains by turning 180 degrees. Read more: Tazing Dong Trekking: In-Depth Travel Guide and Cost Details Origin of the Naming of Chimbuk Among the various ethnic communities living in and around these hilly areas, the Mros constitute the majority. Due to their long-standing settlement in the area, their language is reflected in the names of the hills, the jungles, villages, and Jhum fields. Chimbok Mro was the original inhabitant of this hilly area, and that’s how the hill got its name, Chimbuk, after him. However, among the local Mro, it is still known as 'Yang Bong Hung.' The term 'Hung' is used to signify 'mountain' in the Mro language. Best Time to Visit Chimbuk Hill To enjoy panoramic views of the upazilas of Cox's Bazar and Chattogram from the hill's summit, tourists can visit the place during the summer months. During this period, the absence of fog allows for clear visibility of the scenes below. However, during the hot summer days, tourists can suffer from thirst, heat stroke and other health issues due to extreme summer heat. If the aim is to witness the clouds over the hill, trips can be planned during the autumn and monsoon seasons. The beauty of clouds can be witnessed from September to July. But during the monsoon months the paths can be inaccessible due to heavy rain and landslides.  Read more: Kaptai hanging bridge in Rangamati opens to tourists after over one month During the winter months, trekking Chimbuk hill can be enjoyable due to the availability of cool air.  Regardless of the season, be it hot or cold, the hill canopy on a full moon night maintains its pristine and authentic allure.

Enjoying the unparalleled beauty of nature cannot be measured by any monetary value. However, everything in the world comes with a price, tourism is no exception. Though travelling costs are getting higher day by day, Bangladeshi tourists can visit overseas within a tight budget with proper planning and right information. Let's explore some popular international tourist attractions to visit with 10,000 taka. 10 Overseas Places to Visit from Bangladesh with a Budget of BDT 10,000 Cherrapunji This city, which is also called Sohra, is situated in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. Notable attractions here include Mawsynram, the Double Decker Root Bridge, Mosmai Cave, and Mokdok View Point. Foreign visitors are drawn to enchanting waterfalls like Nohkalikai Falls, Thankharang Park, Mosmai Falls, Kalikai Falls, Rainbow Falls, Krangsuri Falls, and Seven Sisters Falls. To reach Sohra, travelers must take a train from Dhaka to Sylhet and then a bus to Tamabil. The minimum train fare from Dhaka to Sylhet is around BDT 400, and the bus journey from Sylhet to Tamabil costs BDT 35. Read more: 10 Most Affordable Destinations in Indonesia: Winter retreats on a budget Upon reaching Tamabil, complete Bangladesh immigration and cross-border checking at Indian customs. Subsequently, a taxi or minibus will leave for Shillong through Dauki Bazaar. Cherrapunji is a bit further, past the Wardslake gate of Shillong. For budget accommodation, homestays in Naingriat village can be arranged, with room rents for 4 people ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500, approximately equal to BDT 1,330 to 2,000 (Rs 1 = BDT 1.33). The cost of food can range from Rs 160 to Rs 200 (approx. BDT 215 to BDT 266) per person per day. All in all, one can travel from Dhaka via Shillong to Cherrapunji and back to Dhaka in 3 days for around 8 to 9 thousand taka. Read more: Best Asian Alternatives to the Maldives: Affordable Island Getaways Delhi Delhi, the Indian capital on the banks of the river Yamuna, retains its popularity among travelers due to its historical significance. Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar, Chandni Chowk, India Gate, Red Fort, and Emperor Humayun's Tomb are among the city's prominent sightseeing spots. Dhaka residents can reach Delhi affordably by first taking a bus to Kolkata. A non-AC coach will cost around BDT 890 to BDT 900 per person. From Kolkata's Howrah, they need to take a train to Delhi, with a non-AC sleeper costing approximately Rs 650 to Rs 700 (close proximity to BDT 865 to BDT 931). Opting for a tour agency's sightseeing package, which typically costs Rs 300 to 500 per person (hovering near BDT 399 to BDT 665), is recommended. The average daily cost for food is Rs 390 (roughly BDT 519). Double-bed rooms in Paharganj can be found for Rs 500 to Rs 650 (approx. BDT 655 to BDT 865). Read more: Shopping in Malaysia: What to Buy, Where to Buy from Shimla The capital and largest city of Himachal Pradesh in North India is known as the Queen of Hill Stations. Places to visit in the picturesque city include Mall Road, The Ridge, Summer Hill, Viceroy Lodge, St. Michael's Cathedral, Himachal State Museum, and Jakhu. Budget visitors must first come to Kolkata from Dhaka by the ways mentioned earlier. A minimum of BDT 1,100 will be spent here along with the immigration process. After that, the explorers have to go to Howrah station in Kolkata as before. From there, the Kalka Mail train will take them to Kalka, for which the ticket price will be around Rs 710 (about BDT 945). Toy Train fare for Kalka to Shimla is Rs.50 (close to BDT 67). A room in Shimla can be rented for Rs 1,000 (near BDT 1,330), and food per day can cost Rs 194 (almost BDT 258) per person. Read more: Lawachara National Park Travel Guide: Evergreen forest in northeastern Bangladesh

More than two decades after the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, India has finally registered the logos of the iconic ‘Toy Train’ internationally as its intellectual property. The use of these logos anywhere in the world will now require written permission from India and the payment of a fee, reports the Indian Express. The DHR, which started operations in 1880, more than 140 years ago, has two logos, both of which have been patented. One has “DHR” in bold black, intertwined letters; the other is a circular seal with a picture of mountains, forests and a river, with “Darjeeling Himalayan Railway” in white lettering on a green background around it. Read:India At COP26 Says Its Solar Energy Capacity Increased 17 Times In 7 Years Both logos are over a century old, and popular in world heritage circuits. They are used randomly on merchandise and communications materials by various commercial organisations in Europe, the UK and the US; even the West Bengal government has used it in communications and on merchandise in the past. The Railway Ministry in Delhi and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway office in Kurseong, West Bengal, initiated the process of registering the logo with the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry in August. The claim was then sent to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), a specialised agency of the United Nations based in Geneva, Switzerland, in accordance with the procedure laid down in WIPO’s Vienna Classification (VCL). There is a six-month window to register any counter-claims, following which the Indian government’s claim will receive international approval. “We have registered the logo. Anyone who wants to use it will have to take our permission,” S K Chaudhary, Divisional Railway Manager, Katihar, Northeast Frontier Railway, said. DHR is part of NFR Katihar division. Sources said there are plans to patent the logos of India’s other mountain railways as well, such as the Mettupalayam-Udagamandalam Nilgiri Mountain Railway, the Kalka-Shimla Railway, and the Matheran Hill Railway. Before applying to patent the DHR logos, the Railways worked to restore the original artwork on old cutlery and the walls of stations, officials said. DHR archives were mined to retrieve the oldest available artwork, and local talent was employed to create impressions and pictures. “Some station buildings have the original logo… Original documents and other items were dug out. The logo is India’s national property. We need to protect it,” DHR director A K Mishra said. “We can now claim patent fees or user charges if anyone uses the logos,” Mishra said. “There is no fixed rate for this as such,” he said. DHR and the Mountain Railways of India (DHR, Nilgiri, and Kalka-Shimla) have been selected by the United Nations Postal Administration among six global UNESCO sites to be made part of its World Heritage Stamp series. Read:10 dead in India Covid hospital fire This will put the Darjeeling Toy Train’s ‘Iron Sherpa’ blue steam locomotives of the Darjeeling heritage train on the same pedestal as the legendary transalpine Rhaetian Railway in Switzerland, and is likely to boost its recognition and prominence around the world. The stamp features a steam locomotive at Ghum station, the highest point on the DHR route, commanding a panoramic view of the Darjeeling Himalayas. The stamp in a way marks the bouncing back of the Indian Railways at UNESCO World Heritage. Two years ago, the unsatisfactory state of affairs at DHR had invited scrutiny, and the property had seemed in danger of losing its prestigious World Heritage Site recognition. A fortnight-long Ghum Festival is being planned to boost the people connect and tourism prospects of the iconic Toy Train of Darjeeling.