Relax at this peaceful place to stay. PRADHAN COTTAGE HOMESTAY, DARJEELING. Come to where flavour is. This property has two cottages type houses , built around half an acre of greenery; shrubs, trees and flowers. Since it’s about one and a half kilometres from the hustle and bustle of the town, it’s far from the madding crowd and best suited for guests who have come to Darjeeling for peace and tranquility and not for the ones who like living next to a busy road with traffic and honking twenty four hours. During the day you can hear bird songs and at night pin drop silence interrupted by an occasional hooting of an owl. Our caretaker Andrew is a trained chef who has spent years in Japan so his mannerisms are almost Japanese like. He is a multitasker; from manager to housekeeper and cook and baggage handler. He’ll come to pick you up at the bus stop in a rickety taxi which is on the house. He’ll arrange taxis for your sightseeing and departure. The Homestay is pet friendly and the property has a few dogs but Andrew will not allow your dog into the room but instead will provide a kennel for it. If you wish to order meals, Andrew the chef will prepare them for you, from breakfast, lunch and dinner and tea in between. He will charge nominally for whatever you order. Since the property is on a hillside like the rest of Darjeeling, guests coming in their own vehicles will be taken to a paid parking lot about one kilometre away to park their vehicles in safety. Since Darjeeling is a walker’s paradise, you can come back to the house on foot and feel energised in return. A lot of you ask- can you see the Kanchendzonga? Of course you can from most of Darjeeling. Our Homestay is at 5500 ft above sea level and warmer than the town which is between 6000 and 6500 ft from where you can see the Kanchendzonga. If you travel to Tiger Hill at 9000 ft, you will see most of the Himalayan ranges including Mt. Everest. From Pradhan Cottage, you’re only a walk away from the world famous Happy Valley Tea Garden, the aroma from the tea factory sometimes wafts into the property. You must ask Andrew to arrange for a tour of the heritage factory where you may witness tea processing firsthand. Then again a walking distance away you have the world famous Llyod Botanical garden, named after the founder of Darjeeling. There , in a peaceful environment you can enjoy the English type gardens and look at flora and fauna from all over the world. What else? You will be well compensated for not being able to see the Kanchendzonga when you see in front of you Sandukphu and Phalut, both at the snow line and in winter months, these high hills are covered in snow. A part of the town is seen on the southern end and at night , the lights shining make it a feast for the eyes. But you will be spending much of your time sightseeing and coming back in the evening to rest, recover and partake of Andrew’s delicious dinner after which you’ll go into deep sleep where it is said one meets with one’s soul.