Heritage Tea Tours in Darjeeling

Heritage Tea Tours in Darjeeling

Makaibari Tea Estate : Cradled in the lap of the Himalayas, the mystical land of the ancient seers and saints, where the Vedas were created, Makaibari (literally "Maize Land") is in Kurseong, the Land of the White Orchid, in Darjeeling. In 1859, this magical land saw  the development of the now fabled tea estate.  It went on to become the best tea garden in the world. But not just that…. Tropical rainforests and temperate forests merge in a short span of 35 kms from Siliguri to Kurseong and onward, another 35 km to Darjeeling. Within the boundaries of Makaibari, the diversity of flora and fauna is astounding. Enter Chungey, the dream plot of Makaibari, and the chirping birds, rustling leaves, rumblings of a distant waterfall greet you. There is a dense forest in Makaibari whose secrets have been scouted by few. There is a huge piece of fossil with the impression of an elephant's foot imprinted. How many thousand years old it is no one knows. Over the four generations, barring the current one, attempts have been made to lift the stone, but none has been able to do so. Rajah Banerjee, of course, would not dream of doing anything to disturb nature. So it is there for people to see. Snakes, monkeys, rabbits, leopards, Himalayan goats and pheasants, seven natural springs of Himalayan mineral water which originate in Makaibari and give it all the water it consumes… it is an ecotourist's dream. In some places the incline of the land is close to 80 degrees and Rajah Banerjee had taken up the challenge of growing and plucking tea from there. The Makaibari community has done it! Try scaling those inclines, and see the scars of landslides, the flesh of the forest ripped out due to deforestation, on the opposite sides of Makaibari in lands belonging to other gardens. You'll feel the difference. Glenburn Tea Estate : A world of fine traditions : Started by a Scottish tea company in 1860, Glenburn has now passed into the hands of one of India's pioneering tea planting families The Prakashes, who have over the years come to be known as the “Chaiwala family” which literally means “tea planters”. The story of the Chaiwala family began over a hundred years ago, and is closely entwined with that of tea plantations in India. Today, the third and fourth generation Prakash family, carry almost a century of tea knowledge in their inheritance, and invite you to visit Glenburn. And spectacular scenery : Glenburn a name that literally describes what this 1,600 acre estate is a river valley. With breathtaking views of the Kanchenjunga Mountain Range, Glenburn stretches from an elevation of 3,700 feet, all the way down to the sandy banks of the two snow-fed Himalayan rivers that meander through it The Rungeet and The Rung Dung. Apart from the sprawling tea fields, Glenburn have forests which are a bird watcher and hiker's paradise. Across the river lie the forests and villages of the old royal kingdom of Sikkim, which you can access via a hanging bridge. As well as fun and adventure : Camp out, river raft, hike through the forest, wander around Darjeeling Town, explore the estate in a four-wheel drive vehicle, or simply take in the sun! Visit The Glenburn Campsite for a picnic, barbeque or an overnight stay at The Glenburn Lodge, by the river Rungeet. With acres of beautiful forests to explore, riverside and other in-house activities, and Darjeeling and Sikkim on our doorstep, a week at Glenburn could be truly relaxing, or action-packed with adventure. And to complete your Glenburn Experience, learn about the fascinating process of tea making. From bush to factory - and into your tea cup at a tasting session, discover what goes into making a fine Darjeeling tea.                                       m