Darjeeling Tea Garden Tours
Tea Tourism is a relatively new concept in the world and Darjeeling is a taking a lead in this area. And why not? Darjeeling is after all the Mecca of tea and sprawling estates producing what we know as the "Champagne of Teas" to the delight of the world. There are 80 odd operational tea gardens in Darjeeling that span across thousands of acres of land area on open hill slopes. High on the hills with cool breeze and misty weather, planters and workers come together to form a wonderland where tea grows in the finest form like no where else in the world.
So what does tea tourism mean? Imagine you are spending a few days in a sprawling tea garden. You will stay in a Bungalow that was typically the residence of a British tea planter built during the old colonial time. The bungalow retains the antique furnishing & aura of the colonial days, and setup amidst lush garden setting within the estate. Food served is made of fresh organic produce from the backyard garden.
You wake up and sip a cup of finest aromatic tea that was plucked fresh from the gardens, a brand that has made a great name for itself in the world. You take a stroll through the garden, talk to the garden workers and see how they deftly pluck the two leaves with a bud, and learn about their lives. You are also invited to take a look and learn about the tea processing in the factory where some of the best teas in the world are withered, rolled, dried, sorted and packaged.
A jeep takes you to the nearby attractions and places of interest for you to soak in the nature. Later you take a walk through the villages and nature trails, and get deeper insight into the lives of the people living in the mountains. In the evening, you are entertained with local cultural dance and music specially performed for you as you drink a glass of wine. Ultimate, isn't it? That's tea tourism.
Tea Garden in Darjeeling
And where else will you get best of all the elements of a garden tour other than in Darjeeling? Several tea estates in Darjeeling area offer vacation packages to tourists to experience life in the gardens along with stays in heritage bungalows, plus activities and entertainment that are rarely found anywhere else in the world.
Bungalow in a Darjeeling Tea Garden
However except in few cases, tea tourism is not yet meant for the budget travelers. The luxury and special intimate experience in the gardens don't come cheap. Having said that, there are some gardens where tea tourism is affordable for the mid-budget travelers as well and the experience is no less in any respect.
And in some others like Makaibari Tea Estate, the garden workers and villagers have extended their houses to make home stays for tourists on low budget and offer them homemade food and a nice glimpse into the tea garden life as well. In most cases, there are all inclusive packages available including transfers, meals and garden activities. And in some estates, you get options for room only rates and additional charges for food and other activities offered by the estate.
Remember, staying in plantation estates is not like staying in a five star luxury hotel. You can not compare the amenities one to one. Tea garden stays are meant to bring you closer to the nature and the tea garden life, organic food etc. In most tea gardens, the properties are managed and services provided by those who are picked up from the estate workers community and not by professionals as in the five star hotels.
Here are some of my favorite tea gardens in Darjeeling hills and the surrounding areas. Check out the links for the complete offerings including information about the tea estate, how to reach, how to book and what can you expect during your stays.
Singtom Tea Estate Resort(Category: Mid Range)
This in my view is the first tea resort which has genuinely come forward to offer luxury tea garden vacation in an old colonial planter's bungalow at a very reasonable price making it affordable for even middle income groups. Such tea resort stay and garden experience would have otherwise remained a dream for many. And on top of it, it comes with couple of outstanding offers - first it is home to the tea estate called Steinthal which is the very first garden to be planted in Darjeeling hills during the British era way back in 1852, and second this tea resort is the one closest to Darjeeling town out of all taking only 25 minutes to reach and thus offering best of both the worlds - secluded and sprawling tea gardens on a vast stretch of mountain slopes, as well as a quick access to all town amenities of Darjeeling.
Makaibari Tea Estate & Home Stay, Kurseong, (Category: Budget)
This is one of the old and the most talked about tea estates in Darjeeling district which is still run by the descendants of Banerjee family who were the original founders of the estate. Located in Kurseong and covering a gross area of 750 hectars, Makaibari has gone on to win many accolades in the world tea platform. It has always been one of the top tea producing gardens in the world. Makaibari is located at Kurseong, 45kms from Siliguri/Bagdogra and 37kms from Darjeeling. While the estate offers luxury accommodations in its Stone House building and cottages, the garden workers also offer nice & clean home stays at a low budget price in their village homes along with food.
Glenburn Tea Estate & Retreat, Darjeeling (Category: Upscale)
A 1,600 acres of sprawling tea estate perched on a hill slope with elevation ranging from 3,200ft down to 800ft where there are two rivers flowing through the estate. There is also a forest along the river side which is part of the estate. There are two plush bungalows with 4 suites each and having stunning views of the valleys and mountains, and a campsite lodge by the river side. Glenburn is about 1 hours 15 minutes from Darjeeling town and 3 hours from Bagdogra Airport or Siliguri.
Tumsong Tea Estate & Retreat, Darjeeling (Category: Upscale)
Located in Ghoom area of Darjeeling, Tumsong has a rolling tea garden on an estate that spreads over 186 hectars of land area and on an open hill slope with elevations varying between 5,500 ft to 2,700 ft. The Manager's Bunglow retains the old colonial aura and offers four large suites. Tumsong is about 3 hours from Bagdogra airport / Siliguri, and about 1 hour 15 minutes from Darjeeling town center.
Selim Hill Tea Estate & Retreat, Kurseong (Category: Mid-scale)
Setup in 1870 by a British planter, Selim Hill has a 170 hectare tea plantation area located 50kms from Darjeeling with sweeping views of the mountains. The tea garden employs over 200 workers who come from four different villages that are part of the estate. The old Planter's Bungalow has four luxurious double rooms, a living room, dining room, a large veranda and a wonderful garden with many different flowers and magnificent views.
Goomtee Tea Estate & Resort, Kurseong (Category: Mid-scale)
Located near Kurseong, Goomtee Tea Estate is an organic tea garden producing some of the finest orthodox Darjeeling tea. The Bungalow located within the estate has sweeping views of the mountains, valleys and gardens. It has four double rooms and used to be the residence of a British planter and his family. Goomtee is located 48kms from Darjeeling (2hrs) and 40kms from Siliguri/Bagdogra.
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