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. 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.
Upon arrival at the nearest Bagdogra Airport, transfer to Soureni T.E. Soureni Tea Estate is a small village situated in Mirik, Sub district of Darjeeling district in Wet Bengal. It's 41kms from Siliguri, 46kms from Darjeeling and only 39kms away from Kurseong.On arrival, check in to Resort . Overnight stay will be at Soureni Leaves Tea Resort.
Visit the gardens, chat with the garden workers followed by a visit to the Soureni tea factory where you will witness live tea processing through all the stages including the final packaging. Go through a tea tasting session where a staff will explain you how they grade the teas, the concept of flush, how the valuation of tea is done and many other interesting things.You can also buy tea of your choice from the factory outlet. After lunch get driven to Ging T.E. Ging Tea Estate is located in Lebong Valley of Darjeeling district West Bengal, Overnight at Ging Tea Resort
Early morning (@3:00 AM), drive to the Tiger hill. Situated at an altitude of 2590 meters Tiger hill has earned international fame for the magnificent view of the sunrise. The majestic peak Kanchenjunga (8596 mtrs) rears up flanked by Mt.Kabru and Mt Pandim to the far left are Everest, Makalu and Lhotse. Other peaks visible from here are Mt. Jano, Mt. Nar sing, Mt. Frey peak, Mt. Sinolchu etc. After Tiger Hill visit Yiga Choling Monastery of Ghoom. After breakfast visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, a high altitude wildlife Zoo with the most successful captive breeding center for Snow leopard and Red Panda. After this visit, you may proceed to Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center and then Tukvar Tea Garden. Back to Darjeeling. Overnight at Hotel.
After breakfast, check out from the Resort. Enjoy UNESCO Heritage Toy Train Ride. After lunch, get driven to Glenburn T.E.Glenburn is a heavenly little plantation retreat that lies on a hillock above the banks of the River Rungeet and high in the Himalayas. On arrival, check in to the Resort. Overnight stay at Glenburn Tea Estate Resort.
After breakfast, hike around the Glenburn Tea Estate. Personal tours of the tea Field and interact with the tea Pickers and tour to the factory along with a tea tasting session. You may have your lunch at the bungalow or picnic lunches (optional), followed by a gentle afternoon hike - Nature and bird walks through private forest areas, along river fronts or you may enjoy your downtime at the bungalow itself. Overnight stay at Glenburn Tea Estate Resort.
After breakfast, check out from Glenburn Resort and get driven to Kurseong. Kurseong is also known as 'Land of White Orchids', gets its name from the flowers found in abundance on its hill-slopes. It's difficult not to fall in love with the view of tea plantations, lush green forests in the panoramic setting of snow-clad mountains. After lunch, get driven to Makaibari. The Makaibari Tea Estate is probably the most talked about and fabled tea garden in Darjeeling area. And there are reasons for that. This is one of the oldest tea gardens in Darjeeling and was the first to establish a factory in the year 1859. Guided tour of the tea gardens that includes walking through the estate and tea bushes, watching the garden workers plucking teas (depending on the season) and talking to them, how tea is processed in the factory from drying to packaging, tea tasting session etc. Take a nature walk through the lovely mountain areas and valleys. Take a walking tour of the villages and know about the village life in the mountains. Overnight at Resort in Makaibari or 4* Premium Hotel in Kurseong.
Drive to the nearest airport of Bagdogra.
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STARTS FROM US$ 1500.00 PER PERSON (MINIMUM 02 PARTICIPANTS).
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