Highlights : This
tour takes you to the famous tea gardens of India with a
visit to the Tea Estates, Factories and these gardens
are located in some of the most scenic spots one can
ever get to go.
Day 01 Arrive Kolkata
Arrive in Kolkata . After completing formalities with
customs and immigration, you will be received by our
representative with Traditional Indian Welcome (with
garlands).
Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is a city that means many
things to many people. For some, it is the city of joy,
while for others it is dirty, crowded, and noisy. Once
the greatest colonial city in the Orient, Kolkata was
later reviled as a cauldron of poverty, dirt, and
disease. Today, it ranks among the four major metropolis
of India along with Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. A mere
village in the 17th century, Kolkata is not an ancient
city like Delhi. Like Mumbai and Chennai, it originated
largely due to the expansionist ambitions of the
European powers, especially the British Raj. Little
wonder, Kolkata has some of the finest Raj edifices
built in a variety of styles.
Kolkata was the first capital of the British in India.
The city was established in 1686 when the British moved
to the small villages of Sutanati, Govindpur, and
Kalikata from their trading port of Hooghly. It
progressed well until 1756 when Siraj-Ud-Daula (Nawab of
Bengal) attacked the town and drove away the British.
Lord Clive retook Kolkata and until 1911, it remained
the capital of the British government in India. Being
the centre of power for so long created a unique culture
and heritage, totally unlike any other city in India.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 02 In Kolkata
Morning rest and relax at the hotel. Kolkata is the
proud intellectual capital of the country. The city has
made outstanding contribution to the country in the
field of arts, sciences, medicine, social reform and
literature. The city retains some of the most striking
colonial buildings of the country. It used to be the
capital of the British East India Company and the
evidence of the British colonization persists there in
the city.
The Victoria Memorial is a grand edifice constructed in
the memory of Queen Victoria. This building houses a
number of rare specimens of the historical preserves of
the land. Howrah Bridge is another landmark that denotes
the city of joy. This hanging bridge is an architectural
marvel of the country. The second largest planetarium in
Asia, the Birla Planetarium is another site that
attracts attention of all regardless of their age. The
recently built Vidyasagar Setu, another architectural
marvel, connects both the banks of the Hooghly River.
The Metro Railway, Indian Museum, Dalhousie Square, St.
Paul/’s Cathedral, National Library, Shaheed Minar, Eden
Garden, Fort William, Rat Park and Marble Palace are
some of the other sites of the city that are worth
visiting.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 03 Kolkata – Bagdogra (
Flight ) Bagdogra – Glenburn By Road
Fly to Bagdogra arrive at Bagdogra airport and then
drive to Darjeeling for witnessing the sheer
magnificence of mountains, unsullied and pristine,
nothing compares with a visit to the famous hill station
of Darjeeling in West Bengal. Even as you drive up the
curvaceous roads or take the famous toy train to your
destination, you will be awestruck by the resplendence
of nature. From the humid plains, you suddenly fill your
tired lungs with fresh mountain air. Gurgling streams
rush past and in springtime, the ranges are flaming with
rhododendrons. The ethnic population is friendly and the
influence of Buddhism is strong. Past the Batasia loop,
past the Ghoom Buddhist monastery, past the lush tea
gardens, you finally arrive in a quaint town with
slanting red roofs among the recent upsurge of concrete,
peeping at you from behind lofty pines.
Like many other hill stations, Darjeeling rose into
prominence during the British Raj when it was developed
as a major rest and recreation centre. Until the 19th
century, Darjeeling (derived from Dorje Ling, meaning
the place of the thunderbolt) was part of Sikkim. In
1817, Sikkim conceded the rights to use the place as a
health sanitarium to the British after they helped to
settle a rather disastrous dispute between Sikkim and
Nepal. The imprint of the English on Darjeeling is
indelible and can be seen in its gardens, tea estates,
hotels and a nostalgic lifestyle.
Afterwards drive to Glenburn Tea Estate will arrange for
your transfer to Glenburn Tea Estate Two rivers and a
valley, two leaves and a bud…..Acre upon acre of rolling
tea bush and forest….A house on a hill, a Himalayan
sunrise and a tea garden that still marches to a
century-old beat…… 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”.
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
has forests that 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.
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.
Pamper yourself with a luxurious stay at The Burra
Bungalow.
Day 04 At Glenburn Tea
Estate
(Full day Tea Garden Walking Tour)
Morning you are taken on full day Tea Tour which can be
adjusted to suit guest. Most of the walking is down
hill, and the duration of walking can range from 1.5
hours to 3 hours, and difficulty from moderate to tough,
depending on the route one takes. Guests may also drive
the entire route, stopping along the way for short walks
at various points of interest. The tour starts with an
audio-visual presentation on the history of Glenburn,
and a brief overview of how tea is grown, manufactured
and tasted.
Walk or drive through the tea fields with our Estate
Manager, who will give you a comprehensive guided tour
of how the tea bush is grown and looked after. Learn how
to pluck the “two leaves and a bud” – that is later
manufactured into the tealeaf that enters your teacup!
Visit the Tea Nursery, where we cultivate our own young
tea plants, learn about the different varieties of tea
plants and how they are transplanted into the fields
when ready. During the winter season, learn about the
different types of pruning that is undertaken to
increase the yield of the coming season. Interact with
the Glenburn workers as you move from one part of the
estate to another.
Enjoy the multitude of bird life, butterflies and flora
that add to the diverse landscape that makes up a tea
estate. Catch a crab, or pick some watercress from the
numerous springs that filter through the fields.
Refreshments will be provided at a suitable mid-way
point.
Break for Lunch at Section Number 10, on the banks of
the River Rung Dung. Relax on the riverfront and paddle
in the rock pools, while you enjoy your meal. Drive back
up the hill to the Tea Factory for a guided tour on how
the leaf is brought in from the fields, weighed, and
then taken through the processes of Withering, Rolling,
Fermenting, Drying and finally Sorting.
The day ends with a Tea Tasting Session, where one can
discover the differences in aroma, flavour and
appearance of tea manufactured in different ways, and
during different times of the year. The session also
includes tasting teas from other parts of India and the
world, and examples of flavoured and blended teas.
Pamper yourself with a luxurious stay at The Burra
Bungalow.
Day 05 At Glenburn Tea
Estate
(Hike along the River Rungeet to Manjitar Village in
Sikkim)
Walking is along a flat, well-defined path. Total
walking time approx. 2 hours. A four-wheel drive jeep
will take you down through the Simbong Forest to the
River Rung Dung. Cross the river over a small suspension
bridge, which takes you into the Badamtam Forest. Walk
along the forest path, following the River Rungeet. On
the way, our naturalist will help you identify the
birds, butterflies, occasional animals, and the rich
plant life found in the forest. You will also walk
through a forest village, and have the option to walk
down to the sandy banks of the river.
After about an hour’s walk, you will reach the Manjitar
Suspension Footbridge, leading the way across the River
Rungeet into the old royal kingdom of Sikkim. This
spectacular structure was built by the British in 1902,
after the original cane bridge was washed away by the
floods of 1899. About 200 feet across, and at least 100
feet above the river, crossing this footbridge is an
adventure in itself! A black and white photograph of the
original cane bridge taken some time during the last
century by Robert Phillips can be seen on the Glenburn
front verandah.
Cross the bridge into Sikkim and wander around Manjitar
Village, stop for a cup of tea in one of the village
“dhaabas” (tea shops), and visit the local Shiv Temple.
At 4:30 pm everyday, a volleyball match takes place
between the local police force and the villagers. Our
guests are welcomed as spectators, sipping cups of hot
tea from the local "dhaaba".
Lunch will be served picnic-style, somewhere along the
way. The return journey follows the same route back,
although one can also take the alternative “river beach”
route, which is slightly tougher, and depends on the
season and whether the river water level permits it.
Refreshments are served back at the Glenburn-Badamtam
Bridge, where guests have a choice of walking to the
Glenburn Campsite for the evening / night or driving
back up to The Burra Bungalow. Pamper yourself with a
luxurious stay at The Burra Bungalow.
Day 06 At Glenburn Tea
Estate
(Day Excursion to Darjeeling Town)
Steeped in British colonial history, the hill station of
Darjeeling stands at a height of 6,000 feet, with the
magnificent Mount Kanchenjunga as a backdrop. Take a
ride on the famous Toy Train Railway from Darjeeling
Town, through the picturesque Batasia Loop and then to
the neighboring towns of Ghoom and Kurseong. Wander
through the Mall, shop for local crafts and antiques
along the way, drop into the famous Das Studios for a
peek at their collection of old black and white
photographs from the area, and stop for a cup of tea of
coffee at Keventers or Glenary’s, two famous old
cafeterias on the Mall. Visit the grand old Planters’
Club, once the Palace of a local Maharaja, and enjoy the
views of the surrounding hillside (Glenburn included!)
from Chowrasta, where the bandstand still conjures up
old colonial memories of days gone by. Lunch can be
taken at a number of places - Glenary’s has a nice
cafeteria as well as a multi-cuisine restaurant, but you
could also try a more typical local restaurant, for a
traditional “momo and thugpa” meal. Whatever you feel
like doing, our experienced guide will lead you to the
right place!
In the afternoon, drive a little out of the main town to
the Lebong Contonment area, where the original Lebong
Race Course remains. Although not in use today, Glenburn
horses once walked across the valley every Sunday to
take part in the weekly races held here. Visit the Zoo -
famous for its snow leopards and pandas, the renowned
Himalyan Mountaineering Institute and the Gymkhana Club,
and then drive back to Glenburn in time for dinner.
Day 07 Glenburn Tea Estate
/ New Jalpaiguri By Road
New Jalpaiguri – Delhi (
Train )
Departure transfer to the railway station at Newjalpai
Guri to board overnight super fast express train for
reaching next day at New Delhi; the capital city of
India.
Overnight on board overnight train.
Day 08 In Delhi
Depending on the arrival schedule of the train you are
met at the New Delhi train station and given transfer to
the Hotel.
Delhi; Delhi is a city that defies a one-line
description as the capital of India or as the capital of
the world’s largest democracy. Actually, Delhi is India
in miniature. Delhi is 32,87,263 sq. km of India’s
fantastic variety compressed into 1483 sq. km Over the
millennia, it has wooed rulers, attracted plunderers,
and tried historians with so many details. Today, even
as it preserves an enviable heritage, Delhi is a true
cosmopolitan city always on the move.
Delhi remains the center of power. Once it was a city of
royal power. Then it became the seat of colonial power.
Later it was the seat of bureaucratic power. The seat of
political power it has always been. Today it is emerging
as an important center for corporate power too. However,
the most fascinating aspect of this city is its
cosmopolitan nature. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 09 In Delhi
Delhi is an international metropolis with excellent
tourist spots, recreational facilities, and a history
that goes back to antiquity. A remarkable feature of the
city is the extent of greenery all over. Delhi is also a
dream city for visitors looking for items of
handicrafts, not only the rich artistic crafts of its
own craftsmen but also of craftsmen from all over the
country.
Delhi offers a multitude of interesting places and
attractions to the visitor, so much so that it becomes
difficult to decide from where to begin exploring the
city. In Old Delhi, you’ll come across many mosques,
forts, and other monuments that depict India’s Muslim
history. The important places in Old Delhi includes the
Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Delhi Gate, and
Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana, the last two being modern
structures constructed after India’s Independence in
1947. New Delhi, on the other hand, is a modern city
designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker. It is a
spacious, open city that houses many government
buildings and embassies, besides places of historical
interest. Notable attractions in New Delhi include the
Rashtrapati Bhawan, India Gate, Laxminarayan Temple,
Humayun’s Tomb, Purana Quila, Tughlaqabad, Qutab Minar,
and Bahai Temple.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 10 Delhi - Overseas (
Flight )
Early morning today assisted in the transfer to the
International airport in time to connect the flight back
home.
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