Glenburn Tea Estate
Near Darjeeling, India
Two colonial-style planter’s bungalows set in the heart of a 1,600-acre working tea estate, an hour's drive from Darjeeling
It’s rare to find good walking country in India where you
won’t be disturbed by lots of other people and can sleep in
luxurious surroundings each night. Step forward idyllic Glenburn, a
working tea estate established in 1860 by Scottish tea planters,
with 1,600 acres of verdant forest, rolling hills, tea picker
villages and a pair of river valleys to explore.
The main house is a restored tea planter’s bungalow with 4
attractive suites and a romantic veranda offering
exquisite views out to the Himalayas. Tucked below the hill is an
additional bungalow with another 4 stunning suites and a
cosy sitting room with a log fire. There's pampering service,
delicious food and a choice of hikes from an hour to a day. Learn
how tea is made, cross the hanging bridge into Sikkim, spot birds
and butterflies, roam the estate in a 4x4, or sit and sketch the
stunning landscapes. Head off to the stilted lodge, set on a
private river, for lamplit dinners, stargazing, trout fishing or
rafting. Whether you’re alone, with a lover or in a group of
friends and family, you’ll find privacy and inspiration here;
we liked Glenburn so much we went back twice on the same trip!
Reviewed by Caroline Sylger-Jones
Last updated 14 November 2011
Highs
- Your hosts Najma and Neilu attend to every whim: a steaming hot pot of Darjeeling ‘bed tea’ is produced each morning, and a cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade is magicked up on a day hike
- There are breathtaking views, capped by the Kanchenjunga range
- The food is tasty and inventive: from jackfruit kofta curry and rose-petal salad to green tea ice cream and homemade chocolate brownies
- There are lots of places to relax: in front of a roaring fire in the afternoons, among fireflies on the large veranda in the evenings, or sitting by the river at Glenburn Lodge and Campsite
Lows
- Glenburn is remote, and flight times in and out of the nearest airport, Bagdogra, mean it isn’t worth coming unless you can stay for at least 3 nights
- Midges can be a problem down by the river
- It's not cheap, but prices include a car and driver on call for you every day, as well as activities and food, so you'll barely need your wallet once you arrive!
