Glenburn Tea Estate Tour

DAY 1 : ARRIVAL DELHI
Late evening arrival at Delhi airport where our representative shall welcome and escort you to the hotel.

Delhi has been the capital of India fifteen times and is home to many architectural splendors. A world city, it is also the media capital, corporate hub and political seat of the nation.

Overnight stay.

DAY 2 : DELHI
After breakfast, enjoy a city tour covering a plethora of tourist attractions.

Visit Laxmi Narayan Temple, India Gate - the memorial of martyrs, Parliament House – the government headquarters, Jama Masjid – one of the largest mosques in Asia, Red Fort (closed on Monday) - the red stone wonder, Raj Ghat – the memorial of the father of the nation, and other tourist hot spots.

Overnight stay.

DAY 3 : DELHI - BAGDOGARA
After breakfast, depart for the airport to connect to a flight to Bagdogara. After arrival drive to Glenburn Tea Estate.

Bagdogara lies in the city of Darjeeling in West Bengal in India.

Overnight stay.

DAY 4 : GLENBURN TEA ESTATE
After breakfast embark upon a Tea Tour.

The tour starts with a 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 the 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!

Refreshments will be provided at a suitable mid-way point.

Visit the Tea Nursery where young tea plants are cultivated, 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 undertaken to increase the yield. Interact with the Glenburn workers as you move from one part of the estate to another.

Break for Lunch, on the banks of the River Rung Dung. Relax on the riverfront as you enjoy your food.

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 variations in aroma, flavor 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.

Overnight stay.

DAY 5 : GLENBURN TEA ESTATE
Hike along River Rungit and Manjitar Village in Sikkim after breakfast.

A jeep will take you down through the Simbong Forest to the River Rung Dung. Crossing the river over a small suspension bridge takes you into the Badamtam Forest. Walk along the forest path. On the way, our naturalist will help you identify birds, butterflies, animals, and the rich plant life found in the woods.

After about an hour’s walk, you will reach the Manjitar Suspension Footbridge, leading the way across River Rungit into the old royal kingdom of Sikkim. Cross the bridge into Sikkim and wander around Manjitar Village, stop for a cup of tea in one of the village “dhaabas” (highway restaurant and tea shop), and visit the local Shiv Temple.

Lunch will be served picnic-style, somewhere along the way.

Our guests are also welcome to watch a volleyball match that takes place between the local police force and the villagers at 4:30 pm everyday, while sipping tea.

Overnight stay.

DAY 6 : GLENBURN TEA ESTATE
Day excursion of Darjeeling town.

Soaked in British colonial history, the hill station of Darjeeling is located at a height of 6,000 feet, with the magnificent Mount Kanchenjunga as a backdrop. Take a ride on the famous Toy Train 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, and stop for a cup of tea or coffee at Keventers or Glenary’s, two famous old cafeterias in the Mall.

Lunch can be taken at a number of places like Glenary’s, which 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.

In the afternoon, drive a little out of the main town to the Lebong Cantonment area.

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.

Overnight stay.

DAY 7 : GLENBURN TEA ESTATE
Drive cum hike up to Lamha Haata Orchard, and the Clooney Sisters' Church and School. The climb is fairly steep, and cannot be accessed by jeep. Drive 10 minutes away from The Burra Bungalow, to the start of the track leading up to the Lamha Haata Orange Orchard.

Wander around the school, meet the children that board with them and play with the baby animals that they look after. Glenburn’s Fine Cut Orange Marmalade comes from the oranges of the Lamha Haata Orange Orchard. Climb up another 10 minutes to the orchard and enjoy the spectacular view of the surrounding hillside. Have a cup of tea with our resident caretaker, before you start your descent to the main track where the jeep awaits you.

Stop off on your way back at the Glenburn Hospital, to see what welfare activities take place on a tea estate. Visits to Buddhist and Sai Baba centers within the Estate can also be arranged.

Overnight stay.

DAY 8 : GLENBURN TEA ESTATE
Explore nature’s bounty towards the Glenburn Campsite.

All walking is down hill, and the duration of walking can range from 1.5 hours to 4 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.

Explore the Bora Gaon Village and into the Simbong Tea Division, past the Sim Jhora (stream and waterfall), and finally into the Simbong Forest area. You can follow the main forest track, or break off at various points to take short cuts through the forest. Enjoy the spectacular views of Sikkim, the hill station of Kalimpong, and the River Rungit.

You will gradually descend from a height of around 3000 feet, down to the river, which lies at around 800 feet. The forests contain a rich diversity of birds, butterflies, flora and plant life, as well as animals typical to this habitat.

Refreshments will be provided along the way, and a jeep would be close by if a guest feels tired and chooses to drive down the rest of the way.

On arrival at The Glenburn Campsite, on the banks of the River Rungit, guests have a choice of paddling in rock pools, fishing, bird watching, relaxing on the sandy shore and embarking upon short walks along the river.

Lunch will be served either as a sit-down meal near the cabin, or picnic style on the river shore.

In the afternoon, drive back to the bungalow. Overnight stay.

DAY 9 : GLENBURN TEA ESTATE – BAGDOGARA - DELHI
Assistance and transfer to Bagdogara airport to board flight to Delhi.

On arrival, visit local restaurant for dinner and an Indian Dance Show.

DAY 10 : DELHI DEPARTURE
Assistance and transfer to International airport will be provided to board a flight to your onward destination.

Glenburn Tea Estate Tour ends
To have a look at other tour packages on offer keep browsing IndianHoliday.com. For more information on the Glenburn Tea Estate Tour package or to book it online, please fill out the form below and send to us.