Darjeeling's most charming Tea estates

Besides its quaint eateries, vibrant markets hidden in busy lanes and hilltops that are home to stunning vistas, there is a range of charming tea estates that stand apart in the list of places to visit in Darjeeling. Tea was first introduced to this Himalayan city in West Bengal in the mid-19th century by the British, and these sprawling tea estates are still reminiscent of that culture. A trip to these vast stretches of tea plantations is all about misty mornings, tea leaves blooming under the sun, endless walks discovering various types of tea and of course, sipping your favourite brew. Here's your guide to exploring the best tea gardens of Darjeeling.

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Step into the idyllic world of Glenburn, a tea estate established by Scottish tea planters in 1860. It sprawls over 1600 acres of verdant forests, rolling hills, tea picker villages and a pair of river valleys. Set in the heart of the tea estate, two colonial-style planter bungalows overlook the rolling hills on one side and the mighty Kanchenjunga mountain range on the other.

The aroma of fresh flowers hangs in the air and the four-poster beds, hand embroidered linen and open verandas lend a very English country air to the bungalow. Signature Glenburn experiences include exploring the plantations and villages within the tea estate, nature and bird walks, overnights in the log cabin by the river Rangeet, picnics in the tea gardens, tea tours and excursions around Darjeeling.

Makaibari Tea Estate