Glenburn Tea Estate, Darjeeling

This heavenly little plantation retreat lies above the banks of the River Rungeet, deep in the foothills of the Himalaya and is overlooked by the mighty Mount Kanchenjunga. Just an hour from Darjeeling and across the river from Sikkim, it has the most idyllic location in the heart of a thriving tea estate.

Home to generations of tea planters, it remains today a working tea estate and is replete with a school, a hospital and a lovely village scrambling its way down the hill. The bungalow has been lovingly and exquisitely restored with devotion, care and commitment, whilst retaining the style and atmosphere of a colonial planter’s bungalow.

The 4 bedrooms in the original bungalow, which has a leafy verandah, snug sitting room and stylish dining room, have been charmingly decorated with different themes. They are spacious, time-honoured, warm and cosy with a sitting room or ante-room. The 4 bedrooms in the Water Lily Bungalow, which has terraces, an elegant sitting room and a massage room, have views from heaven and are stunning – fresh, light, large and beautifully furnished with local floral themes. They are traditional yet have contemporary twists and are deliciously comfortable and private. Various terraces and gorgeous gardens provide lovely spaces for dining al fresco, chatting around a camp fire and relaxing in a glorious mountain environment.

Apart from being a walker’s dream and with a perfect climate, Glenburn is the ideal base for visiting Darjeeling or resting up in style after a walk in Sikkim. Sitting on the lovely, flower filled verandah, gazing across the gardens to Kanchenjunga is a special, timeless experience. There is plenty to do by way of private tours of the tea estate and an abundance of mountain activities – walking down to the river, fishing, enjoying unparalleled picnics (a treat in store as they do them like nowhere else here), or visiting the village and school.

Where else in the Himalaya can you walk on different routes each day and return to such luxury at night? The staff is divine – local and catering to one’s every need. Meals take place in different places, often al fresco, and one feasts on the most delicious, fresh food – a perfect balance of Indian, Oriental and Western. Dinner tends to be eaten together, creating a lovely, ‘house party’ atmosphere but guests may choose to dine on their own if they wish.

This blissfully peaceful Himalayan gem offers a superb mountain, wilderness and tea experience.