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From February 2005: |
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Want to play ‘burra sahib’ for a few days? This is the closest you will get to a 19 th C. colonial chai-bagan experience.
If you are planning a holiday in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Sikkim or Bhutan break journey and visit the Planter’s Bungalow, a hundred year-old ‘chung’ bungalow made of teak on the Nuxalbari Tea Estate. The chung bungalow was designed by British tea planters who built their wooden homes on stilts to keep out wild animals.
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Let us spoil you: |
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| The Planter’s Bungalow is a charming little cottage, which has been refurbished to add just two air-conditioned guestrooms with attached baths on the lower floor. A typical day would include bed tea, breakfast on the patio or the lawns under tall rain trees, long walks on the estate, or a drive with the manager to oversee tea plucking, a visit to the factory and a tea tasting session. |
Lunch and dinner is a sumptuous meal of either Indian or continental food of your choice, followed by an afternoon siesta and evening high tea. Walk off the calories, go mountain biking or play a game of badminton. There’s good news for equestrian enthusiasts as we plan to stable our horses here by autumn 2005.
But really, the best thing to do on a tea estate is to find a quiet spot on the lawns under a shade tree, relax, settle down with a fat novel or simply daydream, and enjoy endless cups of fresh, delicious tea.
In winter you can enjoy the luxury of a sundowner by the fire.
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Best Time to Visit:
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Between October and March when it is cooler. In the summer months between April to June the temperatures can soar to 34 – 36 degrees Celsius with high humidity in the afternoons though early mornings and late evenings are still pleasant. From June-September it is warm, but lush and the monsoons are really spectacular in this part of the world, with high winds and lashing rain. |
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Getting there: |
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By air to Bagdogra, then taxi to Nuxalbari Tea Estate on the highway to Nepal (30-40 min/150 Rs.) or train to New Jalpaiguri Station and taxi to Nuxalbari Tea Estate (1 hrs./ 300 Rs.)
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Things to see and do : |
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Use Nuxalbari Tea Estate as a base to explore: |
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Darjeeling: 105 km, 4- 4.5 hrs |
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Kalimpong: 90 km/3-3.5 hrs |
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Bhutan: To Phuntsholing, gateway of Bhutan (166 km/ 5 hrs) |
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Sikkim: to Pemayangtse in western Sikkim (175 km/5 hrs) or Gangtok (4.5 hrs) |
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Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary: just about 160 km (4 hrs) away, visit this wildlife reserve to spot the Asiatic one horned rhino, the elephant, Indian bison, Royal Bengal Tiger, leopard, spotted deer and hog deer. Great bird watching to be had with the Bengal Florican, lesser Pied hornbill, racket-tailed drongo, paradise flycatcher, Crested Eagle, Pallas's Fishing Eagle, shikara, Jungle fowl, peafowl, partridge and others. |
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Fishing in the Teesta: We will provide a packed lunch, beer and coffee, and organize a taxi for a day trip to fish and laze on the banks of the Teesta. |
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Shopping trip to Dhulabari: Tea planter’s wives travel in droves to this border town just 40 min. away in Nepal where you can get cheap deals on anything from video cameras to household goods. |
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Tarrif: Rs. 2,500 or $60 per person including all meals. (Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages extra) |
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Reservations: Book well in advance to ensure a reservation by email. bookings@nuxalteaindia.com
Full payment in advance by cheque or D/D.
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Cancellations: money will be refunded prior to 15 days of booking date. Within 15 days: 50 % cancellation fee. |
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