Chamong Chiabari

Wednesday, 25 December 2019

Top 5 getaway spots in West Bengal

Chamong Chiabari December 25, 2019 5 star hotel darjeeling , 5 star hotels in Darjeeling 0 Comments

From tea-covered hill slopes to dense mangrove forests, West Bengal has a lot many tourist destinations. From pristine sea beaches to ancient majestic forts, there is plenty to see here.

Some of the best tourism destinations in West Bengal are:

Darjeeling

Darjeeling is often referred to as the “Queen of Hills”. It is known for its spectacular views of lush green tea plantations with the snow-capped Himalayan peaks standing atop like a crown. From 5 star hotels in Darjeeling to luxury tea estate resorts, there are plenty of options for accommodation in this charming hill station. Enjoy the lovely views of Kanchenjunga and vast expanses of tea gardens. The high altitude ensures a cool climate all round the year, making it a popular tourist spot. From breathtaking view points to old monasteries, Darjeeling offers quite a few interesting sights.

Dooars

Dooars Valley is located in the Jalpaiguri district of Northern Bengal. Lying just south of the Himalayan foothills, several large tea estates are found in this region. The lush greenery of Dooars makes it a popular getaway destination. In addition to the scenic beauty, Dooars is also home to many dense forests and a rich variety of wildlife. The region has multiple wildlife sanctuaries such as Gorumara National Park, Jaldapara National Park, Buxa Tiger Reserve, and more.

Digha

Digha is the most visited holiday destination in West Bengal. This quaint little seaside town is perfect for a weekend getaway. Located on the shores of Bay of Bengal, Digha offers pristine sea beaches and scenic natural views. The place enjoys tremendous popularity among tourists at all time of the year.

Mandarmani

Just an hour’s drive away from Digha, Mandarmani is one more seaside resort town. For those who do not like the crowded beaches of Digha, Mandarmani offers the perfect retreat. It is ideal for a quiet and relaxed getaway. Tourists can also have the chance to witness red crabs on the beach here. Mandarmani is among the most popular getaways near Kolkata.

Kalimpong

Overlooking the Teesta River Valley, Kalimpong is one of the most picturesque hill stations. The region was part of the Bhutanese Empire before it came under the British rule. It is home to many ancient Buddhist monasteries and old churches. This quaint little town is still considered an offbeat destination. Tourists will not find high-end accommodation like 5 star hotels in Darjeeling; but there are plenty of well-maintained hotels and resorts in Kalimpong. The lush scenic beauty adds to the peace and tranquillity of this place. The hill station is also well-known for its local market of orchids.

Wednesday, 27 November 2019

10 Things to Know About Darjeeling Tea

Chamong Chiabari November 27, 2019 tea tourism , 0 Comments

Darjeeling, located in West Bengal, has an elevation of 2042 meters above sea level. The hill slopes are covered in vast expanses of tea plantations all around. Darjeeling Tea is grown at an altitude ranging from 750 to 2000 meters. It is among the highest elevation grown teas in the world.
Darjeeling Tea is one of the most popular brews of tea in the world. It is known as the 'Champagne of Teas' due to its strong muscatel flavour. Tea tourism in Darjeeling is very popular due to the worldwide fame of Darjeeling Tea.
Robert Fortune, a spy for the British East India Company, smuggled the Chinese tea plant Camellia sinensis sinensis in 1851. That is how tea cultivation in Darjeeling was started. Today 150 years later, the same variety of tea still grows in these Himalayan slopes.
Darjeeling Tea is a GI tagged product. Only teas that are grown in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts can be sold as Darjeeling Tea. This only serves to make the tea gardens in Darjeeling more alluring, boosting tea tourism in the region.
Darjeeling Tea, primarily the black tea variety, is produced in the traditional orthodox method. The leaves are hand-plucked and hand-processed. This is what makes it one of the highest priced teas in the world.
Tea in Darjeeling is grown in three distinct seasons: spring, summer, and autumn. The tea leaves are picked during these particular seasons and categorized into First Flush, Second Flush and Autumnal Flush respectively. Each Flush or season produces teas with distinct flavour and taste.
The best time for tea tourism in Darjeeling is to plan a trip during one of the Flush seasons. This gives tourists a chance to witness tea plucking in the gardens and maybe even do it themselves. Visiting a tea garden and talking to the local tea workers is a wonderful opportunity for any tourist.
Spring in Darjeeling lasts from late February to mid-April. After a cold chilly winter, new tender shoots can be seen growing on the tea shrubs with its delicate, fragile and grey-green sheen on the tea leaves. The distinctive feature of Darjeeling First Flush Tea is a fragrant floral aroma. The tea liquor is characterized by a light translucent colour and a mild astringent flavour that impart a lively character to the tea.
The production of Darjeeling Second Flush Tea takes place between May to June. The tea leaves are luscious, moist and juicy. They are characterized by an alluring turquoise, purplish bloom and a touch of shimmering shiny apex (buds). The tea leaves are more vivid in its colour and appearance than that of spring. Summer season is when the famous muscatel flavour becomes pronounced. The Darjeeling Second Flush is infused with tea leaves of bright copper or purplish tinge and a muscatel aroma.
Darjeeling Autumn Flush is infused with tea leaves that have a golden coppery hue with an aromatic and fresh fragrance. The liquor has a light brownish tinge or gentle copper glow. The tea imparts a delicate, yet a silvery and glimmering character.

For those who want to have an authentic tea tourism experience in Darjeeling, planning a trip during one of the Flush seasons is most ideal.

Monday, 30 September 2019

The special charm of Darjeeling and its Tea

Chamong Chiabari September 30, 2019 tea tourism in Darjeeling , 0 Comments

With an elevation of 2,042 meters above sea level, Darjeeling is regarded as the “Queen of Hills” when it comes to Eastern Himalayas. It is one of the most popular hill stations in India. Darjeeling is famous for two things – enchanting panoramic views and the premium blend of Darjeeling Tea. This picturesque hill station offers an amazing view of snow-capped Kanchenjunga range and lush green tea-covered hill slopes.

Tea tourism in Darjeeling has gained quite a popularity in this side of the mountains. Since the time of British rule in India, Darjeeling has always been a top choice as a holiday destination. British officials, not used to the extreme heat in this country, would visit the hills here for a respite from extreme temperatures. It was some time during the early 1800s when commercial tea production was introduced in the region for the first time. Today, Darjeeling Tea is considered to be one of the finest blends of tea in this world. Many tea connoisseurs also refer to it as the “Champagne of Teas”.

Darjeeling is home to plenty of tea gardens. There are several tea estates found here in the region, some of them more than 100 years old. Many of these estates offer accommodations for the tourists; a cosy bungalow nestled between their tea gardens. Guests can bask in the serene views of snow-clad Himalayan peaks, while also enjoying a blissful stay amidst lush green tea plantations. These bungalows are usually built in a colonial architecture style, with contemporary interiors and modern amenities. Typically, these tea estates are located in secluded parts of the town, so guests can experience complete peace and tranquillity.

Tea tourism in Darjeeling almost always involves a luxurious stay in a bungalow located inside a tea estate. Guests get a chance to witness the entire process of tea production. They can take part in tea plucking activity, get a chance to talk to local tea workers, and also visit the tea factory. Hotels and resorts that offer tea tourism to their guests also provide a complimentary tea tasting session. A unique collection of an assortment of teas is presented during such sessions.

After the exotic flavoured Tea, Darjeeling is most known for its famous Toy Train ride. Running between New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling every day, this narrow gauge railway line is officially known as the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Route. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The train starts from a height of about 328 feet at New Jalpaiguri and climbs up to an altitude of 7,218 feet at Darjeeling. For tourists who are visiting Darjeeling, this Toy Train ride is one of the highlights of the trip.

Another key attraction is witnessing the early morning sunrise at Tiger Hill. The spot is known for the breathtaking views of the entire Kanchenjunga range. As the sun rises from behind the snow-clad peaks, the sky turns into a multi-hued canvas of reds and oranges.

With its mesmerizing tea gardens and breathtaking mountain views, a trip to Darjeeling promises to be memorable and full of cherished memories.

Friday, 30 August 2019

Get the best Tea Tourism experience at Darjeeling

Chamong Chiabari August 30, 2019 tea tourism , tea tourism in Darjeeling 0 Comments

Darjeeling is a Himalayan town located in the northern tip of West Bengal, lying just below the state of Sikkim. With an elevation of 2,042 meters above sea level, Darjeeling is considered to be one of the top hill stations in India. A favorite among many tourists, the town is known for its spectacular panoramic views. Darjeeling has been a popular spot since the days of the British rule in India, when officials would visit here to get a respite from the heat in other parts of this country.

Darjeeling offers a splendid view of the snow-capped Kanchenjunga. Vast expanses of tea plantations form a green blanket over the hill slopes in this region. The world-famous blend of Darjeeling Tea is exclusively grown in this part of the Himalayas. As such, there is a high demand for tea tourism in Darjeeling. It is one the largest tea-producing regions in the world.

Tea cultivation in Darjeeling goes back to almost a hundred years. It was introduced by the British sometime during the early 1800s. The high altitude and the optimum rainfall received by the region were primary factors that made Darjeeling perfectly suited for tea cultivation. Today, Darjeeling Tea has gained a reputation for being one of the finest brews of tea in the world. It is widely regarded as the ‘Champagne of Teas’ due to its strong muscatel flavor. This worldwide popularity of Darjeeling Tea has made this hill station favorite for a tea tourism experience. Guests can have a chance to enjoy a luxurious stay at a bungalow in a tea estate, right in the lap of nature.

Teatourism in Darjeeling is still a very new concept. Similar to a trip to the vineyards of Europe, guests have the chance to stay at a tea estate and can witness the entire process of tea production, from cultivation of tea bushes to picking tea leaves to manufacturing of the tea in a factory. India is a major tea-producing country in the world. Some of the other regions where you can have a tea tourism experience in India include Assam, Munnar, Nilgiris, Palampur, and more.

Darjeeling and its surrounding region are home to plenty of small and big tea estates. These sprawling properties have cozy guest bungalows to offer accommodation to tourists. Guests can enjoy breathtaking scenic views of snow-clad mountain peaks on one side, and lush green tea gardens on the other side. The rooms boast of traditional architecture with contemporary interiors, and are equipped with all the modern amenities. Most of these tea estates have been in the tea production business for many years now. Owing to the growing popularity of tea tourism in Darjeeling, they have just recently opened their gates for the tourists.

A large number of tea estates in Darjeeling are typically located outside the touristy areas of the town. Hence, guests can enjoy a quiet and peaceful stay away from the rush of crowds. They can go for pleasant walks around the adjoining tea gardens, get a chance to talk to the local tea workers and learn more about the types of teas grown. Some estates also offer a complimentary tea tasting session for their guests. Tea tourism in Darjeeling is a one-of-a-kind memorable experience.

Monday, 29 July 2019

When is the best time to visit Darjeeling? And how to reach?

Chamong Chiabari July 29, 2019 5 star hotel darjeeling , 5 star hotels in Darjeeling 0 Comments

Darjeeling, the Queen of Hills, is located in the lap of Eastern Himalayas at an elevation of 2,042 meters above sea level. Surrounded by a lush green cover of tea plantations, misty clouds float over the hill tops here. Known for the most eye-pleasing panoramic views, Darjeeling offers a majestic view of the Kanchenjunga. The snow-clad mountain peaks in the far horizon and the green cover of tea gardens dotted with old Buddhist monasteries paint a pretty picture. Darjeeling is one of the most popular hill stations in India. Tourists can find 5 star hotels in Darjeeling or luxurious tea estate resorts for a memorable stay at this picturesque hill town. Tourism in Darjeeling forms an integral part of the economy in this region.

When is the best time to visit?

Thanks to its higher altitude, Darjeeling enjoys a pleasant climate all year round. The summer months are peak tourist season. March to June is vacation time in most schools, and families come here to get some respite from the sweltering heat of the city. The skies are a clear blue, interrupted by puffy white clouds floating in the air. The sun sparkles over the snow-clad mountain peaks, and lush green surroundings of tea plantations make up a mesmerizing view. Darjeeling in summer also sees a wide variety of orchids, rhododendrons and other flowers in full bloom that make these hills look alive. 5 star hotels in Darjeeling go through full capacity during the summer months, and thus, advance bookings are recommended.

Once the monsoon is over and before winter sets in, from September-end to mid-December is also a great time to visit Darjeeling. Post the rains, the hills look fresh and livelier. Different kinds of flowers grow abundantly in the region. The crowd of tourists is comparatively less and you can easily find rooms in hotels and resorts.

If you want to experience snowfall, winter is the perfect time to visit Darjeeling. Temperatures drop really low, sometimes going even below zero. White snow lies like a blanket over these hills, making breathtaking picture. Many 5 star hotels in Darjeeling receive bookings from tourists during the winter season who want to witness snowfall in the mountains.

How to reach Darjeeling?

Darjeeling does not have a broad gauge railway station or an airport. New Jalpaiguri (NJP) is the closest railway station, about 75 km away from the hill town. Once you reach NJP, private or shared taxis, shared jeeps, state or Volvo bus and rented cars are easily available that take you to Darjeeling. The road journey takes about 3 hours, and the twists and turns of the curved road offer some mesmerizing views.

Another way to reach Darjeeling from NJP is via Toy Train ride. This is a narrow gauge railway line that’s about 2 feet wide. This route, covering a distance of 88 km, is the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway line. It is a UNESCO world heritage site. The toy train ride from NJP to Darjeeling takes almost 7 hours. The train passes through some picturesque hills and valleys.

If you’re travelling by air, Darjeeling is closest to the Bagdogra Airport which is officially known as the Tenzing Norgay International Airport. Located about 68 km from the hill station, it takes around 3 hours to reach the town.