Glenburn Tea Estate

This 150-year-old plantation bungalow an hour and half drive to the north of Darjeeling is surrounded by 1,000 acres of private forest and a working tea estate. Located by the River Rungeet in the Himalaya, the property is overlooked by Mount Kangchenjunga.

The eight rooms are all individually and charmingly decorated. Each has a private entrance/sit-out area opening onto a veranda or garden. Every room has a ceiling fan, a spacious en suite bathroom, hair dryers, and electric blankets on the beds. A varied table d’hôte menu is offered which includes many vegetables freshly harvested from the kitchen gardens. Meals are generally eaten communally, however, if you would prefer to eat earlier, later or privately all you have to do is ask and the staff are very happy to accommodate any requests.

Glenburn is a wonderful place for birdwatching and there is a naturalist/guide to accompany guests on all outdoor activities such as fishing, swimming in the river, rafting and trekking. Tours of the tea estate and factory can also be arranged once you have arrived, as can excursions to Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Ghoom monastery. The hotel has no money-changing facilities, the nearest being in Darjeeling, approximately one and a half hours' drive with 40 minutes being a very bumpy ride through tea plantations. Rupees, US dollars and traveller's cheques are accepted for the payment of additional services.

Glenburn has adopted sustainable practices and supports its local community. The Glenburn Estate Foundation educates 64 local children in private schools, and supports local primary schools with infrastructure and extra teaching staff. Glenburn Hotel is carbon negative, as is the tea estate, with 600 acres of green tea fields and 1000 acres of reserve forest on the estate. Glenburn is part of the Rainforest Alliance, Ethical Tea Partnership, and in 2020 was awarded a gold for most responsible hotel in India by Outlook Responsible Tourism Society of India.

OUR RATING: First Class