Palden Thondup Namgyal, the last of the Great Kings of Sikkim stood up here on Tandong mountain ranges in southern Sikkim as he watched the life of Tibetan refugees moving on a slow lane. What he visioned was a safe haven for the refugees and what we have today is one of the finest organic teas in the world from the plantation that was raised by the settlers of Kewzing village. The Temi Bungalow nests in this well loved tea estate.
Temi is a world apart from the chaos of the cities; the aesthetics are nostalgic and historical, inviting everyone to partake in the very interesting and intriguing world of Tea. The lofty snowclad Kanchenjunga mountains, the sprawling 400-acre tea gardens, the crisp air, the mountain springs, and the birdlife, all add to the charm, not to forget the scrumptious meals served here. With one foot in the present and one firmly in the past, Temi is an exquisite natural experience that is both rejuvenating and refreshing.
Experience a glimpse of the lifestyle on the tea estates, a completely different world, unblemished by the chaos of urban life. Connect to the earth, surrounded by the rich bounty of Himalayan birds, butterflies, and gorgeous floral blooms of the upper Himalayas, as you sip on a perfect cup of tea and unwind with your loved ones, the colours of Temi seize your attention.
A place to unwind, read a book, go on long walks, explore the local culture or listen to stories of plantation life and the changes that have come by with time, visiting here is taking a step back in time. Stepping outside the often beaten tourist path will lead you not only to breathtaking views but also let you explore the area on foot, meandering through the tea estate roads and walking through the village, chatting with old and young villagers who are eager and happy to see you. It provides a soothing balm and a respite from the fast and tiring city life.
The Tea Estate
Spread between the slopes of the Tandong mountain Range, from the altitudes of 4000m to 6000 m above sea level, the Temi Tea Estate is a landscape all by itself.
Temi is a world apart from the chaos of the cities; the aesthetics are nostalgic and historical, inviting everyone to partake in the very interesting and intriguing world of Tea. The lofty snowclad Kanchenjunga mountains, the sprawling 400 acre tea gardens, the crisp air, the mountain springs and the birdlife, all add to the charm, not to forget the scrumptious meals served here. With one foot in the present and one firmly in the past, Temi is an exquisite natural experience that is both rejuvenating and refreshing.
Dining Experiences:
An indoor dining space in the Bungalow makes for a perfect spot to stay cosy and warm when it’s a bit nippy outdoors. Whereas the outdoor veranda in the Bungalow, and the deck with comfortable chairs, is perfect to relax with a cup of tea and a book; or to have a meal with a view during the day. A must do is the Hi-Tea service here that spoils you with delicious finger foods that perfectly compliment your teas, and the breath taking views that accompany it.
Sustainability:
It is the first public private partnership between the Sikkim government and Eco retreats, the tea estate being owned and run by the Sikkim government, whereas the stay and the experiences are managed by Eco retreats. A visit here will introduce you to some impressive sustainable organic tea garden practices that the tea garden has taken up since 2005; almost two decades ago! Take a glimpse into the intrepid world of Tea, how it’s grown, picked, processed and enjoy a fabulous Hi-Tea experience with a view.
The Bada Bungalow:
The main Bungalow is a heritage property that has been tastefully restored to a charming house with a bit of a modern touch that blends beautifully with the old. Each of the 5 rooms here offers uninterrupted views of the rolling hills until the Kanchenjunga snow peaks; if you look closer, a few picturesque village homes are dotted on the Tea estate. The bedrooms in the Bungalow are large with charmingly appointed large bathrooms.
Cottages:
Eight Cottages have been newly built in a style that keeps the historical aesthetic intact; modern and spacious on the inside, with small sit outs. The Cottages have twin beds which can also be converted into king bed options. An additional bed is possible in all of the rooms.
The Tea trail; From the Leaf to your cup :There is a little bit for everyone, tea lovers can enjoy fresh tea and see how it is made, the factory is just down the road. Visit the Temi Tea Factory and get a guided tour of the tea making process (and know why is Germany the biggest exporter of Temi Tea) followed by a tea trail walk through the gardens back to the resort (Guests can opt for zip lining if they want before taking the walk). From picking to processing to drinking; experience it all. There are small stalls for momos and tea right outside the factory if you want to try some street food. One could also try their traditional dress Bakhu for a quick insta moment.
Temi Hi Tea experience :Take an evening to enjoy a scrumptious high tea or tea tasting experience here and begin your journey as a tea connoisseur. From picking, to processing, to drinking; experience it all. The High Tea is served at the viewing Deck with inhouse baked goodies and unlimited pourings of freshly brewed Temi tea.
Walks and Treks : For nature lovers, a variety of trails lead you through the tea estate and village to get a glimpse of the quaint small town life, as you meander down roads lush with ferns and trees and if you are around by the end of October or beginning of November the beautiful pink of the cherry blossoms. You can also head down to the biodiversity park for nature trails and to enjoy birds as well as the native flora and fauna.
The Temdong Forest Walk : Eco-therapy: Nature based experiences have relaxing and therapeutic effects. Join us as we take you on a journey of “forest bathing” where one can lose themselves in the forests while enjoying the air, scents, vegetation and the sounds of birds that live there. Drive from the resort past the “I Love Temi” point (stop for a quick photo), onwards to the Temi Tea Garden view point finally reaching the long stretch of pristine, uninhabited forest of pine trees that flank either side of a walking track. The car will be parked at a point while you are free to explore the area at leisure.
Experience Local life : A walk through the village adjacent to the resort and a small drive takes you to a local home stay run by the Poudyals to experience the local cuisine for lunch, and to know how they practice organic farming and how they process cardamom which is exported . Interact with the family while learning more about their culture. On the way back stop by at the local Temi Bazar and if you want you can pick up some local peach wine which is excellent or the Dansberg beer which is made out of fresh spring water owned by the actor Danny. Email : [email protected], [email protected] Ph : +91 9810093312
Day Visit to Namchi and Ravangla : If culture is what speaks to you. Being the spiritual capital of Sikkim, Namchi has multiple temples and places of worship and Chardham amongst them is a must visit in Namchi. It is a replica of the four shrines of the country and has the tallest statue of Lord Shiva in the world of 120ft. Then we move on to Ravangla which is at an altitude of 7000 ft. The Buddha Park which was designed between 2006-13 and took 7 years to build has a 130ft Gautam Buddha statue with Mt Narsing behind it, an absolute must visit. Followed by a visit to the old Ralang monastery which is regarded as one of the most sacred places in their land by the people of Sikkim, and the new Ralang monastery is considered one of the largest monasteries in Sikkim that holds a particular importance in the religious context as it is also where Gyaltsap Rinpoche, one of the highest figures of the Kagyu Buddhism order occasionally resides.
Location
Bagdogra Airport : 117 kms – 4.5 hrs drive
Gangtok – 50 kms – 2 hrs drive
Darjeeling : 80 kms – 3 hrs drive
Siliguri – nearest Railway – 100 km – 4 hrs drive
Travel Pointers:
Cherry blossom season in November
Tea Picking season in March-Apr
April and May offer the clearest skies with the best views and temperature to experience the Temi tea Gardens
February is the best time to see the hillsides in full bloom.
October is when the annual cultural, tourism and local food festivals are held.
Connecting itineraries
Bagdogra – Gangtok – Peling – Temi – Bagdogra
Bagdogra – Darjeeling – temi – Bagdogra
Kolkata – Bagdogra – Temi- Bagdogra -Delhi/Mumbai
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A tea estate that’s worth a visit over and over again!
This tea estate can be considered as a benchmark for the tea tourism industry. The place has an upscale hotel accommodation which oozes luxury along with some fun activities to cater to both kids and adults such as zipline, pony rides, treks, paragliding, etc. Also, it caters for tea factory tours and tea tasting activities for their guests who wish to experience the same.
The hospitality of this place is absolutely unparalleled. The staff is very informed, prompt and courteous. The administration head Mr. Uttam has been an absolute pleasure to interact with who went out of his way to assist us on a regular basis whilst our stay. The food here is great and their evening hi-tea is a must.
The entire place with it’s Victorian vibe, lip smacking food, clean and hygienic areas, courteous and helpful staff along with fun and engaging activities makes this place an absolute must visit. Besides, staying within a tea garden in a serene environment itself can be a reason to plan a holiday here.
Amazing place to stay
The moment I contacted on phone, Gavin from Eco Adventure, virtually showed how the resort would be. I immediately booked after I spoke to him. I was not disappointed and it exactly matched the description. The views are spectacular and stay was comfortable. I was travelling with my wife and 5 year old son. My son fell ill because of weather change. I immediately spoke to Gavin and he handled everything else. Special thanks to Gavin for his outstanding customer service. Luckily the resort had an Army doctor who was staying there for a night. Prasanjit and Soumya were very helpful in taking care of our stay and they gave special care to my son. From our room we could see the Kanchenjunga range and the views were spectacular. Its right in the middle of Temi tea plantations and there are lot of activities to do. We booked for two nights and we liked it so much we extended one more night. We could see lot of birds and the view from the deck not to be missed. We will visit again. Thank you.
