Glenburn and Calcutta

By Kirsty Bennetts

Hills of Darjeeling

Tea in Darjeeling and History and Culture in Calcutta

I’ve always taken my morning cup of tea for granted; dunked a tea bag in a mug of boiling water and splashed in the milk. That was until I visited Glenburn Tea Estate in the hills just outside of Darjeeling. For a start, adding milk is sacrilege; as in fact is the tea bag. But I learnt so much more than that from Sanjay, the enthusiastic estate manager, on a morning tour and tasting session. For example that their famous Darjeeling brew will have a subtle difference in its taste depending on the time of year it is plucked (plucked, not picked), the elevation and the aspect on which it grows.

But Glenburn is so much more than tea. A working estate since 1860, there are 8 beautiful guest rooms with retain the original charm of the era. At Glenburn you are made to feel at home and during my stay I was pampered from start to beginning. Neena is the perfect hostess and is always on hand and somehow able to gauge what you’re in the mood for whether it be a cup of tea (of course) and a chat, a stroll and a picnic or a bit of solitude in the garden.

The views from the bungalows are wonderful with Darjeeling perched on the hill across and valley and spectacular views of the mountains on the other. Although sitting on the veranda with a good book is an idyllic way to pass the time, there is plenty on offer to tempt further exploration of the area. The surrounding hills are perfect for day hikes and I did several during my stay. I walked to the local village, through the tea pluckers and down to the river where a delicious lunch was waiting. Food is one of the highlights so the walks are a great way to justify trying all that is on offer including the homemade bread and cakes as well as the home grown vegetables and salads. It is also possible to visit Darjeeling as a day trip from Glenburn, but the danger is that once you arrive at Glenburn you just don’t want to leave!

But all good things do come to an end and I headed from the hills to Calcutta, or Kolkata as it is now known. It is a city that is well-associated with the British but what I didn’t realise is that it is a city that was built purely for the British. Before Job Charnock decided it was the perfect trading post the area was marshland. In response to guest feedback, Glenburn are now offering their experience and expertise in this historic city and I spent the day exploring places that most visitors don’t even know exist. It was a fascinating day and I learnt so much more about a city that I have visited twice before and country I have been to over twenty times. We began with an early morning visit to the flower market, continued on foot past historical buildings and churches, stopped by street vendors and had lunch in a family home. The day ended perfectly with a cruise on the Hooghly River, watching the sun set over Howrah Bridge and enjoying a nice cup of tea – from the Glenburn Estate of course. The experiences that Glenburn offer in Calcutta may be twice the cost of regular tours, but I can guarantee you will see and learn 10 times more.

Now is the perfect time to book a stay at Glenburn Tea Estate as they are currently offering 4 nights for the price of 3 for bookings made up until 30 April 2009 for travel before 31 October 2009. Call our India specialists for further information on 08456 345 114.