Sikkim

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If you are visiting South Sikkim, then absolutely make it a point to visit the Temi Tea Garden. Established in 1969 by the Government of  Sikkim, this tea garden is the laurel and pride of Sikkim. Spread across an area of 453 acres of land, the beautiful tea garden is bordered by the towering Mt. Kanchenjungha range. Temi is reputed to produce some of the best flavored teas in the world. The sight of the lush tea garden with its winding roads and tea pickers with their colorful apparels picking tea leaves is wonderful. This wooden heritage Dak Bungalow located within the tea garden is the best place to stay if you want to re-live the days of the Raaj. In winter, Cherry Blossoms bloom in the tea garden area beside the roads and the snow-capped mountain ranges peaking through the lush slopes simply makes for an enthralling and captivating view.

Accommodation in the Temi Tea Garden Bungalow

This enchanting heritage Dak Bungalow from the British era has a glass verandah overlooking a poppy garden. The heritage bungalow has two bedrooms with all modern amenities like attached western bathrooms, hot water geysers in bathrooms, large wardrobes in rooms and comfy beds. The rooms are fully carpeted and has large windows opening up to the tea garden.  The sitting room has a set of couches and a fireplace to enjoy the cold evenings around the warmth of fire. The Dak Bungalow has been carefully restored keeping the original British structure intact. Staying at Temi Tea Bungalow is like time travelling. The Chowkidaar and Caretaker are masters in churning up some great delicacies for the guests.

How to reach Temi Tea Garden Bungalow

Temi Tea Garden can be reached by car or bus from Namchi, Pelling, Ravangla, Pelling or Gangtok. Located in South Sikkim, the nearest main town of Temi Tea Garden is Namchi. You would would get regular buses and taxis from Siliguri / New Jalpaiguri or Bagdogra to Namchi and from Namchi you can hire a car to reach Temi.

Attractions around Temi Tea Garden

The tea garden produces some of the best brands of tea in the globe that is celebrated for its amazing flavor and quality. It’s most popular brand is the ‘Temi Tea’.  Apart from the tea gardens, the region also has a thriving plantation of cardamom and cherry blossom trees along with an assortment of a wide variety of striking bird species like Rusty-bellied, Lesser Shortwings, Satyr tragopan, kalij and abundant species of butterflies. The garden also offers a captivating view of Mt. Kanchenjungha and the scenic essence of village life.

One of the attractive destinations located near Temi include the charming Pelling, located in the western part and situated at an altitude of 7200 feet. Pelling offers some breathtaking views of Mt. Kanchenjungha. It also has some famous Buddhist monasteries nestled in its lap like the Sang Da Choeling Monastery and Pemyangtse Monastery. You can also go for day trips to some interesting places like the Rimbi Waterfalls, Sewaro Rock Garden, Khecheopalri Lake, Rabdentse Ruins, and Kangchendzonga waterfalls at Pelling.

From Pelling on the way to Southern part of Sikkim you must visit Ravangla, situated at an altitude of 7000 feet. Ravangla is famous for its village tourism, beautiful tea plantations, ancient Buddhist monasteries and rare species floral vegetation. It is also an emerging trekking and hiking destination with popular trekking routes to the Tendong Hill and Maenam Hill starting base from here.

Activities at Temi

The main tourist activity here at the Temi Tea gardens is mainly sightseeing and viewing the processing of tea making right from tea plucking to culturing of tea leaves at the factories. An interesting feature here is that you can get garden fresh tea right from the tea gardens itself from an outlet operated by the ‘Tea Garden Employees Consumers’ Co-operative society Ltd.’, which sells quality packaged teas. The list of famous brands here includes Temi tea, Sikkim Solja, Mysteaque, Orthodox dust tea and Kanchenjunga Tea. Apart from these activities you can go for short personal or guided exploration trips to nearby locales of Temi.