TÊTE-À-TÊTE WITH A CUPPA CHA
Tea is often thought of as being a quintessentially British drink, and we have been drinking it for over 350 years. But in fact the history of tea goes much further back.
The story of tea begins in China. According to legend, in 2737 BC, the Chinese emperor Shen Nung was sitting beneath a tree while his servant boiled drinking water, when some leaves from the tree blew into the water. Shen Nung, a renowned herbalist, decided to try the infusion that his servant had accidentally created. The tree was a Camellia sinensis, and the resulting drink was what we now call tea. |
|
 |
It is impossible to know whether there is any truth in this story. But tea drinking certainly became established in China many centuries before it had even been heard of in the west.
It became such a favourite that during the late eighth century a writer called Lu Yu wrote the first book entirely about tea, the Ch'a Ching, or Tea Classic. It was shortly after this that tea was first introduced to Japan, by Japanese Buddhist monks who had travelled to China to study. But Britain, always a little suspicious of continental trends, had yet to become the nation of tea drinkers that it is today. Since 1600, the British East India Company had a monopoly on importing goods from outside Europe, and it is likely that sailors on these ships brought tea home as gifts. |
It was the marriage of Charles II to Catherine of Braganza that would prove to be a turning point in the history of tea in Britain. She was a Portuguese princess, and a tea addict, and it was her love of the drink that established tea as a fashionable beverage first at court, and then among the wealthy classes as a whole. Capitalising on this, the East India Company began to import tea into Britain, its first order being placed in 1664 - for 100lbs of China tea to be shipped from Java. |
|
 |
Another great impetus to tea drinking resulted from the end of the East India Company's monopoly on trade with China, in 1834. Before that date, China was the country of origin of the vast majority of the tea imported to Britain, but the end of the its monopoly stimulated the East India Company to consider growing tea in China. India had always been the centre of the Company's operations, where it also played a leading role in the government. This led to the increased cultivation of tea in India, beginning in Assam. There were a few false starts, including the destruction by cattle of one of the earliest tea nurseries, but by 1839 there was sufficient cultivation of tea of 'marketable quality' for the first auction of Assam tea in Britain. |
Day 01 Arrive Delhi
Arrive to the IGI airport Delhi where You will be met by our representative at the arrival hall meeting area and transferred to hotel.
Overnight at hotel. |
|
Day 02 Delhi
 |
Morning our representative will meet you for tour briefing and orientation followed by a full day sightseeing tour of Delhi.
New Delhi - visit 13th century minaret Qutab Minar one of the tallest tower of it's time, Humayun Tomb one of the forerunner of the Taj Mahal, Laxmi Narayan Temple, drive past India Gate and President House and other government buildings.
Old Delhi - Red Fort ultimate symbol of mighty Mughal empire, Jama Masjid one of the biggest mosque in India, Chandni Chowk bustling market place today once served as royal bazzar and Raj Ghat the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi the Father of The Nation.
Overnight at hotel. |
Day 03 - Delhi / Bagdogra / Chalsa
Morning after breakfast check out from the hotel, transfer to airport to board your flight for Bagdogra. Arrive at the airport where you will be met by our representative and taken to Chalsa by car.check into the hotel. Time for leisure.
Overnight at tea bungalow. |
|
Day 04 Chalsa
 |
Day at leisure or one can go on an optional tour to Phuentsholing . Phuentsholing is a border town in southern Bhutan, opposite the Indian town of Jaigaon, situated in Chukha
Dzongkang. It is a fascinating mixture of Bhutanese and Indian, a lively centre for the mingling people, languages, costumes and goods. On top of a low hill at nearby Kharbandi, a small Gompa situated in a garden of tropical plants and flowers, overlooks the town and surrounding plains. From Phuntsholing, the road winds north, over the southern foothills, through lush forested valleys and around the rugged north- south ridges of the inner Himalaya to the central valleys of Thimphu and Paro. It is a scenic journey; forests festooned with orchids cover the mountains on either side and exciting hairpin curves greet travellers with colourful sculptures of Tashi Tagye (the eight suspicious sign of Buddhism). On your way back to Chalsa from Phuentsholing stop over The Jaldapara Wild Life Sanctuary - it is situated at the foothills of Eastern Himalayas and on the bank of river Torsa in West Bengal. The vast grassland with patches of riverine forests, was declared a sanctuary in 1943 for protection of the great variety flora and fauna. After a visit to the park get back to Chalsa. Overnight at tea bungalow. |
Day 05 Chalsa
Early morning after breakfast visit the Dam Dim tea estate - Wilderness, a luxurious bungalow and the awe-inspiring heights of Kanchenjunga, Tata Tea's Dam Dim tea estate brings all of them together to give guests a once-in-a-lifetime experience Wilderness, a luxurious bungalow and the awe-inspiring heights of Kanchenjunga, Tata Tea's Dam Dim tea estate brings all of them together to give guests a once-in-a-lifetime experience.Guests are shown the fascinating process of tea making. From the bushes to the factory and into the teacup, guests find out what goes into making the perfect blend for the perfect cuppa. |
|
Day 06 Chalsa/ Glenburg Tea estate
 |
After breakfast check out from the hotel. Drive to Glenburn tea Estate- Two rivers and a valley, two leaves and a bud…..Acre upon acre of rolling tea bush and forest….A house on a hill, a Himalayan sunrise and a tea garden that still marches to a century-old beat…… This is Glenburn.... along side the peace and tranquility of Glenburn also comes the opportunity for some fun and adventure. Explore the beautiful estate with its acres of tea fields and private forests either on foot or by jeep. Glenburn is one of the few destinations in India where you can hike all day through unspoilt countryside and then return to comfort and luxury at night. The most popular activity is of course the Tea Tour around the estate and tea factory, and the guests are left marveling at the intricate details that go into producing that morning cuppa!
After a day walking around the tea estate you are cordially invited to join the estate manager for cocktails and dinner at his bungalow. Enjoy the evening hearing interesting anecdotes, if you have any questions go ahead and shoot them at the manager !! Warning !! only allowed to shoot questions !!
Overnight at the Glen burn Lodge.
|
Day 07 Glenburg
Morning at leisure. Optional tour in the afternoon to the Shikari Dura village- Walking is mostly downhill, along a well-defined path, the last portion is slightly uphill. This hike is best done in the afternoon, when the ShikariDuraVillage comes alive after the day’s work in the field. Set out from The Burra Bungalow, past the factory and some tea fields, before one descends down into the village. Stop to browse in the village shop and taste some of the locally made pickles and preserves. Watch a game of carom, or whatever else the villagers are undertaking for the evening entertainment. Interact with the villagers, and then walk back up to the bungalow, through yet more tea fields!
Overnight at the Lodge.
|
|
Day 08 Glenburg/ Darjeeling
 |
Morning at leisure. In the afternoon depart for Darjeeling. Upon arrival check into the hotel and relax. Overnight at the hotel.
|
Day 09 Darjeeling
Early morning drive to Tiger Hill to view sunrise, one of most fascinating experience where one witnesses Kanchenzunga mountain range performing amazing colour display with changing light of rising sun. One can also see the summit of Mt. Everest, Makalu and Lhotse (all 8000ft mountain in Mt. Everest range) in a clear day.
Come back to the hotel for breakfast. Time for leisure.
Afternoon take a short toy train (Darjeeling Heritage Railway a "World Heritage Site") ride from Darjeeling to Ghoom Railway Station (highest railway station to reach by a steam locomotive), visit Ghoom Monastery and return to Bungalow.
Overnight at bungalow. |
|
Day 10 Darjeeling
 |
After breakfast depart for a full day city tour visit, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Everest Museum - The Institute was established on 4th November 1954, which was then the hub center of all mountaineering activity in India. Late Maj N.D. Jayal was the first Principal of the Institute whereas Late Tenzing Norgay was Director of Field Training. The Institute is located at an altitude of 6800 feet above sea level., Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park especially for Snow Leopard, Red Panda and Tibetan Wolf.
Return to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
|
Day 11 Darjeeling / Bagdogra / Delhi
After Breakfast check out from the hotel. Drive down to Bagdogra to catch your afternoon flight for Delhi. Arrive in Delhi transfer to the airport for your onward journey.
|
|
|
