BADAMTAM TEA ESTATE
Badamtam is a tea estate situated within Bijanbari village panchayet in the Darjeeling Pulbazaar CD block of Darjeeling Sadar Division of Darjeeling district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Badamtam Tea Estate was established in 1861 and spread over an area of 11.995 sq. km. Badamtam Tea Estate is nestled at an altitude of 6000 feet in the Lebong Valley and offers magnificent view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Badamtam Tea Estate is characterized by rising mountains and valleys from all sides and each step of the valleys are covered with lush green winding tea gardens. The surrounding villages of Badamtam Tea Estate are inhabited by very few families those mostly belong to the Lepcha community. The word Badamtam is derived from a Lepcha word which means ‘Bamboo Water Carrier’. Badamtam Tea Estate has a rich history and legacy that dates back to 150 years old. Badamtam Tea Estate is one of oldest tea estates of Darjeeling hills and its pristine environment produces fine teas of which the first flush, the light and delicate Chinas and the brisk and bright Assam hybrids are especially renowned. The picturesque view of the lush green winding tea gardens of Badamtam offers a visual treat for tourists. Two different rivers namely Rangeet Khola and Rung Dung Khola flow through Badamtam. A suspension bridge over river Rangeet Khola built by the British joins to the other side with Rangpo of Sikkim.
Activities and attractions around Badamtam:
Badamtam being a tea estate offers tourists with staying options along with numerous activities and attractions to experience.
- Darjeeling Visit: Badamtam Tea Estate is located 17 km west of Darjeeling town. From Badamtam Tea Estate in a day tour tourists can visit Darjeeling and cover the local watchable of Darjeeling and Ghoom.
- Majitar Suspension Bridge: From Badamtam tourists can opt for a visit to Majitar or Majhi Tar basin. Majhitar is the place near Sikkim where two rivers namely Rangeet Khola and Rung Dung Khola meets. A suspension bridge is built over Rangeet Khola River by the British in 1902 which links Badamtam Tea Estate to Sikkim. Here tourists can also indulge in angling or fishing from Rangeet River.
- Tea Garden Trails: Badamtam is one of the most picturesque tea estates of Darjeeling hills and tourists can opt for a leisure trail by the narrow lanes of the tea gardens. At Badamtam tourists will also get the opportunity to witness the process of plucking tea leaves from the trees and mingle with the tea workers to get in-depth knowledge of tea plucking.
- Visit Badamtam View Point: There is a view point at Badamtam tea estate located nearby which is well decorated with beautiful sitting arrangements for tourists. One can visit this view point and witness the vast stretches of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges of Mt. Kanchenjunga along with Mt. Janu (Kumbhakarna).
- Buddha Statue: At Badamtam a 14 feet high statue of Lord Buddha is built amidst the lush green tea gardens and is a sight worth watching. This statue of Lord Buddha is known as Chulidara Buddha statue.
- Badamtam Monastery: At Badamtam Tea Estate there is a monastery named as Samten Choiling Gumba or Badamtam Buddhist Monastery. In a day trip around Badamtam tourists can opt for visit to this monastery.
- Badamtam Tea Factory: From Badamtam market area a road to the left side goes downward towards Badamtam Tea Factory. Inside Badamtam tea factory tourists will get the opportunity to witness the manufacturing process of one of the finest teas in the world.
- Birding: The surrounding periphery and the villages near Badamtam tea estate are ideal for bird watching and bird photography as several species of birds inhabits the surrounding areas.
- Village Trail: From Badamtam tea estate in a leisure day tourists can opt for a village walk to the nearby villages and meet the local people to get a deep insight of their daily lifestyle. These local villagers also follow the process of organic farming through step cultivation which is a sight worth watching.
- Landscape Photography: The vast stretches of the winding valley of tea gardens at Badamtam offers tourists with ample options of landscape photography. Being situated at quiet a good altitude, hence the view of the snow-capped mountain peaks at the backdrop of the tea gardens provides some of the best clicks.
- Hiking and Trekking: Few trekking and hiking trails have emerged from Badamtam tea estate those leads to different directions of this region. Enthusiasts can opt for trekking or hiking to visit different spot located nearby.
- Taste the local Cuisines: While staying at Badamtam tourists are advised to taste the local ethnic cuisines and delicacies prepared by the local villagers at Badamtam tea estate. These delicacies are mostly prepared from the organic products and are worth tasting.
How to reach:
By Air: Bagdogra Airport is the nearest airport to Badamtam Tea Estate located at a distance of 102 km away. Bagdogra Airport is well connected by daily flight services with Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati and Bangalore. From Bagdogra Airport a journey of 3.5 hours will reach at Badamtam Tea Estate. Tourists will get hired vehicles from Bagdogra Airport to reach Badamtam Tea Estate.
By Train: New Jalpaiguri Railway station is the nearest rail head to Badamtam Tea Estate located at a distance of 88 km away. NJP railway station is well connected by regular train services with major cities of India. From NJP railway station via Rohini tourists can reach at Badamtam Tea Estate.
By Road: Badamtam Tea Estate is well connected by road with Siliguri (80 km), Darjeeling (17 km), Mirik (55 km), Ghoom (24.7 km) via Lebong Rd, Kalimpong (50 km) and Gangtok (90 km). From all these locations tourists will get hired vehicles to reach Badamtam Tea Estate.
Best time to visit Badamtam:
Badamtam Tea Estate can be visited throughout the year. Winter is the best time to experience the view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges along with maximum bird’s activity as the weather remains very clear. Summers are quite comfortable at Badamtam Tea Estate and tourists can easily get around and visit the nearby places. Monsoon at Badamtam Tea Estate are also good as during this time the new tea leaves starts to grow and the surrounding periphery becomes greener.
MOUNTAIN BLISS HOMESTAY
Mountain Bliss Homestay is located at Badamtam Tea Estate amidst the lush green tea gardens overlooking the vast stretches of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Mountain Bliss Homestay is a cosy accommodation with absolute serene and calm ambience all around. Mountain Bliss Homestay is one of its kinds and offers the best of home like hospitality and ambience for tourists. Rooms of Mountain Bliss Homestay offer enigmatic view of the Himalayan ranges. All the staffs of Mountain Bliss Homestay are very co-operative and helpful towards tourists. Due to the location of Mountain Bliss Homestay, tourists find it very easy to travel to other locations nearby. Mountain Bliss Homestay is a 02 star category type of property. Mountain Bliss Homestay offers tourists with luxury staying options for tourists.
Amenities available:
All rooms are deluxe categories and are finely decorated.
Rooms are equipped with large sized windows.
LCD TV in each room.
Attached washroom with western type toilet and geyser facility.
Pick up and drop facility available on request (chargeable).
24 hours running hot and cold water.
Tariff:
Deluxe double bed room: 4000/-
Deluxe family rooms (four bedded): 6000/-
Extra cot: 1000/-
Child without extra cot (06 to 11 years): 500/-
Meals Cost: 600/- per day per person.
HOW TO BOOK: Call us at 9831311606 , 9830381306, to get the current availability status or use the query form furnished below with all you travel queries and submit, we will call/ contact you directly. Or, you may also directly book from our Kolkata office at: 8C Shanti Ghosh Street, Kolkata – 700003. Nearest Landmark: Manindra Chandra College and Shyambazar Metro Railway Station (Gate No: 3).
