mim_tea_garden
MIM TEA GARDEN

Mim Tea Garden or Mim Tea Estate also referred to a ‘Mim Busty‘ by the local inhabitants of this region. Mim Tea Estate is settled within the sub division of Darjeeling district of North Bengal region in Indian state of West Bengal. The word ‘Mim‘ is referred to as ‘Mem’ which is a colloquial or a local language that literary translates into ‘Lady’ or ‘British Lady’ as called by the locals inhabitants of Mim Tea Estate. Mim Tea Estate is situated under Jorebungalow Sukhiapokhri block and is an emerging offbeat holiday hotspot in Darjeeling district. Mim Tea Estate is characterized by rising mountain valleys, forests, lush green tea gardens, rivers, rivulets and above all the snow-capped Himalayan ranges of Mt. Kangchenjunga or Mt. Khangchendzonga and other peaks. Mim Tea Estate is nestled at an altitude of 5000 feet and was established around mid to late 1800 by the British. Earlier during the time of the British reign in India, Mim Tea Estate was owned and managed by the British. But after the sudden demise of the manager of Mim Tea Estate or Mim Tea Garden, his wife took up the responsibility to manage everything here and hence the locals started to refer it as ‘Mem Ko Kamam’ which literary translates into ‘Garden run by the British Lady’. Hence the name ‘Mim’ is derived from the word Mem. The most popular teas produced here at Mim Tea Estate or Mim Tea Garden is from ‘First Flush’, ‘Oolongs’ and ‘Clonal Teas’. Mim Tea Estate or Mim Tea Garden is spread over 390.52 hectares of area and 80 per cent of the plantation comprise of China Cultivar.  Apart from that Mim Tea Garden or Mim Tea Estate also produces ‘Rare White Tea’ which is also the most sought after tea produced here. Presently Mim Tea Estate or Mim Tea Garden is run by the Government of India under the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Enterprise and managed by a company named Andrew Yule Company. The local inhabitants of Mim Tea Garden mainly belong to Sherpa, Bhutia, Lepcha and like communities. Most of these locals of Mim Tea Garden are involved in tea cultivars and plantation works to earn their livelihood along with that agriculture and cattle breeding also add to their main stream economy. Apart from that with the emergence of tea tourism in this sector some of these locals of Mim Tea Garden have started renting their houses or built up resorts to cater tourists with staying option as homestays.

Places to visit around Mim Tea Garden:
Mim Tea Estate or Mim Tea Garden serves tourists with the opportunity to experience tea tourism or tourism based on tea garden based tourism. But apart from that Mim Tea Estate or Mim Tea Garden also offers tourists with number of places to visit which are located nearby.

  • Sukhiapokhri: Sukhiapokhri is the nearest town to Mim Tea Garden located at a distance of 04 km away. The route to Sukhiapokhri from Mim Tea Garden passes through beautiful conifer forests of Pine, Oak, Maple and Chestnut. From Sukhiapokhri about 01 km away lays Jorepokhri a natural lake mainly known for the natural habitat of rare species of Himalayan Salamander or Himalayan Newt. There is temple of Lord Shiva constructed near the lake. Jorepokhri also offers stunning view of the sow-capped Himalayan ranges in a clear day.
  • Lepchajagat: Lepchajagat is a pristine village mainly inhabited by the Lepcha community and is located at a distance of 07 km away from Mim Tea Garden. In a day trip from Mim Tea Garden tourists can easily visit Lepchajagat to witness the great natural view of the mountain ranges along with the deep Pine forest at the backdrop of the village. Lepchajagat also serves as a halting option for tourists.
  • Darjeeling: Darjeeling ‘The Queen of the Hills’ is located at a distance of 19 km away from Mim Tea Garden. In a day trip tourists can easily visit Darjeeling Town from Mim Tea Garden and witness the local sightseeing of the town.
  • Pashupati Market: Pashupati Market is an open border area of Indo – Nepal border and also serves as a gateway to Nepal. From Mim Tea Garden around 16.8 km away lays Pashupati Market. Usually tourists visit here for shopping purpose and one can also get into Nepal after obtaining the entry permit from the border check post.
  • Maneybhanjan: Maneybhanjan is a popular tourist spot and also a base camp for Sandakphu – Phalut trek. From Mim Tea Garden at a distance of 12 km away lies Maneybhanjan.

Things to do around Mim Tea Garden:
Mim Tea Garden or Mim Tea Estate also offers tourists with number of activities to experience around the tea estate.

  • Tea Garden Visit: As the name suggests Mim Tea Garden offers tourists with wide opportunity to explore the surrounding tea estates by walking. On a leisure day tourists can opt for walk by the tea gardens through narrow trails which is an experience worth enjoying.
  • Tea Processing Factory: Tourists visiting Mim Tea Garden can also opt to visit the tea processing unit or tea processing factory to witness the delicate process from plucking to packaging. Here at the tea processing factory of Mim Tea Garden tourists can also opt to buy some tea for their own.
  • Village Trail: On leisure day at Mim Tea Garden tourists can opt for a leisure walk by the village and meet the local people in order to get a deep insight of their day to day life. Tourists can also indulge themselves in the day to day activities of the local inhabitants of Mim Tea Garden.
  • Relax in the lap of Nature: While at Mim Tea Garden tourists can spend a long day sitting on a chair and cherish the surrounding beauty of the tea garden along with the stunning view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges which is a treat to the tired soul.
  • Mild Trek: Few mild trek routes emerged from Mim Tea Garden those reaches to different nooks and corners of the village which are worth enjoying. From Mim Tea Garden tourists can also opt to reach the local nearby spots by trekking.
  • Bird Watching: Being settled on an average altitude Mim Tea Garden gets occasional visits of Himalayan birds those inhabit the surrounding areas. Tourists can hire a local guide from the village of Mim Tea Garden and spot these birds in the wilderness.
  • Organic Farm Visit: All around Mim Tea Garden there are many organic farmlands where the locals grow different types of seasonal vegetables which are worth visiting.
  • Visit Watch Tower: At Mim Tea Garden there is a watch tower located a bit high up on the mountain valley which offers stunning view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges along with the surrounding valleys.
  • Visit Mountain Stream: There is a mountain stream located around 01 km away from Mim Tea Garden. Tourists can hire a local vehicle or avail the route by trekking to reach near the stream. The route to this stream from Mim Tea Garden is through the winding valleys of tea gardens and lush greenery. Tourists can easily spend some time by the river side and enjoy the surrounding beauty.

How to reach:

By Air: Bagdogra Airport is the nearest airport to Mim Tea Garden located at a distance of 78 km away via NH 110. Bagdogra Airport is well connected by regular flight services with Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati. Regular vehicles ply from Bagdogra Airport to reach Mim Tea Garden.

By Train: New Jalpaiguri Railway Station is the nearest rail head to Mim Tea Garden located at a distance of 81 km away via NH 110. New Jalpaiguri railway station is well connected by regular railway networks with Kolkata and other major cities of India. From NJP railway station by hired vehicles tourists can reach Mim Tea Garden.

By Road: Mim Tea Garden is well connected by good roadway networks with Siliguri (69.6 km away via Matigara – Kurseong Road), Darjeeling (19 km), Kurseong (37 km) and Ghoom (13.3 km). Mim Tea Garden is also well connected by roadway networks with other tourist’s spots located nearby. Mim Tea Garden can be easily reached from NJP/ Bagdogra via Mirik and Sukhiapokhri by hired vehicle. Tourists opt to reach Mim Tea Garden from Darjeeling need to avail the westbound route from Ghoom. Mim Tea Garden can also be reached by shared car service. Tourists need to hire a shared vehicle from NJP/ Bagdogra/ Siliguri and reach upto Sukhiapokhri and from there one needs to hire a reserved vehicle to reach Mim Tea Garden.

Best time to visit:
Mim Tea Garden can be visited throughout the year. From October to February the temperature remains cold, but this is the best time to get the clear view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges. During monsoon season the surrounding tea gardens looks greener, as during this time new tea leaves starts developing. Summers are the best time to escape the scorching heat of the plains. Apart from that tourist can easily move around Mim Tea Garden and visit nearby tourist’s spots.

MIM HERITAGE HOMESTAY

Mim Heritage Homestay also known as Mim Heritage Bungalow is located at Mim Tea Garden. Mim Heritage Homestay is nestled amidst lush green winding tea gardens and guarded by long Pine and Cedar trees all around. Mim Heritage Homestay is conveniently situated on the hill side and it also offers tourists with the opportunity to stay in a heritage property with the ambience and amenities of a homestay. On a clear day Mim Heritage Homestay offers clear view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges of Mt. Kanchenjunga along with the surrounding valleys. At Mim Heritage Homestay tourists can opt to taste different types of teas which are offered to them by the authorities. Due to the location of Mim Heritage Homestay, bird lovers and nature lovers finds it an ideal paradise for them. Mim Heritage Homestay is an old colonial structure earlier run by the British, but now converted into a staying option for tourists. Meals served to guests at Mim Heritage Homestay are all organic and garden fresh. The surrounding ambience of Mim Heritage Homestay is absolutely calm and serene.

Amenities available:
All rooms are wooden furnished.
Rooms are equipped with attached western toilets.
Geyser facility available for running hot water.
Arrangement of local sightseeing.
Parking area available.
Room service available.
Pick up and drop facility available (chargeable).

Tariff:
INR @ 2700/- per day per person (both food and lodging included).
Meals include: Morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea, snacks and dinner.

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)