SOURENI TEA ESTATE
Soureni Tea Estate (also pronounced as Sourenee Tea Estate) is located near within the sub division of Mirik in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India. Soureni Tea Estate is nestled at an altitude of 1330 meter (4360 feet) and is one of the renowned tea estates of Darjeeling district. Soureni Tea Estate dates back to over 100 years old but it does not have any British Colonial heritage. The name of Soureni Tea Estate is combination of two different words, some believes the name is derived from ‘Sau’ and ‘Rani’ which translates into 100 queens, while others believe that the name is derived from ‘Saur’ a type of medicinal plant that grows here and ‘Rani’. Soureni Tea Estate covers an area of 137 hectares and the tea estate produces Black Tea, Greeen Tea, Black Blossoms, Silver Green and Oolong. There is a market at Soureni Bazaar that caters with daily needs to the several villages and tea gardens of the surrounding area. Soureni Tea Estate offers tourists with leisure holidays and caters tourists with accommodations in homestays and tea bungalows.
History of Soureni Tea Estate:
In the beginning Soureni Tea Estate belonged to a Nepali contractor who was given large tracts of land by the British during the establishment of tea gardens in Darjeeling. Later his son established a tea garden in this area by planting a tree variety called “Saur”. Later the estate was sold to Tiwari brothers who came here from Rajasthan to Darjeeling in 1870 and established a shop in Kurseong. In the year 1902 Soureni Tea Estate was established by the Tiwari brothers. Subsequently Soureni Tea Estate went through changes of ownership and presently belongs to Titagarh Wagons Ltd.
Activities and attractions of Soureni Tea Estate:
Soureni Tea Estate offers handful of attractions along with several tourism activities to experience therein as Soureni or Sourenee has a huge potential for tourism with numerous scenic spots located nearby.
- Mirik: Mirik is small town of Darjeeling district located around 07 km away from Soureni Tea Estate. All around Mirik there are several things to explore for tourists. Mirik is mainly known for its lake known as Saumendu Lake or Mirik Lake.
- Tingling View Point: Tingling View Point is located just prior to the entrance of Mirik. Either from Soureni or on the way to Soureni one can witness Tingling Viewpoint that offers the view of the meandering road from the plains amidst the tea gardens slopes.
- Soureni Busty: This is mainly the settlement of the local people of Soureni area. Tourists will get to witness numerous orange orchards at Soureni Busty.
- Bunkulung: Bunkulung (Jayanti Nagar) is a developing agricultural and commercial village on the valley near Balason River. Bunkulung is located around 11 km away from Soureni via Dudhia – Bunkulung Road. Bunkulung is also developing as a tourist spot near Soureni and Mirik.
- Tea Estates: Around Soureni there are numerous tea estates located nearby, some of these are Mechi Tea Estate (27 km), Phuguri Tea Estate (6.5 km via Mirik Road), Tingling Tea estate, Singbulli Tea Estate (7.4 km via Mirik), Gayabari Tea Estate (41 km away), Thurbo Tea Estate (10 km away), Gopaldhara Tea Estate (18 km away) and others.
- Manjushree Park: Located at a distance of 7.9 km away from Soureni. Manjushree Park is an ideal location for children and peace seekers.
- Pashupatinagar: This is the border area between India and Nepal and is located at a distance of 25 km away from Soureni. This border area of Pashupatinagar is a mainly a commercial area for trade in cloths, electronic gadgets and household goods.
- At Soureni tourists can opt to join hand in hand with the local tea planters those who indulge themselves in plucking tea leaves.
- Hallaney: A viewpoint near Soureni with ridge road of Kurseong that offers great view of Kurseong and the plains of North Bengal one side with the hills of Nepal and well known Antu Dara on the other.
- Bokar Ngedon Chokhor Ling Monastery: The monastery is located at a distance of 07 km away from Soureni and is one of the renowned monasteries of Mirik and Darjeeling region.
How to reach:
By Air:
Bagdogra Airport (IXB) is the nearest airport to Soureni Tea Estate located at a distance of 55 km away. Bagdogra Airport is well connected with Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati by regular flight services.
From Bagdogra Airport via Mirik Road tourists can reach Soureni (driving distance around 02 hours).
By Train:
New Jalpaiguri Railway Station is nearest rail head to Soureni located at a distance of 60 km away via State Highway 12 (SH12). From NJP railway station tourists can either hire shared vehicles upto Mirik and from there by another reserved vehicle one can reach at Soureni. Or reserved vehicles are available directly from NJP railway station upto Soureni.
By Road:
Soureni Tea Estate is will connected by good road networks with Siliguri (52 km), Darjeeling (49 km), and Mirik (07 km). Several shared and reserved vehicles ply from between Soureni and these locations.
Best time to visit:
Soureni can be visited throughout the year. Winter is the best time for maximum tourist activity around Soureni. During summer Soureni offers tourists for a leisure holiday amidst the lush green tea gardens. Monsoon is the best to catch the view of lush green tea gardens as the new tea leaves appears during this time.
KELLY’S HOMESTAY
Kelly’s Homestay is located at Soureni Tea Estate perchen on the valleys of the mountains. Kelly’s Homestay offers calm and peaceful staying option for tourists with neat and clean rooms. Kelly’s Homestay offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, valleys and tea gardens surrounding the region. Kelly’s Homestay has very helpful host and staffs . Meals served at Kelly’s Homestay are fully organic and garden fresh. Due to the location, Kelly’s Homestay also stunning night view of Kurseong town.
Amenities available:
Well furnished rooms with attached bathrooms.
Western toilet and geyser facility available.
Arrangement of pick up and drop facility.
Arrangement of local sight seeing on request.
24 hours running hot and cold water.
Meals served are very delicious.
Tariff:
INR @ 1500/- 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)
