TEA TOUR IN DARJEELING, INDIA

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Colonial city located in Northeastern India at an altitude of 2000 meters, Darjeeling is today very famous for its finest teas. Introduced in the middle of the 19th century by Dr Campbell, the Darjeeling teas are at the top rank of the best teas in the world.

The tea is a part of the art-of-living, this is why we have naturally decided to create customized tea-tours allowing the connoisseurs to visit the gardens and to understand how the plants are growing, when are the plucking seasons, what is the best period in terms of quality (i.e. first flush or second flush), what is the tea processing and what is the rule for the tea tasting. In addition to the cultural visits and excursions in Darjeeling and nearby, the participants will visit the most prestigious gardens of Margaret’s Hope, Makaibari, Castleton, Sungma, etc.
They will meet the producers, will attend to privte conferences and tea tastings with one of the most talented specialist, the journalist and writer Mr Gilles Brochard

Each house has two rooms which can be partitioned into two adjoining bedrooms by an optional opening door or a family suite. For respecting the ancient tradition, there is no air-conditionning but with its many windows which open out onto the vast lush gardens and verdant orchards and the height of the ceiling , he house is very well ventilated. Adjacent to the sleeping quarters is a separate room which serves as the Thai-style bath house. The bathroom is equipped with modern western-style facilities. On the lower floor, there is ample indoor dining hall for banquet-style seating for 30 to 50 persons as the house can receive visitors for lunch. Breakfast and lunch are usually served on the sheltered outer patio area. Taking in the fresh country air, most guests enjoy a healthy appetite.

The busiest quarters on the premises is the kitchen area. A highly social affair, the joy of cooking and the immense pleasure of eating in the midst of good company is very much central to the traditional Thai way of life. The stay at The Thai House features opportunities to sample home-style cuisine at various intervals throughout the day, so no one ever complains of being hungry.

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SAMPLE ITINERARY

> Day 1
Welcome at Delhi international airport (usually flights are arriving around 10:00pm)
Transfer to the Park Hotel and night in Delhi.

> Day 2
Transfer to the airport and direct flight to Bagdogra on Jet Airways. Drive to Darjeeling.
Welcome, dinner and night at the Windamere charming hotel

> Day 3
Full-day excursion in Darjeeling
Morning : visit of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the zoo and the Tibetan Refugee Center
At the end of the morning, 30 mn drive to Happy Valley 30mn)
Lunch at the Tea Planter's Club.
In the afternoon, visit of the tea gardens, conference and tea-tastings.
Back to the hotel at the end of the afternoon.
Dinner and night at the Windamere Hotel.

> Day 4
Early in the morning, drive to Tiger Hill (about 6 miles) that offers an incredible view on the highest summits of the Himalaya :
Kanchenjunga (28,156'), Lhotse, Makalu (27,799'), Mt Everest (29,002'). Stop to Ghoom for visiting the famous monastery. After the lunch, drive to Sonada for experiencing the Himalayan train that goes to Kurseong (the luggages will be transfered to the next hotel), the best spot for exploring the greatest tea gardens.
Installation, dinner and night at the Himalayan Hotel & Resort.

> Day 5
Excursion to Mirik, a charming Hill Resort at an altitude of about 5800 ft. Visits of Thurbo, Okayti and Chamong’s gardens. After the lunch break in the gardens, participants will be back to Kurseong for relaxing. Dinner and night at the Himalayan Hotel & Resort.

> Day 6
Tea gardens of Sungma, Ambootia, Castleton and Margaret’s Hope. Lunch at Sungma. Return to Kurseong at the end of the afternoon. Dinner and night at the Himalayan Hotel & Resort.

> Day 7
This full day is dedicated to Makabari, with a complete visit , with conferences and tea-tastings. The participants will be hosted by Mr Banerjee, owner and director of this prestigious tea garden. Return to Kurseong at the end of the afternoon. Dinner and night at the Himalayan Hotel & Resort.

> Day 8
Transfer to Bagdogra in a comfortable air-conditioned minibus. Lunch in Siliguri. Flight to Delhi in the afternoon.

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PRICES PER PERSON

$2,850.00 (based on double occupancy)
Single supplement : $460.00

Our price includes : the round-trip Dehli/Bagdogra on Jet Airways, the half-board accomodation in four-star hotels, all excursions and visits, all lunches, tea-tastings, the services of an english-speaking guide +and conferencer, all ground-transportation in a private air-conditioned minibus.
It does not include : international airfare to and from Dehli, the airport tax in Dehli, tips, beverages and all which is not mentioned in « our price includes ».

Rates are subject to change based on currency exchange.

2006/2007 TOUR DATE

March 23-31
June 1-9

A minimum of 8 participants is required for each session

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