Started by a Scottish tea company in 1860, Glenburn has now passed into the hands of one of India's pioneering tea planting families, the Prakashes, who have over the years come to be known as the Chaiwala family which literally means tea planters. Today, the third and fourth generation carry almost a century of tea knowledge in their inheritance and invite you to visit Glenburn. This heavenly little plantation retreat lies above the banks of the River Rungeet, deep in the Himalaya and is overlooked by mighty Mount Kanchenjunga. Home to generations of tea planters, it remains today a working tea estate.
The bungalow has been lovingly restored with much devotion, care and commitment, whilst retaining the style of a colonial planter's bungalow. The four bedrooms in the original bungalow have been charmingly decorated with different themes and are spacious, warm and cosy. Those on the ground floor have a private sit out opening onto a verandah or garden. The four bedrooms in the new Water Lily Bungalow have views from heaven and are stunning – fresh, light, large and beautifully furnished with local floral themes. They are traditional yet have contemporary twists and are deliciously comfortable and private.
The main bungalow has a wonderful, long verandah with comfortable chairs running across the front of it. Inside is a very cosy, 'English-style' sitting room and dining room delicious, fresh food is dished up - a perfect balance of Indian, Oriental and Western. There is also a small pavilion in the garden which is a lovely place for lunch, tea or dinner.
The full time, resident naturalist guide is on hand for all outdoor activities. The birdlife is impressive as well as the butterflies, and other fauna and flora. A number of hikes are on offer, ranging from gentle to difficult, and from a short afternoon ramble through a local village to a longer, full day trek along the rocky river bed of the River Rung Dung.
Why we like it
