Lovely 4 Tea Estate Travel
Gopaldhara, Darjeeling
Gopaldhara Tea Estate in Mirik Subdivision is one of the most delicious and fragrant tea gardens in Darjeeling. Established in 1955, this garden tea has been delighting tea lovers for more than 60 years. This tea is famous Asia, Europe Africa and all over the hole world. The green pine road and the beautiful tea garden are now one of the tourist attractions. Gopaldhara is a small hill town. Initially tea workers were living in this village.
Gradually, due to the beauty of the region and the pleasant weather throughout the year, many homestays have been established to cater to the influx of travelers. Gopaldhara is a blend of natural beauty and warm hospitality of local people. The Gopaldhara tea garden also looks different from other gardens due to its shape. Mostly people come here for sightseeing on the way to Darjeeling or from Darjeeling to Mirik. However, Gopaldhara can be the next destination for those who want to spend a peaceful vacation in the midst of greenery without the hustle and bustle of Darjeeling.
Modern amenities at the homestay will make your stay more comfortable. Gopaldhara travel can be a new experience in T tourism, can be called New Dimension to Rural Tourism. Take a look at tea cultivation and different methods of tea making along the tea plantation route. This rare experience can be witnessed by visiting a tea factory. Nearby is Mirik Lake, a monastery that can be visited on a daily basis. You can go boating in Mirik Lake.
If you want, you can ride a horse around the lake. Besides, you can buy small items from Mirik. From here you can also visit Pashupati market of Nepal. Besides, Darjeeling, Tiger Hill, Japanese Temple, Buddhist Monastery can all be visited day by day.
Way to Gopaldhara
Distance from New Jalpaiguri to Gopaldhara is 68 km. It takes three hours by car. You can also go from Darjeeling or Mirik if you want.
Tabakoshi, Darjeeling
Tabakoshi is a small mountain village on the banks of the Rangbhang River near Mirik, with an altitude of about 3000 feet. It is a sweet mountain town surrounded by orange trees and tea gardens. Although the name sounds a bit Japanese, it is actually a small village located in the Darjeeling district of North Bengal, India. Close to Mirik, this township is the best destination away from the hustle and bustle just for the scenic beauty.
Tabakoshi is a small decorated village surrounded by tea plantations below Mirik. A small mountain river flows in front. Rammamkhola river slopes have a wonderful natural beauty that makes it unique. It is located just eight km from Mirik, near Gopaldhara T Est. Six km down from the Rangbhang intersection is the beautiful Tabakoshi, next to the Rangbhang river. A little further along the Darjeeling road from Mirik, you have to take a car past the Thurbo tea plantation to the banks of the Rangbong river.
Nomenclature
There is a history behind the naming of Tabakoshi village. A long time ago this place was called Gopalkhara, many people also say Gopaldhara. There is a tea garden of the same name in this region. The gentle mountain river Rangbhang Khola, whose Nepali name is Tambakoshi, flows through the tea plantations. During the rainy season, when it rained heavily, it is said that the water and mud of this river get mixed together and take on a copper color. Hence probably the name of this river is Tamba. ‘Koshi’ means river in Nepali language. This place probably got its name Tabakoshi from this folklore.
What will you see in Tabakoshi?
There are orange groves, corn fields, cardamom plantations, ginger plantations all around Tabakshi. From here Mirik can be seen on the hill. There is a small spring here, next to it there is an overnight stay in a tent in a cardamom garden. Walking through the tea garden, you can see the movement of various birds, the greenery all around. From the tea garden above, the colorful river and the temple can be seen below.
If you see the No Hunting board along the way, you will understand that sometimes deer come here from the forest. If you want, you can take a car early in the morning to visit Turzum, which is 30 minutes away from Tabakoshi. The beauty cannot be expressed in words, all through the tea garden. From Tabakshi you can see Jorpokhri, Lepchajagat, Pashupati Market (India-Nepal border), Gopaldhara Tea Gardens, Mirik Lake, Mirik Monastery and surrounding areas.
Way to go to Tabakoshi
Tabakoshi can be visited at any time of the year. But March to mid June or October to mid November is the best time. After reaching NJP station in the morning you can take an auto to Siliguri Junction. Then from there take a shared car to Mirik, the fare is around 150 to 170 rupees per person. From Siliguri by shared car reach Mirik and take a car and leave for Tabakoshi, the fare is 50-70 rupees per person and if you take the whole car the fare will be like 700 to 800 rupees.
where will you stay
There are several homestays to stay in Tabakoshi, notably T-Village Homestay, Sunakhari Homestay. A beautifully appointed homestay at the beginning of a small village just after the tea garden. The homestay has three types of rooms: Normal, Deluxe and Stone Cottage.
- T Village Homestay
- Khushi Farm House
- Sunakhari Homestay
- Jharna Homestay
Apart from this, if you want to stay in a tent instead of staying at a home stay, that arrangement is also available. Tent rent for four persons is Rs.3000. However, there is a separate cost for food if you stay in a tent. Apart from this, you will also get more affordable home stays for more comfort.
Kothigaon, Darjeeling
Kothi Gaon is a small hill village nestled in the lap of green nature in the midst of Pokhriabong Tea Estate, near Mirik in Darjeeling district. This region is mainly spread among the tea plantations of Darjeeling. Green carpeted hill slopes and occasional winding mountain roads lead to Kothigaon. The people of this region depend on tea plantations for their livelihood. But currently the demand for rural tourism is quite good. There is more tendency to stay close to such quiet calm nature. So several homestays are scattered here.
The warm hospitality of the local people and the gentle nature combined will make the mountain retreat enchanting. It can be said that this hill village is going to be a great destination for those who want to enjoy village tourism, leave the daily food and taste a little local food, and want to lose themselves in the silence of nature by doing nature walks, bird watching etc. Along with the modern and innovative architecture of this homestay which creates a lovely atmosphere amidst the silence and pitch black nature of the forest in the night light.
Places to visit near Kothigaon
From Kothigaon you can visit places like Mirik Lake, Gopaldhara Tea Garden, Pokhriabong, Jorpokhri, Border View Point, Lepcha Jagat etc. The distance from Kothigaon to Darjeeling is 32 km, so if you want, you can visit Darjeeling on a day-to-day basis.
How to go to Kothigaon & Hotel
Distance from New Jalpaiguri to Kothigaon is 70 km. It takes 3-3.30 hours to go by car.
- Room with balcony-
- Rooms without balcony-
- Extra child staying
Yelbong River Canyon, Darjeeling
Yelbong is the name of a small village in the Kalimpong hills where only 15 to 20 families live. This paradise can be reached within two or two and a half hours from Siliguri. This Yelbong is located at a distance of 7 km from Bakhrakot. Yelbong village is reached from the main road through a 4 km forest, small springs and a hilly path. On the way, you will see a crowd of various butterflies and moths. In short, Yelbong is a paradise for butterflies. Where you can talk quietly with them and touch them.
The hills peek out from around the village and there are some charming view points here and there. River Canyon Trek from Yelbong village is about 3-4 hours trekking to the cave which is also known as Robber’s Cave. The room is a challenge to reach the cave by scrambling over rocks along the banks of the river. It’s a 2 km long riverside trek with a cave at the end, the likes of which may not be found in West Bengal, India. The mountain river flows through the chest of the cave in its own rhythm, sometimes turbulent and sometimes calm.
But this much can be said – after entering Kev, you will find yourself in another world. Cave route is also quite challenging. It is mandatory to prepare yourself mentally and physically beforehand for this trek. In addition, there are both opportunities and useful places for wapping and learning next to Yelbong Canyon Cave. Perfect place for students and adventure lovers. There is an opportunity to get acquainted with many unknown falls, one of them is the Rainbow Falls. Rainbow falls on him again, what a strange combination that is bound to make the eye roll.
Yelbong’s native son Francis first discovered this river canyon when he was a child prospecting for diamonds in the coal mines. At first he came back in fear but later found the whole tie with the team. Earlier, this entire river bed was a coal mine, but mining was stopped around 1962 due to a collapse. The entire trek tie is quite exciting and not very straightforward at all. First you have to trek down to the river bed for about 5 km from the village. After that, you have to dig water and stones in the canyon and move forward to see the whole. The whole thing is quite thrilling and amazing.
Checkout this article: Sandakphu-Phalut trek preparation, equipment and precautions!
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