Samabeong is the latest addition to tea tourism destinations in Darjeeling district of West Bengal. Nestled in the middle of the Neora Valley Forest, the tea garden has a charm of its own. The Samabeong Tea Garden is situated at an altitude of 6500 ft with lush green tea plantations covering the gentle slopes of the area. The tea estate was established in the year 1882 with the British as its pioneers. After India's independence, the ownership pattern changed and the estate suffered a series of losses, mismanagement and instability and finally it was abandoned. In 1990, Samabeong Tea Estate was acquired by a new company which showed a ray of hope among the tea workers and their family. Samabeong Tea Estate is now well known for employing biodynamic farming in tea cultivation. Tea produced in Samabeong is famous in India and abroad for its unusual, distinctive taste, which is attributed to their particular cultivation technique. A trip to the tea garden will soothe your senses. Revel in the lush green tea plantations, fill your lungs with unpolluted air and enjoy the exquisite beauty of nature. Samabeong is also home to a diverse range of native and migratory Himalayan birds.
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| Samabeong Tea Estate |
Things to do
A stay at Samabeong Tea Estate is an alternate way to stay. Wake up to the sweet call of feathery birds, take a long stroll through the tea garden and soak up some sun and fresh air. The tea garden is surrounded by the dense forest of Neora Valley National Park which is home to the famous Himalayan red panda and Royal Bengal tigers apart from a sizeable population of leopards, deer and elephants. You can set out on a quiet nature walk to spot some wild birds, or go mountain biking inside the tea estate. Enjoy a picnic by the river, hike up to the Neora Valley Forest and if you're lucky, maybe even spot the shy Himalayan Red Panda or Bengal Tiger.
While you are indoors, sit by the fireplace and play a game of chess or watch a movie on a projector. The glass library inside the resort gives you a chance to isolate yourself from the world by offering a secluded corner to read books without any disturbance and interruption.
At Samabeong, there’s no end to activities. You can meet the community of tea pluckers, share a cuppa with them, or even put on your boots and strap on your cane baskets, and learn the delicate art of plucking tea. The 150-year old heritage tea factory is where you can learn about the various processes and machines that are used in making different kinds of tea. At the end of factory tour, you can do a tea tasting session with a connoisseur.
Sightseeing
Lava Monastery
Built in 1987, this small yet vibrant monastery is just few kilometres away from Jhandi. Officially known as Kagyu Thekchen Ling Monastery, this Buddhist religious centre is an ideal place for those who wish to spend a bit of time away from the usual tourist rush. The tranquil and serene ambiance of the monastery provides a perfect setting for the spiritual travellers who wish to reflect over things in a calm and peaceful environment. The monastery houses a 1000-armed Avalokiteshwara statue along with various Buddhist scriptures and figurines.
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| Lava Buddhist Monastery |
Tiffin Dara
Tiffin Dara Viewpoint is around 10 km from Samabeong Tea Estate. You can watch sunrise and sunset from Tiffin Dara which is much more beautiful than that seen from Tiger Hill in Darjeeling. The place is one of the best spots to view the beautiful sunrise with the rays of sun kissing the magnificent snowy peak of Mt. Kanchenjunga. On a clear day, the vantage point offers 360-degree panoramic views of Kanchenjunga range, the blue mountains of Sikkim and the Nathu La and Jelep La pass. To reach Tiffin Dara, you can reach the nearby town of Lava by car. A 4 km trek on a meandering route along the mountainside, across a waterfall, through the forests and the sleepy hamlet of Rishyap will take you to Tiffin Dara. If walking from Lava to Tiffin Dara is too much for you, then you can reach Rishyap by car and walk the last 40 minutes upward trail. The 40 minutes trek from Rishyap through a narrow forest trail flanked by dense woods on both sides is a one-of-a-kind experience for adventure lovers.
Changey Waterfalls
The scintillating Changey waterfalls with its lavish green surroundings is one of the best relaxation spots near Jhandi. From the point where the car drops you, a 900 m walking trail through the green wilderness takes you to the front of the mesmerizing waterfalls. The awe-inspiring sight of the white, foamy water tumbling down from a height of 400 ft will leave you transfixed. The waterfall looks absolutely stunning amidst the mighty mountains and emerald thickets. The continuous singing of Himalayan birds like White Capped Water Redstart, Verditer Flycatcher, Blue Fronted Redstart, Grey Treepie, Indian Robin and Blue Whistling Thrush in the background will make you feel as if you are on heaven.
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| Changey Falls |
How to Reach
Trains are running from Sealdah, Howrah and Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri. The journey from Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri takes around 10 hours. Auto rickshaws are plying from New Jalpaiguri to Siliguri. Hired cars and shared jeeps are plying from Siliguri to Lava. Samabeong is 8 km from Lava. Shared jeeps and cars are available from Lava to reach Samabeong.
Accommodation
Tea Forest Holidays Samabeong
Tariff: Rs. 7500-8500 per room
Tel: 033-40047781, 9836514607
Places Near Kolkata
