Nature · Temi Tea Garden
Dawn walk down the Temi estate road
Walk the winding estate road from the upper gate down to the factory at first light, when mist lies in the Teesta gorge, the pluckers are arriving and Kangchenjunga may show across the valley. The single best reason to sleep at Temi.
Photo: Sushan Ghosh · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
If you stay at Cherry Resort or the Temi Bungalow, set an early alarm. At dawn the estate is almost silent; mist sits in the valley below and the rows of bushes stand out in sharp curves down the hill. On clear mornings from October to April, Kangchenjunga rises across the Teesta valley.
Walk down the main estate road, about 2–3 km from the top to the factory. In plucking season (March to November) workers start early, baskets on their backs. You may greet them, but ask before taking photographs, and never step into the rows or pick leaves.
Allow 2 hours with stops. Have tea at the factory shop or back at your hotel. The walk back uphill is steeper; your driver can meet you at the factory. In the monsoon (June to August) the road is slippery and views are often hidden, though the green is at its richest.
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Questions travellers ask
Before you book
Can we walk freely in Temi Tea Garden?
Yes, on the estate roads and main paths. Do not walk between the rows of bushes, pick leaves or disturb workers. The estate is a working farm run by the Sikkim government, so follow any signs and staff instructions. Entry to the roads is free at the time of writing.
When is plucking season at Temi?
Plucking runs roughly from March to November. First flush (March–April) gives delicate, light teas; the monsoon flush is heavier; the autumn flush (October–November) is rich and smooth. There is little or no plucking in winter.
Is the estate road steep?
Moderately. Walking down is easy for most people; walking back up is steady work. Seniors can walk downhill and have the car pick them up at the factory. Wear shoes with grip, as the road can be wet with dew early in the morning.
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Trips that stop in Temi Tea Garden
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