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• Absolute Paradise - perfect teas & great walks

Singtom, Darjeeling - or "Dorje-ling", meaning the land of the thunderbolt. A treat - an incredible treat – a place which you will want to revisit very regularly. Singtom-Steinthal tea estate is a breathtakingly beautiful place. The estate’s bungalow has been ‘home’ to generations of tea planters. All of its rooms have high wooden ceilings and teakwood flooring. The resort offers vegan organic food. I stayed for 4 days - enjoying home cooked style vegan dishes & some of the very best teas in the world – walking among the tea bushes – sometimes looking down on cotton-wool clouds. The owners have been vegetarians for countless generations. In 1999 they acquired Singtom & Steinthal tea gardens in Darjeeling – 2 of the oldest gardens in the area. The tea estate is spread over 1,662 acres. Superb teas have been grown here since 1852. One of the top tea experts in the world writing about – ….one of the teas from Steinthal garden - ~……this 2012 production is a testament to the art of handcrafted tea. Select clonal plants were chosen for a fine plucking, performed at sunrise to ensure optimal flavor. The bold leaves and plump white buds were then hand-rolled to produce the beautiful leaf. The medium golden-amber liquid has a sparkling quality, with a lively mouth feel, eminently smooth character, notes of dark grapes and light hints of citrus. ~ ….one of the teas - from Singtom garden - ~ This is a very smooth tea, harvested between the first and second flush seasons. The medium bodied cup has a fine aroma with hints of pome and citrus fruits. The lingering finish has a touch of sweetness and a gentle crispness. ~ From here - http://www.uptontea.com Much of the tea is grown on very steep slopes. A long winding road goes right from the top of the tea gardens down to the Rangeet river at the lowest point of the gardens. There are 4 trekking paths that are part of the resort area – totaling 13+ miles (or 22 km) in length. Each of these paths lies between approx. 3300’ and 6000’ (1000 and 1800 m) in altitude. In many spots you have scenic views of Kanchenjunga - the third highest mountain in the world - 28,169' (8,586 m). How to get there? Siliguri is 77 km (48 mi) from Darjeeling. Bagdogra Airport is located 90 km (56 mi) from Darjeeling. Nearest regular Railway Station - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jalpaiguri - in Siliguri. Nearest Airport - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagdogra_Airport - near Siliguri. Out of ....