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Guests have a run of the entire Burra Bungalow (the name of our main house). Depending on the time of day or your mood, relax in The Front Verandah, or The Pavilion by the Lily Pond, or in any of the secluded gardens, each offering dramatic views of the tea fields, forests, rivers and mountains. Unwind after a busy day in front of a crackling fire in The Drawing Room, join your hosts for a drink, and then enjoy the ceremony of a sit-down dinner in The Dining Room served in true planter’s style.

A world of fine traditions…

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”.

The story of the Chaiwala family began over a hundred years ago, and is closely entwined with that of tea plantations in India.  Today, the third and fourth generation Prakash family, carry almost a century of tea knowledge in their inheritance, and invite you to visit Glenburn.

And spectacular scenery…
 
Glenburn – a name that literally describes what this 1,600 acre estate is – a river valley.  With breathtaking views of the Kanchenjunga Mountain Range, Glenburn stretches from an elevation of 3,700 feet, all the way down to the sandy banks of the two snow-fed Himalayan rivers that meander through it – The Rungeet and The Rung Dung.
 
Apart from the sprawling tea fields, Glenburn has forests that are a bird watcher and hiker’s paradise. Across the river lie the forests and villages of the old royal kingdom of Sikkim, which you can access via a hanging bridge.

As well as fun and adventure…

Camp out, river raft, hike through the forest, wander around Darjeeling Town, explore the estate in a four-wheel drive vehicle, or simply take in the sun!  Visit The Glenburn Campsite for a picnic, barbeque or an overnight stay at The Glenburn Lodge, by the river Rungeet.  With acres of beautiful forests to explore, riverside and other in-house activities, and Darjeeling and Sikkim on our doorstep, a week at Glenburn could be truly relaxing, or action-packed with adventure.

And to complete your Glenburn Experience, learn about the fascinating process of tea making.  From bush to factory - and into your tea cup at a tasting session, discover what goes into making a fine Darjeeling tea.

Accommodation
Each of our suites, as their names suggest, offer our guests a unique experience.

With it’s regal turn of the century four-poster bed, made of Spanish mahogany, The Planters’ Suite takes you back in time to the days of the East India Company and other voyages of discovery. Let the old maps and prints, and oriental figures in the Toile de Jouy furnishings, transport you back to those grand old days, while you relax in front of a crackling fire in the privacy of your room. For a breath of fresh air, step right out into the garden through your private verandah and sit-out that looks out across the Simbong Valley towards the hills of the old royal kingdom of Sikkim. The annexed sit-out also has an extra bed, and separate access to the bathroom of the main bedroom, ensuring a bit of privacy for a third person sharing this suite.

As perhaps given away by its name, The Rose Suite was created as an ode to the purity and timeless beauty of the rose. The unusual shape of this room creates an adjoining chamber offering a third person sharing the suite complete privacy. The roses creep their way onto the furniture, the drapery, the paintings, and the exquisitely embroidered bed sheets. The suite also has a connecting sit-out, with splendid views of the garden on three sides and direct access to the main verandah of the house. A soft mountain breeze ensures the fragrance of the rose creepers adorning this side of the house, waft in through the windows that run along an entire side of the suite.

Located in the northern wing of the house, The Kanchenjunga Suite overlooks  the magnificent mountain range it is named after. With its cool blue and white Toile de Jouy furnishings, and canopied king-size bed, this is the perfect place to enjoy the peace and tranquil beauty that Glenburn is famous for. A Victorian teak queen-size bed offers accommodation for a third, and an adjoining annex with a panorama of windows covering the length of two entire walls, adds another bed to this ideal family suite.

A soft muslin trail of butterflies dresses the canopied bed in The Simbong Butterfly Room, overlooking the Simbong Tea Division of Glenburn. Facing the eastern hills of Sikkim, one can wake up to a spectacular sunrise, and step right out into a private sit-out and garden. Delicate etchings of wisteria drape the wardrobe, intricately tiled roses adorn the fire-place, and birds and honey bees float across the furnishings, adding to the charm of this cosy little double room. 

The menus encompass a range of cuisine – from interesting local fare and traditional Indian dishes, to exotic South-East Asian delicacies, and a variety of European dishes making full use of the fresh Italian herbs, and salad leaves we grow in our well-stocked kitchen garden. We try to source as much fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices as we can from our own garden, so feel free to plan your own menu based on what’s in season! 

Dinner is usually served as a sit-down meal in the candle-lit intimacy of The Dining Room, along with your hosts and any other guests in residence.

During the day...

Sit down to Breakfast and Lunch either in the bright and sunny Morning Room.

Or, at one end of The Front Verandah

Or, in the Garden Pavilion or Front Garden, each of these venues offering dramatic views of Mount Kanchenjunga.

Depending on your plans for the rest of the day, we can also organise a picnic-style meal, anywhere on the estate, or by the River Rungeet or River Rung Dung. 

Barbeques can also be organised down by the rivers or at The Garden Pavilion of the Burra Bungalow. 

Other services:

- staff are also available round the clock,
  to help make your stay with us a comfortable
  and memorable one
- complimentary laundry service
- selection of board games
- library with a collection of books
  relating to local birds, wildlife and history,
  as well as light fiction and magazines
  original British-surveyed (1932)
  contour maps of the Estate and the
  surrounding area (including Darjeeling
  and Sikkim)
- 4-wheel drive vehicle available at guest/s'
  disposal to partake in any of the activities
  offered on the estate
- full time Abhijit, our smiling naturalist-cum-guide
  for all outdoor activities (photo right->)
- a small shop selling Glenburn honey,
  jams, tea and small gift items
- E-mail facilities are not available, but mobile
  phones operate on the local network

The Glenburn Lodge and Campsite
Here in the heart of the forest, on the banks of the River Rungeet you can camp out, walk across the river into Sikkim, play a game of croquet or beach cricket, have a refreshing dip in the river, fish for some local trout, river raft or simply take in the sun.

Ideal for day or overnight visits, The Glenburn Lodge and Campsite offers a truly rustic yet comfortable experience in the middle of the wilderness at Glenburn.

The Lodge offers accommodation for up two families, with its two spacious rooms each with an attached bathroom. Both rooms offer spectacular views of the forest, river and Sikkim on the opposite bank. 

Excursions from Glenburn
Glenburn can be used as a base to explore the surrounding area, and we would be happy to help you organize trips off the estate to suit your requirements.

River Rafting: This is definitely our most popular excursions, and rafting trips of varying difficulty can be organized to suit everyone.  When the water level is high enough, rafting trips start at The Glenburn Campsite, from the River Rungeet, and join up with the River Teesta further downstream.   Our jeep will await you at the end of the trip with dry clothes, a picnic meal and refreshments.   The trip can also be combined with a hike across the Manjitar Suspension Bridge, a short drive to Malli and then a raft going down the River Teesta. The rapids along both the rivers are graded between II and IV, and certain sections are only open to swimmers.  We use well-trained guides only and safety is an important consideration.

Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, is a 3-hour drive from Glenburn.  Located at 5,800 feet, this picturesque town is famous for its monastries, colourful bazaars and parks.   From here, one can visit the Rumtek Monastry (24 kms away)- the largest monastery in Sikkim and seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa sect; and Pemayangtse (114 km away)- the second oldest monastery in Sikkim and headquarters of the Nyingma Sect.

Kalimpong is a 2-hour drive away from Glenburn, and has an interesting blend of Buddhist, Christian and Hindu influences with its monasteries, gumpas, temples and missionary activities.  The local bazaar is a delightful place to shop, and interact with the local ethnic mix of Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepali communities.  For orchid lovers, it provides a real treat with it’s many nurseries and rich flora.  The snow-capped mountains provide panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.  A visit to the nearby Samthar Plateau can also be arranged.

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