RUNGLI RUNGLIOT
Location : Short distance from Darjeeling
Famous For : Its Tea Gardens
A taste of Life in the tea Gardens
Where the road from Gangtok to Darjeeling takes its great bend high above
the
Teesta river, directly opposite Kanchenjunga, a Buddhist monk many years
ago is believed to have proclaimed "Rungli Rungliot" This pious
benediction which, literally translated, means "thus far and no
further" is alive and well today in the shape of one of the most
celebrated tea gardens in the Darjeeling hills. The village is steeped in
legend.
As the story, goes, that peripatetic monk's search for the ultimate tea
ended here. For he had evidently covered great distances over unpaved
tracks, and traversed valley after valley. But what he found was not just
that quintessential blend : The pure mountain air coming off the flanks of
the world's third highest peak, Kanchenjunga, had cast its magical spell.
Switch to the present. The monk's stony track is now a black top road
that takes the driver in four hours from Rungli Rungliot to the Rumtek
Monastery near Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. From that vantage point,
there are options not only for the trekker, but also the mountain bike
buff and white water enthusiast.
The
focus of the visit is a walk around the estate. The experience is a novel,
one, not open to many. With permission for entry, the gardens at close
range resemble a large joint family. For that special insider's feel, one
must respond to the early clarion that signals the morning shift. As the
first rays hit the snows of Kanchenjunda, the garden stirs of life. You
may join groups of women as they gather their baskets to trickle down the
pathways where they will pluck the world - famous leaves. Dotted against
the slopes, their intricate web presents a pretty picture. For the
adventurous, some gardens will, at times, allow movement on horseback or
even on mountain bikes. If one encounters the manager on his rounds, on
may chat about the stages in tea processing - from drying, rolling and
processing - from drying, rolling and pressing to fermentation, heat
application and grading. Each of these are worth subsequent visits. While
down below, the Teesta rushes on, inviting a white water run in stark
contrast to the air of serenity that looms above the gardens.
Getting There
1. By Air : Bagdogra is the nearest airport (90 km from
Darjeeling).
2. By Rail : Darjeeling is the closest railhead
3. By Road : A short distance from Darjeeling
Where to Stay
Options ranging from deluxe hotels to standard guest houses are availble
in Darjeeling.
(Check all that apply)
Know more about this Package !!!
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