nature · Temi Tea Garden, Pelling
Slow walk on the estate road below Tendong
Temi's tea is planted on the slopes of the Tendong hill range, and the long forested ridge of Tendong rises above the upper part of the estate. Lepcha tradition holds that their ancestors survived a great flood on top of Tendong, and every 8 August Tendong Lho Rumfaat, a Sikkim state holiday, gives thanks to the hill. From Temi you get to look up at it without climbing it, which suits seniors, young children and anyone short of time or breath.
Pick an upper estate road and walk slowly along the contour, with tea below and forest above. On clear mornings the snow peaks show to the north. Shade trees and forest edges are good for birds, so carry binoculars if you have them. You will pass small homes where workers' families live; a greeting in Nepali, namaste, goes a long way. Two to three hours at an easy pace is plenty.
The walk is free and needs no guide if you keep to the estate roads. Turn back the way you came if you are unsure of a junction, and arrange your taxi pickup point in advance. If you want to climb Tendong itself, hire a local guide for the forest trail from Damthang. From June to September expect leeches, slippery roads and cloud, and check current status before you travel.
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Questions people ask
Good to know
Can I see Tendong hill from Temi Tea Garden
Yes. Temi's terraces run down from the Tendong hill range, so the long forested ridge rises above the upper estate. You see it best on clear mornings from October to December. To climb to the top, go to Damthang on the Namchi–Ravangla road and hire a local guide for the forest trail.
Do I need a guide to walk around Temi
No, not for the estate roads. They are easy to follow, and the walk is free. Arrange a pickup point with your taxi, turn back if you are unsure of a junction and keep out of the tea rows. For the Tendong hill hike from Damthang, a local guide is a good idea.
Is Temi good for birdwatching
It can be pleasant for casual birding. The shade trees in the garden and the forest edges on the upper slopes attract common hill birds, and mornings are most active. Serious birders usually head to the Maenam forest above Ravangla, but a slow walk at Temi with binoculars is a good warm-up.
