tea · Temi Tea Garden, Pelling
Morning walk through the Temi tea terraces
Temi's estate roads loop down and across the hillside through about 177 ha of tea. Start near the factory and walk downhill between the rows of clipped bushes, with tall shade trees overhead and small workers' villages along the way. The slopes are gentle by Himalayan standards, which is why the garden was laid out here, below the Tendong range, in 1969. Wikipedia describes the soil as loamy, on slopes of about 30–50 per cent, which drains well in the heavy monsoon rain.
From March to November, pluckers work the rows with baskets on their backs, picking the top two leaves and a bud. Spring's first flush is the most prized, but every season has its own leaf and smell. On a clear morning, especially in October and November, the snow peaks show to the north across the terraces. Birds are busy in the shade trees, and the only traffic is the odd tea lorry or estate jeep.
The walk is free. Keep to the roads and marked paths, do not cut between bushes or pick leaves, and ask before photographing workers. An hour is enough for a short loop, two hours for a longer one; walking back uphill takes more time than you think, so arrange for your taxi to meet you lower down. Carry water and sun protection, as there is little shade on the open roads.
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Questions people ask
Good to know
Is there an entry fee for Temi Tea Garden
No. Walking the estate roads at Temi Tea Garden is free. You pay only for transport and anything you buy, such as packets of tea. Keep to the roads and paths and respect the workers' areas. Arrangements can change, so check current status before you travel, especially for factory access.
How long should I spend at Temi Tea Garden
Two to three hours is enough for a walk through the terraces, a look at the factory if it is open to visitors that day, and buying tea. If you stay the night at Cherry Resort, you can walk at dawn and dusk too. Most people combine Temi with Namchi or Ravangla in one day.
When is the best time to see tea plucking at Temi
Plucking runs from about March to November. March and April bring the first flush, the most prized spring tea, and October and November bring the autumn flush along with the clearest mountain views. In the dormant winter months, bushes are pruned and there is little plucking to see.
