Location & Weather

Kalimpong and Darjeeling are east Indian hill towns in the Himalayan foothills of West Bengal. In fact, Darjeeling, which was once a summer resort for the British Raj elite, produces the world’s finest teas, known as the “Champagne of Teas.”

While the town of Kalimpong is located at an altitude of 4,100 ft, elevations at the Glenburn Tea Estate in Darjeeling range from 3,230 ft at the Bungalows down to 800 ft down at The Camp near the rivers.

Temperatures during the end of August and early September can range from average highs of 25 C to lows of 19 C. . While summer clothes should be sufficient most of the time, a light sweater or woollen wrap might be useful at night or when the weather cools down after a shower. In general, it is a good idea to dress in layers when visiting Darjeeling, as temperatures can fluctuate throughout the day. When exploring the tea gardens or foraging or going on a trek, it is also advisable to wear comfortable and practical clothing and footwear and sometimes carry rain gear. Our Retreat falls during the end of the monsoon period, so some rainfall is expected and the terrain during foraging could be slightly wet. On the other hand this is the time when nature is at its lushest and bountiful best.

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