Tumsong Tea Retreat

Tumsong Tea Retreat is a rare blend of heritage charm, natural beauty, and heartfelt hospitality. This 120-year-old property has been preserved with immaculate care—every corner reflects its rich history while still offering the comfort and warmth of a lovingly maintained home. We stayed in the Summer Abode room, which offered a serene partial view of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Step outside into the sprawling lawn, and the entire majestic range opens up before you—an unforgettable sight, especially at sunrise. One of the delights of our stay was being served unlimited cups of first-flush Darjeeling tea. Fresh, aromatic, and served whenever we requested—it felt like experiencing tea culture at its very source. The retreat’s library was another highlight. Alongside thought-provoking books on spirituality and business, they housed an amazing collection of books on tea and history. For anyone fascinated by the stories behind Darjeeling’s heritage or the craft of tea-making, this section is an absolute treasure. A heartfelt thanks to Anurag, the caretaker of the bungalow, whose warmth, humility, and attentiveness made our stay truly special. The entire staff embodied exceptional hospitality—they prepared customized meals for our 3-year-old daughter to suit her tastes, and when she had a runny nose, they promptly provided comforting home remedies like garlic oil infused with methi. These personal touches made us feel genuinely cared for. The only downside of the trip was the approach road from Ghoom to the resort, which was quite rough and took about 1 hour 15 minutes. However, this is clearly something beyond the retreat’s control, and once you arrive, the serenity, beauty, and hospitality more than make up for the challenging drive. Tumsong Tea Retreat isn’t just a destination—it’s an experience steeped in heritage, tranquility, and heartfelt service. We left rejuvenated, grateful, and with memories we’ll cherish for years to come.

3 weeks ago

We recently stayed at Tumsong Tea Retreat and, while the serene setting, peaceful atmosphere, and lovely tea-garden views were appreciated, the tea experience itself was poor and far from the immersive tea culture proudly advertised on their website. Despite being on a working tea estate, only a single type of first flush tea was offered, tastings were limited to just one cup each of first and second flush, there were no tea leaves for sale, and the factory visit was rushed, poorly organized, and barely informative, providing minimal understanding of tea production or heritage. For a place that markets itself as a destination for tea lovers, the lack of variety, engagement, and basic tea education was disappointing. Staff were pleasant but rarely proactive : we often had to seek them out for even simple request, and showed little initiative to share or celebrate the estate’s tea traditions. Even with a discounted rate, the stay felt severely overpriced given the difficult access and the woefully insufficient tea experience, making it better suited for those seeking restful tranquility rather than anyone hoping for genuine tea immersion or attentive “luxury” service.

2 months ago

This was a family vacation in mid-July, in the middle of the monsoon season. We expected rain storms and clouds covering the Himalayas-we got that, but also, the mighty Kanchenjunga appeared thrice during our 6 day stay. This retreat is precious-it's a beautiful, planters bungalow, exquisitely maintained. Large, spacious rooms; original wooden floors; well kept sitting spaces which abounded in the property. The staff are fantastic, with Ankita in charge. A special mention to the chefs who would imagine and serve us different cuisines everyday and which suited our taste-palate. And their service was spot-on. It was just the four of us, with our pet, and we felt like we were at home. Nostalgic-the wooden floors, fireplaces, books and the wooden staircase. The only downside is the roller-coaster of a road that leads to this property. But overall, would highly recommend Tumsong to anyone who needs quiet, the Himalayas and surrounding hills, topped by the majestic Kanchenjunga, a well-stocked library; amazing food, incredibly friendly and efficient staff; and cups of Darjeeling tea. The Datta family.

4 months ago

The experience was really good.You get views of kanchenjunga from the property itself.The hospitality was excellent and personalized.The only reason I reduced a star is because of the road conditions leading to the resort and the unavailability of Google maps.its a great place to unwind and have a digital detox.

2 months ago

Rooms were clean and large and looked very royal. Food was very tasty with a little bit infused Nepali style. And their hospitality tops😌. Their staffs were very professional and friendly and did help us around their locality.

4 months ago

Being in love with places unexplored and people unknown is seldom tiresome. Especially when the place is one cradled by mountains, caressed by clouds and engraved with colours, life comes to a standstill of quietude and utter silence.||Commuting from Bagdogra Airport to Tumsong Tea Retreat was no less than a rollercoaster of emotions. From the jerking car on the rocky terrains to the shrieks of passengers at the ethereal foggy expanse ahead, it was all a part of "The Quest to Paradise".||||Although my parents considered it unfortunate to have been in Kurseong when the skies were cloudy and the grass wet. Whereas, I, on the contrary, thought of it as a different facet of the mountains. Equally majestic in size and stature, yet almost endearingly formidable.||||Showered with warm greetings, and adorned with sashes, we arrived, at long last, upon the "Burra Sahib's Kothi" alongside the Tumsong Tea factory.||||No words, at least in my layman's vocabulary, can even begin to express an ounce of the grandeur that the bungalow held. White-framed windows, the fish pond, wildflowers, A Lawn dotted by a marble seating area detoxified my city soul. (And that was just the exterior)||||The inside? It was a different story altogether.||||Whispers of the colonial era, tickled my ear, as the floor boards creaked under my tired feet. Every room, a glamorous shadow of a forgotten age. A fireplace, a bookshelf, and a parlour which let in generous amounts of sunlight.||Fortunately enough, we were the only ones staying there. The Solitude we were offered, although calming but almost.. subtly eerie.||||As we sat down, exhausted, yet contended, upon the lawn chair, a plate of scrumptious chicken momos, accompanied with a side of soup was laid out in front of us.||||What's a trip to Kurseong without a sip of the First Flush?||We were offered tea almost immediately after we stepped into our colonial abode. ||Every sip tasted like a forgotten moment, the flavor lingering just long enough.||||Blessed with a view of the infamous, snow-peaked Kanchenjunga mountains as the heavy fog cleared, right from the comfort of our bed, a certain sense of sublime tranquility was felt by all of us.||||Soulful, authentic food that tasted just like home crowned our table. From breakfast to dinner, every meal was a work of art that offered comfort to our already-mesmerised selves. Unsurprisingly, it became abundantly clear that the food was indeed cooked with immense love, ingrained in every ingredient.||||It is very much worth mentioning that beyond the scenic wonders, and the insurmountable comfort, the flawless and unerring behaviour of the staff, especially, Ankita was truly what set it apart. From efficiently fulfilling our every request to being graceful and welcoming at the same time, we felt more like beloved guests, rather than just cold customers. ||||After staying there for 2 days and 1 night, we couldn't help but yearn for more. It was more than just a getaway, it was a soothing yet subtly riveting adventure. A perfect stay isn't just about luxury, It's about the food, the place and most importantly the hospitality. Tumsong Tea Retreat offered all of them, in unquantifiable amounts. ||As I left the place, I carried more than just memories. I carried a heavy heart and a sense of longing. ||||Leaving wasn't easy but perhaps that was the sign of a place done right.

7 months ago

We were met by Ankita and her staff on arrival. All were very attentive. Tumsong from Darjeeling.is a lovely adventure drive. The location is perfect to experience a rare authentic period tea planters bungalow and nearby is the factory. The area is peaceful, offering walks through the tea bushes. Perfect for a tranquil break from busy India. On a good day from your bedroom (bungalow), you will see Kanjangjunga and the Himalaya's!I I hope to be back, Ankita! .

Edited 5 months ago

This resort has stood upto our expectations. The wonderful ambience and silence here moved me closer to the Mother Nature. Felt super relaxed here and the staff was highly courteous. Service is excellent. Shall recommend strongly to my friends.

9 months ago