When you imagine a stay in a tea estate, what comes to your mind? Sipping tea by a crackling fire in a luxurious British era bungalow surrounded by green tea bushes? This might be the typical tea estate experience, but Makaibari is anything but typical. At Makaibari Tea Estate in Kurseong you stay in one of the village homes of the tea workers and experience the tea economy from their point of view.
The Makaibari tea estate sustains seven villages and over 1,500 people. This tea estate is a living, breathing history lesson as it was here that the first tea factory in the world was established in 1859. The tea estate is also the only one in Darjeeling to never have been owned by the British. Makaibari follows permaculture practices to grow organic tea.
To ensure that the women in the villages are not entirely dependent on the seasonal tea plucking jobs, the tea estate has supported the creation of a homestay programme. It is run by an independent self-help group, Volunteer in Makaibari, and the profits go to the women of the community.
The homes are simple, maybe even basic though visitors can be sure to get clean and comfortable beds and bathrooms. But, staying in one of the village homes translates to becoming a part of that family for a few days—you cook with them, eat with them and are part of their daily lives. The women of the household make delicious local dishes for each meal and it is rare to experience such home cooked local meals elsewhere.
The hosts ensure guests enjoy experiences like witnessing and participating in tea plucking, processing and tasting, forest treks, bird watching hikes, joining in farming activities and being part of local festivals.
The Makaibari tea estate area is a great place for those interested in nature and wildlife as 70% of the estate is under forest cover. This has ensured many species of animals thrive here, including endangered panthers, tigers, birds, butterflies, snakes and spiders.
Price: Rs 1200 per person per night
Read more: http://www.makaibari.com/en/sustainable-tourism/homestay-makaibari.aspx
Slow Travel
The Makaibari Homestay programme ensures village women who were dependent on the tea estate are able to earn more income by becoming hosts. The programme is run by an independent self-help group, Volunteer in Makaibari, managed by a group of Makaibari’s youth. They facilitate the upgradation of village homes to turn them into homestays. The income goes entirely to the community.