Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Darang Tea Estate is a family owned Estate which is over 150 years old and one of the first plantations to be planted by an Indian. A self-contained estate in the beautiful pristine hills of Himachal Pradesh. It consists of cottages framed by 70 acres of estate-owned land. The Estate is just 45 minutes drive from Mcleodgang and 20 minutes fromPalampur. The cottages have a direct view of the snow covered himalayas. Our homestay is featured in on Conde Nast Traveller :-)
Set in a lush green tea estate with the snow capped Dauladhar range as a backdrop the stay at this lovely place is rejuvenating to the body, mind and soul. The cute little cottages are spotlessly clean, filled with knickknacks and a horde of books. You could choose to sleep in the main bedroom or in the attic with the sound of the night life putting you to sleep and wake up watching the dawn come to light. You can walk around the estate or just sit around soaking in the serene atmosphere. You can chat with the hostess over a cup of tea or play with the two pups Toofan and Masti with sedate Diana the lab watching nonchalantly. The delicious wholesome Himachali food will leave you licking your fingers and wishing you could stuff in some more and then some more! It’s cooked with produce grown in the estate plucked fresh from the garden. The variety of jams and jellies, even the butter is all homemade adding to the flavour of the dish. The hostess Ms Bhandari is a delight to be with and will eagerly help you in planning your sightseeing and organising a taxi for your trip. All in all you will come back feeling rested and hopeful that someday you’ll get to visit this little piece of paradise again.
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Date of stay: October 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from NEERA NAVEEN BHANDARI, Owner at Darang Tea Estate
Responded 4 Nov 2024
We are so glad that we could make your stay memorable.🙏
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I got to know about places 5-6 years back and I remember checking pictures and told my self one day I am going to visit this beautiful place. And as they when right time comes things will happen its own. This trip was very special as this was my first trip of mumma and my two boys 10 and 2 years old and moment we reach we felt like home. Neera aunty is warm, friendly and very wise lady I must say very inspiring the way she handling everything and make sure to make stay comfortable. Everyday she checked on children what they would like to eat and if we had good day outside and they ate well. We were really mesmerised by home decor specially dinning area its vintage vibes and something we dont get to see in day to day life. Even our cottages was clean and well maintained with all the amenities. Outside cottage view is surreal beautiful colourful flower and fruits plants, well take care garden, tree house, mountains view from tea estate and evening walk in wide spread tea estate garden is really healing. And what to say for breakfast dinner spread. Everything fresh from her garden and home made. My son loved the butters chunks and jam and I loved home made pickles. Something for everyone for sure. I celebrated my birthday there and aunty made it so special I was really touched. We were treated with special food, cake, and i was really surprised seeing dinning room decked up with balloons, candles and birthday caps ❤️ Our 5 days in Pecan cottage will remain special for hospitality, food, love we have received. Staff especially Pooja and Chef Umed is also very kind and made sure kids eat well and made every day something for them. and and while leaving I wished if I could stay longer.
P.S i am so hapoy that My 10 years old made friends (staff kids) and some childhood forever memories as place was so safe i just let him go his own and they played hide and seek in tea estate garden.
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Date of stay: April 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from NEERA NAVEEN BHANDARI, Owner at Darang Tea Estate
Responded 25 Apr 2024
It was delightful having you and the boys here.... thank you for sharing your views about us🙏
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Old world colonial charm in the lap of nature topped with dollops of butter and malai... At the Darang Tea Estate, the views are breathtaking and the organic food spreads are delicious. Each window has sprawling views of greens or the tea estate. Everything you can think of is made on the farm - even the honey!! The food is best savoured with dreamy hill tales from the robust and kind Mrs. Neera Bhandari. The best perk of the stay is that the owner goes out of her way to ensure that not just the stay - but every trip, tour and even a trek down her own property - is an immensely pleasurable experience. A serene afternoon by the property khad's flowing stream or the view of Dhauladars from the tea estate summit are surreal memories. Special mention for affectionate Pooja and Karan Singh Ji's guided tours. An unforgettable stay in Palampur's mellow chai land.
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from NEERA NAVEEN BHANDARI, Owner at Darang Tea Estate
Responded 5 Dec 2024
We are delighted that we could make it magical for you....it was delightful to have your gracious parents here too.... wishing you many many more magical holidays🌹🌹
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The Darang Tea Estate near Kangra Valley offers a wonderful homestay experience, blending nature, tranquillity, lip-smacking homemade food and immersive conversations. Stay in a colonial cottage that’s basic but comfy. Relish farm to table food, generous spread for breakfast and thoughtfully curated dinners- baingan raita, sesame coated potatoes were novel sides for dinner while ‘clotted cream’ became a favourite breakfast option. Wake up each day to the crisp weather and watch the gentle sun rays when you enjoy your cuppa joe as your feet tingle in the dew-dripped grass or gaze at the stars once the sun sets. The Dhauladhar mountains majestically and quietly add to the vibe of the 70 acre estate.
As two couples staying in the double room cottage, we explored various paths in the tea estate that made for good hikes before the day began. The estate is accessible by car from the nearby Palampur city and one can simply enjoy staying put at the estate or explore the city. Noteworthy places to try out- Cliffys, Tarkari- where they offer ‘ khatta mutton’, a himachali speciality.
Mrs Bhandari is a kind hostess; she and her staff curate a very enjoyable stay with stories of the tea business, the plantation that’s been in the family for generations, recommending places to see around, where to eat and also a reliable cab service who drove us all over Himachal.
This was our first time in a homestay, and we truly enjoyed it, immersing in the sustainable basics, openness, and if I thought meals would be a separate and standard affair, I was wrong when Mrs Bhandari would have all of us together for meals with her unique hospitality- something that made the stay truly stand apart.
The homestay will be upgrading the cottage bathrooms. I would recommend a stay here to have lovely memories with its people, pets and surroundings.
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Date of stay: November 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Choose this homestay over a done-to-death hotel or resort.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from NEERA NAVEEN BHANDARI, Owner at Darang Tea Estate
Responded 9 Dec 2024
It was delightful having you and your friends with us.....hope you are serious about making your own home stay...warm regards
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The stay was wonderful. The cottage is an extension of Mrs Bhandari with beautiful, old knick knacks and furniture. We were transported back in time. The food was lovely with local flavours. Our host was graciousness personified and looked into our comfort in each and every aspect of our stay. Really felt relaxed amidst the tea gardens and playful puppies. Thank you
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from NEERA NAVEEN BHANDARI, Owner at Darang Tea Estate
Responded 5 Dec 2024
Thank you for taking the time out to write about your experience here.....
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My wife and I spent 5 nights at Mrs Neera Bhandari's terrific tea estate. The highlights of our trip:
1) The property is so relaxing. You drop all the cares of the world on entering Darang Tea Estate
2) The food - Dinner in particular was different every night. It was consistently of the highest standard.
3) Service : a couple of warm and well-trained staff who really looked after us. Pooja was wonderful.
4) The accommodation was excellent. We were in 'Pecan Cottage'. We did not want for anything and everything worked. Spacious, too.
5) And finally, our hostess, Mrs Neera Bhandari was the jewel. She was warm, hospitable, knowledgeable and highly professional. Nothing was too much for her.
My advice to anyone considering going to McLeodganj or Dharamshala is DON'T. Stay at the Darang Tea Estate. You might have to travel 40 minutes twice a day, but it is well worth it. Both Dharamshala and McLeodganj are unimpressive towns to stay in.
Lastly, even though my wife is not a dog lover, unlike me, she loved Mrs Bhandari's two Labradors, Casper and Diana. Again, they enhanced an already great holiday experience.
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Date of stay: March 2023
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Room Tip:Get there fast and take it slow, as the Beach Boys song goes.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from NEERA NAVEEN BHANDARI, Owner at Darang Tea Estate
Responded 9 Mar 2023
Thank you for sharing your experience with us....we are delighted that you enjoyed your stay!
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My recent four-night stay at this tea estate home stay was a truly exceptional experience. Nestled amidst lush tea plantations, the location is stunning and close to nature. The food, including breakfast with fresh cream and homemade jams, was delicious and served with love. 💛. My husband has a gluten and corn allergy and normally has very few options but Mrs Bhandari ensured he had ample choices each day, even surprising us with gluten-free desserts.! The hostess was warm and friendly, creating a sense of family among guests. Evenings were spent chatting and sipping lovely wine striking a perfect balance between socializing and solitude. The rooms were spotless, and the staff was courteous. It was a memorable refreshing and rejuvenating holiday. .. something one craves for after a few months in a city .I left with a promise to return. If you seek tranquility, natural beauty, warm hospitality, , this place is a must-visit.🥂👍🏼
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from NEERA NAVEEN BHANDARI, Owner at Darang Tea Estate
Responded 1 Oct 2023
Am delighted that we could make your trip a memorable one.... wishing you all the best.
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Darang Estate is a heritage property one of the few available for tourists in Kangra H.P. The property is very beautiful, the cottages are situated inside a tea garden, the view, location, peace and the host they are all amazing, out of the world.
We never met a lovely person like Mrs. Neera Bhandari, she take care of every details for their guests and about the estate as well, be it a food, site seeing and recommendation about the Kangra valley. Best part is breakfast and dinner which they serve to the guests, she offers everything which she had in her kitchen and trust me the offerings are so much you can't just finish tasting, all organic which is their USP, different pickles, that dining table will lead you to your childhood memories if you are born and brought up before 90's era, Mrs. Bhandari is full of hospitality, she is keeping a tradition alive, it is like the time stops inside the Darang Estate.
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from NEERA NAVEEN BHANDARI, Owner at Darang Tea Estate
Responded 3 May 2023
Am overwhelmed with your appreciation of what we have to offer. Thank you.
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An unusually beautiful & serene place with comfortable rooms & heartwarming hospitality. We loved waking up to the birdsong & drinking tea surrounded by tea bushes as far as the eye can see. We were 4 generations from my 88 year old mother to my 4 year old granddaughter and all our needs were well looked after in the 2 cottages we took over. The fridge and pantry in each one was a real convenience for the early morning cup of tea or late night hot milk. Neeru Bhandari the intrepid tea farmer, landlady & gracious host was full of tips about what to do. We look forward to being back!
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Date of stay: April 2023
Value
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from NEERA NAVEEN BHANDARI, Owner at Darang Tea Estate
Responded 14 Apr 2023
It was delightful having 4 generations come to stay with us.... thank you for taking time out and sharing your experience here.
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Rustic charm of beautifully maintained 150 yrs old cottages, incredibly delicious home cooked food( mostly organic), four legged guides ( Jasper and Diana , two friendly labradors), hypnotic stories by the host that transport you to a bygone era and expansive view of 70 acres tea estate - Darang tea estate can easily get a place in your bucket list if you love immersive travel!
Mrs. Bhandari is a super host. Entire place has a calming effect that helps you heal. This property is not available on OTAs or on airbnb. According to Mrs Bhandari, that’s how she ensures she gets a guest who values experience over luxury -“ if you have taken pain to discover this place and read all the review before calling me, it means you are looking for something unique and ready to experiment”! Next time you visit dharamshala / palampur , try this place. A two bedroom cottage ( + a living room with a fireplace) inclusive of breakfast would cost you around 9k/night, Lunch/ dinner approx 600 per meal ( worth every single penny)!
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Date of stay: December 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from NEERA NAVEEN BHANDARI, Owner at Darang Tea Estate
Responded 21 Jan 2022
From someone who heads holidays of one of the biggest travel portal......it was a real compliment. Thank you.
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Hi, I think one of the cottages has two double beds with large living space... I think the owners may be able to put a single bed in. Ask them 🙂 I may well be wrong
There are more places to choose from in the Kangra area.
LOCATION
IndiaHimachal PradeshKangra DistrictKangra
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
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