Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers 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 :-)
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: Traveled 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 Jan 21, 2022
From someone who heads holidays of one of the biggest travel portal......it was a real compliment. Thank you.
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Darang Tea Estate is a boutique home stay run by Neeru Bhandari. We spent 4 nights there and loved every moment. Set in 70 acres of Tea Garden and only 2 cottages; makes it a perfect getaway. The cottages are very well done, spacious, and comfortable. The whole place is love at first sight and has its own charm !! the cottages, tea garden, small treks in and around the property and three furry friends Diana, Casper and Brandy (disciplined & friendly)! Food is the highlight here and auntie’s personal involvement in cooking makes all the difference. Such scrumptious meals, and each time you would be served different variety, different flavors, all organic. There was so much personal touch to everything. Our 8-year-old daughter loved the place and didn’t want to leave. Auntie’s warmth and hospitality add a dimension to make it a great homestay. She put every effort to make our holidays memorable. Things to do: lovely conversations around the fire, nature walks, paragliding, Kangra fort.
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Date of stay: December 2021
Cleanliness
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Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Both the cottages are spacious with proper sunlight . There is no outside noise!
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 Jan 7, 2022
Am overwhelmed...thank you. The appreciation gives us the incentive to do better. It was our pleasure to have you all here.
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I had such a nice time at Darang Tea Estate in March, 2021 with my mom. After the intensity of the pandemic and traveling, I felt very safe and relaxed here. Waking up to the most beautiful landscape (gardens and view of Himalaya's are exceptional). Neeru, the owner is so full of life and so kind and hospitable. She invites you into her home to chat around the fire and share meals with her. She is incredibly helpful and there is an amazing staff of kind people who make sure I was happy and taken care of. The food is AMAZING home khana! All authentic and local dishes served everyday. You get a taste of Himachali and Punjabi dishes. The breakfasts are great as well, a mixture of Indian and continental. Bring warm clothes, it gets very chilly at night - but during the day it's perfect weather for hiking or lying in the sun with a nice book. I spent hours walking around the grounds and visiting the Kangra Fort and McCloud Gange in Dharamshala. Highly recommend visiting Norbulikga, the Tibetan Art and Culture insititute and afterwards eat at Divine Hima. Can't wait to return to Darang!
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Date of stay: March 2021
Value
Service
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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 May 5, 2021
Thank you for taking time out to write about your stay with us.....we are delighted that you enjoyed your stay here.....🙏
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Awesome experience of staying on a tea plantation. Very homely experience with the hosts who have taken efforts to make you feel at home yet provide you with a vacationing experience. The entire team, including Umed-ji, are fantastic and go out of their way to make you feel at home. Food is all from farm produce and completely organic. Brilliant selections of jams and pickle. Great location, great food, great experience.
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Date of stay: December 2019Trip type: Traveled 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 neeranaveenb, Owner at Darang Tea Estate
Responded Jan 10, 2020
We are thrilled that you enjoyed your stay at our home and the food . How very kind of you to appreciate the "Team" as without them it wouldn't be possible. We look forward to meeting you soon! Best wishes and regards..
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I went on a family holiday looking for peace and quiet. This was a home stay which I thought was as enjoyable as a summer vacation at your grandparent’s! Cool climate like Bangalore( it’s about the same height), but with forests on all sides. You can run about see the local sites and beauty spots, or just unwind, enjoy the dogs and the bird song and watch the light summer clouds and the gentle breeze Mrs Bhandari is like everyone’s ideal grandmother. Putting you at ease making your favourite dishes and fishing out old fashioned jams and pickles . But the best part is sitting out in the garden with her in the twilight as the evening cools, and enjoying her local and family stories. She makes every guest feel like a member of her family. Raghavendra S Stayed 3 to 8 May
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Traveled 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 May 11, 2022
Thank you for appreciating what I do....it makes my effort worthwhile 😀
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Couldnt have chosen a better place to be with Family. A Sprawling Tea Estate with a Sterling Host. Mrs. Bhandari and her three Pets made us feel totally at home with some memorable Company. Brandy, Casper & Diana converted us all from not so great Dog Lovers into Ardent fans. The Owner, Neeru Bhandari’s personal care and thoughtful spread of delectable food was the highlight. Had a great time with fellow travellers Anupam & Shuchi and some excellent conversations with Binni Ji, the Host’s Sister in Law who lives closeby. A must visit place .
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Traveled 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 Jul 5, 2021
We are delighted that we could make your stay with us comfortable . Our pets love guests like you who indulged in them and took them for long walks!!!
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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
Rooms
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Service
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 Mar 9, 2023
Thank you for sharing your experience with us....we are delighted that you enjoyed your stay!
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We visited the estate in March end for five days, and it was an amazing experience. The cottages have a cosy retro look, and the estate itself provides a great opportunity for exploring. The view of the Dhauladhar range from the property is one of the best in Palampur.
The highlight of the stay though, has to be the company of Mrs. Neeru Bhandari. She is a delight to talk to, and is an amazing host. The food here is fantastic, more of an experience. And despite visiting McLeodganj and Bir, which has some pretty cool cafes and eateries, we made it a point to have dinner at the property itself. We also sampled some local Kangri food, thanks to Mrs. Bhandari. Over the five days, I became an ardent admirer of her homemade jams!
Another amazing highlight is the company of Casper and Diana, two adorable dogs at the property who will walk you around! I generally don't do so well with dogs, but these two were so friendly and delightful.
There is much more to the experience than can be written here.
Definitely recommended.
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Date of stay: March 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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, General Manager at Darang Tea Estate
Responded Apr 7, 2021
Thank you for taking time out for writing about your experience here with us. Diana, Casper and i are delighted that we could make it memorable 😊
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Had the fortune of being guided by a co traveler n OMG discovered a place which always beckoned me in my dreams. Nestled among lush green forest a tea estate established in year 1800, a heritage building 180 years old with an unmatchable old world charm n all modern comforts. Miles of tea garden to stroll with owner's pet Casper giving u his protective company, not an iota of traffic sounds n fumes..only ur silence n nature for company. Yes Darang Tea Estate is the patch of paradise we all crave for. The cherry on cake is home cooked super delicious food made from fully organic own grown ingredients. The super charming though stern n little upright hostess Ms Neera Bhandari is a delight to interact with and graciously joins u at meal table. My only suggestion is to provide electric kettles in room so that tea n coffee addicts like me don't hv to reluctantly watch upto kitchen n ask for it at odd hours
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Traveled 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 Jul 1, 2022
We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay with us. Wish you had looked in your pantry...the electric kettles (2) were there😊
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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
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled 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 Apr 25, 2024
It was delightful having you and the boys here.... thank you for sharing your views about us🙏
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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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