Gopaldhara

Home to the finest Darjeeling Tea

Gopaldhara, also popularly known as the Gopaldhara Tea Estate, has an interesting story behind its name. Before the mid-half of the 19th century, the tea tourism hub was covered with lush green paddy fields. It belonged to a man named Gopal. After 1881, it was leased out to Tappu and Tari Sahib and the beginning of production of the ‘best Darjeeling tea in the world’ began. 

Thus to commemorate the owner of the land the name came to be ‘Gopaldhara’. Dhara refers to the natural stream that flowed between the erstwhile paddy fields. The history of this offbeat destination does not end here. In 1920, Tappu and Tari Sahip sold the land to Mr. Kingslay who then sold it to Moolji Sikka and Co. at the time of independence. The ownership was then transferred to Mr. Dalchand Saria in 1953-54 which was later inherited by his son and grandson. With such a history, visitors will get a taste of the heritage travel experience for sure!

Gopaldhara Tea Estate is one of Darjeeling’s highest tea estates located at an altitude of 5500-7000 ft. The ecotourism hub of Gopaldhara is situated in the Rongbong valley on the northeastern slopes close to Mirik. The destination is a land of slow travel. The tea estate is spread across 320 hectares of land and it forms the perfect canvas for those who are into photography tours.

The beauty of Gopaldhara Tea Estate is not only confined to tea gardens, it holds in its lap many unexplored places that are yet to glorify the beauty of the land. The nearby village tourism is also worth experiencing. Moreover, the lifestyle, traditions and culture of the tea workers play a huge part in enhancing the cultural tourism of the land. 

Those who are planning for a conservation travel tour must visit the land of Gopaldhara and its nearby villages. The land is bejeweled with clonal shrubs throughout the year. The tea museum within the estate is a must-visit. It exhibits many historical relics as well as narrates the history of the tea plantations. If walking is not your forte, there is a toy train that will take you around the estate. The scenic beauty of the responsible tourism hub of Gopaldhara is surreal.

Gopaldhara has one of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets. There are many amazing viewpoints to witness the same. The most famous of all is the Ramitey Dandra. The view of the snow-clad Kanchenjunga peak amidst the clouds from Ramitey Dandra itself is surreal. Close to the mountain of Ramitey Dandra is the Sumendu Lake. The Indreni Pull also known as the Rainbow Bridge over the lake is a must-visit. The sight of the tall pine trees on one side and the lush green tea garden on the other from the bridge is an eye-pleaser. All the attractions in Gopaldhara are surreal. It amplifies the definition of sustainable tourism manifold.

Gopaldhara Tea Estate enjoys a cool and temperate climate throughout the year. On average, the temperature ranges between 10-25 degrees celsius. Heavy rainfall during the monsoon season helps in the growth of tea bushes and contributes to the production of high-quality tea.

The best time to visit Gopaldhara is during the winter season. The influx of visitors can be seen mostly in November, December, January and February. Another reason why tourists visit during the winter is to see the orange gardens in the Mirik-Gopaldhara region in full bloom.

Gopaldhara is only 12 km away from Mirik. The best way to travel from Mirik to the estate is by road. The distance from Bagdogra airport and New Jalpaiguri Junction to Gopaldhara is 55-56 km. Visitors usually prefer shared cabs from the airport and railway station. It is affordable and takes only two-three hours to reach Gopaldhara. The connectivity is also good with nearby responsible tourism hubs like Siliguri, Kurseong, Ghoom and Darjeeling. For a hassle-free ride, the best option is to take up safari tours that are mostly included in the tour packages.