Mim Tea Garden Bungalow – The Yule Tea Retreat Experience Tucked into the gentle slopes of Darjeeling’s tea-draped hills, the Mim Tea Garden Bungalow – now curated as Yule Tea Retreat – offers a rare and refined opportunity to step into the world of colonial-era planters. It’s not just a stay, but a story waiting to be lived. Built more than a century ago within the sprawling Mim Tea Estate, the bungalow stands as a preserved relic of a bygone era. Once home to British tea planters under the Yule Tea Company, it now serves as a boutique heritage homestay for travelers who seek peace, history, and a full-sensory tea immersion. The Setting: Nature in High Definition, The Mim Tea Garden is located at an elevation of ~5,000 ft, in the western reaches of Darjeeling district, near Pokhriabong. Its landscape is pure cinematic beauty: undulating green slopes, winding estate trails, chirping birds, fresh mountain air, and a panoramic view of the surrounding hills and tea gardens. Whether you're sipping tea from the verandah, walking the dew-laced garden at sunrise, or curled up in a heritage armchair watching the mist roll in – life here moves gently, like steam rising from a hot teacup. The Bungalow: A Living Heritage Yule Tea Retreat retains the grandeur of colonial hill architecture with all the comforts of modern hospitality. Highlights include: High ceilings and exposed wooden beams, Antique beds, wardrobes, and planter’s writing desks, Fireplaces in common and private rooms, A wraparound verandah with cane seating, Polished wooden floors and classic light fixtures. The rooms are spacious, airy, and thoughtfully appointed with: Large beds with warm quilts and clean linen, Attached modern bathrooms, Garden or tea valley views, Rustic decor and vintage embellishments, Space to write, relax, and restore. Guests often remark that time seems to pause here – and that’s the whole idea. The Tea Experience: More Than a Drink, The Mim Tea Estate is known for producing fine Darjeeling teas—especially second flush teas that carry bold muscatel notes. As a guest, you’ll live amidst the source of this celebrated beverage. Garden Walks with a Guide: Learn how bushes are nurtured, pruned, and harvested in harmony with the seasons. Plucking Demonstration: Join tea pluckers in the field and try your hand at the art of two-leaves-and-a-bud. Factory Visit (on request): When operational, observe the entire process – withering, rolling, oxidation, drying, and sorting. Tea Tasting Rituals: Sample Mim teas and understand flushes, grades, body, aroma, and flavor under expert guidance. This isn’t a staged experience—it’s the life of the estate, and you are momentarily part of it. Farm-Fresh Dining: From Soil to Plate Yule Tea Retreat serves traditional, home-style meals using locally sourced ingredients. Much of the produce comes from kitchen gardens or nearby organic farms. Sample daily menus may include: Local delicacies like alu bharta, saag, bamboo shoot curry, British Raj-era dishes like chicken stew, tomato rice, spiced cutlets, Freshly baked breads and Darjeeling preserves for breakfast, Herbal teas and detox broths during cooler evenings, Simple but nourishing vegetarian fare, always cooked fresh. You may dine by the fireside, in the dining hall, or al fresco on the lawn with the mountains for company. All dietary preferences are warmly accommodated. Local Excursions & Slow Experiences, While many guests prefer to stay in and soak up the quiet, there are several activities you may enjoy: Guided village walks through Pokhriabong, interacting with local communities, Visit Buddhist monasteries and churches in the region, Drive to Darjeeling town (approx. 1.5 hrs) for shopping or sightseeing, Forest hikes or birdwatching trails in the nearby hills, Tea valley photography at dawn or dusk. Evenings are best spent sipping tea beside the fire, sharing stories, or stargazing in silence. Eco-Conscious and Community-Rooted Yule Tea Retreat operates with a respect for both land and people: Employs local staff, guides, and chefs, Minimizes plastic and promotes waste segregation, Encourages use of refillable water bottles, Supports women’s groups that produce local crafts, Promotes responsible tourism that gives back to the estate community. This isn’t luxury in a bubble. It’s responsible, immersive hospitality – the kind that leaves a mark on your memory, not on the environment.