Takdah is an unexplored offbeat destination in the Darjeeling hills. Takdah used to be a British cantonment and several British used to stay here for the local cinchona plantation as well. They made a good number of bungalows for their accommodation. All these bungalows are now over a century old and many are now used as tourist accommodations.
Takdah in the Lepcha language means mist or fog, which befits the place as it is frequently it is covered with fog. It is located at an altitude of about 4000 feet and the distance from Darjeeling is around 25 kilometres. This place is famous for its spectacular tea gardens which are one of the finest in this district along with the beautiful Orchid Centre.
Getting There
One can reach Takdah from NJP Railway Station / Bagdogra Airport which is about 75 kilometres and will take around 3 hours and from Darjeeling, it takes around 1.5 hours which is about 25 kilometres.
To See
Runglee Rungliot Tea Gardens – This region is blessed with some of the best tea gardens in the district which includes the famous tea estate Runglee Rungliot. Another tea estate with a magnificent viewpoint is Gielle Bhanjyang which one can visit from the Gandhi Chowk area. From here one can see Tiger Hill, Mongpu, Kalimpong town and Durpin Dara.
Teesta Valley tea garden is another famous tea estate with a huge factory in it for the manufacturing of tea. Tourists can have a lifetime experience of witnessing the process of making tea.
Takdah Orchid Centre – This Orchid centre is said to be one the best in Asia and thus a hotspot of Takdah for tourists. One can get to see many varieties of orchids as well as some rare species of Himalayan orchids along with different medicinal plants.
Heritage Bungalows – Here you can many old bungalows built in the 1900s by the British and therefore can have a look at the old architecture having the colonial charm. Few of them have been converted into schools and government offices.
Barbetey Bridge – It is a hanging bridge built in the year 1916 for transportation which is surely worth visiting.
Takdah Monastery – This Buddhist Monastery was built in the year 1985 and is located near Takdah Bazaar.
Dokan Dara – This is the local market of Takdah held on Thursdays where one can witness the culture.
Tinchuley, Chota Mangwa and Bara Mangwa – These places are also quite near to Takdah and are worth visiting as they have amazing views. One can make a day trip or night halt from here to visit these unseen jewels.
