Darjeeling is a favorite destination.I love traveling to the hills. But I don’t like taking long road trips, in parts of the country with poor roadside washrooms. It’s a horror. That’s why any trip more than three hours on the road makes me worried.
This time of the year we often visit Mandarmani, but our favorite resort disappointed us on the last trip and we gave it a miss this time. A long vacation was not possible. Traveling from Malda always adds extra days on the road and I wanted more time to unclutter the brain.
We decided to go off the beaten track and asked friends for recommendations. Our neighbor suggested a boutique property, which they had visited with family a few months before. After seeing their holiday pictures we decided to investigate.
Problem 1
Lack of social proof of the hotel property.It was not a typical Darjeeling hotel, but more of a detour in the Darjeeling hills.
Trip advisor listing was sketchy with no fresh reviews. That always worried me.
The properties own website was basic. But the pictures looked promising.
Problem 2
No train tickets were available,
Road trip meant a total seven hours journey. But when choices are limited you must take the road.
The name of the place was pretty, Chota Mangwa part of Blossom ecotourism.
Why did we want to visit?
As a family, we believe in supporting eco-friendly businesses. The Darjeeling Blossom Ecotourism property was doing just that. The state of the Queen of hills is pathetic. There is poor sewage, dirty roads, crowded pavements in the once pristine hills. If we don’t take steps to preserve nature now, there will be no future left.
Darjeeling Hotel: How to Reach Blossoms Eco-tourism Hotel at Chota Mangwa
By Air: Fly to Bagdogra and drive to Chota Mangwa.
By rail to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. By road to Choto Mangwa
From Champasari by road: Total time 3hours approx
Last 30 minutes road is challenging for lack of more accurate positive words. You must ask the hotel for a pickup as the terrain needs an experienced driver who knows the road and a TATA sumo.
What will you find at Darjeeling Blossom ecotourism complex?
It’s a pretty complex with multiple small cottages some with a view of Kanchenjungha and others with a view of the green valley. Either way, it’s delightfully green fresh and pollution free. Beautifully manicured bushes and plenty of flowers. There are short trails to explore.
They pluck fresh oranges for you to have in winters.
They pluck fresh oranges for you to have in winters.
Food
The meals are fixed and homestyle.But the limitations are overcome by the freshness and deliciousness of the food.
We ate Plain rice masur daal, jhuri also bhaja( crisply fried potato) and chicken curry for lunch on the first day. And a sarson ka saag (mustard greens) cooked the Nepali way. It’s blanched and sauteed with paanch phoron(5 spice blend), turmeric and salt. Breakfast and lunch ended with huge amounts of oranges to devour sitting in the sunny garden. What we loved. were the limitless freshly plucked Darjeeling oranges and cups of fragrant Darjeeling chai(tea).
The meals are fixed and homestyle.But the limitations are overcome by the freshness and deliciousness of the food.
We ate Plain rice masur daal, jhuri also bhaja( crisply fried potato) and chicken curry for lunch on the first day. And a sarson ka saag (mustard greens) cooked the Nepali way. It’s blanched and sauteed with paanch phoron(5 spice blend), turmeric and salt. Breakfast and lunch ended with huge amounts of oranges to devour sitting in the sunny garden. What we loved. were the limitless freshly plucked Darjeeling oranges and cups of fragrant Darjeeling chai(tea).
What can you do at Chota Mangwa?
- Not really an activity, but you must laze.
- Meditate
- Daydream
- Stare at the mountains
- Read
- Write
- Play badminton with a risk of shuttlecock deciding to get lost in the hills.
- In the evenings, you can ask for barbeque and a bonfire to relax and unwind.
What we avoided?
Doing the touristy things like visiting mall toytrain, Ghoom, Batasia Tiger Hill because the road to and from the hotel is really difficult and is dangerous at times. If it’s your first time at Darjeeling visit Cedar Inn for the most comfortable stay. You must do the tourist stuff at Darjeeling at least once.
What we didn’t miss
- Noise
- Pollution
- Wifi
What we missed
- A working geizer.It’s really cold at 2degree celsius and lower, so hot water is a must. Though they provided hot water in buckets, it was inadequate.
Colder weather and small kids there may be a problem. They have an inverter,s solar power, and a generator, but the geizer never gave us warm water. They sent hot water to our rooms in buckets. It gets awkward asking for it. But 2 degrees needs warm water
- Warmer blankets
- Room heaters
Did we survive?
Yes, we did. It was a three-day trip and hence not a problem.
Darjeeling weather in December
Temperature ranges from 2 degrees to 9-degree Celsius and you need plenty of warm clothes, if you are visiting from the plains. The days are sunny and it gets very cold after sunset.There is always a chance of snowfall in December.
What you must carry?
- Woolen sweaters,
- Warm inners
- Coat
- Woolen gloves, socks.
- Hot water bag
- Extra blanket for kids if possible.
Can you see the Famous Kanchenjunga peaks in December?
Yes, you can. It’s during the cold weather the majestic Kanchenjunga and even the famous Nathula range.
Healthwealthbridge rating: 3/5
- Love the ambiance.
- Love the landscaping.
- Love the food.
- Love the smiling service.
- Service was always with a smile.
- USP: Ecotourism is important to help us preserve nature and still enjoy it.
Healthwealthbridge Recommends
- Government help to develop infrastructure.
- Improved Solar power setup to handle the rush.
- Geizers which work.Because when it’s really cold there are some things you must have hot water for example. If they want to make a profit, in the long run, this one will need attention.
Traveler Alert:
The road is still being cut from the mountain and you must reach by daylight. This is very important In two instances during travel to offbeat places in Darjeeling we were not told the state of the road by the hotel managers. When tourists ask you whether its safe to travel with a child you must be honest.
Sharing is good Karma!
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Love the to the point narration. Added it in my bucket list!
Darjeeling is my second home…Its great to have this information
That’s wonderful Somnath
Nice post along with beautiful images.
Thank you
It sounds like a great getaway to get back to nature, peace and quite. Thanks for sharing your beautiful trip!
Thanks Martha
Definktely going to try this one on our next Darjeeling Trip! Thanks for the detailed info.
Do visit.