Zurrantee – Your holiday in solitude

If you love your tea, enjoy greenery around you and want to spend your holiday tucked away in solitude, Zurrantee is an ideal place for you. This tea estate near Chalsa in Dooars is a revelation, to say the least!

Zurrantee has its own heritage resort in the middle of a vast tea plantation, making it an ideal place to unwind with family or friends and breathe in the fresh air. It is a 124-year-old British bungalow with old fireplace, vintage gramophone, a small library, wooden floors and old teak furniture which is way better than any star hotel’s charm.

There couldn’t be a better way to relax than sitting at the porch of this old bungalow overlooking the lush green tea garden while sipping on some of their finest brews.

The food at Zurrantee is fantastic. They serve different cuisines for lunch and dinner, from typical Bengali fare — Potoler Dorma, Shorshe Bekti, Kosha Mangsho — to continental dishes like Chicken Stroganoff, the taste of which would give any Park Street version a run for its money. They serve an unique tea leaf pakora, a signature snack at this idyllic getaway.

Tourists can also enjoy a guided tour of the tea garden and factory. What we will get to see how from the two leaves and a bud we finally get our cup of tea.

The overall experience is extremely enjoyable,.The staff there is very friendly and helpful. Right from a pick-up from New Mal Junction, the sightseeing, visiting the tea garden and factory — everything is planned by the Zurrantee staff. They also arrange for a tribal dance programme during the stay to give us a glimpse of their culture.

Tourists can also spend their time by roaming in the greenery around. The calmness of the place is another attraction for us city-slickers. At night, we can also take a stroll from the bungalow downhill, enjoying the sound of silence.

 Visiting Zurrantee during monsoon is the best when the beauty of nature is found to be at its very best.

How to go?

By train: Any New Jalpaiguri-bound train from Calcutta. Zurrantee is around a two and a half-hour drive from NJP station. We can also get down at New Mal Junction since that is the nearest stop ( to enjoy a train ride through some lush green tea estates).

By airways: We have to fly till Bagdogra, then hire a car that will take around three hours to the heritage getaway.

Where to stay?

Book in advance since they only have three rooms and a suite. Call 9836362937/ 9830822937 or visit www.zurrantee.com