KALEEGE HOUSE
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OVERVIEW
Kaleege House is a farmstay, overlooking the rolling tea gardens of the Rangli Rangliot belt, in Takdah Cantt, strategically located midway between the towns of Darjeeling and Kalimpong. Kaa-lee-j is our resident Himalayan Pheasant and you often spot them in pairs or with their brood. While the males have a glossy bluish-black plumage with greyish silver chests, the females are largely brown. Both have distinct bright red-to-scarlet wattles around the eyes. Male brawls can be noisy.
If you are looking for an immersive break from the city yet want a luxury escape in the wilderness, then this Farm is what you are looking for. Our bedrooms with access to a lounge, a self-catering pantry (should you want one), are fully kitted out to make your stay much more than a holiday.
Watercolour by Gumi Malhotra
About Takdah
Takdah—the “Land of Fog” in the ethnic Lepcha language—was a British era cantonment and a recuperating centre for them to escape the heat and the grime of the plains. Bungalows, barracks and a clubhouse stand testimony to that period of the early 1900s. Some 25 kms from Darjeeling town, Takdah Cantt sits at an altitude of around 5000 feet—not far from the bustle but still isolated, not too high to make it difficult to brave the extreme cold of the winters! On clear nights, the celestial lights mingle freely with the man-made variety. Especially on no-moon nights, the sky is awash with stars.
Takdah Cantt takes pride for housing one of Asia’s oldest orchid centres. It also boasts of the Chagpori Tibetan Medical Institute where students from around the country, and abroad, come to learn indigenous medicine. Kaleege House shares its north-west boundary with the institute, which provides treatment for a variety of ailments, and general well-being.
Here, you’re never far away from tea gardens. With a view of the Rangli Rangliot tea garden, there’s also the impeccably kept Teesta Valley and Gielle plantations, apart from Jinglam and Namring.
GALLERY
ACCOMODATION & AMENITIES
Main House
1 en suite spacious bedroom with a large gallery window and dormy (roof) window that bathe the room with natural light. It has a Queen-sized bed and opens out to a porch overlooking the stepped-farm and the tea-covered hills beyond, comfortable chairs for lounging, and access to the drawing and dining areas and the sit-outs in the main house. Guests are most welcome to use the kitchen as well.
Sleeps up to 2 adults.
Amenities include an electric blanket that really amps the cozy factor on cold nights, quality bed and bath linen, and toiletries.
Cottage
The 2-bedroom elevated cottage is towards the northern parts of the Farm. Perched like a treehouse, it overlooks the treetops, the valley beyond, the silhouette of the bluish-purple Mungpoo and Kalimpong hills, right down to the plains of Jalpaiguri. The large glass panes along the front and the slit windows running along the length of the rear, give you a 360-degree view of the greenery. That view extends to the bathrooms and the shower area.
You can bathe in leafy bliss.
The en suite bedrooms, with large bay windows, have alcoves with shelves for bags and personal belongings. Each bedroom has a Queen-sized bed. Comfortable cane chairs allow you to enjoy the indoors, and beyond. The bedrooms open out to the lounge with a wood-burning stove, dining area and an open kitchen.
The cottage comes with an option of a self-catering pantry.
Each bedroom sleeps up to 2 adults.
Amenities include electric blankets, quality bed and bath linen, and toiletries.
ACCESS
The city closest to Kaleege House is the commercial hub of Siliguri. In fact, it’s the gateway to the country’s Northeast, as well as Bhutan. Whether you travel by air or train, you will pass through the city, but leave behind its ‘ills’ very quickly as you climb the green Himalayas. For Takdah Cantt, the drive will take you to National Highway 10 connecting Siliguri’s southern end, the north end being Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. As you pass the Sevoke Forests, you head to the Coronation Bridge (built to commemorate King George VI’s coronation) with the Teesta River coursing below. At a place called 27th Mile, you start the steep drive towards Takdah. The 45-minute ride from there will take you through the tea gardens till you reach the Takdah Orchid Center. Another 10 minutes and you’ll be at Kaleege House.
Airport: The Bagdogra International Airport (IXB) is roughly 75 kms (3 hours’ drive). There are multiple daily flights from Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, etc.
Railway Station: The New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Station is roughly 70 kms (3 hours’ drive).
Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Siliguri towns: Darjeeling and Kalimpong are equidistant from the Farm, an hour’s drive. Siliguri is 2 hours away.
The Farm can organise pick-ups/drops or vehicles for sightseeing.
EXPERIENCES
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* Some of the experiences are chargeable and availability may be dependent on the season.
Idle Hours
Wake up to birdsongs; enjoy a hearty breakfast; then a walkabout around the Farm and build up an appetite for a farm-fresh lunch; indulge in a siesta; wake up for tea, then read, listen to music; come sundown help yourself to a snifter; sup at leisure before calling it a day.
Fishing
The confluence of the Teesta and Rangeet rivers, about an hour’s drive away, is a popular fishing and picnic spot. If you’re up to it, the cold blue waters of the Rangeet offer swimming options. That dip will surely perk you up.
Tea Garden Outings
The Farm overlooks Rangli-Rangilot, Teesta Valley and Gielle tea gardens. You could visit the tea gardens, especially when the workforce (mostly women) is plucking the day's harvest. The Teesta Valley and Gielle gardens are among the best-maintained tea plantations in Darjeeling.
Forest Walks
The Farm extends into the Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary on the north, which means frequent sighting of deer. Day trails to the forest are a must, especially to Jor Pokhari (lake) and areas that offer expansive views of the Kanchenjunga range. From Jor Pokhari, you can walk down to Lamahatta. You would perhaps like a picnic hamper to go.
Sightseeing
Kaleege House recommends the
following in Darjeeling:
Tiger Hill and Observatory for the sunrise and a stroll in the Senchel Wildlife Sanctuary; Himalayan Mountaineering Institute for being the mecca of Indian mountaineering; PN National Zoological Park for the red pandas and the snow leopards; Mahakal Mandir for how Hindus and Buddhists pray together; Darjeeling Himalayan Railway for a ride in the steam locomotives; Japanese Peace Pagoda for global harmony; Ghoom Monastery, which dates back to 1850, and Dali Monastery for the Tibetan style of architecture. We would gladly help you with suggestions for Kalimpong, Kurseong, Mirik, among other places, particularly if you’d like a long stay here.
Mini Golf
The Farm has a golf net which you could use to practice/ fine-tune your swing. There is also an indoor putting mat.
Farming
You are welcome to join the farm hands and be one with nature. Dig/turn the soil, de-weed, plant new, or water the old. Originally a black cardamom plantation, we also grow ginger, turmeric and dalle chilli. There’s nothing as therapeutic as the feel of the earth on your hands.
Photo/Video Shoots
Check out our Gallery! If you’re looking for some Insta-worthy shots or want to pursue serious photography or video shoots, you’ll find some modish backdrops.
Cooking
Add some local dishes to your repertoire with fresh produce. Must try is the fiery alu dum (a semi-dry potato snack and a favourite among locals), scrumptious and juicy momos that have been a part of the menu forever, selroti or the Nepali bread that’s a must on every festive occasion, Gorkhay achar or salad using cucumber, potatoes, carrots with a yogurt dressing, and smoked sekwa or meat grilled over fire.
SERVICES
Heating Facilities
The main house and the cottage have centrally placed wood-burning stoves. Once fired up, the living spaces get snug. Grab a book and sit close to the fire with a mug of hot tea or something stronger.
Workation
Wi-fi is available at the Main House and the Cottage, which means you get to choose where you want to set up your workstation, especially in these WFH times. However, we’d still encourage you to switch “off” as often as you can and enjoy the birdsongs, the sound of rain on the tin roofs, or even listen to the barking deer some days.
Farm-to-Table Meals
There’s nothing that tastes better than freshly harvested vegetables. For that matter, even if it’s just a bunch of coriander leaves. We have a kitchen garden that gives us something fresh every day.
Pantry
Feel like a snack in the late hours or want something sweet mid-morning or a cup of piping hot chocolate… the cottage pantry is well-stocked. You can help yourself or ask for assistance, depending on the time of the day.
WEATHER & WHAT TO PACK
To ensure your comfort, you may want to tailor your clothing choices.
At the Farm, we recommend comfortable walking shoes, track shoes, hiking boots for walks. Caution: Footwear with heels can be a handicap.
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Guests are recommended to bring sufficient supply of personal prescription medicines, though we must reiterate here that Takdah Cantt was a "health spa" for the British when they held the reigns of power.
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First-aid kit and sun blocks will be provided as and when required.