Tea Tasting

You can't come to Darjeeling and not sample its most famous export. While Happy Valley Tea Estate (est. 1854) is the closest to town and offers tours, you can also have a curated tasting experience at specialist tea vendors like Nathmull's Tea & Sunset Lounge (at the Mall). If you’re a tea nerd (or travelling with one), try timing your tastings around the “flushes”: first flush (spring) is prized for delicate, floral notes; second flush (early summer) often brings the famous muscatel character; autumn flush tends to be smooth and rounded. Even if you can’t align perfectly, knowing what you’re sipping makes every cup more interesting.