Tabakoshi

Tabakoshi at the lap of delicious green tea gardens really prepared us for missing the loveliness of nature and the brooding splendid hills. Tabakoshi or Tabakoshi is a tiny small city close to the Gopaldhara Tea Estate a few kilometers apart from Mirik. The spot is comparatively unidentified to the travelers and is rather quite different from the mass of Mirik or that of Dooars.

Just visualize yourself in a pleasing home-stay with a stretch of tea gardens as extended as your eyes can see, and the babble of the smooth river just at the side of the small village. There are no chores to be managed; you can normally immerse in the natural world and enjoy the loneliness of the mountain. Wouldn’t that be normally magnificent? Tabakoshi is such a location where your stressed eyes can tranquil downhill and your worried souls can find things to cheer for.

We chanced upon Tabakoshi while searching for spectacular spots to expand our wide weekend. The name sounded new and some photos that we saw looked wonderful. So packing our bags, we were off to Siliguri to make an appointment at this latest location. Just as our love for Darjeeling is at present famous, we earlier enjoyed a day in rainy Darjeeling earlier than leaving to this new location. From Darjeeling, we toured Mirik. Whenever we had toured from Darjeeling to Siliguri via Mirik, we have stopped at this location. We have marveled at the tea gardens as having clean Darjeeling tea from the tea shop at Goalpara. But not at all did we know that this location hides between itself such a lovely location for eco-tourism. From Mirik, Tabakoshi is just about 8 kilometers downward, apparently the Gopaldhara tea land rank at an altitude of about 5000 ft.

Tabakoshi has only one homestay – the Sonakhali Homestay run by Ramesh Rai and his family. We had pre-booked sooner than visiting the location. This was one homestay where we were actually made to feel at home. Sonakhali Homestay has a total of 5 rooms – there are one bamboo cottage, two stone cottages and two rooms. A tiny fake pool in front of the cottages with fishes moving just about bigger than the loveliness of the location.

Mr. Rai had built up this homestay all by himself simply with the assistance of his sons. We will forever keep in mind the warm greeting we received on our incoming Sonakhali homestay. The kindness shown by the Rai’s were purely exceptional. We just felt that we have arrived to live with few relatives. They served us foodstuff in stunning brass utensils, we only felt overwhelmed by the warmth exposed by the family.

Two of Mr. Rai’s sons are running in Afghanistan. His elder son was at home during the festival during our visit. In the evening, he sat down with us and shared his stories and encounters from the land of Taliban. Not simply visiting new locations but also gathering new populace, listening to their tales is all added treasure to our experiences!

Now a little about the place itself. Tabakoshi is a relief to the sleepy eyes and the beat-up souls. The Rang bhang river flows by this small village.  Subhash Ghishing named the township as Tabakoshi, later than a river in Nepal by the same name. He was entirely obsessed by the loveliness of these spots. And so were we. Tabakoshi is a part of the Gopaldhara Tea Estate. The Thurbo and the Sangma Tea Estate can also be seen nearby Tabakoshi. There are two temples alongside the river, one close to the homestay and another one later that crosses the river over a hard bridge.

The Bengal seeing the sights has made some seating deals and made solid paths for the decoration of these spots. But like additional spots too, they at present lie unattended and without protection. We were also amazed to see a swimming pool like construction there. The water was unclean and full of moss. Wonder if anyone would like to swim there!

Monsoons at the tea gardens are ethereal. The environment becomes lush green and clean. At sunrise we saw local area ladies with the basket in their heads plucking tea leaves. Their colorful clothes between the green tea estates were just a color fest. The location is also a bird watcher’s heaven. The chirping of birds could be heard from the room itself early on in the morning. We enjoyed a rainy weekend in the middle of the tea garden apart from the lively crowds. Was it rejuvenating? Yes, it was totally and was much more. It was an awesome experience walking at the side of the talkative Rang bhang river, a long cherished desire coming true in the form of staying amidst the tea gardens. And more so, the similarity felt with the local area populace and the relatives that made our lives so unforgettable.

How to Reach Tabakoshi

Discover the picturesque village of Tabakoshi with our comprehensive guide on how to reach this hidden gem. Explore travel routes, transportation options, and essential tips to make your journey to Tabakoshi seamless and memorable. Plan your visit now and immerse yourself in the beauty of Tabakoshi Homestays.

From Siliguri, it is about 47 km to Mirik. You can reserve a car from Siliguri to Tabakoshi. On the other hand, you can take a mutual jeep from Siliguri to Mirik. From Mirik, you have to take a personal car to Tabakoshi. The price of a personal car from Mirik is around Rs.400/- to Rs.500/- depending upon your bargain capability. You can also come from Darjeeling. The Sunakhari Homestay can also organize a personal car for you if you let them know before.

Place to stay at Tabakoshi

Experience the warmth of traditional hospitality with Tabakoshi Homestays. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of Tabakoshi as you stay in authentic homes, offering a blend of comfort and local charm. Discover the essence of community living and create lasting memories in this serene and picturesque destination. Book your Tabakoshi Homestay today for an unforgettable cultural retreat. There are some homestays at Tabakoshi – One is Sunakhari Homestay.

Best time to visit Tabakoshi

Tabakoshi can be visited during the year. Perfect time to visit is the winter. And if you plan to visit in the monsoons, please don’t forget to take your umbrellas or rain jackets.