Things to Do During the Darjeeling → Happy Valley → Sirubari → Lumthang → Chota Kothi → Chardhure Trek

This one-day trek offers a mix of nature, culture, and adventure. Here’s how you can make the most of it:

1. Explore Happy Valley Tea Estate

✔ Tour the Tea Factory (if open) – Learn about tea processing.
✔ Walk Through Tea Gardens – Observe tea pluckers at work.
✔ Taste Fresh Tea – Buy directly from the estate’s outlet.
✔ Photography – Capture the lush green slopes with Mt. Kanchenjunga in the background (if clear).

2. Experience Village Life in Sirubari & Lumthang

✔ Interact with Locals – Greet villagers (a polite “Namaste” works).
✔ Try Local Snacks – Look for small shops selling sel roti (Nepali rice doughnut) or aloo dum (spicy potatoes).
✔ Spot Traditional Homes – Notice wooden houses with tin roofs and kitchen gardens.

3. Nature & Scenic Stops

✔ Forest Trails – Listen to birds (like the Himalayan bulbul or scarlet minivet).
✔ Stream Crossings – Pause at small waterfalls or brooks (great for quick foot soak if safe).
✔ Viewpoints – Stop at clearings for panoramas of Darjeeling’s hills.

4. Cultural & Historical Pauses

✔ Chota Kothi Area – Look for old colonial-era bungalows (some are ruins).
✔ Buddhist Prayer Flags – Spot them near villages (common in Nepali/Gorkha settlements).

5. Food & Refreshments

✔ Pack a Picnic – Carry sandwiches/fruits to eat at a quiet spot.
✔ Tea Stall Breaks – Stop at a village dukaan (shop) for hot chai.
✔ Post-Trek Meal – Return to Darjeeling for momos or thukpa (Glenary’s or Kunga’s are great).

6. Photography Ideas

✔ Golden Hour Shots – Early morning mist over tea gardens.
✔ Candid Portraits – Tea workers with bamboo baskets (ask permission).
✔ Wildflowers & Ferns – Close-ups of trailside flora.

7. Souvenirs to Collect

✔ Fresh Tea Leaves – Buy from Happy Valley’s factory shop.
✔ Handicrafts – If passing a village market, look for bamboo products.

Avoid Doing:

✖ Littering – Carry back all trash.
✖ Trespassing – Don’t enter private tea garden zones without permission.
✖ Disturbing Wildlife – Quiet trails are home to birds/small animals.

Bonus:

If time allows, detour to Lebong Cricket Ground (oldest high-altitude cricket pitch) on the way back.

Visit Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (if you finish early).

This trek is as much about the journey as the destination—so take it slow, chat with locals, and soak in the Himalayan vibes!