Bunkulung Gamon Bridge to Ambotia.
The Bridge Crossing.
From a bridge over the Murmah river to a tea estate on a ridge.
- 9 km
- +600m
- 3 to 4 hours
- Climb out of the valley. Tea estate finish on the ridge.
- October to February.
Rhythm · Morning · back by 09:00Bunkulung is roughly 35 km from Siliguri, 75 minutes by road.
Route
How the trail goes.
Gamon Bridge spans the Murmah river in Bunkulung. The trail begins there, moves through farmland and woodland, climbs along hillside paths and ends at Ambotia Tea Estate. Terraced farms and small hamlets break up the climb. Ambotia is a working organic estate that dates to the 1850s. Around 900 employees keep it running. The factory site is one of the highest organic Darjeeling tea producers in the country.
Highlights
What stays with you.
- Tea gardens on rolling hills. Photographic at every angle.
- Terraced farms and hamlets. Traditional farming visible from the trail.
- Higher viewpoints. The valley below and the distant Himalayas above.
- Ambotia Tea Estate. A working estate dating to the 1850s with a quiet sit-down at the end.
Waypoints
The route, hour by hour.
- 00:00Gamon Bridge, Bunkulung
- 01:00Farmland section
- 02:00Hillside climb
- 02:45Valley viewpoint
- 03:30Ambotia Tea Estate
What to carry
Five things, no more.
- Water, 1.5 litres
- Light fleece, removable
- Trail runners, not hiking boots
- Phone on aeroplane mode
- A notebook, if you write
Back at base
The morning ends here.
Ambotia is set up for visitors. A guided tour of the factory pairs well with breakfast.
Source
1001things.org/exploring-the-trek-from-bunkulung-gamon-bridge-to-ambotia/1001things.org is an initiative of Inspiria Knowledge Campus.