After over four decades of crafting immersive hospitality experiences across Southern India, CGH Earth is embarking on a significant new chapter with its expansion into the Eastern Himalayas. Marking the hospitality group’s first venture beyond its traditional southern footprint, this strategic expansion reflects CGH Earth’s enduring philosophy of creating deeply rooted, place-led experiences that celebrate the unique ecology, culture, and communities of each destination. Following its presence in Kurseong, the group is also preparing to strengthen its presence in the region with an upcoming property in Kalimpong.
The Singell Tea Estate, CGH Earth’s living tea estate experience nestled amidst the mist-covered mountains of Kurseong, West Bengal, marks the first venture of the brand. Set within the legendary Singell Tea Estate, established in 1871, the property offers guests an opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich heritage of tea, mountain life, and the extraordinary natural beauty of the Eastern Himalayas.
“At CGH Earth, we have always believed that travel is most meaningful when it is deeply connected to the spirit of a place. Our expansion into the Eastern Himalayas is a natural evolution of this philosophy. The region’s remarkable ecological diversity, cultural richness, and heritage offer an incredible opportunity to create experiences that are immersive, authentic, and rooted in the landscape,” said Michael Dominic – CEO & MD, CGH Earth Experience Hotels.
“For over three decades, CGH Earth has shaped hospitality around the belief that every destination should be left richer than it was found. Rooted in conservation, cultural heritage, and community partnerships, this philosophy will define both our Kurseong and Kalimpong properties”. said George Joseph, Vice President, Operations – CGH Earth.
He further added, “From mist-covered plantation walks and immersive tea factory tours to village trails, riverside picnics, tea tastings, and intimate storytelling sessions, Singell Tea Estate offers guests a deeper connection with the culture, biodiversity, and unhurried rhythms of the Eastern Himalayas. The region is also one of India’s finest birding destinations, renowned for its remarkable diversity of Himalayan birdlife, including rufous-necked hornbills, broadbills, warblers, cuckoos, and countless other species, making every stay a journey into nature’s rich tapestry.”
Singell’s cuisine is rooted in the food traditions of the Darjeeling hills, drawing from the estate, village bari gardens, and local haat bazaars. Seasonal, indigenous ingredients, from fermented gundruk and kinema to Himalayan nettles, silam, and buckwheat, are prepared using time-honoured techniques of foraging, fermentation, smoking, and slow cooking. The result is authentic bungalow food: honest, deeply local, and shaped by the land, its people, and the rhythms of the misty hills.
With just eleven thoughtfully designed rooms set across a restored heritage bungalow and a contemporary wing, the estate blends colonial elegance with modern comfort, offering an intimate stay steeped in history and the enduring romance of the tea gardens.
Building on the launch of The Singell Tea Estate, CGH Earth is now preparing to unveil its next destination in Kalimpong. Renowned for its colonial heritage, vibrant cultural traditions, monasteries, and breathtaking Himalayan vistas, Kalimpong represents another opportunity for the group to create a hospitality experience that is intrinsically linked to its surroundings while remaining true to CGH Earth’s values of responsible and experiential travel.
