Looking for a getaway from the chaos of the city or a nice vacation and a comfortable and luxurious stay in the lap of nature? Well then, we suggest you head to Balipara in Assam and book a stay at Wild Mahseer, a heritage bungalow dating back to the colonial period.
Surrounded by tea gardens, Wild Mahseer is home to over one lakh plants, 90 species of birds, and 72 species of butterflies. It also serves as the gateway to the forests of Kaziranga, Nameri, Orang, and Pakke. It is also home to the 145-year-old Eastern Himalayan Botanic Ark, a natural and cultural paradise located in the Addabarie Tea Estate in the Brahmaputra Valley and taken care of by the local communities of the Eastern Himalayas.
Wild Mahseer comprises 18 bedrooms divided into six beautiful types of bungalows—Burra (a heritage building that served as the official residence of the Visiting Agents or Burra Sahibs of McLeod Russel Tea Co. till the late 1900s), The Cottage (built as an Annexe to the Burra bungalow to accommodate special guests of the visiting agents), Camellia (named after the plant by the same name), Silver Tips (symbolising the small, unopened leaves of a tea plant), Golden Tips (same significance as the Silver Tips) and Ambrosia (named after a rare kind of white tea that grows on the southeast coast of China and can only be harvested during spring).
While you’re here, there’s loads you can do. Read at the in-house library or go cycling at the botanic ark surrounded by lush greenery. Indulge in birdwatching, learn about the tea-making and tea-tasting process, engage in indoor and outdoor activities, go on a guided tour of the property and forests, meet the local community and learn about their culture while capturing some interesting village scenes, sharpen your cooking skills, play the piano or the guitar at the property, or explore the thriving biodiversity at the Eastern Himalayan Botanic Ark through a nature walk.
Don’t forget to go river rafting at the Nameri National Park. You can also indulge in a fun game of badminton, volleyball, football, golf putting, or croquet at the bungalow. You can also try kite flying or play a game of treasure hunt in the wild. The heritage property also hosts bonfire evenings, where you can relax and unwind.
Last but not the least, definitely enjoy a meal at the restaurants inside the property—First Flush (serving flavours of British Assam) and Elephant Apple (Eastern Himalayan cuisine).
