The long road to Sikkim
Sikkim’s landscape is defined by mountains. The drive up to Temi Tea Estate is a reminder that in these rural parts, nature has the last word when it comes to reaching your destination. For Eduardo, the journey took longer than expected: The severe monsoon rains in October of 2025 had caused landslides to block the main access road to the state, forcing him to take a scenic detour on a long, winding road through the tea fields of Darjeeling.
A mandatory stop on the way into Sikkim is at one of its checkpoints, which are as numerous as its neighboring countries. The state shares borders with Nepal, Bhutan, and China, including the Tibetan Autonomous Region. While the entry into Sikkim is not difficult, it feels like gaining admission into a sacred space.
Tea is recent history
Sikkim was once a small Himalayan kingdom defined by the movement of different cultural groups across its steep terrain. As a gateway between the mountains and the plains below, it was shaped by Tibetan Buddhism and remains a home to Lepcha, Bhutia, and Nepali communities. For a state this small, the variety of languages spoken is remarkable. Nonetheless, Sikkim’s people have a common identity, which a large majority chose to consolidate in 1975 by joining the Indian Union via a popular referendum. Still, Sikkim retains its flair as a separate place that feels distinctly different from its neighbor Darjeeling.
This difference is reflected not only in the region’s culture, but in its relationship to tea. The plant was brought to Sikkim only in the 1960s, when its former king decided to cultivate it as part of a meticulously planned agricultural project led by the government. A designated location was chosen as the ideal place for this endeavor: What was once a Sherpa village, later populated by Scottish missionaries, was transformed into Temi Tea Estate.
A sanctuary for nature and people
Until today, Sikkim remains one of the few tea regions that are represented by a single production site. The yearly yield kept is moderate, speaking to a focus on quality rather than quantity that runs through Temi’s entire history and the creation of their teas. Deliberately built on steep slopes for drainage and surrounded by native Himalayan flora and fauna, the gardens elicit a sense of a hidden sanctuary. It comes as no surprise that Sikkim is fiercely protective of this pristine habitat: In the early 2000s, Temi transitioned to chemical-free cultivation, a decision that was followed shortly thereafter by a statewide ban on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
While tea is more of a novelty in the region compared to other places, Temi’s methods stay on the orthodox side. Soil health, biodiversity, and sustainable balance are essential to the philosophy; so are economic resilience and the long-term livelihoods of some 400 workers that depend on the estate. As a standalone institution, Temi carries a collective responsibility: Its teas do not just represent a single producer, but the entire region’s identity.
Created with such a conscientious approach, Temi teas have earned international renown. They are appreciated for their clear expression of their high-altitude terroir, their freshness and simplicity. More than anything, they encapsulate the slowness and intentionality that is central to life in Sikkim, and which can be felt with every breath of cool morning air when walking through Temi’s gardens.
