5 quiet retreats in the eastern India

Samthar Farmhouse The wood-and-stone Samthar Farmhouse is located in a remote Lepcha village in West Bengal with magnificent views. This is a getaway in the true sense of the word there is no electricity, the bedrooms are basic and you are provided with a bucket of hot water when you want to bathe. Location 80km from Kalimpong. Contact 03552-255204, www.gurudongma.com 

Thengal Manor Live posh in an old-style Assamese plantation setting. Thengal Manor, located in the village of Jalukonibari, boasts plush, lavish single and double rooms. Sleep in a canopied four-poster bed, take a walk on the lush grounds or to the nearby village, chat over afternoon tea in the sitting room or steal a between-meals snack from the pantry. You can even, the website promises, &ldquocatch a dozen fish in 30 minutes&rdquo. Location Jorhat is 310km from Guwahati the hotel is another 15km. Contact 0376-2320479/2304268, www.heritagetourismindia.com

Bamboo Resort Run by a Swiss-Sikkimese couple, the Bamboo Resort in the idyllic village of Sajong is an eclectic sort of place. The rooms combine traditional Sikkimese craft with feng shui and the benefits of Western plumbing the building is made of solid stone, with plenty of bamboo and marble floors. The food is just as varied. There&rsquos even a pizza oven on the premises. If you can tear yourself away from the house there&rsquos an inhouse travel agency to help plan your itinerary. Mountain bikes are available to rent and treks are plentiful. Location Sajong is 25km from Gangtok. Contact 0353-2202049, 9832061986 www.sikkim.ch

Sunderbans Jungle Camp The Sunderbans cover some 10,000 sq km of mangrove forest and water of which under half is in India. Unsurprisingly, the area is home to an astonishing variety of bird and animal life, and of course the tiger. Located on Bali Island, the Jungle Camp is run by poachers-turned-conservators. Location The jetty is three hours from Kolkata by car, it takes another three hours by boat to the camp. Contact 033-24550917 www.helptourism.com

Garumara Jungle Camp Set over 50 acres in the Himalayan foothills of the Dooars, Garumara is the ideal introduction to the wild, beautiful frontiers of the North Bengal hills. The camp is surrounded by tea gardens, rivers and streams and is only a few minutes&rsquo drive from the Garumara National Park. The camp offers 26 comfortable rooms, though be prepared, your shower will be cold. Location 3hrs from Bagdogra airport. Contact 0353-2535893