Alubari: A Nice Cup of Tea

About this board game

Alubari: A Nice Cup of Tea is a 2019 board game for 1–5 players, with an approximate play time of 120 minutes. Set in Darjeeling, India, it challenges players to cultivate and harvest tea estates while helping build the Darjeeling and Himalayan Railway.

The railway stretches from Siliguri Town to the summit at Ghum, passing through the Himalayan landscape of West Bengal. Players compete to develop their own tea gardens, contribute to the railway, and assist with the construction of towns along the route.

At the heart of play are the placement actions of laborers. These actions guide how players work on their estates and participate in the developing railway project. Harvested tea leaves can also be used to make Chai for a thirsty workforce, boosting actions even further.

• Cultivate and harvest your own tea estates.
• Contribute to the Darjeeling and Himalayan Railway.
• Help build towns between Siliguri Town and Ghum.
• Use harvested tea leaves to make Chai and enhance your laborers’ actions.

Darjeeling’s tea industry began with Chinese tea plant seeds in 1841, while the Alubari tea garden opened in 1856. The setting reflects the region’s historic tea estates, spectacular views of Kangchenjunga, and famous railway.

When the railway is completed, victory goes to the player who has contributed the most to the railway, helped build the most towns, and developed the most auspicious tea gardens. As a new game in the Snowdonia family, Alubari: A Nice Cup of Tea combines railway construction with tea cultivation and workforce management.