A Memorable Journey To The Best Tea Plantations In India

Tea fondly known as ‘Chai’ across India by tea lovers is perhaps the second most-consumed drink after water. If you are a tea lover you must have certainly felt the pang if someday you missed your morning refreshing cup of tea. Imagine yourself sipping your favorite cup of chai while enjoying the refreshing lush green tea plantation in India in front of you. India’s tea estates are places of beauty and serenity, so take up your backpack to dash towards some of the top tea plantations listed for you here to taste a unique intoxicating feeling never before experienced.

Let Us Introduce You To The 8 Best Places To Visit India’s Tea Plantations

Gatoonga Tea Estate, Assam

Situated near Jorhat, a city with air connectivity, Gatoonga Tea Estate is a favorite destination for many tea lovers who wish to have a unique experience of life on a tea plantation. You can enjoy trekking around the estate and get the best view of how tea is made. Make sure to book your stay at the Banyan Grove on the Gatoonga Tea Estate, which is a colonial heritage bungalow with a history of over 100 years to get a glimpse of the history of tea plantations in Assam.

If you wish to have a more varied experience and have the time for it, book yourself in one of the Jorhat Tea Bungalows situated among Tea estates for a few days of unique pleasure of gracious living in the lap of nature. All these bungalows are from colonial times that belonged to the tea planters and are maintained well even to this day to give you a memorable experience of living on a tea plantation in the fashion of planters. An additional attraction to some of these Bungalows is the scenic golf course, which was part of tea planters, to make the luxury of your stay complete. 

Glenburn Tea Estate, Darjeeling

Glenburn Tea Estate situated in the foothills of the Himalayas is another of the top places that is visited by tea lovers and holidaymakers for a unique experience of a stunning and lush green estate. The tea estate offers you 1600 acres of beautiful landscape to be in harmony with nature and watch closely the process of making the Darjeeling tea famous for its flavor. The estate offers you for your comfort a gorgeous bungalow with eight well-equipped suites that offer a breathtaking view of the Kanchenjunga Mountain. While around Darjeeling do not miss the chance of visiting Happy Valley Tea Estate, one of the oldest in India famous for producing tea of delicate flowery flavor. 

Cooch Behar Tea Estates, West Bengal

Located at the foothills of the Darjeeling Hills, The Cooch Behar Plays host to about 30,000 small tea growers and attracts tourists from all over the world. This is a unique feature in tea production where Bought-leaf factory units purchase green leaves from small growers and convert them into processed tea. Visit these small growers to get an exceptional experience of tea plantations in India and be mesmerized by the beauty of the location.

Kanan Devan Hills Plantation, Munnar

Located in the Idukki district of the state of Kerala, Kanan Devan Hills Plantation in Munnar is a major attraction for tourists who are mesmerized by its manicured tea gardens and astounding biodiversity. Munnar itself is a major tourist destination in India and its vast stretch of tea plantation over the slopes of its hills gives you a refreshing ambiance all around with panoramic views of the hill station. For tea lovers, an added attraction is the country’s first tea museum there which depicts the growth of this century-old tea plantation from the rudimentary tea roller to the fully automated tea factory of the present day. A visit to the museum will certainly be a wonderful experience for you. 

Nilgiri Tea Plantations, Tamil Nadu

The stunning hills of Nilgiris are always an inviting destination for nature lovers but why not take a tea tour to the lovely lush greenery of over 100 years old tea estates of Nilgiri tea Plantations which are famous for their lovely strong, black, and aromatic tea. You could start your trip from Coonoor and try out some of the exotic teas at the Tranquilitea Tea Lounge. You may prefer to book your stay at Tenerife Hill which is a plantation farm stay in the midst of tea gardens on the slopes of Tenerife Hill, the highest point in Coonoor, offering unmatched views of the tea gardens and the rolling Nilgiri Hills. Staying amidst these beautiful tea plantations in India will give you a lifetime experience of peace and tranquillity.

Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, Tamil Nadu

At 7900 feet above sea level, Kolukkumalai Tea Estate is the world’s highest-elevation tea plantation that produces tea using the orthodox method in their time-tested tea factory. Kolukkumalai only manufactures the highest-quality tea using orthodox machines that require significant labor with limited productivity. One sip of their tea and you will know why Kolukkumalai tea is considered one of the best in the world. Without any doubt, this tea plantation of India is considered one of the world’s most scenic locations which you must visit for a delightful experience. You can tour the beautiful tea plantations in India, acquaint yourself with the traditional method of tea processing that is used in this plantation, and of course, sip some of their delicious tea while inhaling the beauty of Kolukkumalai.

Darang Tea Estate, Himachal Pradesh

Nestled mystically in the upper Dhauladhar Himalayan ranges, Darang Tea Estate is a sprawling 70 acres lush tea plantation with the beautiful sight of the snowcapped mountains on the horizon. This family-owned Tea plantation is over 150 years old and it is said to be one of the first plantations to be planted by an Indian. Its rustic charm lovingly preserved over the years in the beautiful pristine hills of Himachal Pradesh has made the Darang Tea Estate one of the best serene destinations, apt for a quick getaway over the weekend with family, friends, or a solo trip.

Just a short drive from Mcleodganj, Darang Tea Estate offers you numerous options for a pleasant stay and a truly enjoyable experience. Besides one of the best tea plantations in India, Darang has a good portion of its estate filled with wild flowering plants and fruit-laden trees. You can book yourself in one of the four cozy cottages that the Estate offers to the tourist and enjoy the sight of snowcapped mountains and the lush green tea gardens from your cottage while sipping your morning cup of Darang Organic Tea. You can go trekking in and around the Tea plantation and enjoy the little khuds (mountain streams) dotting the property. On your return, you will certainly have memories of a good time spent for a long time.

Kelagur Tea Estate, Karnataka

Located in the district of Chikkamagaluru in the state of Karnataka, Kelagur Tea Estate is well known for its organic process of tea making and is a much sought-after tourist destination, especially for tea lovers. The old traditional methods used by the estate in processing tea have become the foremost attraction for tea enthusiasts. At the tea plantation, you can take a look at the freshly grown leaves breathe in the fresh smell of leaves while taking a stroll around, and also visit the factory to explore the traditional techniques that are used by the Estate for making organic tea. You are sure to love the experience of your visit and would want to return soon to witness the beauty all over again.

India is the second-largest producer of tea in the world and 70% of the produce is consumed within the country. You bet you will rarely find an Indian who does not love ‘Chai’. Take a sip then and decide on your tea tour before you miss this remarkable experience.

Also Read: Meet The Chai Couple That Has Travelled To 23+ Countries!