Last Updated: September 9, 2019 Abhishek Gurung
The tea estates are all so beautiful that no matter wherever you plan a vacation, you are for sure to get a different experience compared to other tourist destinations in India. In fact, a country that reflects rich culture during their colourful festivals owns some eye-popping tea estate destinations that are tourist friendly. Come down south, up towards north and the northeast destinations of India to witness the lushness for yourself… a place where you can run fast and slow along the narrow dirt roads of tea gardens, which is probably that one wish or a dream that we all have and no matter how old we get we’d always like to do it, maybe while no one is looking! If such beautiful places are of your interests then we have laid down a list of 10 best tea estates where you can spend your holiday with family or can romance on a honeymoon or even visit for your solo adventure.
Mancotta Tea Estate, Assam
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Here at Mancotta Tea Estate, you will get a jaw-dropping sight of rich and lush tea garden that spreads far and wide, some sight to awe at! This tea estate is located in the upper Assam state of Dibrugarh, just a few kilometres from the city central you will reach your destination. Off the regular city life, a visit here offers such heavenly experience that will surely be compelled to stay longer. With sounds of nature at the break of the dawn and varieties of Assamese tea, ahh! you will shout out loud, THIS IS LIFE! Book 6 Days Assam Tea Tasting Tour at best price.
Where to Stay
A visit to a tea estate and not enjoying a stay is not acceptable, that’s why Mancotta Tea Estate has an accommodation called Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow. This heritage colonial building built over 150 years ago by the British tea planters is the best place to stay that offers a certain charm you have to experience.
Glenburn Tea Estate, West Bengal
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The hill district of West Bengal sure does favour our souls by offering stupendous sights of green tea garden slopes on one side and the majestic chalky Kanchenjunga on the other. And for such majestic view, you can always come and take a walk on a refreshing side in Glenburn Tea Estate that is located an hour away from the ‘always favourite’ tourist destination, Darjeeling. Listen to the sounds of crickets, cicadas and locusts, in this plantation estate that is spread over 1,600 acres and to lavishly experience real country feel, you have to stay in Glenburn Tea Estate, which sure provides a brilliant accommodation to the guests.
Where to Stay
Glenburn Tea Estate offers a cottage like a hotel with the same name from where oozes sweet smell of trumpet vines and varieties of lantanas. There also exists a romantic verandah to admire the view of the garden. The hotel has many suites that are categorized under different names equipped with Victorian design furniture that just gives an extra added beauty.
Wah Tea Estate, Himachal Pradesh
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One of the largest tea estates in the Kangra Valley, Wah Tea Estate located 7 km off Palampur is a must visit the place during Himachal tour. It is here that you can appreciate its beauty, where the rolling hills and misty environ welcome you with open arms, or rather I’d say open roads. While here, you can discover a whole new paradise where you can breathe fresh air and run along its narrow dirt roads between tea gardens. A visit to Palampur Cooperative Tea Factory that offers tea tasting to the guests is worth a try.
Where to Stay
Options to stay here are plenty, or enough to make your stay comfortable. Wah Tea Estate has accommodation options like The Lodge at Wah which is an eco-friendly homestay. With gorgeous rooms and facilities, this is the best bargain you can get. Other options to stay are the Country Cottage Tea Garden Resort and Norwood Green. They both provide comfortable and cozy facilities and rooms making your staycation top notch.
Happy Valley Tea Estate, West Bengal
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Another lustrous tea plantation destination to visit in India located 2,750 meters above sea level, in the hills of Darjeeling is Happy Valley Tea Estate. Surrounded by tea plantations, this place offers a pleasing ambience for the onlookers. And if you planning a visit here, make sure to come between Tuesday and Saturday, 8:00 and 16:00.
Where to Stay
Happy Valley Tea Estate offers a boutique place to stay, Glenburn Tea Estate. It is scenic, ambient and quiet with an awe-inspiring view of the Kanchenjunga Peak. The entire hotel smells of romantic aromas of trumpet vines and varieties of lantanas. The hotel has many suites categorized under different names, Victorian design furniture simply adds up its beauty.
Gatoonga Tea Estate, Assam
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These tea estates ooze fresh scented environ you’d probably fly like a bird, admiring the sight. Welcome to Gatoonga Tea Estate of Assam located near Jorhat, a visit here will offer such pleasurable vacation to your soul. In fact, to make your experience visiting Gatoonga Tea Estate during your holiday even more refreshing, you have to plan a stay here, and by that, we mean a stay solely at the heritage bungalow, Banyan Grove. This place exhibits fine examples of colonial decor and beautiful sylvan flooring with a total of 7 spacious bedrooms, a stay at this heritage property in the midst of Gatoonga Tea Estate is a must experience while in Assam.
Where to Stay
Apart from the aforementioned Banyan Grove that is spread to more than 90,000 square feet, you can consider a stay at the Wild Mahseer. This heritage property has its own history being a tea planter’s bungalow that is newly renovated into a charming cottage. The best part is, it is located on the bank of the Brahmaputra River facing another tea estate of Tezpur, Addabarie.
Kolukkumalai Estate Tea Factory, Kerala
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A visit to a posh tea garden that appears as though it has been perfectly mowed is Kolukkumalai Estate Tea Factory. This beautiful emerald garden is said to be one of the best and the highest tea estate in the world that is located in the Keralan district of Munnar. The key tourist attraction is perhaps the Tea Museum located in Nallathanni Estate. It is India’s first museum and it is opened daily for tourists with a mere entry amount of 100/125 rupees.
Where to Stay
For an enchanting stay in Kolukkumalai Estate Tea Factory, try the Tea Harvester, why? because it is a charming boutique resort surrounded by tea plantations where tea tasting tours are also organized. Another additional resort is the Dream Catcher Plantation Resort and its speciality are the tree houses that are situated around the tea plantations.
Nilgiri Tea Plantations, Tamil Nadu
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A place blessed with a beautiful Nilgiri range is a one-stop destination to visit to explore the rich aromatic tea plantation of Tamil Nadu, in fact, some of the finest tea is produced from this range. While here, the best place to visit to discover Nilgiri tea is in Coonoor. Visit the Highfield Tea Factory and Tranquilitea Tea Lounge where you get an opportunity to slurp some dark and exotic teas. Plantation tours are also made possible by the Tranquilitea group.
Where to Stay
A stay at the delightful cottage called Tea Nest on the Singara Tea Estate offers soothing accommodation and charming ambience. However, if you really want to get away from the same old places to stay options, check out O’land Plantation Stay, it is slightly off route Coonoor around 45 minutes away.
Kelagur Tea Estate, Karnataka
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Spending a holiday in the tea estate is always a riveting experience as they are surrounded by countless tea shrubs which look quite picturesque. But, don’t limit your visit just for pleasure or experience, in fact, a Kelagur Tea Estate offers more. Here, you can witness the traditional process of how a tea is made and all its stages in their 70 years old factory, from rolling to withering, fermentation to drying, sieving to grading and fibre extracting. As a matter of fact, Kelagur Tea Estate is famed as an Orthodox Tea Estate.
Where to Stay
Kelagur Tea Estate provides a homestay, The Ethnic Megur Bungalow. This homestay provides a three room accommodation with comfortable homelike ambience intact with good facilities. A stay here can offer a feel-good vibe where you can get an opportunity to learn about Tamil culture, food and lifestyle.
Darang Tea Estate, Himachal Pradesh
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Up the Himalayan states of India, Darang Tea Estate still captivates travellers by its beauty, grace and charm. But the only way to truly experience a countryside tea estate is by staying in one of their homestays. You can find a few cottages and homestays around the tea estate that offer a comfortable home away from home feel. Nevertheless, apart from tea plantation tours, there are several other sightseeing options like the Kangra Fort, Darang Tea Estate, Mcleodganj and a Triund.
Where to Stay
This family-owned estate offers around four beautiful cottages all intact with basic amenities perfect for a little getaway from the city life. An experience staying in this homestay amid scenic surroundings is just what a city escapers would need.
Makaibari Tea Estate, West Bengal
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Makaibari Tea Estate is one of the most talked about tea estates, perhaps it being one of the oldest tea gardens near Darjeeling area. Located around one or two hours both from Bagdogra airport and Darjeeling in West Bengal, it aids to be a refreshing place to be in for a quick city escape. Makaibari Tea Estate was in fact tagged to be the first garden in the world by the Fare Trade, in addition, it was the first place where a woman was appointed as a supervisor.
Where to Stay
In Makaibari Tea Estate, you can find a few homestays for tourists and visitors that provide well-furnished homes. You could as well get an opportunity to learn about the local culture and their traditional lifestyle of the people of the hills.
Such a riveting feeling you get…it is so stunning, you’d probably bawl your eyes out while visiting a country so fabulous as India. And a staycation here is for certain to experience and see the calm countryside life of tea planters and of course taste some freshly brewed tea. Interested yet? Plan a trip to some enchanting tea destinations in India and if assistance is needed, Tour My India is always here with arms stretched wide. You can call us at 91-9212553106 to learn about our seasoned tour packages and even drop us an email at info@tourmyiindia.com if you want us to be your travel partners. Also, please like and share this blog if you enjoyed reading it and stay in touch for more interesting travel topics.
Published: 04 Oct, 2017
Abhishek Gurung is a writer whose passion for food and travel is an unending affair. He likes going on treks and camping in the woods, loves exploring forts and architecture, he is a cycle enthusiast who likes to contribute something to the environment, travel photography and videography is another interest as he sees life in a cinematic point of view. He likes the idea of living in offbeat destination where the mode of communication is to interact with each other. Coming from Nagaland, he has visited some beautiful valleys and remote villages and appreciates nature as it is and as it should be.
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