Top 3 Indian Tea Plantations to Visit

Among the tea producers, our motherland India resides at the top of the list.  Though there are many refreshing drinks available in the current market, but still it is almost impossible to resist the temptation of sipping a good hot cup of tea. Almost all the Indian residents are tea lovers and the 70% of the total tea produced in the country is consumed by its own residents. During the British period, the vast tract of hilly lands was converted into tea plantation to produce tea in a large scale. The tradition is still going on. Tea production is not only a food related business now. The tea industry has currently come forward as one of the good revenue-generating tourist spots in the country. Here is a depiction of three such places.

Darjeeling

Darjeeling is not only India’s most popular hill station but is one of the largest tea producing place in the country that produce high-quality light colored, floral smelling tea. About 25% of the total tea output of India is produced in Darjeeling.

Tea Plantations to visit

The first is the Happy Valley Tea Estate. It is located about 3 kilometers north of the town. The estate breeds some of the premium tea in Darjeeling. Happy Valley was established by an Englishman in 1854, and later an Indian aristocrat from Kolkata takes up the charges. It is one of the highest tea gardens in the world at 2,750 meters above sea level. It is open Tuesday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The boutique Glenburn Tea Estate is ideal place for an unforgettable experience rejuvenation of your soul.

Another tea estate which you can visit near Darjeeling is Makaibari tea estate. It is a budget location and here you can find many cheap home stays for staying. They offer good quality food also. The main attraction of visiting this tea estate is the grand tour of the tea garden and the tea factory.

Best time to visit

From March to November for tea plucking. The monsoon season from June to September is best to be avoided.

Assam

Assam, the extreme northeast state of India is the largest tea producing area in the country. The highest tea-grown area is the Brahmaputra Valley. The Assamese tea is bright in color. Jorhat, in the significant part of the valley, is often mentioned to as the “Tea Capital of the World”.

Tea Plantations to visit

Banyan Grove on Gatoonga Tea Estate, near Jorhat is the ideal one for spending holidays. The 100 years old tea estate has a colonial style and seven guest rooms. A visit to the factory is possible where you can see how tea is made.

Again, Wild Mahseer is the newly renovated historic tea planter bungalows on the banks of the Brahmaputra River within the Addabarie Tea Estate, near Tezpur in Assam.

Best time to visit

Middle of May to end June is ideal for the best tea. A Tea Festival is held in Jorhat every November.

Wayanad

Wayanad, a luxurious mountainous tea-growing area of Kerala, produces a substantial amount of tea other than coffee and spices. Most of the tea estates are located south of Kalpetta. The road to Chembra Peak is through a private estate, which is worth a look.

Tea Plantations to visit

Visit Parisons Plantation Experiences and you can stay here also. This beautiful and serene tea estate has two sumptuously bungalows with 10 bedrooms. It has a 200-year-old history. Activities include tea tours, tours to tea factories, trekking on various tea trails, and afternoons at the Planters Club.

Best time to visit

September to April is the best time to visit here. It is always better to avoid the monsoon rain.