If there is one more thing that Indians are known for, it’s their love for tea. We don’t need an excuse to sit back with a cup of piping hot tea, come rain, sun or snow! Just the aroma of freshly brewed beverage makes one want to take a break. Most hill stations in India have vast tea estates and plantations that not only add a lot of beauty to the place but are also known for their unique flavours. Your vacation will only get better if you visit the tea plantations in India, especially if you are a chai lover.
Check out some of the top 10 tea estates in India that you must definitely explore.
Over 100 years old, Nilgiri Hills are known for housing the best tea estates in India. The tea here is dark, strong and quite aromatic. Sign up for a tour of the tea estates here, and you will not regret it one bit. While most tea plantations in India grow tea seasonally, the plantations at Nilgiri Hills do it throughout the year. You can try out varieties of exotic tea, see how everything is made and maybe even buy some.
If there's one thing that Assam is known for other than its scenic beauty, it is the tea plantations here. It is the Tea Capital of the World, and you cannot leave the state without paying a visit to the Jorhat Tea Bungalows. It will only add more flavour to your holiday.
Munnar is yet another hill station that is popular for its tea estates. In fact, the Kanan Devan Hills Plantation is a must-visit since it is the first-ever tea museum in the country. It is situated in Idukki and is a picture-perfect location up the hills. Not only will you love the view here at the tea estates but also the refreshing beverage that grows here!
The Glenburn Tea Estate in Darjeeling is one you cannot miss at all. The estate offers you accommodation with a stunning view of the Kanchenjunga mountain. It's situated in the foothills of the Himalayas and no matter what season you plan your trip in, the view is just breathtaking. Do visit the tea estate when you head over to Darjeeling and sample some of their fresh, special tea.
After Assam and Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu, it is Karnataka that is popular for its tea and coffee plantations. The Kelagur Tea Estate is popular for its organic method of making tea. It's spread of 1500 acres of land and was built 70 years ago. It's a popular tourist attraction for tea lovers. You can see how the tea leaves are processed and the techniques they use to make tea.
The Darang Tea Estate in Himachal Pradesh is another popular tea estate in India that is over 150 years old. After you are done skiing, trekking and enjoying everything that the state has to offer to you, you must visit the tea estate, owned by a family, for its exotic tea. The view is spectacular, and the tea plantations only add to it.
Another tea estate in Assam that you must visit is the Gatoonga Tea Estate. It produces the largest number of tea in the country and is also quite close to Jorhat. You can actually go estate hopping and make it a trend. While you are here, do book your stay at Banyan Grove, a colonial heritage bungalow that offers you the best view of how tea is made.
The Cooch Behar Tea Estate in West Bengal is another beautiful tea estate that tourists love to visit. It is located along the foothills of Darjeeling Hills and has been in business since 1950. Enjoy a cup of freshly brewed tea while you enjoy the scenic view of the estate.
Kolukkumalai Tea Estate is another tea plantation in Tamil Nadu that is quite famous. It is located at close to 7900 ft above sea level. The plantations here use the traditional process to make tea, and you will not be able to resist trying a cup of refreshing tea here.
If you plan to visit more than one tea estate in Darjeeling, you can go to the Happy Valley Tea Estate. It is one of the oldest tea estates in the hill station and was established in 1854. What's special about the tea here is that it's known to have a floral flavour. A lot of people prefer skipping milk and sugar while sampling this tea. However, you might want to avoid visiting during monsoon.
A true tea lover and nature lover cannot resist heading over to the plantations to get a glimpse of everything. Do add one of the above to your itinerary whenever you plan a trip to the hills!
