Our Trips - Special Interest Tours - Tea County

The prime tea growing areas in India are concentrated in two separate regions of the North East, Dooar hills of Siliguri, Kurseong and Darjeeling and upper Assam the Cachar hills in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia, while in the south of India in the Munnar hills of Kerala.

East
Tea growing was introduced by the Singpo tribe of Assam in the early 19th century in the areas of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Tezpur. However the Dooars belt between Siliguri, Kurseong, Darjeeling grows the world’s best quality tea. The Makaibari Tea Estate which boasts of the world’s highest priced tea and Castleton Tea Estate which also exports large quantity of tea. Both these tea gardens are located near Kurseong. Thurbo Tea Estate in Mirik and the Happy Valley Tea Estates are near Darjeeling, Lopchu Tea Estate on the road between Darjeeling and Teesta Bazaar.

South
Tyford Tea Estate in Kerala streches over 3000 acres of land at 2400ft above the sea level. Founded by William Tyford in 1905, accessible by motor able road and 145 kms north of Cochin (Kochi) airport. This 3000 acres of tea growing land has a unique terrain of vast stretches of lush greenery, lakes, waterfalls, rivulets and an amazing variety of flora. The entire population of 5000 people are engaged in various aspects of tea growing, planting, plucking, pruning, processing and packaging. It is a total tea town, with other activities including fishing, boating in lakes, a 9 hole golf course, and ample chance for nature walks and photography. A sprawling colonial bungalow (your abode at the estate) is surrounded by rolling green meadows, grandeur of the looming mountains, gurgling streams, thousands of acres of tea plantation. You can shake hands with clouds and feel the soft mist engulfing you. Take a trip to Wagamon and get lost amidst the clouds, take a mineral spring bath at Madam’s Pond or play a game of billiards.


Season: September till June
Best time: November till May
Duration: 15 days tour

Day 01
Arrive Kolkata International Airport. Met by India Calling Representative and transfer to pre booked hotel for overnight.

Day 02
Breakfast. City tour visiting Victoria Memorial, drive past Fort Williams, Writers building, raj Bhawan, Dalhouse Square, Marble Palace, India Museum. Return to hotel enroute stop at New market for bargain shopping. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03
Breakfast. Transfer to airport for flight to Bagdogara. On arrival transfer to Kuuseong. Check-in at hotel for overnight.

Day 04
Breakfast. Excurstion to Makaibari Tea Estate and Castleton Tea Estate. Return to hotel enroute visit Orchid nursery. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05
Breakfast. Drive to Darjeeling check-in at the hotel. Visit the Tibetan handicraft and shop at Chowrastha, Observatory hill, Mahakal Temple, Buddhist Shrine, Bhutia Basti Monastery, Lloyd Botanical Garden. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06
Early wake up call. Excursion to Tiger Hill to watch the sun rise the Kanchendzonga Mountain range. Return to hotel via sightseeing of Ghoom Monastery. Breakfast. Day excursion to Thumbo Tea Estate at Mirik. Thereafter visit Happy Valley tea Estates. Afternoon visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Padmaja Naidu Zoo with rare species of the Black bear, red panda and snow leopard, tigers. Return to hotel. Rest of the day free to stroll on Chowrastha, enjoy a typical English ‘tea” at the Keventer’s Bar which offers a panoramic view of the Kanchendzonga range. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07
Breakfast. Transfer to Bagdogara airport for flight to Guwahati. On arrival transfer to hotel. Afternoon tour of Kali Temple at Kanakha. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 08
Breakfast. Transfer to airport for flight to Dibrugarh. On arrival transfer to hotel. Day at leisure.

Day 09
Breakfast. Full day excursion to tea estate.

Day 10
Breakfast. Transfer to airport for flight to Kolkata. On arrival connect flight to Chennai. On arrival transfer to hotel for overnight.

Day 11
Breakfast. City tour visiting Fort. St George, St Mary’s Church, San Thome Basilica, St thomas Mount, Parthasarathy temple, Spend the rest of the day on the beach at the World’s 2nd longest beach “ The Marina Beach”. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12
Breakfast. Transfer to airport for flight to Cochin. On arrival drive to Tyford Tea Estate and check-in at the Colonial Bunglow. The next tow day you will spend at the estates and learn the process from plantation to processing to packaging with overnight.

Day 13
Breakfast. Activities at the Tyford Tea Estate with overnight.

Day 14
Breakfast. Drive to Cochin. Check-in at the hotel. Afternoon visit Old Jewish Town, Mattancherry Synagogue , Dutch palace, Chinese fishing net, Portuguese Church. Return to hotel for overnight. Evening an optional cultural show of Kathakali Dance.

Day 15
Breakfast. A boat cruise on the harbour. Transfer to airport for onward flight to Delhi.

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