Tea Plantations In Munnar 9+ Essential Tips To Know Before You Visit

The adjacent Tea Museum offers a fascinating journey through Munnar’s tea history, showcasing old machinery, photographs, and a live demonstration of tea processing. Pallivasal Tea Garden is situated a few kms away on the outskirts of Munnar in the village of the same name. The tea gardens are known for their havens like beauty and beautiful meadows of tea plantations in Munnar.

Munnar is situated at around 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) above MSL in the western ghats. German planter Baron Von Rosenberg and his son founded the Lockhart Tea Estate which is Munnar’s oldest tea plantation. The Lockhart Tea Estate is one of the oldest Munnar Tea Estates. Baron John Von Rosenberg and his son built the Lockhart Tea Estate Museum in 1936 but were inaugurated years later in 2014. The museum provides in-depth information on the traditional procedure for growing and processing tea. It also houses a variety of antique tools used on the plantations, including fletcher sprayers, shears, and mechanical harvesting devices.

Tea Tasting and Shopping

The tour usually includes a walk around the plantation and a visit to the factory to learn how tea is manufactured. Some travel companies offer sunrise treks in Munnar, you can hike to a vantage point to witness a magnificent sunrise and also get to walk around a plantation. Nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers can explore the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in and around Munnar.

One of the oldest and most famous tea plantations in Munnar, Kanan Devan Hills Plantation (KDHP) is deeply rooted in Munnar’s tea heritage. It dates back to the 19th century when the British introduced tea cultivation to the region. Today, KDHP is run by its employees, making it India’s first employee-owned tea company.

How many tea gardens are there in Munnar?

If you’re happy to take some pictures of the tea fields from the roadside, then you can do this for free and you’ll have a million opportunities. Or, visit the Letchmi Tea Estate for perfect photo opportunities. Of course, there are public buses but there aren’t really many government/private buses (like on redbus.in) designed for tourists to get to the main destinations.

The industry never recovered it took years for the village to attempt to reconstruct. Tata industries breathed a fresh lease of life into the industry in 1964. Kerala is nicknamed God’s Own Country and there are countless places to visit.

One of the Tata Tea plantations in Munnar, this stunning tea estate is spread over hundreds of acres of land. You can stop and ask if you can visit plantation while sightseeing. Not all private tea plantations are open to the public, some plantations such as the KDHP, permit visitors. Visitors can take a guided tour through the vast tea gardens, witness tea pluckers in action, and learn about the processing methods.

You can go on a safari tour across the estate, go hiking through the hills or take a guided factory tour. If you want to experience living in a tea estate, Kolukkamalai Tea Estate offers accommodation for one or two nights on its premises. You explore the tea estate leisurely and enjoy the sunset and sunrise. During the British colonial era, Munnar’s tea industry flourished under the plantation system.

Of course, you can sample tea anywhere in Munnar if you went into a a café. But, if you wanted to try a range of the teas that are made, it’s recommended to try a tea tasting. There are over 50 tea estates in Munnar, mostly owned by the Tata Group, which doesn’t seem like many. Heads up, my trip to Kerala and the Tea plantations in Munnar was sponsored by India Someday (click here to see more)! Munnar is a town and hill station on Western Ghats mountain ranges located in the Idukki district of the southwestern Indian state of Kerala.

So, you’ll need to do a bit of working out in order to reach where you’re trying to go. If you prefer to escape the tourist crowd, Letchmi Tea Estate offers an offbeat, raw experience. Nestled in the heart of Munnar, this lesser-known plantation is a haven for nature lovers and trekking enthusiasts. If you plan a day excursion to Pallivasal Tea Garden, remember to carry some warm clothes as it can become chilly at high elevation. The museum showcases a variety of machinery used in tea production from the early to the late 20th century.

There are three main varieties of the tea plant � China, Assam, and Cambodia � and a number of hybrids between the varieties. It is a hardy plant able to withstand cold winters and https://22betofficial.com/ has an economic life of at least 100 years. By far the best way to enjoy Munnar is to stay somewhere in the beautiful countryside. That way you can really experience the tranquility of the hills. Tea Tales is a café is located in the main city of Munnar which has a room specifically designed for tea tastings. But, I did get to do a little walk on my tour of Lockhart Tea Plantation with Route 49 Adventures!

But it was neither Munro nor Turnor, who started tea cultivation in Munnar, but was A H Sharp, a European planter in 1880. There was another setback in 1895, that Finley Muir and Company bought 33 estates in Munnar. These estates were later managed by Kannan Devan Hills Produce Company, which was formed in 1897. Finally, after a long drive through the estate, the rain started pouring so we decided to head to the Lockhart Tea Factory Museum. As the oldest tea factory in Munnar, built-in 1939, we were able to learn a lot about how tea is produced.

With India gaining independence, the tea estates in Munnar transitioned into the hands of Indian ownership. The state government played a crucial role in facilitating this transition and ensuring that the tea industry remained a thriving part of Munnar’s economy. Today, Munnar’s tea gardens are owned by a mix of small-scale growers, cooperatives, and corporate entities, continuing the rich legacy of tea cultivation. Munnar is not just about tea; it is a paradise for nature lovers. Beyond the tea gardens, the region boasts an abundance of natural wonders.

The Cambodia variety, a single�stem tree growing to about 16 feet (five metres) in height, is not cultivated but has been naturally crossed with other varieties. Leave early to beat crowds – Unless you’re headed to a private tea field, Munnar is crazy busy. It’s popular all year round due to the cooler temperatures, so I would leave early to avoid crowds if you’re eager to experience them in peace.

Combine your tea exploration with a visit to Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. This protected area encompasses the Rajamalai tea plantations, where tea bushes intermingle with the natural landscape. Take a guided trek through the park, and as you walk amidst the tea gardens, keep an eye out for wildlife sightings. It’s a unique experience that brings together nature, wildlife, and tea in perfect harmony.

• The Lockhart Tea Estate is one of the oldest Munnar Tea Estates.
• Kerala is nicknamed God’s Own Country and there are countless places to visit.
• In 1879, Munro formed North Travancore Land Planting & Agricultural Society.
• Most plantations offer tasting sessions where you can sample a variety of teas — from strong black tea to delicate green and aromatic white teas.
• I personally found the Tea Museum visit to be a truly immersive experience.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing retreat, an adventure through the plantations, or an educational experience at the Tea Museum, we’ve got you covered. The estate’s trails wind through lush tea bushes, dense forests, and occasional streams. Guided treks are available, giving visitors an in-depth look at the tea cultivation process while soaking in the untouched natural beauty.

Majestic waterfalls cascade down the hills, creating a soothing symphony of sounds. The mist-covered mountains offer breathtaking views that seem straight out of a postcard. Munnar is also home to several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks where one can spot exotic flora and fauna, adding an extra layer of adventure to the experience. Visitors can take a stroll through the plantation, interact with the local tea pickers, and enjoy the breathtaking views. Though it doesn’t have a factory tour, the estate offers a more tranquil, immersive experience of Munnar’s tea landscapes. I personally found the Tea Museum visit to be a truly immersive experience.

It’s also good to note that if you have hired a car, or you plan on driving, not all of the tea plantations in Munnar can be accessed by road. After the word spread that there were fertile lands in the Indian hills a man called A H. Sharp, a European planter, came to Munnar in 1880. He started to plant tea in fifty acres of land in Parvathy, which is now part of the Seven Mallay estate. As it’s a hill station, there aren’t many public buses that will make the winding journey up.

You get the opportunity to interact with tea plantation workers. You should also visit the Lockhart Factory which still uses the traditional method to produce tea. The Lockhart Factory’s building is made entirely of wood and is built using age-old, conventional techniques.