Of fine taste – charming tea estate stays in India

Regular travel destinations are becoming way too mainstream, and as a seasoned traveller, you must be wondering, what next? The answer is tea gardens. India’s tea gardens are world famous, and Assam and Darjeeling tea gardens boast of the very best produce, which gets exported all over the world. Many of these tea gardens also have resorts, where you can stay with your family and loved ones. Rolling hills and natural vistas create a perfect blend for an enchanting tea garden stay. And summers are perhaps the best time to visit these tea gardens as you can book a stay to escape the heat of the plains.
Here are our top picks for the best tea garden stays in India.

O’land Plantation Stay, Coonoor
Set in Coonoor, this is yet another tea estate stay par excellence. Set in the midst of the Nilgiris, the estate is 120 acre big, and grows tea, coffee, cloves, and pepper. The location is a gem because it is sheer unspoilt nature all around you. You can choose from three different options, namely, The Pepper House, The Estate House, and The Hornbill House. Perhaps, the most interesting thing about this estate is that it is eco-friendly, and much of it runs on solar power. You have the opportunity to take a mountain train ride here.
Glenburn Tea Estate, Darjeeling

A tea estate set on the verdant hills of Darjeeling, it was formed by a Scottish tea company way back in 1859. Today, it has a beautiful boutique hotel that will take your breath away. The two bungalows here take you back to the colonial era, and then there is the majestic Mount Kanchenjunga. If you want the ultimate experience, you must try to book the Kanchenjunga Suite or the Planter’s Suite. The rooms here do not televisions, and that is just the right way to holiday in a tea garden.

Wild Mahseer Lodge, Balipara, Assam
Nature’s paradise, this northeast Himalayan tea estate was built in the 1800s. There is the coveted Heritage Bungalow here, alongside four other smaller bungalows. A number of activities would mark your stay at the Wild Mahseer; bird-watching and rafting being two such interesting options. You can expect exemplary Assamese cuisine here, while also embarking on a tea tasting journey that would give you a deep insight into the world of Assamese tea.

Briar Tea Bungalows, Valparai

A sprawling tea estate with enchanting bungalows, you have to pick from the four – Sirukundra Bungalow, Monica Garden Bungalow, Stanmore Garden Bungalow, Puthuthottam Annexe. Each of these bungalows has its own set of activities, which includes trekking, tea plantation walk, tea factory, swimming, or even staying in a tent. The Valparai region in Tamil Nadu is gorgeous with greenery all around. If you are interested in bird-watching, you must stay at the Puthuthottam Annexe, which is surrounded by forests.