Tea Time in the Hills: The Most Picturesque Tea Estate Home Stays

Introduction:

If you ever wanted to wake up inside a postcard, the kind where misty crawls along emerald terraces and while a kettle sings somewhere in the distance then a tea estate home stay is your kind of holiday. Across India’s hill stations, old planter bungalows, boutique plantation stays and family run homestays offer a slow and sensory way to travel. Walk the plucker’s rows at dawn, learn how a leaf becomes liquire, savour the fresh briskness of a morning cup and sleep to the hush of the hills. Below this blog by Memorable India covers the most picturesque tea plantation stays in India. Here we cover how they are organised by region, what makes each one special, the best time to visit and practical tips. So you can actually go and live this tea dream: 

Glenburn Tea Estate, Darjeeling, West Bengal

If classic Himalayan tea romance had a poster child, Glenburn would be it. Set on a hillock above the River Rungeet, it keeps the colonial charm alive with sweeping verandas, river-rich walks, panoramic mountain views and guided tea factory tours. It is a great base for birding, gentle treks and river activities and feels like a private planting estate where every guest is a welcome house guest rather than a hotel number. 

It comprises two restored 19th-century bungalows, with four-poster beds and porcelain teacups, rooms and family bungalows with large rose-covered verandas. You will go on the guided walks through acres of tea, enjoy the tea tasting experiences in India, evening stories around the fire and home style meals. Book a sunrise walk and an estate tour early, the light and aromas at first plucking are unforgettable here. 

Best Time To Visit: March To May

How To Visit: Fly to Bagdogra Airport and then get transferred to the hotel in a private cab through a scenic 3-3.5 hour drive.

Things To Do:

• Explore the farm-to-cup tea process with guided tea estate tours
• Participate in tea plucking and tastings
• Guided hiking tour to the surrounding forests 
• Enjoy mountain biking through alluring ways 

Singtom Tea Estate & Resort, Darjeeling, West Bengal

Singtom claims a singular history. Started by Joachim Stoelke, a German priest, in 1854, it is the second oldest tea estate in Darjeeling and features heritage living in the panoramic hilltop location. It is now managed and run by the 4th generation of the Chirimar family. The resort is set in classic Darjeeling terrain between a 1,600-acre private tea estate. The property itself has an old-world heritage feel that is perfect for a slow morning on the verandas. For culture, it is also close enough to the town for chai shops, toy train rides and monasteries to explore. 

You will find here Victorian architecture with 700 sq. ft antique fireplace rooms with mountain views. The property has the Steinthal Suite, Singtom Suite, Victoria Suite and Himalaya Suite with mountain views. This is one of the luxury plantation stays India offers you the opportunity to walk the thread of the estate and access the Darjeeling tea culture. Pair your stay with a market visit in town to sample street sweets and local tea stalls. 

Best Time To Visit: April to June

How To Visit: The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport which is about 74 kilometres away.

Things To Do:

• Visit the 360 Point Picnic Spot for a panoramic view
• Tea tasting tour to taste Darjeeling’s finest tea 
• Go on a thrilling trekking tour

Heritage Bungalows and Tea Garden, Kaziranga, Assam

Assam is a tea county that has a wide, low undulation of bright green, big leaves and a humid climate different from the cool Darjeeling slopes. Around Jorhat and the Kaziranaga corridor, you will find heritage planter bungalows and converted homestays where colonial era architecture meets large verandas, golf lawns and close proximity to Kaziranga’s wildlife safaris. These stays are dreamy for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts and tea lovers. Experience the charm of Scottish style bungalows here from the British era that offer unique accommodation options with a blend of history. You will enjoy the serene beauty of tea estates, learn about tea cultivation and enjoy the most relaxing and best India farm stay experiences.

Best Time To Visit: October to March 

How To Visit: You can fly to either Tezpur Airport or Jorhat Airport, which are about 80-96 km away from these offbeat plantation stays in India. Hire a private cab and reach out there while enjoying the beautiful views.  

Things To Do:

• Learn about the tea-making process from leaf to cup
• Stay in heritage bungalows to explore colonial charm 
• Enjoy a refreshing visit to the Kakochang Waterfall

Homestay by the Tea Garden, Dibrugarh, Assam

Homestays by the Tea Garden (and others like it around Dibrugarh) offer a homely plantation ambience for those who want immersive garden-side stays in upper Assam. This is an elegantly designed one of the eco friendly farm stays in India with themed rooms with art in every corner with beautiful views.  It gives you an experience of terraces of green, close interactions with local planters, and food rooted in Assamese flavours. It is especially good for travellers who prefer small, personal stays over big resorts. The staff here is so humble and offers family hospitality, garden breakfasts, and the chance to walk into the working fields. For a more immersive experience, visit the nearby tea factory to see with your own eyes how withered leaves become that first steep. 

Best Time To Visit: October to March 

How To Visit: You can fly to Mohanbari Airport (MHB) which is about 9 km from these plantation tours and stays in India. Hire a private cab and reach out there while enjoying the beautiful views.  

Things To Do:

• Explore the lush green tea gardens for soulful beauty
• Learn about the cultivation and processing of tea
• Visit the nearby tourist attractions

Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, Kerala 

Perched atop the Western Ghats at an altitude of 7,900 feet, Kolukkumalai claims one of the highest tea plantations in the world. This is one of the best plantation stays in India, amidst rugged and undulating terrain that offers an exceptional experience. The walkable terraces and sunrise vistas are cinematic here. It is a place where clouds and ridges chase each other and the tea is literally harvested above the clouds. Stays in and around Kolukkumalai give you direct access to those dramatic sunrises and to organic, hand-plucked tea experiences. It offers a unique perspective for those eager to combine their love for nature in their Kerala family packages. It is a cool and breezy morning here and camping options give you a thrilling experience nearby. Sunrise is the event plan for an early start to visit the ridges and valleys as they light up. 

Best Time To Visit: October to March

How To Visit: The nearest airport to this tea estate is Cochin International Airport which is about 108 km away. Fly there and then take a scenic drive to reach your most awaited destination to relax and rejuvenate. 

Things To Do:

• Witness the awe inspiring sunrise view over the mountains. 
• Guided tour to learn traditional orthodox tea manufacturing
• Sip different varieties of freshly brewed tea in the factory

Munnar Tea Estate Cottages and Heritage Homestays, Kerala:

Munnar’s classic green steps and rounded hills are synonymous with South India’s tea stories. Scattered throughout the Munnar are family homestays, plantation cottages and converted bungalows that let you stay inside a working tea landscape rather than a busy town hotel. Many of these hosts arranged tea walks, visits to small factories and hill treks. You can enjoy the misty mornings, cardamom and tea aromas and easy access to the tea museum and viewpoints while staying in any of these heritage homestays like Manale Tea Bungalow, Munnar Tea Estate Cottage and Resort, Munnar Tea Country Resort, Whyte House Holidays, and more. Each of them offers a unique experience during your Kerala tour package for couples, some have a glimpse of the past with stone walls and timber floors while others have a countryside experience away from the hustle. 

Best Time To Visit: October to March

How To Visit: Fly to Cochin International Airport (COK) which is about 122-125 km away from the Munnar Tea Estate Cottage and Heritage Homestay. It takes about a 2-hour drive to reach the destination. 

Things To Do:

• Explore the hill slopes and hike on moderate treks. 
• Take a stroll through sprawling tea gardens 
• Enjoy stargazing, bonfire, barbecue and relaxed surroundings.

Tea Bungalows and Boutique Stays In Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu:

Nilgiris or Blue Mountains present a gentler tea geography, open slopes, eucalyptus, British bungalows with wooden floors and old garden roses. Families like tranquil can stay in boutique hotels and heritage bungalows available as homestays here. Properties such as  Wallwood Garden by Neemrana, SaffronStays Milton Abbott Estate, Marli Hill Bungalow by CGH Earth SAHA, The Xanadu, etc. that give the best experience inside tea garden settings. For a quieter, architecture rich tea stay, this is the place to visit. Each room in every stay is spacious with heritage furniture, a jacuzzi with a view and more. You can experience tea tasting that focuses on Nilgiri blend, the Nilgiri toy train and the botanical gardens within reach. Combine one of the slow and the best coffee spice and tea farm stays in India with a factory visit for a full Nilgiri tea arch. Guests can enjoy the locally served gourmet meals and learn the tea making process. 

Best Time To Visit: November to February 

How To Visit: Take a flight to Coimbatore International Airport (CJB) which is located about 105 km away from the Nilgiris’ tea bungalows and boutique stays. Book a cab or taxi and reach your destination. 

Things To Do: 

• Visit tea estates and learn tea making process
• Explore Doddabetta Peak, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and more. 
• Enjoy boating and waterfalls at Pykara 

Planning Tips Before Visiting The Best Coffee Spice and Tea Farm in India

Here are a few tips that become the cherry on your cake of spice plantation stays in India:

• Best Season: The best time to enjoy your dream vacation stay in Darjeeling, Nilgiris and Munnar is October to March. This period gives crisp skies, pleasant weather, cool days and clearer mountain views. You will witness the most lush and vibrant beauty of the region and the full waterfalls nearby. Monsoon brings romance but trails are wet and some services are closed. While the summers are very humid here so plan your stay during the winter months to enjoy the excellent time and enjoy wildlife watching near Kaziranga in Assam. 
• Advance Bookings: If you want to experience the best and hassle-free experience, its suggested to book in advance. As the high demand estates like those in Assam or Darjeeling fill quickly so they require advance bookings to avoid last minute troubles. Many estates run guided experiences that need scheduling based on your reference, so if you book with us in advance at least 3-4 weeks before we will deliver you the best experience. 
• What To Pack: If you have made up your mind to enjoy coffee plantation stays in India, packing is also a major part to make your trip comfortable. Pack light breathable layers for the day, jackets and warm items for the nights and cooler mornings. You should also carry a raincoat and an umbrella. Do not forget to carry comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, phone charges, insect repellents, toiletries, and essential medication. 

Final Note

A good tea estate homestay in India is a comfortable lodging and a curriculum in place, people and palate. You get a rhythm that hotels rarely offer: the minor holiness of dawn, the honest labour of harvest, the theatre of a kettled morning. Whether it is the Himalaya’s serrated silhouette at Glenburn, the vast Assam plains edged with tea, Kolukkumalai’s cloud-pierced ridges or Nilgiri bungalow light spilling onto a manicured lawn each region offers a distinct tea sense and its own kind of picture. Connect with us for the best India tours to experience a different world. Our team is excited to help you. Ring us now!