🎉 Durga Puja 2025: Experience Bengal's Greatest Festival

Tea Garden Tours

Tea Garden Tours

Step into the world of 'the champagne of teas' with a tour of Darjeeling's iconic tea gardens. Sprawling across the misty hills, these emerald-green estates produce some of the most sought-after tea in the world. A tour offers a fascinating insight into the entire tea-making process, from the delicate plucking of the 'two leaves and a bud' to the final stages of withering, rolling, fermenting, drying, and sorting.

Beyond the educational aspect, the experience is a sensory delight. Walk through the manicured rows of tea bushes, breathe in the fragrant air, interact with the tea workers, and conclude your tour with a tasting session. You'll learn to distinguish the nuances of different flushes and appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into every cup. Many estates also offer heritage stays, allowing for a truly immersive experience.

Key Facts

Best Locations

Darjeeling, Kurseong, Mirik

Best Season

March to May, October to November

Duration

2 hours to a full day

Difficulty

Easy

Gear/Equipment

Comfortable walking shoes

How to Participate

Visiting an Estate

  • Many famous estates like Makaibari, Happy Valley, and Glenburn offer guided tours and tastings.
  • Some estates require prior booking, so it is best to check in advance.
  • You can hire a local taxi for a day to visit multiple gardens.

What to Expect

  • A guided walk through the tea fields.
  • A tour of the factory to see the processing machinery.
  • A tea tasting session to sample different varieties.
  • An opportunity to purchase fresh tea directly from the source.

Gallery

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
tea plucking
tea tasting session
tea garden drone

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