Top 3 Tea Gardens of India

When people expect to Tour India, they only concentrate on exploring the historical monuments. However, we would like to inform you that tea gardens are also integral to India travel. India is the second largest tea producer in the world and the first tea auction center in the world was started in India.

Most of the tea consumed in the United Kingdom, France and other European countries are produced in India, mainly in the Indian state of Assam. For centuries, Assam tea has been the favorite breakfast tea for many people in the world. Many tourists like traveling to the majestic and beautiful tea gardens of India where Indian tea is produced.

Assam is regarded as the birthplace of modern Tea and only Southern China and Assam are the regions with indigenous tea plants. Here are the different types of tea grown in India and the tea gardens associated with them:

Assam Tea

It is a black tea and is characterized by bright color, strong and malty flavor and its blend. It is grown in the low lands of Assam, mainly in the banks of the River Brahmaputra and River Barak. The tea gardens of Assam are lush green and are surrounded by dense jungles in most cases. The tea gardens which are very famous can be found in places near the towns of Sonitpur, Tezpur, Kalain and Silchar. One can see the laborers plucking tea, watering the plants and cleaning the gardens.

Most of these tea gardens have beautiful Scottish style bungalows which were built in the British era and these bungalows serve as guest houses. Another fascinating fact about the Assam tea gardens is that, you can get a view of the mighty Brahmaputra River from these tea gardens. India tours cannot be complete without visiting the tea gardens of Assam. Unlike other tea plants, Assam tea plants have long leaves.

Darjeeling Tea

It is an oolong tea, which is marketed and sold as black tea and is famous for its aroma. Darjeeling is a beautiful hill station in the Indian state of West Bengal and the tea gardens of this hill station grow green tea, black tea and white tea which are popular around the world. The tea gardens are located on high areas and one can get a view of the Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain peak in the world (highest in India).

Apart from the tea gardens, you can explore many other attractions in Darjeeling such as Nightingale Park, Batashiya Loop, Japanese Peace Pagoda, Buddhist monasteries, Himalayan Zoo, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Tiger Hill etc. Darjeeling is also famous for its resorts and hotels, which are built near the scenic tea gardens. From most hotels in Darjeeling, you can get a glimpse of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the 3rd highest mountain peak in the world.

Nilgiri Tea

It is also a variety of black tea which is grown in the picturesque Western Ghats region of India, mainly in Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu and Munnar (hill station) in Kerala. The tea gardens in the Nilgiri district are beautiful and they are situated at high altitudes. India travel packages can take you to all the tea gardens in this region. The best place to enjoy the tea gardens of South India would be the hill stations of Ooty and Coonoor in Tamil Nadu, and Munnar in Kerala. Apart from beautiful tea gardens, these hill stations are famous for their lakes, mountains and pine forests. They are surrounded by the picturesque Nilgiri Mountains of the Western Ghats.

You can stay in cottages which are built near the tea gardens in India. You can also purchase tea leaves directly from the shops attached to these tea gardens.