Rising up, my favorite pastime was gathering postcards that I acquired from family and friends who have been globetrotting. They have been lovely, however I’d usually ponder whether the photographs they featured have been make-believe or truly existed someplace on this planet.

I’ve discovered the solutions to these harmless questions of mine, within the eight tea estates that we discover right now. They’re a nod to the truth that heaven does exist on earth — solely typically, it’s inexperienced.

1. Singtom Tea Property, Darjeeling 

The historical past of this legendary tea property, which was conceived in 1854 by a German priest Joachim Stoelke, is as vibrant as its panorama. The title owes to the abundance of untamed beasts that when frequented these mountains; ‘Singtam’ within the native language interprets to ‘home of tigers’. At the moment, the property is helmed by the fourth era of the Chirimars — one among India’soldest tea-planting households, who have been additionally accountable for championing the restoration of the 1862-built bungalow.

The favored verdict says the Singtom Tea Property is one among India’s most sought-after tea heritage retreats. Why, you ask? The solutions lie in its Victorian structure, panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, vintage fireplaces and unique tea plantations. 

Guide your keep right here.

2. Glenburn Tea Property, Darjeeling 

An in-depth data of tea runs within the DNA of the Prakashes — additionally known as the ‘Chaiwala Household’. This data dates again to centuries when the household’s tryst with rising tea started. And they’re inviting you over for a cuppa. Proper from the second you set foot into the property, every thing personifies the phrase ‘paradise’, together with the backdrop fashioned by the Kanchenjunga mountain vary. 

“Understand how the tea leaf makes it to the cup,” the household urges, referring to theirholistic tea expertise. This journey begins with a stroll by the tea gardens (1.5 to 3 hours) the place the aroma of tea is interspersed with that of various herbs and spices, adopted by a lesson in tea rising and manufacturing. Lastly, there’s a go to to the tea manufacturing facility the place you’ll be able to watch how processes like withering, rolling, fermenting, drying and sorting happen. 

The tour ends with a tea-tasting session.

Guide your keep right here.

3. Sapoi Tea Farms, Assam 

Put in your studying caps as you’re employed for a day in a tea manufacturing facility the place seasoned tea pickers will mentor you on getting the fundamentals proper. Pluck leaves and watch the complete course of (and be part of it) as they’re was liquid gold. 

How does that sound for a trip thought? 

On the heritage Sapoi Tea Farms, 2,600 acres of land is a large canvas so that you can study and discover. However the expanse of the land is simply one of many many attracts. Maximise the daylight to discover the property, strategically located on the north financial institution of Assam, with the Indo-Burmese border on one aspect and Arunachal Pradesh to the north. Within the evenings, get pleasure from biking across the property and taking in all of the pure magnificence it holds. In the meantime, nights are reserved for revelling within the feasts that you just’ll be served throughout your keep atthe heritage bungalowestablished in 1914. 

Guide your keep right here.

4. O’Land Plantation Stays, Coonoor 

The Sukhdev household’s deep love for nature compelled them to buy a bit of land in Tamil Nadu’s Coonoor in 2007, aspiring to protect the realm, which doubled up as an ‘elephant hall’. However because the years handed by, couple Vinati and Pavan noticed potential within the land and wished others to see it too. At the moment, the O’Land Plantation is an ode to a new-age philosophy of howsustainable ecotourismdoesn’t want to return at the price of compromising on nature. 

The 120-acre property will maintain you in your toes with chook watching, waterfall picnics, tea-tasting periods and climbing. Elaborating on the keep, which additionally boasts heritage, Vinati says, “There was already a bungalow on the property, known as ‘Property Home’, which was constructed round 1851. We went on to construct two extra — ‘Pepper Home’, constructed completely of CSEB (compressed stabilised earth blocks) and ‘Hornbill Home’ constructed with brick, stone and wooden.”

Guide your keep right here.

5. Wild Mahseer, Assam

Cradled by the majestic Brahmaputra valley, Wild Mahseer is a historic archive of kinds, with its bungalows boasting a wealthy heritage and a tea-tasting legacy. One of many stays, ‘The Burra Bungalow’, dates again greater than 150 years, when it was the official residence of thesahibsof the McLeod Russel Tea Co. The styles of tea right here grant entry to Assam’s legendary affiliation with the beverage. 

As their web site delves into thefiner particulars of every tea, the listing spans Flowery Pekoe — one of many most interesting styles of tea on the planet; Autumn Gold — orthodox tea produced from nice plucking, which has a splash of gold derived from the buds and one nice leaf; Oolong — quite a lot of Chinese language tea whose flavour profile ranges from candy and fruity to woody and thick; Orthodox Assam — a premium high quality tea with a layered style profile; and Assam Cream, amongst others. When you find yourself not busy familiarising your self with tea, you’ll be able to pay a go to to Kaziranga Park, which is an hour’s drive from right here. 

Guide your keep right here.

6. Sourenee Tea Property, Darjeeling 

For a century, Sourenee has been on India’s tea map. From the hearty breakfast to the actions, every thing at this quaint but upbeat retreat is an ode to tea. Towards the backdrop of the Kanchenjunga, right here’s your likelihood to dive into the trivia of first flush, second flush, rain flush, and autumn flush whilst you pattern whole-leaf grade teas, Silver Inexperienced, and Oolong Tea.

The property’s proximity to the Mirik Valley makes it good for trekking,wildlife sanctuaries, horse driving and boating. An attention-grabbing anecdote prequels the inception of this tea property. The story goes that the land the place the Sourenee Tea Property now stands was a present by a British officer to an area Nepali resident when the latter helped him clear the forest space and arrange an Military base. 

Guide your keep right here.

7. Vaani Greens — Kanchanjuri Tea Property, Assam

“A celebration of Assamese tea tradition,” is how company describe this keep that’s neighbours with the Kaziranga Nationwide Park. A promise to be utterly immersed from all sides within the breathtaking tea tradition attracts many company to this property, which additionally prides itself on Earth-to-plate philosophies.

While staying at this Kanchanjuri Tea Property, you may be regaled with tales oftea rising and processingwhile additionally being handled to over 25 styles of the beverage. The eco-stay prioritises experiences over quick journey, and on any odd night, you’ll be able to anticipate a go to from a one-horned rhinoceros or a live performance put up by people teams. 

Guide your keep right here.

8. Yuletide Tea Retreat, West Bengal 

Perched on the verdant Mim tea gardens of Darjeeling, Yuletide Tea Retreat is a love letter to the beverage that it has been brewing since its inception. At an altitude of over 4,500 ft, whilst you sip on a few of themost interesting teaever, right here’s a story to maintain you firm. It includes a younger man from Scotland with a dream. Mr Andrew Yuletide visited India to discover (a dream that ultimately was wanting to alter) the tea trade of India. The tea enterprise that he championed within the years to return within the Mim tea gardens was hailed as one of many very best.

At the moment, previous colonial touches come along with fashionable structure within the type of the tea retreat, the place company are supplied luxurious with a aspect of historical past.

Guide your keep right here.

Edited by Khushi Arora