India is a land of tea lovers. We cannot start our day without our favourite cup of chai. So it shall come as no surprise that India is among the leading producers of tea worldwide. Tea tourism in Darjeeling is popular among both local tourists and foreign travellers. From the Himalayas in the north to the Nilgiris in the south, lush green tea plantations can be found in many places in the country. This widespread practice of tea cultivation is perhaps what makes tea tourism in India so popular.

First and foremost, tea tourism involves a pleasant stay at a tea estate. The room you’re staying in will be surrounded by adjoining tea gardens, offering picturesque views of the hill slopes. When staying at a tea estate resort, guests can also witness the process of commercial tea production and partake in tea tasting sessions.

The most popular tea tourism destinations in India are:

Darjeeling

Tea tourism in Darjeeling perhaps gets such high tourist attention because of the history associated with Darjeeling Tea. Lying within the lesser ranges of Eastern Himalayas, Darjeeling is located in the northern tip of West Bengal. It is most known for its panoramic views of the snow-capped Kanchenjunga. The hill slopes here are covered in vast expanses of tea plantations. Tea cultivation in Darjeeling was started by the British in early 1850s, and there are many tea estates in the region which date back to the colonial period. Darjeeling Tea is one of the finest blends of tea in the world, with a direct approval from the Queen of England herself. It is also known as the ‘Champagne of Teas’ due to its strong muscatel flavour. Tea estate resorts in Darjeeling offer a view of lush tea gardens on one side, and snow-capped mountains on the other side.

Assam

With more than 800 tea estates, Assam is easily the world's largest tea producing region. Tea is grown on both sides of the Brahmaputra River Valley. Assam has some of the oldest tea estates in India. Jorhat, a small tea-growing district, is famously known as the ‘Tea Capital of the World’. With innumerable tea plantations in the region, Jorhat is one of the best options for tea tourism in Assam. Enjoy a relaxed time surrounded by sprawling tea estates.

Munnar

Munnar, located in the Western Ghats in Kerala, is one of the most picturesque hill stations in India. If tea tourism in Darjeeling is for the international tourists, then the tea gardens of Munnar are meant for local tourists to experience tea tourism in budget. With hill slopes covered in rows upon rows of lush green tea plantations, Munnar paints a pretty scenic picture. The resorts here offer a charming view of tea gardens from every room.

Palampur

Located in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Palampur is home to several privately owned tea estates. The snow-clad peaks of Dhauladhar Range can be seen overlooking the bright green tea plantations here. Palampur is known as the ‘Tea Capital of North India’. It is undoubtedly one of the most scenic destinations.