Munnar Tea Gardens: Experience the Finest Tea Estates in India

Home » Munnar Tea Gardens: Experience the Finest Tea Estates in India

Munnar, a picture-perfect hill station nestled amidst the misty Western Ghats of Kerala, India, is adorned with emerald green hills, enchanting vistas, and vibrant meadows. However, your Munnar tour cannot be completed without visiting its enchanting tea gardens.

Munnar tea gardens are unlike other tea estates across the country – the art of tea cultivation in Munnar tea gardens is woven into the very fabric of this region’s history.

As you journey through the winding roads to Munnar, the lush tea estates stretch as far as your eyes can see. So, on your next Munnar trip, make sure to inhale the air that’s infused with the aroma of freshly plucked tea leaves, or lose yourself in learning the intriguing process of tea production.

Interestingly, we have curated exclusive Munnar trip packages to help you explore the most spectacular tea gardens in Munnar. For now, slow down your breath and learn about the top magical tea estates in Munnar to visit. Let’s go!

Kolukkumalai Tea Estates – The highest tea plantation in the wor

Perched at 7900 feet, Kolukkumalai tea estate wears the crown of the highest tea plantation in the world, and one of the most stunning tea gardens in Munnar.

These mesmerising tea estates in Munnar boast a storied past dating back to the colonial era when the British, along with the Chettiar Brothers of Tamil Nadu, planted the first tea seeds (imported from China) in Kolukkumalai.

The tea factory was fully functioning by 1936, and run by the AJ Group, a few years after the independence. Today, this 81-hectare estate is the oldest tea garden in the country where tea is prepared using traditional method which is hard to find in other tea gardens across the world.

Besides, Kolukkumalai tea plantation in Munnar also offers an exclusive program to the visitors – MAKE YOUR OWN TEA – you can pick the leaves from the estate and prepare your own cup of tea after learning the process of tea production in the factory. You can also purchase a variety of tea packets from the estate and take its aroma back home.

Besides, Kolukkumalai is a natural grove for waterfalls, misty weather, and scenic views of the Nilgiris. So, make sure to soak in the healing energy of flora and fauna as you take in the first sip of a freshly prepared cup of tea.

It will take you about 2 to 3 hours to finish the tour of Kolukkumalai tea gardens of Munnar but we’d suggest you spend a night in the estates to witness the most spectacular sunrise ever. The beauty of the orange sun rising from the misty valley as witnessed from the emerald green Munnar tea gardens cannot be put to words for it can only be experienced!

• Location: Theni, Tamil Nadu (35 km from Munnar and can only be accessed by jeep).
• Must-do Things: Trekking, camping, making your own tea, witnessing the sunrise, etc.
• Best Time to Visit: September to February 
• Entry fee: INR 100 
• Timings: 7 AM to 6 PM (Sunday Closed)

Pallivasal Tea Garden – A verdant bliss in the legacy of tea

Snuggled in the outskirts of the beautiful Munnar lies the gorgeous tea estate of Pallivasal, known for its scenic settings encompassing vibrant meadows, rolling hillsides, and even its namesake waterfall which is enveloped by thick forests.

Pallivasal is also the place where Kerala’s first hydroelectric project was built, so, it is a top attraction for those who love being around water.

The history of Pallivasal, just like Kolukkumalai, dates back to the British era when an English planter, A.H Sharp, established the tea business in Munnar, and Pallivasal around 1905, which soon became one of the most flourishing tea estates in Munnar.

Several Munnar trip packages offer a personalised tour to Pallivasal tea estates but SOTC curates the best Munnar tour to the hill station’s tea gardens. It should take you about 2 hours to soak in the healing vibes of one of the oldest Munnar tea plantations.

Apart from taking a tour of the tea garden, you can also witness the glory of the stunning Sahya mountain range, visit Pallivasal and Attukal Waterfalls, take leisure walks around to witness birds like whistling thrush and Nilgiri flycatchers and explore nearby places, including Chithirapuram village and Anayirankal Dam.

You can also follow some wonderful trails leading to the woods and connect with the raw beauty of nature, and thus, yourself.

• Location: Idduki district (about 13 km from Munnar)
• Must-do Things: Trekking, camping, mountain climbing, visiting waterfalls, and other remote places. 
• Best Time to Visit: July to September (Monsoon)
• Timings: 7. 30 AM to 10 PM 

Kanana Devan Hills Plantations, Nullatani Estates – Home to the first-ever tea museum of India. 

Sprawling over an area of 2461 hectares, the Nullatani Estates houses Kanana Devan Hill Plantation (KDHP), one of the most popular tea plantations in Munnar.

Just like other Munnar tea gardens mentioned in the list, KDHP also found its beginning during the British era and is a remarkable part of the history of tea cultivation in Munnar. Nullatanii Estates beckons travellers with its alluring blend of emerald tea gardens, pristine streams, and mist-draped mountains.

Another reason to visit this splendorous tea estate in Munnar is the iconic Tata Tea Museum, which is the first tea museum in the country, boasting a legacy that spans decades.

The stunning museum showcases traditional machinery and tools of tea production used during the 20th Century. Some of its exhibits include an original tea roller from 1905, a peloton wheel from the Kanniamally Estate power plant in the 1920s, a rotor vane, and artifacts from the Kundale Valley Light Railway that ran between Munnar and top stations around the 1900s.

The tour to one of the most stunning tea gardens in Munnar also includes learning about the tea-making process. You can also ask for a freshly brewed cup of tea while soaking in the unmatchable scenic beauty of Munnar Hills.

No prizes for guessing, you can also purchase your favourite type of tea from a wide variety, including green tea, black tea, specialty tea, ice tea, flavoured tea, and even essential oil. So, why not browse and pick the SOTC’s Munnar tourism package that suits your need the best?

• Location: KDHP House, Idduki, Kerala.
• Must-do Things: Visiting the Tata Tea Museum, leisure walks, trekking, etc. 
• Best Time to Visit: September to December 
• Entry fee: INR 75 for adults and INR 35 for children (INR 20 extra for camera)  
• Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM (Monday Closed)

Lockhart Tea Estate – A tranquil haven displaying traditional tools of tea-making

Built by Baron Von Rosenberg and his son in 1936, the Lockhart Tea Estate and Museum was formally inaugurated in 2014 to exhibit the traditional tea-making procedure. The museum houses antique tools such as mechanical harvesting machines, shears, fletching sprayers, etc which interest a lot of tea lovers and travellers visiting the tea garden. 

One of the oldest and most popular tea gardens of Munnar, Lockhart is also home to a tea factory that produces more than 20 million kg of tea annually using traditional methods. The highlight of the whole tour is the breathtaking view of South India’s highest peak, Chokarmudy, seen from both the museum and the factory.

You can also indulge in exciting activities like hiking, trekking, bird-watching, etc. If not, you can simply sit by the slopes and soak in the cold mountain breeze while sipping in the flavoursome Munnar tea.

• Location: Devikulum, Munnar-Kumily Highway (9 km from Munnar)
• Must-do Things: Take a stroll in the plantations, visit the museum and the factory, witness the stunning Chokarmuny peak, trekking, nature walks, etc.
• Best Time to Visit: October to January 
• Entry fee: INR 200 per person (additional INR 50 for the camera)  
• Timings: 8.30 AM to 8 PM 
• Sevenmallay Tea Estate – An idyllic heaven for tea connoisseurs

One of the loveliest tea gardens of Munnar, Sevenmallay was founded in the 1900s and sits at an elevation of about 4800 feet to the southwest of the emerald hills of

This delightful tea garden sprawls over a hundred acres of land and invites tourists from all over the country to spend a night or two in the lavish bungalow standing in the middle of the plantations.

Apart from exploring the scenic beauty of the plantations or learning about tea cultivation at Severmallay, you can also explore nearby attractions like Atukkad Waterfalls, Tata Tea Museum, Indo Swiss Dairy Farm, The Munnar Church, Ropeway Station, Pothamedu View Point, and more.

• Location: Devikulum, Munnar-Kumily Highway (9 km from Munnar)
• Must-do Things: Visiting nearby attractions, taking leisure walks, staying in a colonial bungalow, learning the tea-making process, etc. 
• Best Time to Visit: All year except monsoon season 
• Entry fee: None 
• Timings: Throughout the day

Conclusion

The magical land of Munnar brims with some phenomenal tea gardens but those mentioned in this blog deserve a visit or two from you. So, make sure to add these splendid Munnar tea gardens on your next trip. To get the most memorable experience, allow our experts to curate exclusive SOTC’s Munnar trip packages for you!

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