Underrated tea estates to visit in India

Beyond the famous tea trails of Darjeeling and Assam, India has quieter estates where tea gardens, mountain landscapes and old plantation traditions come together. From the Kangra Valley to the Nilgiris and Sikkim, these underrated tea estates are worth exploring for a slower and more distinctive tea experience. (unsplash)

Achoor Estate, Wayanad, Kerala: Located in Wayanad, Achoor Estate offers more than a walk through tea plantations. Its tea-tourism experience includes a museum, factory tour and plantation visit, while the estate also offers accommodation and activities such as trekking and zip-lining. Its old factory, built in 1911, has been converted into a tea museum, adding a heritage element to the experience. (government of kerala)

Durgabari Tea Estate, Tripura: About 11 km from Agartala, Durgabari Tea Estate is one of Tripura's notable tea gardens and dates back to the British colonial period. Visitors can explore the tea-making process, including plucking, withering, rolling and drying, and sample local tea while taking in the expansive green landscape. The estate also draws on the cultural heritage of the nearby Durga Temple from which it gets its name. (wikimedia commons)

Korakundah Tea Estate, Tamil Nadu: High in the Nilgiris, Korakundah is part of a tea-growing landscape often overlooked in favour of the better-known northern tea regions. The Nilgiris are known for fragrant, brisk teas, while the estate's high-altitude setting offers a different perspective on India's tea country. (facebook: M A Thenmurugakani Nadar)

Mann Tea Estate, Himachal Pradesh: Set in the Kangra Valley near Palampur, Mann Tea Estate offers a glimpse into one of India's lesser-known tea-growing regions. Kangra is particularly known for orthodox black and green teas, while the surrounding Dhauladhar landscape makes the estate a scenic stop for travellers looking beyond Himachal's usual hill destinations. (wikimedia commons)

Singt​om Tea Estate, West Bengal: Close to Darjeeling but away from its busiest tourist circuit, Singtom offers a quieter way to experience the region's tea heritage. The estate includes Steinthal, regarded as the first tea garden planted in the Darjeeling hills in 1852, and combines mountain scenery with the atmosphere of an old plantation estate. (facebook: Singtom Tea Estate & Resort)

Temi Tea Garden, Sikkim: Spread across the slopes of Tendong Hill, Temi is Sikkim's only commercial tea garden and is known for its organically grown tea. Its steep, green terraces, mountain views and misty surroundings make it an atmospheric destination for travellers interested in tea and Himalayan landscapes. (wikimedia commons)