Reporting Place: Suryanelli
Inclusions:  Driver cum Guided Tour.
Exclusions: Hotel Pick up and drop off charge, etc.Food & Entry Fees.
What to Wear & Keep: Normal Walking Shoes/ Sandal, Sun Protector & If you are taking any medication, please carry your medicine with you.

At about 7,130 ft (2,170 m) above sea level, Kolukkumalai Tea Estate is the highest tea estate in the world.

Kolukkumalai tea plantation Munnar is known for its tea leaves, the aroma of which is distinct from the others around. The leaves are handpicked, processed, and manually packed for distribution. And the colonial-era factory still uses the age-old methods of tea processing.

Apart from tasting tea, tourists visit this place for the mesmerising views it offers. Here, you can take the safari across the tea estate, trek down the hills and get a guided tour of the factory. You can also find accommodation within Kolukkumalai Tea Estate for a night or two.

But before you prep up for the visit, keep in mind that the drive isn’t for the faint of hearts.

While the views are hypnotic, the road leading to this scenic tea estate is unpaved and rough. Only a 4x4 drive or a local jeep can take you here. So, be prepared for an off-road adventure when you visit this untouched beauty of Munnar.

However, the landscape above is worth all the pain.

Things to do in Kolukkumalai Tea Estate Munnar

1. Enjoying the off-road adventure – As the distant mountains appear in view, the smooth road disappears. The last few kilometres of the drive to Kolukkumalai Tea Estate is a bumpy ride off the highway. Mist-covered hills, tea shrubs and innumerable waterfalls will soon welcome you. Take breaks to enjoy the views and hop back to continue towards the destination.

2. Going for a drive around the estate – As far as you can see, you’ll find mountains and tea. The Kolukkumalai Tea Estate tour offers a view of the plains of Tamil Nadu and the hills of Kerala, all covered with a green bed. And the view will soothe you from the pain of the accompanying ride on the patchy trail.

3. Spending a night within the premises – The management of the tea estate has turned the old staff quarters into a guesthouse. Food and basic amenities are available if you wish to stay for the sunset and sunrise views or a leisurely exploration of the estate. You can even set your tent around and enjoy a peaceful night sleep surrounded by all the aromatic bushes.

4. Trekking down the hill for views – With the shifting clouds and the misty environment around, the surrounding views are kaleidoscopic. As the cloud clears, you can get a bright view of the rising (or setting) sun. And if not, you can watch the valley covered in white. Trek along the plantations and pace towards the view points to experience this heaven.

5. Clicking photographs – While you’re enjoying the majestic views, capture some in your lens. The rising sun, tea plantations spread along the valley and the distant Nilgiri hills are among the various views you would like to savour for years.

6. Learning about tea processing – Kolukkumalai Tea Estate and factory were established in the 1930s, and since then, traditional methods are used to process tea. Instead of the mechanised CTC method, the tea leaves go through the orthodox four-step process – withering, rolling, oxidation and drying. A guided tour of the organic tea factory and its wooden interiors will take you back in time for sure.

7. Tasting freshly brewed tea – Don’t forget to taste the tea at the factory. You can pick a flavour of your choice and enjoy a freshly brewed steaming cup of tea. And at the shop, packets are available for you to buy.