Assam Tea Tour

9 Days

Tea

Assam

Highlights

Stay in a century old heritage tea bungalow, amidst acres and acres of tea plantations
Go for leisurely walks in the tea plantations, interact with the leave gatherers and pluck your own leaves
Visit a tea factory and learn about the processes involved

Overview
Itinerary
Map
Pictures

Wake up in the morning with the smell of fresh tea brewing, watch the majestic sun rising over the sprawling tea gardens sipping a cup of tea, perfectly made with tea leaves handpicked from the finest tea gardens, be pampered with paramount attention and service, experience the rich lifestyle of Assam.

Assam tea is derived from a plant species called Camellia sinensis. It is famous for its distinct malty flavour. There are two harvests of tea in a year called first and second flush respectively. The second flush is considered more valuable because of its sweeter taste. The harvest is also called tippy tea because of the golden tip that appears on the tea leaves. Assam tea is a good option to those addicted to coffee and looking for a healthier substitute.

The tea estates in Assam produce almost 1.5 million pounds of tea annually which is about 51% of tea grown in India. The tea industry contributes significantly to the state’s economy and provides employment to 17% of the workers in Assam. Besides the oldest and largest Tea Research Centres at Toklai in Jorhat, Assam is also home to the world’s
second largest Tea Auction Centre in Guwahati. These institutions help in marketing the tea grown here in a more efficient way. This has resulted in better monetary return to the tea estates.

Enjoy a stay in boutique heritage bungalows that offer the rich lifestyle of the colonial tea growing days. You will be offered tea tasting tours where you will get to taste different grades of the finest Assam Tea, visit to tea factories where one can learn about the processes involved in tea production, leisurely walks in the tea plantations and interaction with the leave gatherers. You can also enjoy plucking your own leaves.

You can also explore nearby villages to experience the simple yet rich lifestyles of the Indian countryside. When weather conditions permit, scenic boat rides in Asia’s mighty Brahmaputra River can also be arranged.

From the adjoining gardens, you may choose to pluck your own organic produces for an informal cooking lesson from the tea pluckers who prepare ethnic cuisine.

You won’t feel like you are staying in a hotel. Instead, you are treated like an honoured house guest with personal attention.

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Day 1

Arrival in Guwahati

Welcome at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Night in hotel.

Day 2

Guwahati - Balipara

This morning, get ready for your vehicle comes and picks you up for the exciting journey across North East. Getting across the Brahmaputra via the Saraighat Bridge, you head towards Tezpur, your first stop for the day. Visit Da Parbatia temple, the Agnigarh and the Mahabhairav temple. Later in the afternoon, drive to Adabari Tea Estate. Night in bungalow.

Day 3

Balipara

After breakfast, leave for a tea tasting tour and a factory visit guided by an expert. Later in the afternoon, you will stroll around the plantations and nearby villages. You may also choose a leisurely cycle tour. Evening at leisure. Night in bungalow.

Day 4

Balipara - Jorhat

After breakfast, drive to Jorhat District to arrive at a boutique heritage bungalow. You will visit the Tea Research Association at Tocklai where pioneering experiments and research is conducted to help tea growers. You will get a chance to interact with some of the scientists and professionals who are experts in their field. Evening will be free at leisure. Night in bungalow.

Day 5

Jorhat

After breakfast at leisure, you’ll leave for a guided visit to a nearby factory, followed by a tea tasting tour of the different grades of tea produced in the factory. After lunch, you’ll be visiting some nearby villages to observe the simple and sustainable lifestyle of the Indian countryside and the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary. Later in the evening, a cultural dance performance can be organized if there’s a group of more than 4 persons. Night in bungalow.

Day 6

Jorhat - Majuli - Jorhat

Depending on the weather and on the river condition, for a day excursion, you will leave for Majuli (2 hours), which is the largest inhabited river island of the world and a hotbed of ages-old Assamese culture. En route cross the mighty Brahmaputra River in a scenic ferry ride. Spend the day visiting monasteries of the island where you will meet monks who live a peaceful life learning forms of Assamese xatriya arts, drama, music, dance and philosophy. Lunch will be in a village house where you will get to taste various ethnic Missing dishes cooked by a very hospitable family. Return to bungalow by dusk for overnight. Evening will be at leisure. (If this day excursion is not possible, alternatively time can be spent viewing some nearby villages and relaxing in the bungalow).

Day 7

Jorhat - Dibrugarh

After breakfast, drive to Dibrugarh. Enroute we visit the Ahom monuments and temples at Sibsagar which encompass the 600 year old history of the Ahom Dynasty. Afternoon will be free at leisure to get a feel of the plantations, followed by evening tea and a visit to the upbeat market area of the town. Night in bungalow.

Day 8

Dibrugarh

Go for an early morning stroll into the tea gardens, the best time to experience the therapeutic aromas and the plantations fresh with new leaves and greenery. Later after a leisurely breakfast, you will leave for a guided tour of the tea factory to learn about the various processes involved in the production of tea and if possible have a conversation with the manager. Afternoon and evening will be free at leisure to relax in the peaceful ambiance of the lush green plantations and of the monsoons if raining. To experience a spectacular sunset, a boat ride can be organized in the mighty Brahmaputra River depending on the river conditions and weather. Night in bungalow.

Day 9

Departure from Dibrugarh

After breakfast, transfer to the airport. End of our services.