I’ve always wanted to go to the tea fields of India, but never actually thought past Darjeeling, when in fact the fields near Munnar in Kerala are possibly even more popular as a hill station to visit. When backpacking Kerala, this is something not to miss!
While on our way with goMowgli, they got news that the tea pickers in Munnar were on strike (something to keep in mind when visiting, as in Kerala strikes happen quite often!). We couldn’t go to Munnar the most popular hill station because if we got up the road, the workers wouldn’t allow us back out. It was decided we would go to Chinnakanal instead.
Chinnakanal is 45 minutes or 21 km distance away from Munnar. It turned out to be the best decision of all since we saw hardly any other tourists, and NONE at the plantation itself. We had the whole area to play and ride around in Jeeps!
Chinnakanal | A great option for a less touristy Kerala tea plantation
I can’t really compare it to Munnar since I haven’t been, so can’t say it’s better but I can say it was stunning and since I’ve been there, I probably won’t bother going to Munnar as I can’t imagine it’s much different.
- We stayed very close to the tea fields at Lake Zone Resort Chinnakkanal.
- To go on a Jeep ride, you need to be up and ready by 8 AM and the cost for us was 400 Rs. I think if you have a smaller group, it may cost more per person.
- A few girls got up even earlier and when with the goMowgli guides to see the sunrise over the fields. I slept in; no surprise there.
The Jeep ride was about an hour each way but it did feel like a long time. It’s very bouncy. Girls, wear a very tight sports bra! lol. They stopped when we asked so we could hop out and take photos.
Once you get near the plantation, it’s time to hop out and go for a little hike. This was the best part because you really had time to get the photos you wanted and walk down the lanes of tea if you felt like it.
Kolukkumalai Tea Estate
Rather than just take photos and leave, we actually went and learned about how the tea is made. You might as well, because it didn’t cost a thing. You can see what happens to the leaves from when they are picked, to dried, sorted, checked by taste, graded, bagged up, and finally ready to ship out!
Inside, the caffeine in the air might give you a bit of a headache. We stayed for a cup of tea after, which made the experience pretty cool. From the ground, to our lips! Everyone who worked there seemed totally cool with us stopping by and taking photos. They offered for me to help them which was fun, and one guy took us around showing us little things like how the machines had “England” stamped on them.
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I’m a huge tea drinker so this would be brilliant for me, I would love to get to know a bit about the full process. I love a jeep trip as well and the views are gorgeous, some great photography :)
Glad you manage to get somewhere a lot more tourist free, that’s always a bonus.
x
it was so gorg! I had to walk out of the shop though – it was giving me a headache!
I am super curious how aromatic the fields are? Also do the tea plants need to be up on the hills like coffee or is it more a thing where thats just how the terrain is where the tea grows best?
I actually couldn’t smell anything in the fields, just in the shop where they were drying it and sorting it. I have no idea why it’s grown on the hills! I know it has to be at a high altitude though
This looks beautiful – your photos are amazing. I’m a massive tea lover so I would love to go somewhere like this!
I completely agree about the photos they were excellent.
Thanks! it’s not like my skills had anything to do with it lol the scenery was amazing!
This post made me miss Kerala! I was part of the Kerala Blog Express this year and wanted to stay longer in the tea plantations. Will be reading your series as it gives me more reasons to go back… hopefully with someone special lol :)
I wanted to stay longer too!! It was so pretty
As a tea lover, those endless fields of tea ripe for picking is just what I need!
Do you know an accredited tour company I could use to visit the plantations in munnar. Where to stay, Fragrant Nature?