Kolukkumalai Tea Estate And Factory world’s highest tea estate that grows organic orthodox tea located 38 km from Munnar Town.
Located 38 km from Munnar Town, a trip to the Kolukkumalai Tea Estate & Factory is unforgettable. Touted as the world’s highest tea estate that grows organic orthodox tea, it offers plenty of thrills and chills, with spectacular scenery to boot. Thrills from the drive up the steep, one-lane mountain roads that makes your heart skip several beats, and chills because the estate, located between 6,500 ft and 8,500 ft above sea level, can turn your toes to ice. The estate has an unmatched 360° view of lush tea plantations and lofty mountain peaks and also houses an 84-year-old tea factory that still operates British-era machinery. Stock up on some organic tea available at the factory shop.
What didn’t: The roads that lead to the estate are stones of all sizes held together by mud – be prepared for an extremely bumpy ride.
If traveling in an open jeep, hold on tight or you may find yourself at the bottom of a steep ravine.
Suryanelli – Kolukkumalai Tea Estate Road, Kottagudi, Munnar
GO NOW
Try making it to Kolukkumalai before sunrise to catch the magnificent views. It isn’t advisable to go in your own car – not even a 4WD. Hire a jeep from Munnar Town (round trip from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500, excluding entry onto the private road that leads to the estate). The factory tour costs Rs. 100/ person and includes a cup of tea.
Kolukkumalai is a tea plantation in Tamilnadu near the state’s border with Kerala. The most convenient way to reach the plantation is to hire a jeep from Suryanelli, a town about 25 KM / 1 hour out of Munnar, in Kerala. The bumpy 14 km – ride should take about 1hr 15 min. Don’t miss the signboard that announces “The World’s Highest Grown Orthodox Tea” as the car winds its way up the cloud-shrouded mountain.