TRAVEL SPECIAL.........................TEA ESTATES - Travel when nature is at its lushest

TRAVEL SPECIAL TEA ESTATES - Travel when nature is at its lushest





When the rains come as a welcome change, it's time to immerse in joy rides amidst lush tea estates down South

Monsoons bring out the lushest side of nature and an excursion in the tea estate states in the South of India extend an invitation to you. Once here, check into a luxury resort (make the most of the seasonal deals). Don't forget to take a pony ride in the evenings and of course, indulge in a soothing spa session with locally sourced herbs and seasonal oils for relaxation.

MUNNAR CALLING:

As you enter Munnar, a popular hill station in Kerala, you'll be greeted by miles of lush tea plantations.Where to Go: Head to India's first Tea Museum to take a fascinating look at the history of tea production in Munnar. Visit tea plantations where you can witness the entire tea making process. Stay at resorts or colonial bungalows that overlook the lush greenery . The view is just blissful! When to Go: The tourist season is from August to May , although winters are quite chilly during December and January . Carry your rainwear along.

A SCENTED NILGIRI INVITATION:

The mountainous Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu is known for its distinctive dark and aromatic tea (White or silver tea with slimming benefits is exported from here). You can have a Bollywood photography moment in the tea estates as tea pluckers happily pose alongside hiding their coy smiles. Where to Go: Coonoor is an excellent place to discover Nilgiri Tea. Choose from the many tea factories, located around 1 kilometer from Sim's Park. Drive to a tea lounge to taste some exotic tea concoctions (tea gift packs can also be purchased here for your friends along with local honey and chocolate). An informative plantation tour can reveal smart anecdotes on tea shrubs (it can grow into a tree if not pruned in time) and tea making styles. And don't end up thinking that the ride on the renowned Nilgiri Mountain Railway toy train is only for kids, it's spectacular for visitors as you take in the sights of valleys and hamlets when the train moves through tunnels and little-known stations.When to Go: Tea is produced throughout the year in Nilgiri. However, the best teas are produced during the cooler winter months (late November to mid February).

TEA PARTY IN WAYANAD:

Savour the beauty of Wayanad, a nature lover's paradise that welcomes you with green delights. It's a romantic getaway, for sure.Where to go: Vythiti and Meppadi are areas if you are keen to see some of the tea plantations in Wayanad.When to go: Harvesting typically is an early morning activity, much before sunrise. The tender leaves are manually plucked as a guide takes you through, giving interesting insights on the plantation's history . Don't be in a hurry and leisurely stroll along the hilly slopes of the estate and watch the pluckers go by their daily work. It's beautiful when raindrops begin to pitter-patter, giving a surreal feel...

By Nimisha Tiwari

ETTR 30JUL15