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PLANTATION TOUR OF NORTH EAST INDIA
The tea industry in India first began in
the mid-1800, when the British began to plant tea bushes
that had been smuggled out of China. By the early 20th
century, the tea plantations in India had become very
successful. India is now the largest tea producer in
the world.
The main tea growing areas of India are in the northeast,
in the states of Assam and West Bengal. These two states
grow and export roughly about 3/4 of India's tea. The
three types of Indian tea are oolong, green or black.
The type of tea depends on the way the tea plants are
processed. After being picked, the tea-leaves are dried
in the sun for a day, then rolled to release their juices.
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| DAY
01 |
ARRIVE DELHI |
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Assistance on arrival at the Delhi airport by our representative and transfer to hotel.Overnight
at the hotel. |
| DAY
02 |
IN DELHI |
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Breakfast
at the hotel.
Morning sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi. Among
some of the most interesting highlights of your
city tour of Old and New Delhi are the Red Fort,
the Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk and Raj Ghat in
the old city area and the Government Buildings,
a drive through the majestic Rajpath to the India
Gate, the Laxmi Narayan Temple, the Humayun's
Tomb, the Qutab Minar etc.Overnight
at the hotel.
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| DAY
03 |
DELHI-BAGDOGRA-DARJEELING |
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Morning after breakfast, departure transfer to the airport to board flight 9W-601 1010-1205 hrs to Bagdogra. Assistance on arrival at the airport and transfer to Darjeeling (90 kms/3 hrs approx.). Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Overnight
at the hotel. |
| DAY
04 |
IN DARJEELING |
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Early morning visit the Tiger Hill to view sunrise and return to Darjeeling Tibetan Monastery at Ghoom.
After breakfast, Visit the highest racecourse in the world at the Lablong Village and also visit the Mountaineering Institute House of Tenzing Norgay.
Afternoon excursion to one of the Tea Plantation Gardens.Overnight at the hotel. |
| DAY
05 |
IN DARJEELING |
| |
Full day excursion to Tea Plantation Tour of various Tea Gardens in and around Darjeeling to witness how the Tea plant is sown, plucked and processed. Meeting with the Tea Estate Manager/owner with an in house guide to explain the process in details.Overnight
at the hotel. |
| DAY
06 |
DARJEELING-BAGDOGRA-GUWAHATI |
| |
Morning after
breakfast, departure transfer to the Bagdogra
airport to board flight 9W-602 1240-1330 hrs (Operates
only on Tue/Thu/Sat/Sun) to Guwahati. Assistance
on arrival at the airport and transfer to the
hotel.
Late afternoon take an orientation tour of Guwahati
and in the evening take ferry across the Brahmaputra
River to the Peacock Island to see the Shiva Temple.Overnight
at the hotel.
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| DAY
07 |
GUWAHATI-KAZIRANGA |
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Morning after breakfast, visit the Tea Auction Centre at Guwahati. Later proceed by surface to Kaziranga (210 kms/4 hrs approx.). Upon arrival check-in at the Resort.
Late afternoon the Tea Gardens around Kaziranga.
Evening visit the Elephant Feeding center where you can witness all the domesticated elephants of the Kaziranga National Park being fed, bathed by their mahouts.Overnight
at the hotel. |
| DAY
08 |
IN KAZIRANGA |
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Early morning take a round of Jungle ride to the National Park on Elephants back to witness the wildlife inhabitants of the park, which is famous for single horned Rhino and has rich flora and fauna.
Return to the hotel for breakfast.
Late afternoon take another game viewing Jungle ride to the Kaziranga National Park by jeeps. Overnight
at the hotel. |
| DAY
09 |
KAZIRANGA-JORHAT |
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Morning after breakfast, depart by surface to Jorhat (3 hrs approx) and upon arrival check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon visit the Tea Gardens around Jorhat and also visit the Gymkhana Club built by the British with an in house museum. Overnight at the
hotel. |
| DAY
10 |
JORHAT-DIBRUGARH |
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Morning after breakfast, depart by surface to Dibrugarh (4 hrs approx) and upon arrival check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon excursion the Tea Gardens of Dibrugarh with meeting with the owners of the Tea Garden.Overnight at the
hotel. |
| DAY
11 |
DIBRUGARH-DELHI |
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Breakfast at the
hotel.
Rest of the morning free. Afternoon departure
transfer to the airport to board flight S2-112
1410-1825 hrs to Delhi. Assistance on arrival
at the airport and transfer to a hotel for Dinner.
Late evening departure transfer to the airport
to board flight back home.
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| DAY
12 |
DEPART DELHI |
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END OF THE TOUR |
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PLANTATION TOUR OF SOUTH INDIA
The Tea first planted on an experimental
scale in 1835 at Ketti Valley in Ooty, Nilgiri teas
now account for approximately 120 million kilogram's
of tea per annum. India is the World's largest producer
of black tea (approx. 750 million kgs.) of which South
India accounts for approx. 25%. Following successful
trials in Ketti Valley, commercial plantation of tea
was begun in 1959, at the Thiashola (mother of the Forest)
Tea Garden, the region's oldest garden.
Nilgiri production includes some very high quality flavor
teas, and also the CTCs (produced by the Cut Tear Curl
method of processing, and not the Orthodox method as
used in Ceylon), which are used for blending. Unlike
many other regions where large scale planting is the
norm, most Nilgiri tea estates are small and medium
sized, owned by small businesses or families (average
extent 100 - 200 hectares). Estate managers continue
to enjoy a traditionally colonial way of life, working
hard towards the Saturday auction whilst always having
time for their game of golf and 'sundowner' at the Club.
In Nilgiri land under tea smallholdings continues to
increase, and current estimates put the number of smallholders
at 30,000 having extents of upto 10 hectares under tea.
The reason for this expansion of a formerly ailing sector
is the rapid increase in tea prices, which have made
tea more profitable than other crops such as vegetables.
Smallholders sell their green leaf to neighboring factories
for processing into black tea.
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| DAY
01 |
ARRIVE MUMBAI |
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Assistance on arrival at the airport by our representative and transfer to a hotel near the airport. Overnight
at the hotel. |
| DAY
02 |
MUMBAI-COIMBATORE-OOTY |
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Morning after late breakfast, departure transfer to the airport to board flight 9W-413 1215-1400 hrs to Coimbatore. Assistance on arrival at the airport and transfer to Ooty (90 kms/5 hrs approx). Overnight at the hotel. |
| DAY
03 |
IN OOTY |
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Morning take a tea plantation tour of the Tea Gardens in and around Ooty. Overnight
at the hotel. |
| DAY
04 |
IN OOTY |
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Visit the Tea Gardens in and around Coonoor including the Tea Auction Centre. Overnight at the hotel. |
| DAY
05 |
OOTY-COCHIN |
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Morning after breakfast, depart by surface to Cochin (265 kms/7 hrs approx.) and upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Evening witness a Kathakali Dance Drama performance. Overnight
at the hotel. |
| DAY
06 |
COCHIN-ALLEPPEY-PERIYAR |
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Morning sightseeing
tour of Cochin city an important port city with
a famous Jewish settlement and Synagogue, the
Dutch Palace, the Chinese Nets, the Church of
St Francis and the Tomb of Vasco da Gama and also
visit the Tea Auction Centre over here.
Afternoon depart by surface to Alleppey (2 hrs
approx) and take a boat cruise through the Vembanad
Lake (backwaters of Kerala) to Kottayam (3 hrs
approx) cruising through the narrow canals of
the Lake to witness the natural beauty and village
life of this beautiful place and you will realize
why this place is now more commonly known as the
Gods own country. Upon arrival in Kottayam, continue
your drive to Periyar and check-in at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
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| DAY
07 |
IN PERIYAR |
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Early morning take a Game viewing boat ride on the artificial Periyar Lake to witness the wildlife of the Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary.
After breakfast, excursion to Kumly to visit the Tea Plantations and other spice plantations. Overnight
at the hotel. |
| DAY
08 |
PERIYAR-MUNNAR |
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Morning after breakfast, depart by surface to Munnar and upon arrival check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon free to relax. Overnight
at the hotel. |
| DAY
09 |
IN MUNNAR |
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Morning excursion to the Tea Plantations at Munnar with guided tour to explain the entire process. Overnight at the
hotel. |
| DAY
10 |
IN MUNNAR |
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Full day excursion to the Tea Plantation around Munnar Area. Overnight at the hotel. |
| DAY
11 |
MUNNAR-COHIN |
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Morning drive
back to Cochin airport to board flight 9W-404
1535-1720 hrs to Mumbai. Assistance on arrival
at the airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight
at the hotel.
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| DAY
12 |
IN MUMBAI |
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Morning transfer to Gate way of India to take a Motor Launch to Elephanta Caves - the 7th century sculptures of manifestation of Shiva, containing beautiful carvings, sculptures, and a temple to the Hindu God, Lord Shiva. These caves are thought to date back to the Silhara kings belonging to the period between 9th - 12th centuries.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Mumbai city visiting Prince of Wales Museum (closed on Mondays), Fish Aquarium, Jain Temples, Hanging Gardens on the slopes of Malabar Hills offering nice view of Marine Lines and Chowpatty Beach, Kamla Nehru Park and Marine drive.
Late evening departure transfer to the airport to board flight back home. |
| DAY
13 |
DEPART MUMBAI |
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END OF THE TOUR |
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SPICE PLANTATION TOUR OF SOUTH INDIA
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| DAY
01 |
ARRIVE BANGALORE |
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Arrive Bangalore. Meeting on arrival and transfer to hotel. Overnight
at the hotel. |
| DAY
02 |
BANGALORE-HASSAN |
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After
breakfast leave Bangalore to Hassan en route visiting
Sravanabelagola, which is hewn out of a single
rock and visible from a distance of 25 kms is
the statue of Lord Gomteshwara which is bathed
with milk and honey once every 12 years.
On arrival check-in at the hotel
PM: Visit the Chennai Kesava Temple of Belur built
900 years ago and the 12th century Hoysaleswara
and Kedareswara temples at Halebid.Overnight
at the hotel.
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| DAY
03 |
HASSAN-MYSORE |
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After breakfast leave Hassan for Mysore visiting Srirangapatnam enroute.
Once the capital of Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. The temple of Lord Srirangapatnam is, said to have been, built by the Chieftain Thirumalaiah in 894 AD.
On arrival check-in at the hotel
Afternoon city tour of Mysore visiting the Palace of the Maharaja built in 1911-12. The Palace is of harmonious syntheses of the Hindu and saracenic style of architecture with archways, dome turrets, colonnades and sculptures, which are magnificent. Visit the Art Gallery, drive up to Chamundi Hill to see the Chamundeshwari Temple and a panoramic view of Mysore. On your way back, see the Nandi Bull. Overnight
at the hotel. |
| DAY
04 |
MYSORE-COORG |
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Drive From Mysore to Kodagu (Coorg) - a region of scattered villages and hamlets, with a few townships standing out. Postcard pretty with their red-tiled cottages and purple flowering shrubs, the Kodagu towns have an old-world charm about them. Madikeri a little hill station and the headquarters of this beautiful district.
Afternoon visit the historic Madikeri Fort, the Omkareshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu, and some beautiful viewpoints such as Raja's Seat. Around Madikeri, there are many recreational and pilgrimages such as Abbey and Irupu Falls. Overnight at the hotel. |
| DAY
05 |
IN COORG |
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Full day excursion to the Coffee Plantations of Coorg and surrounding areas, where meeting with the owners/managers of the Coffee Estates will be organised. Overnight
at the hotel. |
| DAY
06 |
COORG-CALICUT |
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Drive from Coorg
to Calicut the town where first European Vasco
De Gama landed at Kappad in 1498. Later the Dutch,
the French & the British dominated the area.
Afternoon visit Beypore, Raja Museum, Lok Anarkavu
temple & Kalari centre. Overnight
at the hotel.
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| DAY
07 |
CALICUT-COCHIN |
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Drive from Calicut to Cochin en route visiting the Elephant training centre at Guruvayur. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon city tour of Cochin - an important port city with a famous Jewish settlement and Synagogue, the Dutch Palace, the Chinese Nets, the Church of St Francis and the Tomb of Vasco da Gama. Evening : Witness Kathakali Dance performance. Overnight
at the hotel. |
| DAY
08 |
COCHIN-KUMARAKOM |
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After breakfast drive to Alleppey (60 kms). On arrival take a backwater cruise to Kumarakom.
On arrival check-in at the resort
Kumarakom, a unique backwater destination situated on the banks of the Vemband Lake, which is considered the gateway to the backwaters of Kuttanad. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a favourite haunt of migratory birds from across the world, which makes it a renowned bird watching centre.
Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight
at the hotel. |
| DAY
09 |
IN KUMARAKOM |
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Day free for independent activities. Overnight at the
hotel. |
| DAY
10 |
KUMARAKOM-THEKKADY |
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Morning drive from Kumarakom to Periyar Wild life Sanctuary,
Thekkady where rolling hills, tea & Cardamom plantations welcome you. It is one of the largest wildlife reserves in India, it is more popular as a tiger reserve.
Afternoon take a boat ride on the splendid Periyar Lake, which is the best way to experience the sanctuary. The greatest attraction here is the herds of wild elephants that come down to the lake to frolic in the water.Tiger, Sambhar, Bison, Spotted Deer, Leopard, Malabar flying Squirrel, stripe necked Mongoose & so on can be spotted in the forest.Overnight at the hotel. |
| DAY
11 |
IN THEKKADY |
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Morning take another
round of boat ride on Periyar Lake.
Afternoon take a Spice plantation tour to Kumily,
an important spice trade centre lies in the periphery
of the sanctuary. Overnight
at the hotel.
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| DAY
12 |
THEKKADY-COCHIN-DEPARTURE |
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After a leisurely breakfast, departure transfer to the Cochin airport to board your flight back home. |
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END OF THE TOUR |
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