Banyan Grove – Gatoonga Tea Estate, Jorhat, Assam, India

5.0 / 51 rating

Oh, to live in a tea estate! Amidst early morning mist, trilling songbirds and rolling, verdant hills — yes, it is indeed a world apart, if you happen to be staying in ‘Banyan Grove’, situated in the heart of Gatoonga Tea Estate.

Built more than 100 years ago, it had been the abode of the ‘Factory Assistant Manager’ – lovingly called “Mistry Sahib” for his all-pervading technical skills. His nocturnal visits to the factory are familiar, since best teas are made during the cool early hours.

Take a peek into the life of the Tea Estate Manager as he begins his day at 5.30 am. Walk with him as he makes his rounds of the garden.

WHY CHOOSE BANYAN GROVE?

• See the colourful women pluckers as they chatter and sing while meticulously plucking the freshest two leaves-and-a-bud from the bushes.
• Learn the art of tea-tasting from the masters.
• Enter the factory and get a first-hand knowledge of how tea is made.
• A fascinating story that begins from the bush and ends in your cup!

Life on a tea estate

What is the history of the bungalow?

Banyan Grove was built more than a hundred years ago in the heart of the Gatoonga Tea Estate, as the home of the Factory Assistant Manager, known affectionately as Mistry Sahib for his technical skills. His nocturnal trips to the factory were routine, since the best teas are made during the cool early hours.

Can we see how tea is actually made?

Yes, and that is rather the point of staying here. Guests can watch the women pluckers at work, picking the freshest two leaves and a bud, go into the factory to see the process first-hand, and learn the art of tea tasting from the masters, following the story from bush to cup.

What does a morning look like?

Early. The tea estate manager starts his day at half past five, and guests are welcome to walk with him as he makes his rounds of the garden, through the mist with songbirds over the rolling hills. Rates start from US$85 per person per night.

Activities

Cycling

Fishing

Cultural Activities

No rates available online at the moment. Please contact us for further information.