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Ecotourism

Upper Suryanelli Plantation

Upper Suryanelli Plantation

Upper Suryanelli Plantation

Tea tourism opportunities abound at Upper Suryanelli Plantation

A tea bungalow with a garden of fresh organic food, a Tea plantation Walk, a Tea Factory visit, a Tea Tasting, a picnic day out with birding and fishing, interaction with garden workers, an ethnic cultural program with a bonfire, nature tours, and forest safaris... Tea tourism provides you with the opportunity to explore such moments.
Suryanelli is a scenic destination located 30km from Munnar. Harrison Malayalam Limited Upper Suryanelli Tea Plantation is the main tea plantation here. There are 5 major divisions namely Upper Suryanelli, Lower Suryanelli, Nagamala, Papathichola, and Gundumala. A wide range of tea tourism opportunities await visitors in each division.

Story of Harrison Malayalam Limited

Kolukumala Jeep Safari: Get ready for an off-road journey…….

The first thing that awaits you in the Suryaneli plantation is the Kolukumala Jeep Safari. The highlight of experiencing Kolukkumalai is witnessing the sunrise from the Kolukkumalai peak. Jeep Safari is through Upper Suryanelli Tea Plantation. Jeeps are available from the town of Suryanelli and it takes you about 2 hours to reach the drop-off point after which you trek. Passes for Jeep Safari can be collected from Suryaneli DTPC Centre.

Our journey from Suryanelli to Kolukumala takes 12 km through rough roads, and we witness the best sunrise ever seen. A large number of people gather on top of the Kolukumala hills to witness this excellent sunrise. Kolukumala is perfect for an off-road jeep safari ride with family/friends. The journey ends at the top of the peak where the spectacular sunrise greets the spectators. At the top of the peak, you get a beautiful view of the tea plantations and a few villages of Tamil Nadu. Singhapara is its famous viewpoint. The big rock that resembles the face of a lion with its mouth open is the reason behind the name Singhapara.

Know more…
● Maximum People in a Jeep: 6
● Fee: 2500/jeep
● Duration : 3 hours
● Timings: 4 am - 6 pm

After an off-road trip, a cup of tea can help you feel better. Have you ever wondered how tea leaves were processed into the form we see in packets today? Now is your chance to learn everything there is to know about the process! The tea factory visit in Munnar to Harrisons Malayalam Tea Factory (entry fees to the factory apply) will answer all of your questions about the processing of tea leaves. An added bonus is that you can witness the process in person! During the tea factory tour, you can see and enjoy every step of the tea leaf processing process, and at the end of the tour, you can enjoy a cup of delicious freshly prepared tea! There are provisions on the factory grounds for purchasing freshly prepared tea leaves that are all ready and packed.

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Live Tea Factory Visit and Tea Tasting

A person can experience the tea processing stages in the live factory. The freshly plucked tea leaves would be full of moisture on their arrival at the tea estate. The withering process reduces this moisture content in them by drying them up by passing air on them gently. In the live factory, visitors can observe the stages of tea processing. When freshly plucked tea leaves arrive at the tea estate, they are saturated with moisture. The withering process reduces the moisture content in them by gently drying them with air. To accelerate oxidation, the withered tea leaves are torn or bruised in the following step. The procedure is known as disruption, and it is typically carried out by kneading, crushing, tearing, or rolling the withered tea leaves. Oxidation is the next step in the tea leaves processing process. This step is critical because it determines the color, strength, and flavor of the tea. The tea leaves are spread out on a flat surface in this step at a temperature of about 26℃. The enzymes in the leaves react with the air, causing the leaves' color to shift from green to darker shades. The leaves are now ready for the final stage of processing and drying. In this step, the oxidized leaves are further dried by methods such as baking, sunning, panning, or air drying to reduce the moisture content before they are packed and shipped.
After tea processing, tea tasting is an opportunity to taste different types of tea. Another attraction is a demonstration room for tea tasting, where one can taste and see different types of teas. Here you can enjoy some of the most exotic varieties of tea available around the world.
● Inclusions: Guided Tour | PPE | Photopoint | Tea Tasting | Tea House Visit
● Days: Tuesday – Saturday
● Duration: 30 mins
● Timing: 9 am – 6 pm
● Charges per person: Rs 200 / Combo packages available
Tentgram's Plantation Hostel is a gathering place for travelers who want to explore the history of Munnar. It is tucked away in the vastness of one of Kerala's most extensive tea plantations. How did a harsh mountainous region like Munnar become commercialized in the early twentieth century? In terms of both quality and fragrance, tea grown in Munnar outperformed tea grown elsewhere in the world. As a result, the British invested enormous resources in developing Munnar into the town that it is today.

Visiting Tentgram's Plantation Hostel is like going back in time. The property is located in the heart of Harrison Malayalam's Tea Plantation. Tentgram’s Plantation Hostel is a sincere effort to retain the old-school charm of colonial architecture and blend it with modern aesthetic sensibilities. The building used to be a hospital constructed during the 1920s for the purpose of providing healthcare facilities to thousands of plantation laborers.

Tentgram's Plantation Hostel has 38 beds and amenities such as hot water, Wi-Fi, a locker facility, a chic restaurant, a library, etc. Other activities such as mesmerizing Kolukumalai Jeep Trek, Kayaking, and Plantation walk.

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Planters Tea Bungalow

The more than 100-year-old Planters' Tea Bungalow is another attraction for visitors. Established during the colonial era, this bungalow still retains its grandeur. The Tea Planters' Bungalow was built in 1907 to serve the Gundumalai Division. It was originally used as the assistant manager's residence. At a height of 5200 feet above sea level, a panoramic view of the Suryanelli Valley, Anayirangal Lake, and Paniyar Estate is possible from here.

Camping

Located about 3 km from the famous Kolukumala Tea Estate, Black Eagles Camp is a refreshing campsite in Suryanelli, Munnar. The camp is characterized by sturdy tents built on the slopes of the hilly area. The site offers a breathtaking view of scenic tea plantations on one side and misty valleys on the other. Activities like tea factory visits, bonfires and barbeques are arranged at the camp.

Adventure activities at Upper Suryanelli

Kayaking and zip line are important in the tea tourism of Upper Suryanelli Tea Plantation. More information

● Kayaking Charge: Rs 400

● Zip Line Charge: Rs 400

Open yourself up to new experiences, get inspired, and find your peace, because Upper Suryanelli guarantee, there’s no better place to be.

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