Gain Hands-On Experience Processing Tea in S. India

Full Price: 

Private Room: $2,500
Shared Room: $2,300

*$500 non-refundable deposit*

Dates:

October 6-12, 2018

Highlights: 

• Coonoor

ITINERARY

Please note that while traveling in India, we're almost guaranteed to experience unforeseen events that will change our itinerary. Flexibility and patience are your best friends!

• Day 1: Arrive in Bangalore and get settled.
• Day 2: Get to know Bangalore! Explore and shop in the MG road area. We will be having tea with Susmita, the organizer of the first Indian tea festival. We will finish off the day eating dosas, a traditional indian meal, at a legendary  S. Indian restaurant.
• Day 3: Travel to Coonoor. We will pass through the tiger reserve and end in the beautiful mountains. Settle into your new residence and get acquainted with the area.
• Day 4: Visit The Tea Studio, where we will learn about the processing of tea and participate in a workshop.
• Day 5: Visit Chamraj Tea Estates and Korakundah Tea Estate to learn more about the cultivation of tea.
• Day 6: We will have the option to visit another tea garden or explore the town of Coonoor.
• Day 7: Travel day! We will be flying on to Delhi to begin the Kumaon trip. For those who have their own adventures, we will work with you on those travel arrangements.

Testimonials 

David Fischer

"It was an experience that I will continue to grow and benefit from for years to come.  Each day presented unique opportunities to learn from the wonderful people and places we visited.  Not only has the experience deepened my relationship to tea professionally, it has brought to life a connection with a community that I am proud to be a part of, from the pluckers and the growers, to the manufacturers and the consumers."

Trip Guides

Raj

Raj has been traveling throughout rural India for the last decade and organizing trips for the last three years. He's thrilled to offer others the chance to experience rural Indian life. In particular, road-side samosas with scorching hot, sickly sweet, deliciously gingery chai.

Terms and Conditions 

• What's Included: In-country accommodations, travel, food, site visits, activities, and donations to local NGOs.
• What's Not Included: Round-trip international tickets, visas, immunizations, and travel insurance
• We will be hiking up and down tea gardens as high as 7,000 feet. Many of these gardens do not have paved paths. As such, field days will be physically challenging, so we strongly encourage training in advance.
• Next Steps: $500 non-refundable deposit secures your spot; the remaining balance is due July 6th, 3 months prior to the first day of the trip.