Visiting a tea garden in Jorhat
Quick answer
You can walk the roads through Jorhat's tea gardens freely. Entering a factory or joining a guided tour usually needs prior permission from the estate.
- Go between March and November to see plucking. First flush is around late March to April; the prized second flush is around May to June.
- Go between November and February for the most comfortable weather.
- Combine a garden walk with Tocklai Tea Research Institute, founded in 1911.
Jorhat calls itself the tea capital of the world, and with about 135 tea estates in the district, the gardens start almost at the city's edge. A tea-garden morning is the single best thing to do here.
Where to go
- Cinnamara Tea Estate: close to town and historic. It's associated with Maniram Dewan, one of the first Indians to plant tea commercially in Assam. The district administration has announced plans to develop it for tea tourism.
- Tocklai Tea Research Institute: the research station of the Tea Research Association, founded in 1911. Visitors can see parts of the campus; labs and research areas may be off-limits without permission.
- Estates on the roads out of town, towards Mariani, Titabar and Teok, have long rows of bushes under shade trees. They're perfect for photographs from the roadside.
How to visit a factory
Factory visits are not walk-in. Ask your host or a local contact a few days ahead; some estates allow small groups during manufacturing season. Respect photo restrictions inside, and never walk into plucking sections without permission.
Best season
- Late March to April: first flush. Light, bright teas and fresh green bushes.
- May to June: second flush, the malty, full-bodied Assam tea people seek out. It's hot and humid.
- July to October: rains and monsoon flush. Very green, but muddy paths.
- November to February: pleasant weather and misty mornings. Bushes are pruned and plucking slows.
Tasting and buying
- Taste the same garden's CTC and orthodox teas side by side.
- Buy loose-leaf orthodox tea for gifts; it travels well.
- Try a cup at a roadside stall too. It's the everyday Jorhat ritual.
Good manners in the gardens
Tea gardens are workplaces and homes for the people who live on them. Ask before photographing workers. Stay on paths, and don't pluck leaves.
Where to stay: NOI Homes, central Jorhat
NOI Homes is a boutique homestay on J.B. Road in central Jorhat. There are two 2BHK apartments, each for up to six guests. NOI Homes Elite is always let as the whole apartment, with two bedrooms (Khwaab and Gulmohar). NOI Homes Privé can be booked whole, or as private rooms: Rajwada, the master suite, and Sukoon, the cosy room.
Tea starts on our own table: we're proud of a proper cup of Assam tea in the morning. Several gardens are a short drive from J.B. Road, and we can suggest a route for a sunrise garden walk before breakfast.
Every stay includes Wi-Fi, free on-site parking, a fully equipped kitchen and 24×7 on-site help. Breakfast and home-cooked Assamese meals are available on request at an extra charge. See the rooms in the catalogue, or check availability.
Planning dates? Message us with your dates and number of guests. We reply on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Can tourists visit tea gardens in Jorhat?
Yes. Roads through many estates are open to see and photograph the gardens. Factory tours and guided visits generally need prior permission from the estate.
What is the best time to see tea plucking in Assam?
March to November. The first flush is around late March to April and the second flush around May to June.
What is Tocklai famous for?
Tocklai Tea Research Institute in Jorhat, founded in 1911, is often described as the oldest and largest tea research station in the world.
Which is the oldest tea estate near Jorhat?
Cinnamara Tea Estate near Jorhat is widely regarded as one of the first tea gardens set up by an Indian, Maniram Dewan, in the mid-19th century.
Timings, fares and seasonal openings in Assam change often. We check our posts regularly, but please confirm locally before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us on WhatsApp.