5 Most Famous Tea Estates in Ooty

Ooty is also well-known for its tea estates. Several tea estates in Ooty organized guided tours, which offer stunning views and fascinating insights into the making of the tea. The tea plantations of Ooty are not only providing an ethereal view to its visitors but also a major source of revenue for the country. A large percentage of different tea types produced in India is cultivated in Ooty and is also exported to countries like UK and USA. Ooty is also one of the best places to visit near Bangalore and among the popular 2 day trip near Bangalore.

Glenmorgan Tea Estate

At a distance of 35 km from Ooty, Glenmorgan is a small village in Nilgiri hills. Glenmorgan tea estate, one of the oldest Tea Estates in Ooty, is located here and is one of the must visit Ooty Tourist Places. Glenmorgan offer great views for the visitors. The beautiful lake at the foot of the estate constitutes the forebay for the Pykara power house. There is a Ropeway leading to the power house and it takes nearly one hour from Glenmorgan. The journey offers beautiful panoramic views of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and nearby areas.

Highfield Tea Estate, Coonoor

Coonoor, about 20 km from Ooty, is a great tourist spot as it showcases the lush green hills and vast expanse of tea plantations. The tea gardens are a great place for long walks while taking in the views and breathing in the fresh air of the hilly area. The Coonoor weather is simply perfect for developing different aromatic types of tea. Highfield Tea Estate, one of the popular tea estates in Coonoor, is a 300 acre tea garden with its own tea processing factory essentially manufactures for export only. This 50 years old estate takes visitors on a short guided tour where they get to witness the tea-making process right from growing to brewing.

Kotagiri Tea Estate

Situated at an altitude of 1793 m, Kotagiri is a scenic hill station near Ooty in Nilgiris district of Tamilnadu. Kotagiri is famous for its breathtaking scenic beauty and is the third largest hill stations in the Nilgiris after Ooty and Coonoor. The first coffee plantation was planted here in 1843 which was followed by many more plantations. However, the first tea plantations were started by the daughter of M.D. Cockburn in late 19th century. By the end of the 19th century, the Kotagiri Tea Estate was in around 3000 acres, and today it is almost 30,000 acres. It is ideally set amongst the hills and valleys and is a perfect getaway in Pristine Valley. Some of the tourist attractions in Kotagiri are Kodanad Viewpoint, Catherine Falls, and Rangaswami Peak.

Glendale Tea Estate

Glendale Estate, located at an altitude of 1650 m to 2120 m, is located on Coonoor - Dolphin's Nose Road in Coonoor, Tamilnadu. Glendale Estate is professionally managed by M/s. Glenworth Estate Ltd. Glendale Estate comprises of three gardens constituting a total planted area of 525 hectares of tea, with a yield exceeding 3,000 kg made tea per hectare. Glendale Factory is one among the reputed factories producing Orthodox Black Tea, Green Tea and Specialty tea in South India. One can visit this estate along with Dolphin's Nose, one of the scenic viewpoints in Coonoor.

Nonsuch Tea Estate

Nonsuch is a 427 hectares tea estate situated at an altitude of 5500 feet in the Nilgiris. The estate overlooks the plains of Karamadai on the southern side and Coonoor town on the north. With an average annual production of 850,000 kilograms of black tea, Nonsuch boasts of one of the finest ‘Nilgiris High Grown Orthodox Teas’. The teas are manufactured from the estates own leaf. The two factories Nonsuch and Ibex Lodge have sufficient capacity to annually manufacture over a million kilograms.

Nonsuch Estate houses the Nonesuch Retreat and the Ibex Lodge Bungalow, formerly a hunting lodge. From here, on a clear night you get a glimpse of the suburbs of Coimbatore. It is like viewing a million lights from an aircraft. The Ibex Lodge Bungalow possesses one of the most beautifully laid out lawns and garden.

He is an travel blogger by passion. He is also a travel and food lover.