Makaibari Tea Estate
Makaibari Tea Estate
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Makaibari Tea Estate
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
36 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
13
Average
5
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Basketweaver88
Mawgan Porth, UK133 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
Definitely worth a brief stop over, even in December when no tea production is taking place. The guy in the shop is excellent in talking through the background to this plantation and the range of tea produced at this historic place. Toilets are inaccessible to individuals unable to navigate steps and of dubious cleanliness. Various tea can be purchased at reasonable price.
Written 2 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SuchiB
India69 contributions
Mar 2021
On the way up to or down from Kurseong, it is a must-visit place. The aroma of tea around is invigorating. The factory tour is quite informative with the guide explaining the complex process of tea making in simple terms, which even kids were able to follow. We had a live demo of the difference between white tea, green tea, and black tea. The place has an old charm with machinery dated back to its inception.
The added bonus is the outlet inside the premises where you can buy the best Makaibari flavors at a discounted rate.
The added bonus is the outlet inside the premises where you can buy the best Makaibari flavors at a discounted rate.
Written 30 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Antaara
Mississauga,Ontario93 contributions
Oct 2018 • Solo
Went to Kurseong with the main intent of visiting and staying in Makaibari tea estate. I will write the review for my home stay in another review.
The estate in itself is beautiful, truly organically teas and in tasting the makaibari teas in comparison to the other Darjeeling teas, makaibari beats them all hands down by far. The full moon tea that is picked on full moon night DOES have a special taste and aroma, and no other tea estate carries or picks tea on a full moon.
The workers here are wonderful people, where I spent time with a number of them, and this is so, because Rajah Banerjee who previously owned the place treated all of them like family and ensured that each one of them were well looked after.
Will not be able to comment on the current owners.
Also, this is the ONLY tea estate in the area where there are tours of the factory and gardens and tea tasting after which you can buy the teas that you like.
In walking into other tea estates I did learn that there was no tasting or tours offered, which is a shame...
The estate in itself is beautiful, truly organically teas and in tasting the makaibari teas in comparison to the other Darjeeling teas, makaibari beats them all hands down by far. The full moon tea that is picked on full moon night DOES have a special taste and aroma, and no other tea estate carries or picks tea on a full moon.
The workers here are wonderful people, where I spent time with a number of them, and this is so, because Rajah Banerjee who previously owned the place treated all of them like family and ensured that each one of them were well looked after.
Will not be able to comment on the current owners.
Also, this is the ONLY tea estate in the area where there are tours of the factory and gardens and tea tasting after which you can buy the teas that you like.
In walking into other tea estates I did learn that there was no tasting or tours offered, which is a shame...
Written 29 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marie-Claude B
11 contributions
Nov 2017 • Solo
There are places which, without being able to explain why, we instantly fall in love with. This is what happened to me in Makaibari, where I traveled solo last November. My main purpose was to test the "homestay" program offered by Volunteer in Makaibari. I was welcomed by a very nice man who would then become my guide for the next days.
I arrived at Hari and Maya's place and felt like their daughter as soon as I walked inside their sweet and simple home. Even though communication was quite difficult, we ended up having nice conversations and sharing beautiful moments. And one thing I must say: their food is incredible!!! One of the best food I had the chance to have on my 2-months trip in Northern India.
The next morning, my guide walked me through the lush tea gardens and factory, where I learned a lot about tea-making process. The owner, Mister Banerjee, is a nature lover. He is the first in his family (4th generation), to produce organic tea, and the quality is so good that even Queen Elizabeth cannot do without it. He is also the one who initiated the homestay program, giving local families an opportunity to make more money, while sharing their culture to foreigners. A part of the profits is put into a special account dedicated to local development projects. This is only one of the many initiatives M. Banerjee put into place for the aim of local villages and population.
Wandering in the small alleys of the villages was one of my favorite occupation, the panorama and colorful houses giving the area a beautiful charm. Do spend some time in Makaibari on your next trip to India; you definitely won't regret it!
I arrived at Hari and Maya's place and felt like their daughter as soon as I walked inside their sweet and simple home. Even though communication was quite difficult, we ended up having nice conversations and sharing beautiful moments. And one thing I must say: their food is incredible!!! One of the best food I had the chance to have on my 2-months trip in Northern India.
The next morning, my guide walked me through the lush tea gardens and factory, where I learned a lot about tea-making process. The owner, Mister Banerjee, is a nature lover. He is the first in his family (4th generation), to produce organic tea, and the quality is so good that even Queen Elizabeth cannot do without it. He is also the one who initiated the homestay program, giving local families an opportunity to make more money, while sharing their culture to foreigners. A part of the profits is put into a special account dedicated to local development projects. This is only one of the many initiatives M. Banerjee put into place for the aim of local villages and population.
Wandering in the small alleys of the villages was one of my favorite occupation, the panorama and colorful houses giving the area a beautiful charm. Do spend some time in Makaibari on your next trip to India; you definitely won't regret it!
Written 23 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr Anshuman Das
Kurseong, India, Asia1,814 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
One of the first tea estates in the region along with Tukvar to register a profit under British owners. Subsequently owned and run by the Bannerjee family and now has passed onto the Laxmi group. But the Brand plays on. The old Makaibari building(belonging to the Bannejees) burned down this year.I shall certainly miss Rajah Bannerjee inspecting his garden astride on a white steed.
Written 6 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MGOSWAMI
Kolkata (Calcutta), India157 contributions
Apr 2017
The organic tea estate maintained since old age in Kurseong is a must to visit. The factory allows the tourists to see the process of manufacturing tea. How green leaves are transformed step by step through the use of various machines to tea for our daily consumption can be viewed here. Of course the available guide will explain you the entire process. You have to pay only Rs 20 per head for a shower cap and breathing mask to protect the quality of tea manufactured. And finally you can purchase varied types of tea manufactured inside the factory. But remember you have to purchase tea at MRP and no discount allowed to visitors.
Written 22 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anant S
Kolkata (Calcutta), India179 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
We visited the Makaibari Tea Estate on Jan 2017. It was very close to our hotel The Cochrane Place. We visited the tea gardens and we were also given a tour of the tea factory where the tea is oxidised and packaged. The guide was very polite and gave us a wonderful tour. There is also a small tea shop near the hate. Here you get both loose tea leaves and packaged ones. Do buy some of their first and second flush premium teas. If you are a tea fan it doesn't get better than Makaibari Tea. To top off our visit we were graced by the presence of the man himself Mr Raja Banerjee- the owner himself. Over all an enriching experience!!!
Written 8 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suprabhat J
Kolkata (Calcutta), India91 contributions
Nov 2015 • Family
Makaibari , the name depicts from MAKAI means Maize & Bari means Land . Actually , before the Britishers were invaded to this place , the place was the Land of cultivation of Maize . The British people started the plantation of Tea here as soon as they have established their rule in this area . The garden is spreaded of 1000 acres of land which is surrounded by hills & jungles . Appx. 250-300 acres are being used for Tea plantation . This plantation site is a world famous name for tea lovers for their unique varieties of Tea . This garden produce absolutely Organic Tea . In the adjacent processing centre can produce 250 kilogram of process Tea per day . The rest is for you to explore by visiting this unique place . There are very nice arrangements of Homestaying being runned by the local villagers who most of them are the employee of this tea garden .
Written 11 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oliver R
Paris, France204 contributions
Oct 2015 • Friends
We had a great time at Makaibari tea estate. We stayed with one of the family and enjoyed wonderful tea and homemade food.
The tour includes a tour of the factory which was a little underwhelming but that was followed with a tea testing session animated by the passionate owner Raja Banerjee. The tour ends with a walk in the tea plantation which means walking downhill and back up again (a demanding climb).
The tour includes a tour of the factory which was a little underwhelming but that was followed with a tea testing session animated by the passionate owner Raja Banerjee. The tour ends with a walk in the tea plantation which means walking downhill and back up again (a demanding climb).
Written 10 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Priyarag
Noida, India2 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
We stayed in Makaribari during our Darjeeling tour. It is a wonderful place. The area is inside a tea garden, full of lush green forest and tea plantation. The people are simple, smiling and helpful. It is a good option for homestay.
Written 4 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Marie-Claude, I am also considering doing the homestay at Makaibari solo. Was it OK alone? Especially as a women? How many days did you spend there, or would you recommend? Any other activities available at Makaibari or nearby? Thank you!
Written 5 March 2018
Hello Elizabeth!
Yes, I felt super safe in this place. Makaibari was for me a huge highlight of my trip! I stayed only for two days and three nights but really wished I could stay there longer.
Kurseong is nice to wander around, and then you can effectively move up to Darjeeling and Sikkim, which is apparently really nice! I unfortunately did not have time to go there. But this area is definitely a place I want to go back to to explore I little more.
Hope it helped a bit, enjoy your trip!
Marie-Claude =)
Written 12 March 2018
Hi,
We are planning a tour to North Bengal this pujo and would love to include Makaibari in it. Is there any guided tour of the tea garden? My parents-in-law will also be travelling with us. Would it be hectic for them?
Thanks
Written 11 May 2017
In Makaibari tea factory guides will take you inside the factory and show the production process. You can but tea leaves to your choice also in the factory. But I don't think they will take you to garden. Makaibari also offer homestay and in that case you can walk around the tea gardens.
Written 7 July 2017
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