Tea story began in ancient China over 5,000 years ago. According to legend, Shen Nung, an early emperor was a skilled ruler, creative scientist and patron of the arts.
The original English pronunciation of the word tea was “tay” and can be traced back to around 1655 when the Dutch introduced both word and beverage to England. The pronunciation “tee” also originated in the 1600’s but only gained predominance after the late 18th century.
Tea is first mentioned in Chinese writing in 222 AD as a substitute for wine, and in a circa 350 AD Chinese dictionary.
In 1612 The East India Company, which was officially named “Governor Company of Merchants of London Trading with East Indies” defeated the Portuguese in India and won trading concessions from the Mughal Empire. With the approval of local Indian rulers, the East India Company established trading posts in Madras, Bombay and Calcutta, and began trading in cottons, silks, indigo, saltpeter and tea.
Upon arrival meet and greet and escorted transfer to hotel. Overnight.
After breakfast proceed for the full day tour of Old & New Delhi. Drive past the opulent Red Fort. Visit Jama Masjid – the biggest mosque of Asia, Rajghat-memorial site of Mahatma Gandhi and later enjoy a rickshaw ride through the busy streets of Chandni Chowk, the shopping center of Old Delhi. Later drive on to New Delhi & visit Humayun’s Tomb-the mausoleum Emperor Humayun, Qutab Minar built by Qutab-ud-din Aibek. Drive past the secretarial offices, Parliament. Visit the India Gate – war memorial and Connaught place the city center. Overnight at the hotel.
Morning transfer to airport to connect flight for Dibrugarh. You will be met on arrival and transferred to Heritage Chang Bungalow. Afternoon take a tea walk in a tea garden. Later in the evening enjoy a Jhumur – dance performance by the tea tribe on the Bungalow lawns. Overnight.
After breakfast take a tour of Heritage Tea Garden to know the origin & the history of tea – how it is grown, its culture, all about tea tasting & its quality; Pluck you own tea-leaf. Later in the afternoon take a nature walk in a natural protected forest area & visit an ethnic Assamese village. After lunch visit a weaving centre. Later boat cruise on the Mighty Brahmaputra – the lifeline of the state. In the evening enjoy an Assamese dance on the Bungalow lawns. Overnight.
After breakfast we drive to Kaziranga National Park, the home of one horn rhino. Enroute we will visit the monuments and temples of the Ahom Dynasty at Siva-sagar. We will arrive late afternoon. Upon arrival check in at the hotel. Evening at leisure and overnight.
Early morning take an elephant safari in the central range of the park followed by a jeep safari after breakfast to the western range of the park. Later in the afternoon visit the eastern range. Relax in the evening and overnight.
After an early breakfast depart for Guwahati.Visit the Tea Auction Center – the largest auction center for CTC tea. Visit a Tea Brokerage Firm to know more about tea tasting and its quality. Evening enjoy and Assamese dinner. Overnight.
Post breakfast in time transfer to airport to connect flight for Bagdogra. You will be met on arrival and transferred by road to Darjeeling. Evening at leisure or take a walk till the bazaar. Overnight.
Set out early this morning to see a truly spectacular sight (weather permitting), the snow-clad Kunchenjunga Range with some of the world’s tallest peaks, is clad in orange gold raiment of the rising Sun. Return back to hotel. After breakfast we will take you for a visit to the tea estate to learn about the fascinating process of making the famous Darjeeling Tea followed by Visit Ghoom Monastery, and built in the Tibetan style enshrining an image of Maitreya Buddah. Later, tour this picturesque area stopping at Lebong Valley, home to the world’s highest racetrack and the Mountaineering Institute of India.If time permits explore the forest across the river Rungeet – a bird watcher’s paradise. Evening at leisure and overnight.
Morning after breakfast proceed to Bagdogra airport to connect flight for Delhi / Kolkata or Bangalore.
Coffee is a brewed drink prepared from roasted seeds, commonly herries that grow on trees in over 70 countries. Green unroasted coffee is one of the most traded agricultural commodities in the world. Due to its caffeine content, coffee can have a stimulating effect in humans. Today, coffee is one of the most popular beverages worldwide.
Ethiopian goatherd, who discovered coffee, did not appear in writing until 1671 and is probably apocryphal. From Ethiopia, the beverage was introduced into the Arab world through Egypt and Yemen.
In Arabia that coffee beans were first roasted and brewed, in a similar way to how it is now prepared. By the 16th century, it had reached the rest of the Middle East, Persia, Turkey, and northern Africa. Coffee then spread to Italy, and to the rest of Europe, to Indonesia, and to the Americas.
From Venice, it was introduced to the rest of Europe. The first European coffee house opened in Italy in 1645.
The Dutch were the first to import coffee on a large scale, and they were among the first to defy the Arab prohibition on the exportation of plants or unroasted seeds when Pieter van den Broecke smuggled seedlings from Mocha, Yemen, into Europe in 1616.
Coffee was introduced in France in 1657, and in Austria and Poland after the 1683 Battle of Vienna, when coffee was captured from supplies of the defeated Turks.
After breakfast leave by surface for chikmagalore enroute visit Shravanabelagola famous for its impressive Jain temple than Belur & Halebid Temples famous for its Hoysaleswara Temple which listed as one of the world heritage centers . Lunch enroute Upon arrival check in at hotel. Later visit coffee plantation. Place known as Bababudangiri a picturesque hill. The place from where coffee Industry In India was Born. This area now produces unique coffee. Commercial cultivation of coffee in India began over 150 years ago when the British cultivated plantations across the hilltops of South India. It is also known as ‘Coffee land’ since the coffee in India initially grown here & it houses a Coffee Research Station, the first in Asia . Return back to hotel. Overnight.
After breakfast leave by surface for Coorg it is considered the Scotland of India, with its breathtaking landscapes, lush forests and acres of plantations.
After early breakfast, leave with an specialist of coffee plantation to visit one the world know coffee plantation area of India. Later visit the Dubare elephant camp. Here we will observe elephants and their daily activities. One can also take a ride on one of the elephants here! Afterwards, return back to hotel for lunch. The region is famous for cultivation of spices and visiting the plantations is a memorable experience. Later you will enjoy a wonderful camp fire before turning in for the night.
After breakfast leave by surface for mysore upon arrival check in at hotel, After lunch visit the Mysore Palace. This spectacular building was commissioned in 1897 but was only complete in 1912. Every year it plays host to the annual Mysore Dusshera festival. Return to hotel, dinner and night at hotel.
After breakfast visit the colourful flower market- an continue for visit Somnathpur. This town is famous for the Keshava temple that is believed to have been built in 1268 AD. Afternoon visit the Chamundi Hills. The Chamundi Hills offer a panoramic view of the region and a long stairway of 1511 steps leads to the top of the hill. Return to hotel, dinner and night at hotel.
Morning free , After lunch leave by surface for Bangalore enroute visit Srirangapatnam, a place of great religious and historical significance. In fact, it is the site of the infamous battle between Tipu Sultan and the British army. Tipu died in battle within the fort of Srirangaptnam and the place where he fell has been turned into a memorial. Upon arrival short visit of Bangalore city. Evening farewell dinner & transfer to Airport to connect flight for home / onward destination.
