{"id":2086,"date":"2020-12-01T07:22:17","date_gmt":"2020-12-01T07:22:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nexplore.org\/blog\/?p=2086"},"modified":"2026-10-27T10:48:53","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T10:48:53","slug":"heritage-tea-bungalows-and-tea-garden-tour-in-assam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nexplore.org\/blog\/tea-bungalows-in-assam\/","title":{"rendered":"Tea Bungalows in Assam: 12 Heritage Tea Estate Stays (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

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Assam is well known on the world map for sprawling tea gardens spread across the plains of Assam. It is the largest tea-growing region after China. Assam tea is mainly known for its unique taste and flavour.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The first tea garden was established in Assam in 1840. Most of the tea gardens in Assam are grown in the lowlands in the Brahmaputra valley. During 1860 -1900, numerous small and large tea gardens were established specifically in upper Assam, starting from Jorhat to the Tinsukia district.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

With the stunning ancient bungalows amidst lush tea gardens, “tea tourism<\/strong><\/a>” is another exciting part of an Assam tour. The lavish tea bungalows constructed during the British era are still taking their traditional form in most tea gardens. In this post, I will write about heritage tea bungalows in Assam.<\/p>\r\n

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The Legacy of Assam Tea<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Though the British left India in 1947, they left their embrace in all the tea bungalows. Most of them are sizeable two-storied bungalows with a vast lawn amidst a tea garden with a scenic view. Staying a few days in these places will take you back to a planter\u2019s life in the 18th century.<\/p>\r\n

Assam is the world\u2019s largest tea-growing region, producing more than half of India\u2019s total tea. The tea story here began under British rule when planters established sprawling estates along the Brahmaputra Valley. Today, many of these colonial tea bungalows<\/strong> still stand proudly, converted into elegant heritage stays.<\/p>\r\n

Each bungalow tells a story \u2014 from its antique d\u00e9cor to the manicured gardens and personalised butler service \u2014 giving travellers a glimpse into the old-world charm of the tea planters\u2019 life.<\/p>\r\n

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Tea tourism season in Assam<\/h3>\r\n

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Assam tea is generally harvested twice. The first flush ie. first season, starts in March. The second flush, harvested in the later season, starts from May to June. The tea produced in the second flush season is maltier, sweeter and more full-bodied and is generally considered superior to the first flush tea. Generally, tea production continues till the end of November and is known as the autumn flush.<\/p>\r\n

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Generally, December\u2013January is considered off-season in the tea garden. During that time, the tea factories remain closed and start their annual maintenance.<\/p>\r\n

\"Assam<\/p>\r\n

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Famous Tea Bungalows in Assam<\/h2>\r\n

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Tea bungalows<\/strong> of Assam have a unique style with a raised wooden platform (Chang Bungalow), spacious surroundings, and big verandas. The main building was made of big Teak wood pillars, and they are generally 2 storeys with a big lawn and outstanding interior decoration. The planters are mostly English, Scottish and Irish and they create their home according to their choice in a lavish way. Now, most of the bungalows have been transformed into resorts with all modern amenities.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

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1. Chameli Memsaab Bungalow<\/h3>\r\n

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\"Chameli
Chameli Memsaab Bungalow, one of the best tea bungalows in Assam, located in the heart of Jorhat city<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

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It was the home of Assam\u2019s first tea planter, late Maniram Dewan. Located in scenic surroundings, built over a three-acre area of Cinnamara Tea Estate. Situated just 15 minutes away from Jorhat airport, it is a stunning big tea bungalow where you can spend a few days plentifully like a tea planter. It was renamed as Chameli Memsaab Bungalow<\/strong>\u00a0after the film Chameli Memsaab, which was shot in the bungalow in 1975.<\/p>\r\n

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The main advantage of this place is that you can enjoy all the amenities at a reasonable rate. It is a stunning, big 2-story bungalow where you can enjoy tea tasting<\/strong> and visit a nearby tea estate, where you can explore tea leaf plucking and witness the various processes of tea production.<\/p>\r\n

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It\u2019s a convenient place to visit the Hoollongapar<\/strong> Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary,<\/strong> which takes only 45 minutes to reach. It’s a great place to enjoy delicious Assamese cuisine.<\/p>\r\n

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2. Kaziranga Golf Resort<\/h3>\r\n

\"Kaziranga<\/p>\r\n

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It is a scenic golf resort located in the Moubandha tea estate of Jorhat district. It is one of the biggest and most luxurious tea resorts in Assam. Located 16 km away from Jorhat airport and 75 km away from Kaziranga National Park,<\/strong> staying here is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Burra Sahib <\/strong>Bungalow is the oldest building here, constructed 120 years ago. You can also stay there in one of the newly built cottages near the bungalow.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

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It also houses a big 18-hole golf course<\/strong> where you can enjoy playing golf in a leisurely way. The resort offers a buffet lunch on weekends and other delicious cuisines on weekdays. One can also explore the Tocklai Tea Research Centre<\/strong> and the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary <\/strong>from here.<\/p>\r\n

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Cost: <\/strong>The double rooms with breakfast cost between Rs 8,500 and Rs 25,000.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

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You may like<\/strong>
Top 12 tourist attractions you don’t want to miss on your trip to Assam<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n

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3. Banyan Grove<\/h3>\r\n
\"Banyan
Banyan Grove, one of the largest and most elegant tea bungalows in Assam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n
\"Banyan
Our guests at Banyan Grove<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

Located in the heart of the Gatoonga Tea Estate near Jorhat<\/strong>, Banyan Grove Tea Bungalow<\/strong> is one of Assam\u2019s most elegant heritage stays. Once the residence of the assistant manager of the estate, this century-old bungalow now welcomes travellers to experience the timeless charm of Assam\u2019s tea heritage in true colonial style.<\/p>\r\n

Surrounded by miles of lush tea gardens, the bungalow features spacious rooms with high ceilings, wooden floors, and antique furniture \u2014 preserving the grandeur of the British tea planter era. Its manicured lawns, old banyan trees, and serene setting create a perfect escape for travellers seeking luxury, tranquillity, and authenticity.<\/p>\r\n

\"Wild
Wild Mahseer – a luxury heritage tea estate resort<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

\"Wild<\/p>\r\n

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4. Wild Mahseer (Balipara, Sonitpur)<\/h3>\r\n

Wild Mahseer is a charming heritage tea estate located in Balipara, near Tezpur in Assam, nestled amidst the lush greenery of the Eastern Himalayas. It is a 22-acre retreat that combines heritage, nature, and luxury. The British-style tea bungalow and charming cottages transport you back in time, surrounded by majestic old trees and tranquil beauty. Once part of the historic Addabarie Tea Estate, it dates back to 1875, offering guests a glimpse into Assam\u2019s rich colonial tea legacy.<\/p>\r\n

It is a biodiversity-rich retreat surrounded by nature. The property is home to over 100,000 plants, more than 90 bird species and 72 butterfly species. It also serves as a gateway to the forests and wildlife habitats of Pakke, Kaziranga, Nameri and Orang National Parks, making it an ideal base for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts exploring Assam and Northeast India.<\/p>\r\n

Here visitors can enjoy a range of immersive activities \u2014 from tea garden walks, guided tea tasting sessions to cycling through plantations, birdwatching and nature trails along the Jia Bhoroli River. Guests can interact with local communities and visit nearby villages.<\/p>\r\n

\"Diffloo<\/p>\r\n

Diffloo Tea Bungalow \u2013 a heritage homestay in Kaziranga<\/p>\r\n

\"Diffloo
Colonial elegance of the Diffloo Bungalow<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

\"Tea<\/h3>\r\n

5. Diffloo Bungalow (Bokakhat, near Kaziranga)<\/h3>\r\n

Diffloo Bungalow is a heritage three-bedroom stay inside the Diffloo Tea Estate in Golaghat district, close to Bokakhat. The British-era, Scottish-style Manager’s Bungalow has sloping roofs, wooden verandahs and teak detailing. It looks out over tea gardens, the Diffloo River and the Karbi Hills. Guests can enjoy high tea on the lawn, tea estate picnics, plantation walks and evenings by a bonfire. The estate is known for its Assam CTC tea, which you can sip right where it grows. It is also a handy base for wildlife and tea estate safaris around Kaziranga National Park.<\/p>\r\n

\"Hathikuli
Hathikuli Tea Estate Bungalow<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

6. Hathikuli Bungalow (near Kaziranga National Park)<\/h3>\r\n

Hathikuli Bungalow sits in the Hathikuli Tea Estate, between Kaziranga National Park and the Karbi Anglong Hills, along NH37. The estate has moved to organic cultivation, so you can taste organic green tea, orthodox tea and black pepper tea made on site. Old wooden furniture, Assamese weaves and verandahs overlooking the plantation give the bungalow its colonial-era feel. Meals lean on farm-to-table ingredients, with grilled food and a crackling bonfire in the evenings. It is a good choice if you want to combine a Kaziranga safari with a proper tea estate stay.<\/p>\r\n