Lockhart Factory Munnar: Tea walk & tasting

Walk through tea gardens, then taste what you picked

You walk through active tea gardens in Munnar for 1–2 hours, meet the pickers, learn how they work, then spend an hour in the Lockhart factory watching Orthodox tea being made the 1936 way. Tea tasting and a museum visit round out the 3–4 hour experience. Guide, water, and all fees are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tea plantation walk and factory visit

• Walk through tea plantation
• Interact with tea pluckers
• Visit Lockhart tea museum
• Tour tea factory
• Taste traditional orthodox tea

The experience

There's something about standing in a tea garden that makes you want to slow down. The rows roll across the hillside in Munnar, and the air is so clean it almost tastes green. You walk through the plantation for 1–2 hours with a guide who introduces you to the tea pickers working the same plants their families have tended for generations. They show you which leaves to take, how to read the plant, what the weather did last week. It's not a performance. They're working, and you're there learning how.

After the walk, you head to the Lockhart factory, built in 1936 and still running the same way. The guide walks you through the whole process: how the leaves go from fresh to dried, how the machines work, why the timing matters. The factory is a living museum, not a display behind glass, but the actual place where tea gets made. You see the Orthodox method they use here, the traditional way that takes longer and tastes different. Then you sit down and taste what you've just watched being made, and suddenly the walk makes sense. You know where it came from.

The whole thing takes 3–4 hours. You get bottled water, the guide, entry to the factory and museum, and tea tasting included. Minimum two people per booking. Wear smart casual clothes and be ready to walk on uneven ground. It's not strenuous, but it's not flat either. Public transport runs nearby if you need it, though most people arrange a pickup from their hotel in Munnar.

What’s included

Your day includes a guide, bottled water, entry to the Lockhart factory and tea museum, and a tea tasting session after the plantation walk. All fees and taxes are covered in the price.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour of the Munnar tea trailGuide in English · 09:30 and 14:30Tour only

Stay in Munnar includedGuide in English · 10:00 and 14:30Walk through the Munnar Village along the creek way

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 3h–4h, runs Tuesday to Sunday at 09:30, 10:00 and 14:30, from US$ 14 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 8 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDepartures at 09:30, 10:00 and 14:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (6 to 90 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Munnar Info

Is this one for you?Right for tea lovers and curious travelers who want to understand where their cup comes from, not just taste it. The 3–4 hour pace lets you walk the gardens and watch the factory without rushing, which is what makes the whole story stick.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the plantation walk?

1–2 hours through the tea gardens, with time to talk to the workers.

What's included in the price?

Guide, bottled water, factory entry, museum access, and tea tasting. All fees and taxes are covered.

How much walking is involved?

The plantation walk is 1–2 hours on uneven ground. It's not strenuous, but you need to be able to walk at a steady pace.

Is this suitable for people with health concerns?

It's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health. Otherwise, it suits all fitness levels.

What should I wear?

Smart casual dress code. Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking on plantation paths.

How many people do I need in my group?

Minimum two people per booking.

How long is the whole tour?

3–4 hours total: 1–2 hours in the plantation, 1 hour in the factory, plus museum and tasting time.

Can I get to the tour without a car?

Public transportation options are available nearby, though most visitors arrange hotel pickup in Munnar.