If you like tea you should visit this organic and biodynamic tea estate; the factory is open to visitors. In-between the huge sorting and drying machines, and the fields of green bushes you may run into the owner, tea guru and local character Rajah Banerjee. Mornings are the best time to see the production process. Visits are free, or you can opt for a program of tea plucking, tasting and lunch in a local homestay for ₹300.
The estate is 3km below Kurseong along Pankhabari Rd, and 1km below Cochrane Pl. A taxi here costs ₹200, or it’s a pleasant downhill walk (it’s much steeper coming back so take a ₹20 shared taxi from Cochrane Pl). En route, the lush, overgrown old graveyard at St Andrew's has poignant reminders of the tea-planter era.
Makaibari runs a pioneering homestay and volunteer program from a separate office 50m below the main entrance. Volunteers can find placements in teaching, health and community projects.
