Tata Tea Garden
Sevenmallay Estate is one of the most iconic tea gardens in Munnar, established in 1900 and currently managed by the Kanan Devan Hills Plantations (KDHP). Spread over hundreds of acres, it looks like a seamless green blanket draped over the hills. The name "Sevenmallay" is an anglicized version of the local name, representing the seven hills that surround the area. This estate is not just a commercial plantation but a heritage site that showcases the colonial legacy of tea cultivation. As you walk through the estate, you can see tea pluckers skillfully harvesting the "two leaves and a bud" that make the world-famous Munnar tea. The garden is bounded by the Munnar town to the east and features a quaint colonial bungalow at its heart. The estate is also home to the Munnar Christ Church and the historic Gymkhana Grounds. The air here is constantly filled with the refreshing aroma of fresh tea leaves, and the rolling terrain offers some of the best hiking opportunities in the district. It serves as a living testimony to the transition from British ownership to the employee-owned model of KDHP.
General information
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Ideal Duration:
3 HoursPlace Type:
Tea PlantationEntry Fees:
Free Entry: Walking on the public roads through the estate is free.
Guided Tours: Private plantation tours can cost between 200 INR to 500 INR per person depending on the duration. ...Free Entry: Walking on the public roads through the estate is free.
Guided Tours: Private plantation tours can cost between 200 INR to 500 INR per person depending on the duration.Timing:
Daily Timings: Open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Ideal Visit Time: Late Afternoon (4:00 PM) is the best time to see the sun setting behind the tea-covered peaks. ...Daily Timings: Open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Ideal Visit Time: Late Afternoon (4:00 PM) is the best time to see the sun setting behind the tea-covered peaks.Special Events:
Tea Harvest Festival: Celebrated annually by the workers, featuring traditional music and dance performances in the plantation colonies.
Flower Show: Occasionally held near the KDHP house, showcasing exotic orchids and mountain flora. ...Tea Harvest Festival: Celebrated annually by the workers, featuring traditional music and dance performances in the plantation colonies.
Flower Show: Occasionally held near the KDHP house, showcasing exotic orchids and mountain flora.Best Photo Spots:
The Bungalow Gate: The path leading to the colonial bungalow is lined with flowers, making it a classic spot for portrait shots.
Tea Slopes: Capturing the symmetrical rows of tea bushes against the backdrop of the rugged mountains.The Bungalow Gate: The path leading to the colonial bungalow is lined with flowers, making it a classic spot for portrait shots.
Tea Slopes: Capturing the symmetrical rows of tea bushes against the backdrop of the rugged mountains.
Misty Mornings: The early morning fog rolling over the green carpet creates a dreamlike cinematic effect.Photo Gallery
Things To Do
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Estate Walks: Visitors can take guided walks through the narrow paths between tea bushes, learning about the different clones of tea plants.
Tea Tasting: Small outlets within the estate allow you to taste and purchase premium Sevenmallay tea varieties like Silver Tips and Oolong.
Photography: The undulating landscape is a prime spot for landscape photography, especially during the golden hour.
Cultural Visits: Visit the C. S. I. Christ Church, a stone structure built in 1910 located right at the edge of the estate.
Birding: The silver oak trees planted for shade attract Malabar Whistling Thrushes and various sunbirds.
Interaction: Respectfully watch and interact with the tea pluckers to un...Estate Walks: Visitors can take guided walks through the narrow paths between tea bushes, learning about the different clones of tea plants.
Tea Tasting: Small outlets within the estate allow you to taste and purchase premium Sevenmallay tea varieties like Silver Tips and Oolong.
Photography: The undulating landscape is a prime spot for landscape photography, especially during the golden hour.
Cultural Visits: Visit the C. S. I. Christ Church, a stone structure built in 1910 located right at the edge of the estate.
Birding: The silver oak trees planted for shade attract Malabar Whistling Thrushes and various sunbirds.
Interaction: Respectfully watch and interact with the tea pluckers to understand the rigorous manual labor involved in tea production.
Hiking: Moderate trails lead to the higher ridges of the estate, offering views of the Muvattupuzha river valley.
Information
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Why Famous:
Historical Roots: One of the oldest estates in Munnar, established at the turn of the 20th century, preserving century-old tea bushes.
KDHP Hub: It is the headquarters of the Kanan Devan Hills Plantations, making it the administrative and ...Historical Roots: One of the oldest estates in Munnar, established at the turn of the 20th century, preserving century-old tea bushes.
KDHP Hub: It is the headquarters of the Kanan Devan Hills Plantations, making it the administrative and cultural heart of the tea industry. -
Architecture:
Colonial Bungalow: The central bungalow features high ceilings, gabled roofs, and stone walls with a floor area of over 3000 sq ft.
Industrial Legacy: The estate layout follows a contour planting system, which prevents soil erosion and cre...Colonial Bungalow: The central bungalow features high ceilings, gabled roofs, and stone walls with a floor area of over 3000 sq ft.
Industrial Legacy: The estate layout follows a contour planting system, which prevents soil erosion and creates the characteristic stepped appearance of the hills. -
How To Reach:
By Air: Cochin Airport is 110 KM away.
By Train: Ernakulam Junction (130 KM) provides the best connectivity.
By Road: It is within walking distance from Munnar town center.
...By Air: Cochin Airport is 110 KM away.
By Train: Ernakulam Junction (130 KM) provides the best connectivity.
By Road: It is within walking distance from Munnar town center.
By Local Transport: Auto-rickshaws are the most convenient way to reach the interior parts of the estate. -
Weather and Best Time to Visit:
Seasons: Winter is best for trekking. Monsoon brings a vibrant, deep green hue to the plants.
Part of Day: Sunrise provides the best light for the "green carpet" effect, while Noon is too bright for photos. ...Seasons: Winter is best for trekking. Monsoon brings a vibrant, deep green hue to the plants.
Part of Day: Sunrise provides the best light for the "green carpet" effect, while Noon is too bright for photos. -
Near Tourist Places:
Tea Museum (1 KM), Blossom Park (1 KM), Pothamedu Viewpoint (4 KM), Rose Garden (3 KM), Mattupetty Dam (10 KM), Echo Point (15 KM), Kundala Lake (22 KM), Eravikulam National Park (9 KM), Photo Point (5 KM), Attukad Falls (6 KM).
Tourism Tips
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Health: Wear long pants and socks to protect against leeches, especially during the monsoon season.
Packing: Carry an umbrella as sudden rain is common in the plantation areas.
Connectivity: Excellent 4G ...Health: Wear long pants and socks to protect against leeches, especially during the monsoon season.
Packing: Carry an umbrella as sudden rain is common in the plantation areas.
Connectivity: Excellent 4G connectivity is available due to its proximity to the town.
Cash: Most tea outlets accept digital payments, but keep cash for small local vendors.
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