Munnar and tea are inseparable. The moment you leave the plains and begin climbing into the Western Ghats, the landscape changes completely. The forest gives way to a rolling green carpet of tea bushes, pruned to waist height, stretching across every hillside as far as you can see. It is one of the most arresting landscapes in South India.
And when you are surrounded by this much tea, the obvious question is: where does it actually come from? How does a leaf become the cup you drink each morning? Visiting a tea factory in Munnar answers that question in the most direct way possible. But not all tea factory visits are equal, and choosing the right one makes a significant difference to what you actually experience.
Here is our honest guide, based on years of taking international guests through Munnar’s tea country.
Understanding tea production first
Before choosing which factory to visit, it helps to understand that Munnar has two distinct methods of tea production. This changes what you will see and taste.
The CTC method stands for Crush, Tear and Curl. It is a mechanised, high-volume process that produces the strong, quick-brewing black tea most commonly found in tea bags and the everyday Indian chai. The machines are large, loud and efficient. The output is consistent.
The Orthodox method is slower, more labour-intensive and produces a wider range of teas with more complex flavours. It is the traditional method brought to these hills by British planters in the 1800s, and it is the method that produces the teas sought by speciality buyers around the world. Watching orthodox production feels more like witnessing a craft than an industrial process.
Knowing this distinction will help you choose where to go.
The three tea factories worth visiting in Munnar
The Tea Museum, convenient, but limited
The Tea Museum in Munnar town is owned and operated by Tata Global Beverages, the company that today manages most of the tea estates in the region under the Kannan Devan brand. It is located just two kilometres from the town centre, which makes it the easiest to reach.
The museum has a miniature tea factory inside that demonstrates the CTC process. There is a 20-minute audio-visual presentation on the history of tea in Munnar, followed by a guided walk through the exhibits. Old machinery, plantation photographs and artefacts from the colonial era fill the space.
It is informative, particularly if you want historical context. But it is essentially a museum experience, not a working factory visit. It gets busy, especially during peak season. If you want to see tea being actually made, you need to look elsewhere.
Best for: First-time visitors who want a quick, accessible introduction to Munnar’s tea history.
Lockhart Tea Factory, the genuine working factory experience
Lockhart Tea Factory is our recommendation for most visitors. Owned by Harrisons Malayalam, it sits about ten kilometres from Munnar town near Devikulam, which means far fewer tourists and a far more authentic experience.
Lockhart operates using the orthodox method of tea production. On a guided tour you can watch withering, rolling, fermenting, drying and sorting all happening in sequence. The machinery is older and the pace more considered than at a CTC plant. The smells alone are extraordinary — fresh leaf, warm air, the particular damp earthiness of fermenting tea.
The factory also has an outlet where you can buy freshly packed orthodox teas. The surrounding plantation views are beautiful and the drive out from Munnar town is scenic in itself.
This is the factory we include when we design Munnar itineraries for our guests. It is quieter, more generous with access, and leaves visitors with a real understanding of how good tea is made. The experience feels personal rather than packaged, which matters when you have travelled this far.
Best for: Travellers who want a genuine, immersive tea factory experience with real access to the production process.
Kolukkumalai Tea Factory, for those who are serious about tea
If Lockhart is the recommended visit, Kolukkumalai is the extraordinary one.
Situated at around 2,400 metres above sea level in the Kannan Devan hills, Kolukkumalai is the highest organic tea factory in the world, and one of the last places on earth still using original British-era machinery. The rolling units have Britannia engraved on them. The factory was built in the 1930s and has changed very little since.
The tea grown here is exceptional. Higher elevation means slower growth, smaller leaves and more concentrated flavour. Kolukkumalai tea has a distinctly clean, bright character that regular Munnar teas do not. It is sold in small quantities and sought by buyers who care about provenance.
Getting there is an experience in itself. You drive to Suryanelli near Chinnakanal and park your vehicle. From there, only a jeep can take you up the final six kilometres — a steep, boulder-strewn track that takes over an hour to climb. The views en route are extraordinary. Early morning is the best time to go, before the mist closes in and when the light across the tea gardens is at its most beautiful. Start from Suryanelli by 6.30 am if you can.
Kolukkumalai is technically in Tamil Nadu, but it is only accessible from the Kerala side. This geographic quirk adds to its character.
Best for: Travellers with a genuine interest in tea, off-road experiences, and remote landscapes. Not suitable for those with limited mobility.
Which tea factory should you visit?
If you have one morning in Munnar and want the best all-round experience: Lockhart Tea Factory.
If you have a full day, an adventurous spirit and a serious interest in tea: Kolukkumalai. Combine it with an early morning jeep ride and the views alone justify the effort.
If you are short on time and staying in Munnar town: The Tea Museum will give you context, though the experience is limited compared to the other two.
Practical information
Lockhart Tea Factory Location: Near Devikulam, approximately 10 km from Munnar town Access: By car, any standard vehicle Best time to visit: Morning, when production is typically active What to wear: Closed shoes, as factory floors can be uneven
Kolukkumalai Tea Factory Location: Suryanelli, Chinnakanal — accessible only by jeep for the final section Access: Drive your vehicle to Suryanelli, hire a local jeep from there Best time: Leave Suryanelli by 6.30 am for best light and clear views What to bring: Warm layer, camera, good footwear for uneven ground
A note on responsible tea tourism
When you visit a working tea factory, you are stepping into someone’s livelihood. The workers in these factories and on these estates have been tending these hills for generations, many of them Tamil families who came to Munnar during the British plantation era and built their lives here.
At Green Earth Trails, we are mindful of how tourism touches these communities. We include tea factory visits as part of a broader understanding of Munnar — not as a tick-box activity, but as a moment to understand the land, the people and the craft behind one of the world’s most consumed beverages.
If you buy tea at the factory outlet, you are buying directly from the source. That matters.
Planning a trip to Munnar? Green Earth Trails designs private, owner-operated Kerala journeys for international travellers. Every itinerary is built around your interests and your pace. Get in touch and we will start the conversation.