Very close to Windermere Estate is the Lakshmi Hills. A portion of the hills is under Tata for the Kanan Devan Plantation, however its top portion and peak are public properties. So actually, the walk begins inside the Tata property with tea plantations on either sides. We were accompanied by Mr.Sanu of Kestrel Adventures, which is into several adventure activities in this locality, incl trekking, mountaineering, cycling, rope activities etc.
Did you know there are 3 types of tea - White, Green & Black. I didn't know about the existence of White Tea till Sanu explained all about it to us! Green Tea is from the young leaves of the tea plant, Black tea is from the darker, mature leaves of the tea plant which is rolled and dried and even gets broken. The finest broken pieces give the tea dust which produces the darkest and strongest tea.
To get there:
On Google Maps: 2nd peak of Lakshmi Hills; Starting point from the road
From Windermere Munnar to starting point: 2.2km
From Munnar Bus Stand: 1.6km
P.S: Check out here to know what I wore for the trek
From Windermere Munnar to starting point: 2.2km
From Munnar Bus Stand: 1.6km
P.S: Check out here to know what I wore for the trek
Dedicated to Venkat
P.S: I was invited by Kestrel Adventures, Munnar to experience the activities for review purpose, however the opinions are my own and this post does not to advertise the product/service.
Lovely place...
ReplyDeleteAmazing place. Thanks for sharing beautiful pics :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful place! :o
ReplyDeleteNice frames. Glad to know about these hills in Munnar and also about white tea. :)
ReplyDeleteYou always share beautiful places which I would love to visit.
ReplyDeleteGreat article on Lakshmi Hills. Was a great read, and I gat to find out about the Tea plantation in Idukki-Kerala. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis place is so amazing! Greenery so near to nature.. nice nice!
ReplyDeleteI learned about the different kinds of tea when I visited China and experienced tasting white, green, and black green tea leaves. It's nice to know that the trek is simple so even older people can still walk on it and complete the trip leisurely.
ReplyDeleteThis is something I would really enjoy being in the outdoors. There's these mountains in Taiwan that I visited via cable car where you can see the different coffee and tea plantation.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I joined a contest that will take me to Kerala, should I win it. I hope to explore this place and walk through those tea plantation.
ReplyDeleteHey, the trek is really easy and nice. It's 1.6 and 2.2kms? Leisurely walk seeing the beautiful surroundings. I am glad to read your post. I am quite familiar with black tea and green tea. In fact, I have them in my cabinet and will have tea later. But white tea, like you, is also new to me.
ReplyDeleteWow! Amazing photos you have here. Looks like the trek was enjoyable especially with that view. Would love to go here one day :D
ReplyDeleteHello Bhushavali N,
ReplyDeleteThis must be a nice and relaxing trip. I love the photos and the scenery. I have not traveled to India yet, though thanks for sharing your experience so I can travel vicariously through your blog.
I really love tea as well. My favorites are Earl Grey Tea, Chai, and Ceylon Tea. I really love loose leaf teas, like Banana and Coconut ones as well. I"m not quite sure which tea they fall under, I guess black? Which one is your favorite? Did you get to try some of the tea there? :)
Lovely place, Nice photos, This are places i will love to visit. Places like this will be good for Agriculture
ReplyDeleteOoohhh it's like one of those Korean locations for Legends of the Blue Sea. Ipo! It's so pretty! I would love to go and visit that place coz it's picturesque.
ReplyDeleteI promise that if you ever cvome to Dilli, I will get you Dil Chahta Hai moment part 2
ReplyDelete;))
The hills are they part of the Nigiris? The blue colour is soothing.
I travelled to Kerala more than 20 years back and since then , I have ahd no chance to return to that part of our country.
Thanks for letting us know about the White tea. It isn't widely available, I am afraid.
What is the difference of trekking from hiking? I hope you could enlighten me because I'm really confused between the two. Your photos are really great! I'm so loving the greenery that I see because here in our country, most of the agricultural lands are being turned into industrial land which I really hate.
ReplyDeleteI love white tea! Here in Sri Lanka its called "silver tips" cause thats how they look once they are dried. I really like walking in the tea plantations, they are so pretty to look at and the way the tea pickers work is quite amazing. I have learned so much about tea in Sri Lanka I hope I dont turn into a tea snob! We do have a tea timer at home.....
ReplyDeletei haven't visited any tea plantation, but the place you showed was very beautiful, I love nature and this is the first time I've heard about black and white tea, green is very famous but black and white are interesting. I'll try to search the white but as you've mentioned it's a bit pricey, I'll check if I can find some
ReplyDeleteI've been to a green tea plantation before and I agree that it is very relaxing to watch over the scenery drinking a cup of tea. But the work people there do is very hard to be able to give us the tea we enjoy drinking.
ReplyDeleteThe traveling is all about to explore some beautiful things in life, to know what life is, to know how people lives, and to know life is traveling. Beautiful blog love to read especially the images.
ReplyDeleteWow, climbing on a peak with an experienced of picking a fruit is something I haven't even tried yet. This must be something really amazing. I like the greener surroundings and the plantation is kinda wide as well. I'll surely penned this on my bucket list. Thank you for sharing your wonderful travel experience.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and I love the explaination of the different types of tea. I am not a big tea drinker but my wife is. Now I can look smart and explain the different types to her.
ReplyDeleteThe view is really spectacular. I've never been to any tea plantation before, do the plants give off tea fragrance? Great pictures!
ReplyDeleteI really liked that you took chatted with tea picking women and tried to lift it. It is really necessary to chat with local people to understand their mindset and culture.
ReplyDeleteWow the view and atmosphere there were majestic. I love greenery and fresh air. Wish to visit there also.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great article on Lakshmi Hills, and everytime I'm wandering around your blog I feel to travel! Great photos and I love the explanations!
ReplyDeleteI am fan of trekking! That was an easy trek. As if you are leisurely walking in a park. It will just need a lot of patience and of course, cardio-stamina, to finish the whole trek.
ReplyDeleteNow that is something new to me! White tea?? I work as a barista and it is the first time I hear such a thing like the white tea! I always wanted to visit a tea plantation and watch the whole procedure and even help myself! And of course to be rewarded with some special and rare tea bags!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images and scenery. Looks like you had a great time. I'm not much of a long trekking person or hardcore activities, but I do enjoy walking and looking at the trees. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteVery informative post ! I was not familiar with this trek .
ReplyDeleteThe 2nd peak reminds me of Banaue Rice Terraces of Philippines. Sure that you really had enjoyed your trekking adventure. I haven't tried it yet but I sure that you guys had an awesome adventure, don't you?
ReplyDeleteYour pictures of tea gardens are amazing. Lakshmi hills look like worth visiting and that to by trekking. You have given good knowledge of tea and its source. Tea Lovers would like this.
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