Makaibari Tea Estate

Makaibari Tea Estate is a historic tea plantation located in Kurseong in the Darjeeling hills of West Bengal. Established in 1859, it is one of the oldest and most renowned Darjeeling tea estates, spread across about 1,575 acres at an altitude of around 1,200 to 1,800 meters. It is noted as the world's first biodynamic tea garden and for producing certified organic Darjeeling teas, attracting visitors for factory tours, tea tasting and scenic Himalayan landscapes.

Visitors can expect a working organic tea plantation set on steep forested slopes with terraced tea bushes, a heritage tea factory, and panoramic views of the Darjeeling Himalayas. Guided walks through the plantation explain plucking, withering, rolling and sorting processes, followed by tea tasting sessions. The estate offers community-run homestays, a tea shop selling estate teas, and forest trails within its biodynamic estate where much of the land remains under forest cover.

Established in 1859 by Captain Samler, Makaibari is one of the oldest tea estates in Darjeeling. It was later managed by the Banerjee family for four generations and became a pioneer in organic farming in 1988 and biodynamic farming in the early 1990s, recognized as the world's first biodynamic tea garden. It is part of the Darjeeling tea heritage that holds Geographical Indication (GI) status.

Represents the heritage of Darjeeling tea culture and sustainable agriculture. The estate is known for community-based tourism with homestays run by local Gorkha families, preservation of forest cover within the estate, and production of traditional Darjeeling teas that are culturally significant to the region.