Okayti Tea Estate
Okayti Tea Estate, located in the Mirik Valley of Darjeeling, sits at an altitude ranging from 1770 to 2360 meters. Planted in the early 1870s, the estate is sprawled in the undulating hills of the magically scenic Mirik valley. It is spread over 1,600 acres of beautiful landscape with elevation ranging from 4,000 to 6,200 feet, making it one of the highest elevation tea estates in the region.
One of the oldest and scenically breathtaking, Okayti Tea Estate is surrounded by tall pine trees with a remarkable view of the Himalayas. Carpeted with perfectly kept tea bushes and natural greenery, it has an astounding assemblage of flora and fauna. The estate adores its land and takes enormous efforts to conserve it through regular tree plantation and legitimate disposal of waste.
The estate spans 608 hectares of forest land, with 208 hectares dedicated to tea plantation. It can be easily accessed by air through the Bagdogra airport.
Owned by the Kumbhat family for generations, Okayti was established in 1888 and boasts one of the oldest tea factories in the region. Recently, a new factory has been built employing the latest techniques in fermenting and drying teas.
Okayti has its patrons worldwide and with its finest single estate teas, it has befriended several top-notch tea houses that showcase only the best teas of the world. TWG in London is one of the most luxurious tea houses in Europe which has been exhibiting Okayti tea for many decades.
Over the years Okayti has evolved into a heritage brand that most immaculately epitomizes Darjeeling tea. It has a glorious history of being patronized by royal tea connoisseurs internationally and today it is exhibited and sold at the world’s most luxurious tea houses including TWG, Harrods of London, Fortnum and Mason etc.
Okayti is known worldwide but is affectionately referred to as Rangdoo by locals. The estate is situated on the banks of the Mechi River, which runs along the border of Nepal. It employs around 700 local workers, including those from the
Nepalese village of Antu on the opposite bank of the Mechi River. The estate is divided into upper and lower divisions and produces 140,000 kgs of tea annually. Most of its produce is exported to the US, Europe, and Japan.
