Stepping Back in Time: Iconic Assam Heritage Tea Bungalows
- Northeast Nook
- Nov 18
- 3 min read
Assam is home to some of India's most remarkable Assam Heritage Tea Bungalows, converted from colonial-era buildings into charming accommodations where guests can experience the authentic tea planter lifestyle. These historic properties showcase the region's rich tea heritage and offer unforgettable cultural immersion. Here are some of the most notable heritage tea bungalows in Northeast India:
Experience the Planter's Life at Assam Heritage Tea Bungalows
Mancotta Chang Bungalow (Dibrugarh)
A beautifully preserved wooden colonial residence raised on traditional stilts, nestled amid 500 acres of lush tea gardens in Upper Assam. The "Chang Bungalow" architecture features six rooms with antique furnishings, expansive verandas, and manicured lawns overlooking endless tea plantations. This 1800s property offers guided tea estate walks, leaf plucking demonstrations, and tea-tasting sessions.
Chameli Memsaab Bungalow (Cinnamora Tea Estate, Jorhat)
The former residence of Maniram Dewan, Assam's first tea planter, this magnificent heritage property sprawls across three acres just 15 minutes from Jorhat airport. Renamed after the 1975 film shot at the property, it offers affordable yet authentic tea planter experiences, tea tasting, and proximity to Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary.
Wild Mahseer Heritage Tea Bungalow (Balipara, Tezpur)
A 145-year-old British-era gem spread across 22 acres featuring the Burra Bungalow section with three luxuriously appointed rooms. Located 25 kilometers from Tezpur, it serves as a gateway to Pakke, Kaziranga, Nameri, and Orang forests, combining heritage tea estate living with wildlife experiences and the Eastern Himalayan Botanic Ark.
Kaziranga Golf Resort (Jorhat)
Located on the historic Sangsua Tea Estate, this luxury resort features the Bura Sahib Bungalow, the oldest building constructed 120 years ago. The resort offers an 18-hole golf course, beautifully appointed rooms, colonial architecture, and proximity to Kaziranga National Park—perfect for combining heritage experiences with wildlife adventures.
Sapoi Tea Farms: 1914 Heritage Homestay (Dhekiajuli)
An over-hundred-year-old heritage bungalow of the Keshav Kanoi family manufacturing premium CTC tea since 1914. Surrounded by 2,600 acres of Sapoi tea plantations, this five-generation legacy property offers authentic family-run heritage experiences with old-world architecture, home-cooked meals, and pristine natural surroundings.
Manohari Tea Retreat (Dibrugarh)
Located in the heart of tea country near Dibrugarh, this heritage property provides immersive experiences of Assam's tea culture within preserved colonial settings. The retreat offers tea garden tours, factory visits, and curated tea-tasting sessions featuring the region's finest orthodox and CTC varieties.
Koliabor Manor Resort (Heritage Bungalows)
Koliabor Manor Resort represents a beautifully converted heritage tea estate property that welcomes approximately 20 guests, preserving the exclusive, intimate atmosphere of original colonial estates. The property features four heritage bungalows and six private cottages spread across a breathtaking landscape. Private cottages offer 400 square feet of space, while heritage rooms exceed 1,000 square feet—all featuring striking interiors with regal wooden flooring that echoes authentic old-world colonial style. Beautifully landscaped private gardens and spacious decks enhance the immersive Assam Heritage Tea Bungalows experience.
Your cultural immersion includes guided tours through working tea gardens, tea leaf plucking experiences, and expertly curated tea-tasting sessions where expert guides explain the nuances of different Assam tea varieties. The resort offers authentic Assamese cuisine prepared with traditional recipes and estate-grown ingredients. The limited guest capacity ensures intimate experiences and genuine connections with the estate's heritage and community. Evening relaxation on private decks overlooking tea gardens creates magical moments that capture Assam's timeless beauty.
Wathai Tea Bungalow
The Wathai bungalow derives its name from a local village within the estate and was originally built to serve as the tea garden manager's residence, as was the common practice in all colonial-era estates. The bungalow, being more than a hundred years old, serves as nothing short of a muted historian, silently conveying through its simple architecture, design, flooring, and age-old furniture, innumerable stories of the various eras the garden has seen. Over the last hundred years or more, the garden undoubtedly changed several hands but what remained constant were the beautifully architectured colonial Assam Heritage Tea Bungalows in the estate. This simple yet historic heritage bungalow continues to be a luxurious and welcoming space for anyone who wishes to experience a stay in the tea estate.
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