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Makaibari plantations on Google Maps.
The tea leaf, belongs to the Camellia sinensis a plant native of China. Over the centuries, the tea plantations expanded in India, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Japan, Kenya and Uganda. The first to speak of this drink in Europe was Gian Battista Ramusio (1485-1557), a Venetian Republic ambassador who came to know by an Arab businessman (Haji Mohamed), of a popular drink in China also used as medicine. Since then, the tea came to Europe through Dutch, Portuguese and English traders. This reportage has been produced in the Darjeeling region (India). The plantations are located in the forests of Mount Kanchenjunga (8591 m), the third highest peak in the Himalayas. The family owner of the Makaibari plantation, one of the oldest in the region (1859), is currently engaged in an organic and eco-sustainable production process and got the Faitrade International certification. Since a few years the Makaibari plantation is opened to tourism with the possibility to stay at homes of workers during the harvest period (April/November). An unusual travel experience during which you can follow the work of laborers and the stages of tea processing.
Useful links for more informations:
www.makaibari.com
www.fairtrade.org.uk
www.airindia.in
tourism.gov.in
www.indiatourismmilan.com
www.tourism.nic.in
www.swagatam.com