Talayar Valley Bungalow is a colonial era, tea-planter’s bungalow, set near the Munnar hill station on the Western Ghats of Kerala. Built in the first half of the past century, it was occupied by the colonial estate managers and their families, who lived a life that was once luxurious and isolated. Now owned by the Woodbriar Group tea estate, these are comprehensively updated, creating a look that is more high-end boutique hotel complete with original fixtures and furniture.
Surrounded by green mountains and overlooking the beautiful Pambar river, Talayar Tea Bungalow offers just four spacious rooms. All are individually decorated with large comfy beds, tasteful wallpaper and luxuriant bathrooms. Sitting areas with fireplaces look out onto the surrounding gardens, often visited by a variety of birds. Keeping the colonial style ambience, tea is served in the veranda and meals are tailored to your tastes and served in the dining room or in the gardens.
The highlight of your stay at the Talayar Valley Bungalow is the Tea Experience. Living within the tea estate it is hard not take a guided tour and visit the 'Tea Manufacturing Workshop' to learn the secrets of selecting and making a good cuppa. The fine experience begins with plucking your own tea, processing, tasting and finally rising up to the Manager’s position to understand its economics. One day, visit Munnar to see Kathakali dance or hike up the 2,740m Anamudi Peak.
Amenities
Bar/PubCoffee ShopConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableDisabled FacilitiesGardenMultilingual StaffRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesStay Talayar Valley Bungalow features just four spacious rooms. Each of the rooms are individually decorated with warm tones and furnished using period style furniture to create an old-world ambience. All are homely with plenty of space and are surrounded by lovely gardens filled with birds and the occasional stray elephant. The Royal Talayar Suite is the largest and one of the rooms sits separately from the main building which is more private and has its very own Terrace area.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at Talayar Tea Bungalow but there are no specific facilities available for children. Babysitting service can be arranged on request.
Dine There is an inhouse restaurant with trained chefs at the Talayar Valley Bungalow. Day’s menu is tailored in consultation with the guests and meals prepared with fresh ingredients and spices either locally sourced or from their own kitchen garden. Meals are served in the elaborate dining area or al fresco in the hotels lawns.
Relax There is a cosy living room with a fireplace and comfortable seating for relaxing during the day. Surrounding the Talayar Tea Bungalow are private tropical gardens, perfect for leisurely walks with spectacular views of the surrounding hills with tea plantations. In the evenings you can enjoy a BBQ and sit around the fire pit enjoying a drink.
Experience Munnar is a former hill resort of the British Raj, now surrounded by rolling hills dotted with 19th-century tea plantations. Talayar Valley Bungalow offers a wide range of guided walking and biking tours through the surrounding tea estates and mountains. You can visit the ‘Tea Manufacturing Workshop’, learn about tea plucking and processing, and also visit the Tea museum. Interesting sites in the area include Mattupetty dam, Rajamala Lakkom waterfalls and Briar wooden bridge.
Location 18km from Munnar, on the way to Udumelpet.
Getting there The flight to Cochin from London is roughly 10-hours, indirect via Dubai, with Emirates. From Cochin drive 4-hours into the beautiful Wetern Ghats where you will find Munnar. The Bungalow is only 18km from Munnar.
When to go Isolated from much of India by the Western Ghats, the climate of Kerala & Karnataka is tropical. The best time to visit is from January through to April. Summer is hot and humid; the monsoon season arrives in early June and lasts till August. While September can be dry and humid. There can be a little rain in October and November, cooling off around December and lasting until February.
Destination
Southern, India
Featured
Discover sides of Asia you never knew existed, revealed by people who know every facet.
Featured
June 01 - 1, June 01, 2025
Featured
June 01 - 1, June 01, 2025
Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said us recently.
“I would like to thank Asian Geographical Expeditions staff for organising a perfect holiday for my family to Dubai, Sri Lanka and the Maldives…”
“We are grateful for the exceptional planning and care taken by Asian Geographical Expeditions to ensure our holiday was perfect.”
“… organised by Asian Geographical Expeditions following a recommendation from a close friend. He wasn’t wrong! Asian Geographical Expeditions immediately showed us their professionalism, care and attention to our wishes.”
“Thank you for suggesting the helicopter ride to Everest Base Camp and breakfast with a view of Mt Everest—a truly spectacular moment.”
“The history and cultural specialists also deserve a mention for the way they illuminated the heritage of the places we visited, as does the Buddhist scholar with his apparently boundless knowledge.”
“We were very impressed to learn that its CEO had led some amazing first-ever expeditions … Clearly, he’s still an ace at organising expeditions.”
“Tibet was a revelation … it surely was a blessing to travel back to the region after 50 years … Thank you, Asian Geographical Expeditions, for making this possible.”
"Everything went smoothly, and we want to thank our friendly guides and driver who shared their personal stories and the rich histories of their countries. That is the AGE difference."
"A heartfelt thank you to all the staff at Asian Geographical Expeditions who made this super trip possible."
"… we had a stress-free trip, ‘hands-free’, enabling us to enjoy the sights and rich cultures of Dubai and Oman ."
"The meticulous care, support and guidance provided by Asian Geographical Expeditions made the trip extra-special."
"The itinerary was as we expected... the Asian Geographical Expeditions did a fantastic job, going the extra mile to ensure we had the best holiday ever.”
"The attention to detail shone through every aspect of our journey … we gained a deep understanding of a region that remains enigmatic to many. Thanks for a remarkable travel experience!"
"I am deeply grateful to the entire team at Asian Geographical Expeditions for their dedication and hard work in crafting such a memorable holiday."
"The guides were exceptional—they clearly loved sharing their knowledge and insights into the local culture and history."
"We were really impressed with the immaculate organisation ... The Asian Geographical Expeditions team kept in communication during the tour, ensuring that each of our members was comfortable."
"The detailed itinerary and thoughtful pre-trip information removed all stress from our travels, which went off without a hitch, allowing us to dive deep into the stunning landscapes and rich cultures of Central Asia."
"The hospitality was truly remarkable... we are immensely grateful to the team for their efforts and look forward to our next adventure with Asian Geographical Expeditions."
"Every detail of our trip was superbly executed... (and) the exceptional attentiveness of the guides added a feeling of luxury and comfort that was much appreciated."
"The guides were not only knowledgeable but also truly passionate about sharing their rich cultural histories, which added a personal touch that was deeply appreciated."
"Every aspect of the trip, from guides to accommodation and the well-planned itinerary ... was seamlessly orchestrated. We will always recommend Asian Geographical Expeditions for anyone looking to explore Central Asia in unparalleled depth and comfort."
