Tea has shaped daily life and culture across Asia for thousands of years, with each country offering its own unique chapter in the story. The history of tea is as diverse as the landscapes it grows in.

China is the birthplace of some of the most globally consumed tea leaves, including black (known to most of us as English breakfast tea), green, oolong, white, pu-erh, and yellow tea. The discovery dates back to around 2737 BCE, where legend has it that tea leaves blew into Emperor Shen Nong’s boiling water.

Tea is an ingrained part of Chinese culture, and one of the best ways to experience authentic tea drinking in China is to visit Wangjianglou Park in Chengdu. Home to lots of traditional teahouses, we visit this spot on our tours in China, immersing ourselves into a living social tradition, and tasting the very tea leaves the culture is built on.

India’s culture is also steeped in tea traditions. Many tea plantations were introduced here to rival the Chinese monopoly, namely in Assam and Darjeeling, where India developed its own blend of black teas. Found in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas, Darjeeling is where we discover the world-famous tea making process. We’ll delight in an authentic tea tasting experience, where the leaves brewed in Darjeeling have earned their name as the “Champagne of teas”, a nod to the prestigious reputation of the region.

Taking part in the production of these globally sought after flavours is a rare opportunity. Munnar has been a tea-growing region since the late 1800s. From picking to threshing, we relish in the rolling, mist painted hills and learn about the intricacies of brewing the perfect cup.

Sri Lanka and Japan each add to the enchanting heritage and continued development of tea. Producing some of the finest tea in the world, Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka is home to numerous tea plantations. Our 17-day Very Best of Sri Lanka tour includes an exploration of one of these plantations, immersing ourselves in tea-picking and learning about the intricacies of the process. A high tea experience is enjoyed rounding off a day of discovery, tasting the plantation’s finest tea.

Matcha is quickly becoming an incredibly popular choice of beverage across the UK; the vibrant green powder, forged from Tencha leaves, is a cornerstone of Japan’s tea ceremony. Crafting the drink is a very particular process, beginning weeks before harvest when the tea bushes are brought under shade to boost chlorophyll and amino acids. Our 16-day Treasures of Japan tour features a visit to Uji, just south of Kyoto, and the spiritual home of matcha. Its green tea growing history dates back to the 12th century. We’ll sample the sought-after blend in its freshest form, in the same spot that Zen monk Eisai presented powdered tea from China, and the practice was refi ned into Japan’s own ceremonial art.

To experience the rich and varied tea culture that spans the continent, our tours are carefully curated so that wherever the journey leads, landscape, tradition, and the quiet ritual of the teacup come together in harmony.

We offer 29 tours across Asia, with durations ranging from 11-25 days. Prices start from just £1,845pp.