Araksa Tea Garden

The basics

You can stop by Araksa Tea Garden for a drink in the tea house or join a tour or workshop. Tours let you try your hand at plucking tea leaves, take peek inside the factory, and, of course, enjoy a cup of tea with a Thai snack. Workshops, on the other hand, go deep into tea appreciation. As well as covering the history of the beverage, you’ll learn how to analyze the aromatics, flavors, and character of tea; how to brew the different varietals; and how to pair tea with different types of food.

Things to know before you go

• Foodies, tea fans, and photographers will all appreciate Araksa Tea Garden.
• As well as more than 15 different teas, Araksa’s tea house offers desserts for tea pairings plus a Thai lunch menu.
• Estate tours involve walking on narrow, unpaved paths that can be slippery. They are not suitable for travelers who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility.

How to get there

Araksa Tea Garden clings to the forested foothills of Banchang in Mae Tang district, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) north of Chiang Mai. It’s about a 90-minute drive from Chiang Mai city center. It’s not accessible by public transit, so most travelers will want to book a driver for the day.

When to get there

Araksa Tea Garden is open from morning until mid-afternoon seven days a week. The growing season for tea in Thailand is April through November, and tea tours are most interesting at this time as you can enjoy plucking leaves. Workshops and the tea house can be enjoyed year-round.

A sustainable tea garden

Founder Chananya Phataraprasit set up Araksa Tea Garden to be sustainable on every level. The teas are certified organic, the tea house was sustainably designed using local materials, and the food menus draw on local and organic produce. Staff come from the local community—including members of the Akha, Hmong, and Lisu ethnic groups—providing valuable employment.