Malabar Tea Plantations
Malabar Tea Plantations
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4.0
63 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
35
Average
9
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Thomas H
Armagh County20 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
We set out from Bandung, Java, Indonesia to see the extinct volcano known as Kawah Putih and Malabar Tea Plantations.
To be honest we had hired a local car and driver for the day and that took a lot of strain out of the trip.
We started out on 18th July 2015 (probably a bad day as it was the Muslim new year and everyone seemed to be on holidays) AVOID that time of year if possible.
We set out early in the morning for what was supposed to be a reasonable drive about 60 Km to the volcano I don't think the car got out of 2nd and 3rd gear the whole trip there were thousands upon thousands of motorcycles all doing the same trip (and the same going the opposite direction) it was impossible to get any speed up however after about 3 hours we arrived at the "volcano" a weird site its about 2300 metres above sea level which kept the temperature bearable. You have to walk a short distance from the car park to the volcano basin and on to the crust -- be aware there are many people about all wanting to sell you surgical masks (they are cheap) so if your going there bring your own as there is a smell of sulphur. The crust is a white covering of some kind of water dust and mud (watch out for your shoes) you would get the impression you were in a huge skating rink but most people seemed like they wanted to walk about on the crust a warning tells you that you should only spend 15 minutes in the basin area.
After we had done Kawah Putih we set off for Malabar Tea Plantations its about 20 minutes drive away at crawl speed, On arrival in the area they are a beautiful sight to see loads of hills all covered in tea trees all cut into patterns to allow the workers to collect the tea leaves at the top of the trees (the best tea leaves) we were told. We never went to the actual Tea Resort as it was a distance away and we had to start our return journey back to Bandung. The traffic was just as heavy on the way back so if your thinking of going to see both these "sights" check first that its not a holiday. Having a local driver and car certainly took a lot of strain out of the trip you can sit back and admire the country side from low level fields full of rice up the Jungle trees and beautiful sights looking down into valleys below talk to other companions and just enjoy the trip even if its only at 10 to 15Km an hour. If your going make it a full day trip there are a few sights on the way worth stopping at
To be honest we had hired a local car and driver for the day and that took a lot of strain out of the trip.
We started out on 18th July 2015 (probably a bad day as it was the Muslim new year and everyone seemed to be on holidays) AVOID that time of year if possible.
We set out early in the morning for what was supposed to be a reasonable drive about 60 Km to the volcano I don't think the car got out of 2nd and 3rd gear the whole trip there were thousands upon thousands of motorcycles all doing the same trip (and the same going the opposite direction) it was impossible to get any speed up however after about 3 hours we arrived at the "volcano" a weird site its about 2300 metres above sea level which kept the temperature bearable. You have to walk a short distance from the car park to the volcano basin and on to the crust -- be aware there are many people about all wanting to sell you surgical masks (they are cheap) so if your going there bring your own as there is a smell of sulphur. The crust is a white covering of some kind of water dust and mud (watch out for your shoes) you would get the impression you were in a huge skating rink but most people seemed like they wanted to walk about on the crust a warning tells you that you should only spend 15 minutes in the basin area.
After we had done Kawah Putih we set off for Malabar Tea Plantations its about 20 minutes drive away at crawl speed, On arrival in the area they are a beautiful sight to see loads of hills all covered in tea trees all cut into patterns to allow the workers to collect the tea leaves at the top of the trees (the best tea leaves) we were told. We never went to the actual Tea Resort as it was a distance away and we had to start our return journey back to Bandung. The traffic was just as heavy on the way back so if your thinking of going to see both these "sights" check first that its not a holiday. Having a local driver and car certainly took a lot of strain out of the trip you can sit back and admire the country side from low level fields full of rice up the Jungle trees and beautiful sights looking down into valleys below talk to other companions and just enjoy the trip even if its only at 10 to 15Km an hour. If your going make it a full day trip there are a few sights on the way worth stopping at
Written 12 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sila B
New York City, NY48 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
Ethiopia and Yemen are seen as the mother soil for coffee. Many centuries after the presumed beginnings of its usage as a drink, species of the rubiaceae coffea were being successfully cultivated elsewhere for the first time - namely, on the Indonesian island of Java. While the Dutch colonial powers did not only bring about prosperity to that part of the world, today we delight in having a greater global choice of coffee taste profiles, thanks to their undertakings.
Just to the south of Bandung, capital of West Java, is Mount Malabar. This was home to the famous Malabar Radio which began operations in the 1920s. Two-hundred years earlier, it was also the place in history where the coffee seedlings were planted which the Dutch governor of the Malabar region in India ordered to be shipped from Yemen. By the early 1700s, the spreading of Java throughout the rest of the world had begun, to the extent that today Java is also synonym for coffee.
With a peak reaching 2,343 meters above sea level, atop many hardened layers of lava, volcanic glass and ash, Malabar is a stratovolcanic mountain, lively with thousands of Indonesians on mopeds shooting up and down its roads, and with its organic fields of tea, coffee, cabbages and carrots, largely being cultivated in small farms. Especially for the citizens in and around the city of Bandung, the Malabar Mountain is livelihood. Here they sleep and here they work. It reminds me of a fisherman’s town where the people are proud of the work they do during the day, and in the evening delight in the very fruits of their labor.
Having reached the first stop on our way up, spotting several goats was a reminder of a famous coffee legend. Kaldi, the Sufi goatherd from Ethiopia, observed his goats jumping around much livelier than usual, and that earlier they had been eating from bushes with bright red berries. This is the legend of how humans became aware of coffee, and subsequently succumbed to caffeine dependence.
On my first visit to Mount Malabar, I only made it up to 1,850 meters. What a feeling! Walking between rows and rows of coffee and tea, tasting ripe coffee berries, listening to locals joyfully sharing stories of their history.
Now, back in New York City, when I brew coffee or infuse tea leaves for my friends, the connection to my labour is a different one. It will take long before I detach the making of hot drinks from this mountain.
Just to the south of Bandung, capital of West Java, is Mount Malabar. This was home to the famous Malabar Radio which began operations in the 1920s. Two-hundred years earlier, it was also the place in history where the coffee seedlings were planted which the Dutch governor of the Malabar region in India ordered to be shipped from Yemen. By the early 1700s, the spreading of Java throughout the rest of the world had begun, to the extent that today Java is also synonym for coffee.
With a peak reaching 2,343 meters above sea level, atop many hardened layers of lava, volcanic glass and ash, Malabar is a stratovolcanic mountain, lively with thousands of Indonesians on mopeds shooting up and down its roads, and with its organic fields of tea, coffee, cabbages and carrots, largely being cultivated in small farms. Especially for the citizens in and around the city of Bandung, the Malabar Mountain is livelihood. Here they sleep and here they work. It reminds me of a fisherman’s town where the people are proud of the work they do during the day, and in the evening delight in the very fruits of their labor.
Having reached the first stop on our way up, spotting several goats was a reminder of a famous coffee legend. Kaldi, the Sufi goatherd from Ethiopia, observed his goats jumping around much livelier than usual, and that earlier they had been eating from bushes with bright red berries. This is the legend of how humans became aware of coffee, and subsequently succumbed to caffeine dependence.
On my first visit to Mount Malabar, I only made it up to 1,850 meters. What a feeling! Walking between rows and rows of coffee and tea, tasting ripe coffee berries, listening to locals joyfully sharing stories of their history.
Now, back in New York City, when I brew coffee or infuse tea leaves for my friends, the connection to my labour is a different one. It will take long before I detach the making of hot drinks from this mountain.
Written 19 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Afif H
19 contributions
Oct 2015 • Family
A refreshment site, beautiful scenery, yet a bit far from bandung. You can see the boscha tomb, the founder of this plantation and his house. You can rent the inn inside the plantation, or you can camp around the tea..its your choice.
Written 25 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darnel-HDI
Jakarta, Indonesia2,126 contributions
Apr 2015 • Friends
This tea plantation is located at the elevation of 1200 meters in the foot of Malabar Mount. It is about 50 kilometer south of Bandung. One of the oldest tea plantation established during Dutch occupation. The view is very beautiful and the air is very fresh. You can have the tea processing tour or walk atound on your own.
Written 18 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
manuele
Witten, Germany28 contributions
Jul 2015
A wonderful and scenic place to stay for a few days, far away from the crowds, fresh air, all the place is about 1200 m high. We stayed with our two girls in an old tea plantations, an original dutch leftover, named "Malabar Mess", a long ride from the chaotic City of Bandung, and we all loved that place, especially the walks in that green tea terraces...You will need a driver to go there.. On the spot you can rent a motorbike to go to the nearby town where there are plenty of small "Warungs" and nice market...
Written 15 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ling L
Bandung, Indonesia184 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
This place is located around 2.5 hrs from centre of Bandung.
Can be reached by public transport but my suggestion is more convinience to go by own car.
Passing this palace u can visit the famous of White Crater and Patenggang Lake.
Nice green and beautifull scenery.
Very recommended !!!
Can be reached by public transport but my suggestion is more convinience to go by own car.
Passing this palace u can visit the famous of White Crater and Patenggang Lake.
Nice green and beautifull scenery.
Very recommended !!!
Written 8 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bolubulu
Jakarta, Indonesia43 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
The greens are very beautiful and we travelled 45 minutes to reach the top of Bukit Nini where we can see Situ Patenggang Lake view. So beautiful! We really enjoyed the experience to go there since we asked the challenging route to our guide, a little bit hiking but still reachable by woman :p
We also enjoyed our route back with veggies garden surround us.
We also enjoyed our route back with veggies garden surround us.
Written 14 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zuki12
Jakarta, Indonesia224 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
We explored part of the plantation that is called Kertamanah plantation. Visiting coffee making area, coffee plantation that is located in ~ 1700 meters above sea level. We stayed in local resident houses, very cold in the middle of the night!
A very refreshing experience, good place to getaway from busy cities.
A very refreshing experience, good place to getaway from busy cities.
Written 8 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Haytham Abu Firas
Qatar21,196 contributions
Feb 2015 • Family
Asked our guide to stop for some photos near Tea Plantation and he did. Wow.... All farmers came running with their big hats and tea harvesting baskets. They dressed us like them and we took many memorial photos.
Dream...
Dream...
Written 15 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taco d
Klungkung, Indonesia93 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
Went to see the Malabar estate and factory. The estate is beautiful, I had lunch in the manager bungalow, good food!! The bungalow had its old beauty still, than took a long walk through the gardens to the hilltop where there is a small canopy and where you have a great view of the surrounding areas. Walked back through the village to see the folks working on the estate. The estate and the factory are now under government management and this was most apparent in the factory that was in a dilapidated condition. Also the quality of the tea produced clearly showed poor plucking techniques and poor supervision by management. The buildings and machinery were poorly maintained, this was a bit of a disappointment.
Written 29 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hoi,
Zaterdag ga ik de Malabar Tea Plantations bezoeken en ik zou het heel leuk vinden om daar, zoals je zegt, vlakbij de plantage te overnachten. Is het het Malabar Tea Estate Guesthouse? Weet je hoe ik daar een kamer kan boeken? Ik kan namelijk geen contactgegevens vinden.
Alvast bedankt! :)
Written 11 July 2018
Hallo, sorry als mijn antwoord laat is, maar ik weet zeker dat het nuttig zal zijn voor toeristen, vooral uit Nederland, probeer contact op te nemen met je Java Private Tour, je kunt googlen op internet, ik heb de service 3 dagen in Bandung gebruikt om historische sites uit Nederland en de graven te bezoeken Mijn overgrootvader en ik verbleven in Malabar, hij regelde alle accommodatie en vervoer.
Written 6 August 2019
wat is het adres en hoe ver ligt het van Bandung? Is het bijvoorbeeld te doen met een taxi? En wat zijn dan de kosten?
Written 25 July 2017
Hello, are there nice resorts to recommend to stay in Malabar?
Written 6 January 2017
Hello,
I would like to book Malabar Mess, but I have the wrong telephone number (022-2038996). Could you tell me how I can contact Malabar Mess? Thank you.
Written 10 June 2016
Hello,
I would like to book Malabar Mess, but I have the wrong telephone number (022-2038996). Could you tell me how I can contact Malabar Mess? Thank you.
Written 10 June 2016
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