Tea Estates & Jaflang Area

To see the process of tea manufacturing, try the Laakatoorah Tea Estate, where the manager may lecture you on the history and production of this beverage in exchange for a tour of the factory. Malnicherra Tea Estate, which was the first tea estate in Bangladesh, dating back to 1857, offers tours as well. The Laakatoorah and Malnicherra tea estates are just beyond the city's northern outskirts on Airport Rd.

Just east of Sylhet are the Khadim Tea Gardens. From Khadim Bazar, which is 10km east of town, you can take a tempo there as they transport estate workers to and from their villages. Some 23km further east, 7km before Jaintiapur, you'll pass Lalakal Tea Estates on the right side of the road; its staff are accustomed to receiving visitors and they will gladly show you around.

The largest number of tea estates in the northern half of Sylhet Division are further on, around Jaflang, just beyond Tamabil and near the Indian border. This is one of the most scenic areas in the division, so definitely try to get here. It is also a major tribal area, where many Khasi are found. The bus from Sylhet takes 2 and 1/2 hours to Tamabil and another half hour to Jaflang. You must constantly ask to be let off in Jaflang, as there are no signs and you can easily pass by it, causing much lost time.

There's a Bangladesh Tea Board guest-house in nearby Sripur where you may be able to stay. There's more basic accommodation in Tamabil. If you tour Laakatoorah Tea Estate, the manager there (t. 716016) may be able to help you make a reservation.