The Makaibari Tea Estate is probably the most talked about and fabled tea garden in Darjeeling area. And there are reasons for that. This is one of the oldest tea gardens in Darjeeling and was the first to establish a factory in the year 1859. 

Over the past four generations, the estate has been run by the original founders family, the Banerjees who once hailed from South Bengal. Today most tea garden owners of Darjeeling area are multinational companies located in Kolkata or elsewhere, except Makaibari. Swaraj Kumar Banerjee (better known as) Rajah Banerjee is the last single owner in the family who now manages the Makaibari Tea Estate, and is resident here. He is the first person in Darjeeling having introduced organic farming, thus breaking away from the prevailing local practices and harmonizing it with the nature. This was the first garden in the world that was certified by 'Fare Trade' and the first to appoint women in a supervisory position. It went on to become one of the finest tea gardens in the world commanding highest prices at the tea auctions for some of its brands like Silver Tip