Our love for tea – that’s what it is about!
Teas and Travel was created with the simple idea: that each tea carries a story – of the land, the people, and the craft behind each leaf. Through this platform, we aim to bring to you rare, small batch teas, from exceptional growers from around the world, and curate authentic travel experiences to the places where these teas were born. The growers behind these teas are mostly individuals who are personally involved in their craft, and for whom Tea is a way of life.
Our mission is to honor the craft of small tea growers by sharing their teas, their stories, and their landscapes - inviting travelers and tea drinkers to experience tea at its source
I’m a fourth-generation tea planter who grew up on our family estates in Darjeeling and Assam. My passion for understanding tea more deeply has taken me to tea-growing regions across the world, where I have learned from – and become friends with – fellow growers who share the same love for the craft.
These experiences shape Teas & Travel and inspire me to bring together exceptional teas, authentic stories, and meaningful journeys to the places where great teas are born.
Growing up between the UK and India where she studied at Welham Girls School, Dehradun and St Clares, Oxford – Husna-Tara Prakash completed her education with a double degree from the University of Cambridge – a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from Magdalene College, following a BA Honours in Natural Sciences, Part II Pharmacology, from New Hall College (now Murray Edwards).
Husna-Tara and her husband Anshuman, opened their family estate to visitors in 2002 by lovingly restoring The Burra Bungalow. Within a few years, Glenburn Tea Estate & Boutique Hotel was listed on the Tatler Guide to the Best 101 Hotels in the World, and they added another 4 rooms in the Water Lily Bungalow in 2008. Certified 100% by the Rainforest Alliance for Community Engagement and Wildlife Protection, coupled with her focus on sustainability, Glenburn was adjudged the Most Responsible Hotel in India at the Indian Responsible Tourism Awards 2020. Her commitment to education, led her to set up the Glenburn Estate Foundation in 2005 which supports 3 Government primary schools, and a Scholarship Programme with 64 children attending local private schools. Amidst this perfect Himalayan setting, with rolling tea fields, Kanchenjunga views, forest and rivers, the Prakash family have achieved not only a perfect cup of tea, but also an exemplary Indian holiday experience that celebrate the local community, who indulge their guests with warmth and grace.
As she fell deeper in love with Bengal, Husna-Tara brought the Glenburn Experience to Calcutta unravelling the rich colonial history of the city to visitors through cultural, historical and gastronomy tours and more recently beyond the city with The Story of Bengal, putting this unexplored part of India firmly on the map for travellers.
She continued to forage ahead to open her second hotel in 2018, The Glenburn Penthouse – a 9 room boutique hotel in the heart of historic Calcutta, with direct views of Victoria Memorial, the lush green maidan, famous bridges and other legendary sights of the city. Included in Conde Nast Traveller’s Top 50 Restaurants in India for 2023, it is also the city’s most exceptional venue for fine dining and private events, where Chef Shaun Kenworthy creates unique menus that celebrate stories of both Bengal’s cuisine and vast array of local ingredients. The Glenburn Café followed soon after to include a more casual dining space in the city.
Husna-Tara also conceptualised the packaging, design and retail strategy for the Glenburn Fine Tea brand, connecting with customers, shops and cafes around the world. Brand Glenburn is now recognised globally for its fine guest experience and attention to detail, and is firmly rooted not only in the hearts of international visitors, but now very much in favour with discerning Indian guests too.
Husna-Tara has been Vice President of Kolkata International Women’s Club since 2015 and takes over as President this year, has been a member of CII Eastern Region Tourism Sub-Committee since 2009, and is very proud to be a full-time mother.
