The Pekoe Tea Country Odyssey

(21N / 22D)

A full-length hike over Sri Lanka’s famous long-distance tea region path, which shows off undulating hills, foggy valleys, working estates, forest margins, waterfalls, and stunning views of the highlands from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. Guests walk through foggy tea farms, wooded ridges, and rural communities with a guide, learning about sustainable tea production, local culture, and highland ecosystems along the way. This trip is great for anyone who enjoys nature, tea, and adventure since it combines hiking with cultural and beautiful activities every day.

Day 01: Arrive in Kandy, go to Hanthana, and get your bearings. Trek to Galaha and stay the night there.

Get to Kandy and meet the people you’ll be hiking with. Start your tour with a short hike from Hanthana to Galaha across the verdant highland hills. This slow start gives guests time to become used to the area, breathe in the pure mountain air, and appreciate the beautiful vistas of the valleys around them. It’s a free night in Galaha, getting ready for the next several days.

Day 02: Walk from Galaha to Loolkandura and spend the night near Loolkandura.

Walk along shady roads that wind through tea plantations and natural woodlands. Guests get to see how tea plantations function for the first time by watching how workers pick tea and live on the estates. The route has great photo spots with panoramic views from the summit of the hill.

Day 03: Walk from Loolkandura to Thawalantenna and spend the night at Thawalantenna.

Climb further into the hazy landscape, where you may see beautiful tea hills and valleys below. Along the route, you will see typical village settlements and highland plants. Thoughts on the tranquil, green landscape at night.

Day 04: Walk from Thawalantenna to Pundaluoya and spend the night there.

Keep going deeper into tea country, where trails cross little rivers, woodland sections, and estate paths. Guests see how life on the estate and in the nearby farms works, combining hiking with cultural immersion.

Day 05: Walk from Pundaluoya to Watagoda and spend the night at Watagoda.

Walk through areas with a variety of plants and charming rural villages. Take pictures of the beautiful scenery and see how people live with tea farms. A soft introduction to the area’s wide range of plant and animal life.

Day 06: Walk from Watagoda to Kotagala and stay the night there.

Enter Hatton’s tea estate zone, where huge plantations stretch as far as the eye can see. Stop by tiny estate factories along the road to see how tea is made. Talk to people who work in the tea industry and learn about it firsthand.

Day 07: Walk from Kotagala to Norwood and spend the night there.

Walk over winding estate paths and hills covered with trees. Watch animals at the fringes of forests and enjoy tranquil views of hazy valleys. You have the evening free to think over the trip thus far.

Day 08: Walk from Norwood to Bogawantalawa and stay the night there.

Go to tea estates at higher altitudes, where the air is fresh and cool. Visit distant estates and experience vistas of emerald hills that don’t end. Find out how to grow tea in a way that doesn’t hurt the environment and how to run an estate in the past.

Day 09: Walk from Bogawantalawa to Dayagama and spend the night near Dayagama.

Keep going across the sloping hills of the plantation and the shady spots of woodland. See little settlements along the path and talk to the people that live there. There are chances to hike, see other cultures, and take pictures all day.

Day 10: Hike from Dayagama to Horton Plains and spend the night near the Horton Plains Buffer Zone.

Climb up to the Horton Plains’ highland grasses. The land changes from tea farms to wide meadows and peaks draped with mist. Get ready for the legendary World’s End hike tomorrow.

Day 11: Walk from Horton Plains to Udaweriya and spend the night near Udaweriya.

Hike to Horton Plains National Park early to see the World’s End viewpoint and Baker’s Falls. Along the trip, you could see birds and tiny creatures that are only found in that area. In the afternoon, we went down to Udaweriya across the borders of highland forests.

Day 12: Walk from Udaweriya to Haputale and spend the night there.

Hike along highland slopes that are covered with mist and little streams. Go through secret tea estate areas and see local animals. The sunset views from Haputale’s ridges are beautiful and great for taking pictures and thinking.

Day 13: Walk from Haputale to St. Catherine's Seat and spend the night near St. Catherine.

Hike to a famous overlook with stunning views of the highlands. See tea plantations pouring down valleys and spend a quiet evening in the highlands. St. Catherine is a great place to think and take pictures of the sunset.

Day 14: Walk from St. Catherine to Makulella and spend the night near Makulella.

A shorter, beautiful stage with wonderful views of the ridgeline. The path goes through woods in the highlands and old-fashioned communities. Guests may relax and take in the beauty of nature.

Day 15: Walk from Makulella to Ella and stay the night there.

Get to the well-known hill town of Ella. Stop at places where you may see waterfalls and tea valleys. Enjoy the local food and take in the sights of this lovely town noted for its beautiful cafés and laid-back atmosphere.

Day 16: Hike from Ella to Demodara and stay the night there.

Follow railway lines and forest buffers as you walk around ridgelines and estate pathways. Stop at famous overlooks to take pictures and think about how far you’ve come.

Day 17: Trek from Demodara to Hali Ela / Overnight in Hali Ela.

Trek through estate tracks and local village pathways. Observe daily life in highland communities and learn about tea harvesting traditions.

Day 18: Trek from Hali Ela to Etampitiya / Overnight in Etampitiya.

Walk along quiet highland trails and tea plots. Engage with local farmers and enjoy uninterrupted views of the surrounding hills and valleys.

Day 19: Trek from Etampitiya to Lunuwatta / Overnight near Lunuwatta.

A longer mountain stage, trekking through mixed vegetation and winding estate paths. Guests experience the rhythm of the highlands while enjoying scenic vistas.

Day 20: Trek from Lunuwatta to Udapussellawa / Overnight near Udapussellawa.

Ascend into higher elevations with cooler climates and forested paths. Observe local wildlife and the highland ecosystem. Evening at leisure surrounded by misty landscapes.

Day 21: Trek from Udapussellawa to Kandapola / Overnight in Kandapola.

Follow ridge lines and rolling hills for panoramic highland views. Witness the lush tea estates and small rural settlements along the trail.

Day 22: Final Trek from Kandapola to Pedro Estate / Nuwara Eliya / Farewell Dinner / Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.

Conclude the journey at Pedro Estate in Nuwara Eliya. Celebrate with a farewell dinner and reflect on the full tea country experience, taking in the beauty, culture, and serenity of Sri Lanka’s highlands

Inclusions

  • Accommodation with daily breakfast as per itinerary
  • Private trekking guides and support crew
  • English-speaking guide throughout the trek
  • Entrance fees to estates, national parks, and viewpoints
  • Transportation for transfers between trek start/end points where required

Exclusions

  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Personal expenses such as shopping, laundry, or phone calls
  • Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary