Sri Lanka's Tea Legacy: From the Highlands to the Coast - 9 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Colombo, Transfer to Hatton, Enjoy a Tea-Infused Dinner

Welcome to Colombo, Sri Lanka's largest city and judicial capital. Meet your driver at the airport and transfer 3.5 hours to Hatton, a picturesque town in Sri Lanka's central highlands and tea country. Check in at Ceylon Tea Trails, a collection of meticulously restored colonial-era bungalows offering a blend of historic charm and modern luxury. Settle into your plantation bungalow and enjoy some free time in the infinity swimming pool or outdoor Jacuzzi.

In the evening, head to the on-site restaurant for a tea-infused dinner. Each dish is creatively infused with the distinctive notes of locally grown tea and Sri Lankan flavors. From delicate tea-smoked meats to aromatic tea-infused sauces and desserts, you're sure to enjoy this harmonious meal overlooking the tea plantation.

Day 2: Guided Tour of the Dunkeld Tea Factory

Start your day with a guided tour of the Dunkeld Tea Factory, situated on the banks of the Castlereagh Reservoir. Follow your guide, a resident tea planter, through the factory and discover the various stages of tea processing, from withering and rolling to drying and sorting. You'll also learn about the history of Ceylon tea and the lifestyle of the early colonial-era settlers who were instrumental in starting tea plantations in Sri Lanka. End the tour with a tasting session to savor the different varieties while enjoying sweeping views of the surrounding plantations. 

After the tour, return to the bungalows and enjoy a free afternoon. You could ask your personal butler to schedule afternoon tea, an al fresco barbecue lunch, or a tea planter's tiffin lunch served in a picnic setting. Then, head to the pool for a refreshing dip or visit the garden, where you can take a leisurely stroll and partake in colonial games like croquet. 

Day 3: Transfer to Nuwara Eliya, Free Afternoon to Explore the City

Head farther into Sri Lanka's central highlands today as you transfer one hour east to Nuwara Eliya, a city often referred to as "Little England" because its cool climate, misty atmosphere, and lush green landscapes reminded British settlers of England. Check into your tea bungalow hotel, Goatfell, which was formerly an estate manager's bungalow. Then, enjoy some free time exploring the city at your own place. A good place to start is Gregory Lake for a peaceful stroll along the shore or a leisurely boat ride. Surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenery, it's easy to spend a relaxing afternoon here. 

Another option is Victoria Park, filled with vibrant flowers, towering trees, and well-maintained pathways. Wander through the park and keep an eye out for its avian residents, like the Indian pitta, forest wagtail, and Sri Lanka white-eye. If you're looking for an indoor activity, visit the museum within the Nuwara Eliya Post Office, housed in a charming Tudor-style building dating back to 1894 CE. In the evening, return to the hotel for a delicious dinner in the cozy indoor dining room or out on the covered veranda overlooking the Concordia Estate.

Day 4: Guided Hike in the Horton Plains National Park, Afternoon Tea Party

Lace up your hiking boots and set off on a one-hour transfer to Horton Plains National Park, where you'll embark on a six-mile (9.5 km) trek to World's End. It's named after the dramatic and seemingly endless view from the cliff's edge, where the land drops off sharply and gives the impression that you're standing at the edge of the world. Follow your guide through a diverse landscape of cloud forests, grasslands, and misty moors. As you ascend, the trail offers views of the surrounding highlands and occasional encounters with endemic wildlife like the Sri Lankan sambar deer. 

When you reach World's End, look down at the lowlands 3,280 feet (1,000 m) below, surrounded by rolling hills, dense forests, and distant mountain ranges. When ready, start the trek back down and head to the colonial-era Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya for a traditional afternoon tea in the tea lounge or among the beautifully manicured gardens. Enjoy a series of sweet and savory treats, like spring rolls, sliders, triangular sandwiches, scones, and dainty cakes, all presented on a tiered stand. Wash everything down with some delicious Ceylon tea before returning to your hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 5: Transfer to Ella, Train Ride on the Nine Arch Bridge

Before leaving Nuwara Eliya, visit one more tea factory and plantation to see how the area's higher altitude and cooler climate impact the tea grown here versus in Hatton. Wander the emerald-green hills and learn about the factory's process of tea production. Then, enjoy a cup of freshly brewed "high-grown" tea, known for its light, delicate flavor and golden hue. After the tour, meet your driver for a two-hour transfer to Ella, another charming town nestled in the central highlands, known for its tea plantations, forests, and waterfalls, making it a popular destination for nature lovers.

Check in and freshen up at your tea bungalow hotel, Nine Skies, then set off on a scenic train ride on the Demodara Railway Loop. Hop on board and enjoy views of the lush greenery, keeping your eyes peeled for landmarks like Devon Falls. A highlight of the journey is crossing over the Nine Arch Bridge, an iconic viaduct often called the "Bridge in the Sky" as it's perched high above a deep valley. As the train chugs slowly across the bridge, take in the natural beauty of the highlands. Following the one-hour train ride, transfer back to your hotel for a gourmet dinner.

Day 6: Visit Ravana Falls, Hike to Little Adam's Peak

Take a swim in the garden pool of your hotel before a hearty breakfast, then join your guide on a tour to Ravana Falls, one of the most accessible waterfalls in Sri Lanka, as it's right beside the road. Look up at the 82-foot-tall (25 m) three-tiered cascade named after the legendary King Ravana from the Ramayana and dip your feet in the cool, clear water. Swimming isn't recommended here due to strong currents and varying water depths, but you can admire and take pictures of the falls from different viewpoints.

Then, set off on a 2.2-mile (3.5 km) round-trip hike to Punchi Sri Pada, also known as "Little Adam's Peak," for its resemblance to the larger Adam's Peak in the Ratnapura District. The relatively short and manageable trail begins at the base of the peak, winding through lush tea plantations, rice fields, and verdant greenery. As you ascend, the path gradually becomes steeper, leading to the summit, where unmatched views of the surrounding landscape await. At the top, gaze out at the rolling hills, valleys, and distant mountain ranges before trekking back down and returning to your hotel.

Day 7: Transfer to Galle, Guided Tour of Galle Fort

Leave the central highlands behind this morning as you transfer 3.5 hours to Galle, a historic city on the southwestern coast overlooking the Indian Ocean. Check into your hotel, Kahanda Kanda, and get ready for a tour of the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort, originally built by the Portuguese in the late 16th century and later expanded by the Dutch in the 17th century. See the fort's remarkably well-preserved walls, constructed of coral and limestone, that encircle the city. Then, step through the main gate and discover the blend of colonial-era architecture and narrow cobblestone streets within. 

Wander past a vibrant mix of shops, cafés, and cultural sites like All Saints' Church, the Old Dutch Hospital, and the Galle Lighthouse. Then, climb up to the fort's walls to walk along the ramparts and enjoy panoramic views of the ocean on one side and the city on the other. Along the eastern and southern sides of the fort, you'll find well-preserved watchtowers and cannons. After the two-hour tour, transfer back to your hotel or grab dinner at one of the local or international restaurants within the fort. 

Day 8: Visit the Handunugoda Tea Estate, Tour the Japanese Peace Pagoda

Day 9: Transfer to Colombo, Depart

Set an early alarm so you have enough time to explore more of Galle on your own before your flight home. You could wander the city streets within the fort to look for souvenirs or visit the Maritime Museum to learn more about Sri Lanka's maritime history through exhibits on shipwrecks, naval battles, and seafaring traditions. If you simply want to relax, head to Unawatuna Beach, just 15 minutes outside the city. When it's time, return to the hotel to meet your driver and transfer two hours to the airport in Colombo for your flight home. Safe travels!

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