Exploring Sri Lanka’s central hills is a must for first-time visitors to the island. With a cooler climate, incredible scenery and an alluring laidback atmosphere, this is the perfect place to relax, seek out breath-taking viewpoints, and discover the island’s tea heritage – a British legacy.
01. Tea experiences
The British converted the Hill Country into a tapestry of tea fields over the course of a century. Travellers visiting today can still tour traditional tea factories with their original equipment and watch tea pluckers harvesting leaves by hand as they have done for over 150 years.
Enthusiasts for this universally beloved brew will enjoy doing tea tasting sessions with experts like the one at Amba Estate which pairs speciality blends with various local and international dishes.
02. Sensational hikes
There’s no shortage of sensational hikes in Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. Whether you favour a gentle stroll or multi-day treks that take you away from the tourist trail, you’re spoiled for choice with walks.
Pick up a portion of the internationally-acclaimed Pekoe Trail which was named one of the best experiences in the world for 2024 by National Geographic. This painstakingly planned trail traverses the tea country from corner to corner, highlighting the most extraordinary vistas.
The best day hikes in Sri Lanka include Little Adam’s Peak which overlooks the Ella Gap, climbing up to the forests of the Knuckles Mountain Range, and the trail to the favourite viewpoint of British tea planter Sir Thomas Lipton.
03. Stay in a tea bungalow
Walking not your thing? Experience the majesty of this magnificent and magical landscape from the comfort of a colonial tea planter’s bungalow. Revamped with the very best facilities and furnishings, these properties offer a luxurious stay in sensational settings.
Browse the Red Dot recommended Hill Country hotels and look out for the authentic planters’ bungalows. Ceylon Tea Trails are some of Sri Lanka’s most sought-after properties with a vintage feel while Camellia Hills has a contemporary take and a glorious outlook over Castlereagh Lake.
