A journey through Sri Lanka’s tea country designed for travelers seeking more than scenery. The Ceylon Pekoe Trail runs through the island’s highlands: from Kandy’s misty foothills to Haputale and Ella, following the famous Pekoe Trail at a relaxed pace. It combines cycling, scenic train rides, cultural visits to estate communities, and a coastal ending, showcasing Sri Lanka’s hill country without heavy trekking. A soft adventure focused on tea, landscape, and slow travel.
Tour Packages
Package 08 : Ceylon Pekoe Trail (Soft Adventure )
Tour Highlights
- Pekoe Trail Highlights — Without the Full Hike The itinerary traces the route of Sri Lanka's premier long-distance trail across multiple stages — Hanthana, Loolkandura, Pundaluoya, Haputale, and Ella — at a pace accessible to all fitness levels, combining walking, cycling, and scenic drives.
- Loolkandura Tea Estate One of the oldest tea estates in Sri Lanka, where the story of Ceylon tea began. A hands-on encounter with plucking, processing, and tasting in a setting largely unchanged since the 19th century.
- Lipton's Seat, Haputale The famous viewpoint where Thomas Lipton surveyed his estates. On a clear morning, the view stretches across five provinces — one of the most dramatic panoramas in the entire hill country.
- Ella & the Nine Arches Bridge Sri Lanka's most iconic railway structure set within tea and jungle. Combined with the Little Adam's Peak hike and the train journey from Haputale, Ella delivers the hill country's most photogenic chapter.
- Southern Coast Finale A deliberate shift in pace — from highland mist to coastal warmth. Tangalle or Mirissa provides the natural exhale at the end of the journey, with optional whale watching, seafood, and unhurried beach time.
Inclusions
- Private vehicle and driver throughout
- All transfers including airport arrivals and departures
- 13 nights accommodation with daily breakfast
- Scenic train journeys as specified
- Specialist guides for all walking, cycling, and estate experiences
- All park and heritage site entry fees
- Tea estate visits with plucking, processing, and tasting experiences
- Cycling equipment where applicable
Exclusions
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Meals not specified in the itinerary
- Personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities
- Whale watching (seasonal and subject to availability)
- Optional activities such as zipline, ATV, horseback riding, and spa
Itinerary
Arrival in Negombo
Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport and transfer to Negombo. Ease into the journey with a quiet evening by the lagoon or beach. Overnight in Negombo.
Negombo to Kandy
Drive to Kandy and visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Evening lakeside walk around the city. Overnight in Kandy.
Pekoe Trail Introduction: Hanthana Region
Visit the Ceylon Tea Museum at the start of Stage 1. Short guided walk through the Hanthana tea trails (1.5-2 hours). Afternoon cycling through nearby villages and plantations. Overnight in Kandy.
Kandy to Loolkandura: Heritage Tea Region
Scenic drive through the Pekoe Trail Stage 2 region via Galaha. Stop at Loolkandura Tea Estate for tea plucking, processing, and tasting. Short estate walk with local interaction. Overnight in a tea bungalow near Galaha or Loolkandura.
Into the Tea Valleys: Pundaluoya to Hatton
Drive through winding tea valleys following the Stage 3-5 landscapes. Optional guided cycling through estate roads — scenic and low difficulty. Afternoon tea tasting and relaxation. Overnight in the Hatton region.
Scenic Train to Nuwara Eliya
Board the scenic train through tea country from Hatton to Nanu Oya. Arrive in Nuwara Eliya and take an evening stroll around Gregory Lake. Overnight in a colonial tea bungalow.
Nuwara Eliya: Estates, Rides & High Tea
Morning guided nature walk through tea estates and forest edges. Optional cycling or horseback riding through the highlands. Afternoon high tea experience. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.
Nuwara Eliya to Haputale: High Ridge Country
Drive along one of the most scenic sections of the Pekoe Trail. Stop at viewpoints with distant views of the Knuckles Mountain Range backdrop. Arrive in Haputale in time for sunset at Lipton’s Seat. Overnight in an estate bungalow.
Haputale: Pekoe Trail Ridge Experience
Short guided walk along a section of Stage 12. Tea with estate workers and storytelling sessions. Afternoon at leisure with panoramic ridge views. Overnight in Haputale.
Train to Ella: Iconic Pekoe Stretch
Short scenic train ride from Haputale to Ella. Visit the Nine Arches Bridge and optional walk along safe railway path sections. Overnight in Ella.
Ella: Little Adam's Peak & Leisure
Morning hike to Little Adam’s Peak — easy and rewarding. Optional zipline or ATV ride through tea landscapes. Afternoon café hopping or spa. Overnight in Ella.
Highlands to Coast
Descend from the hill country to the southern coast. Check in at a beach resort in Tangalle or Mirissa. Evening at leisure by the ocean. Overnight on the coast.
Coastal Day: Whales, Waves & Seafood
Optional whale watching in Mirissa (seasonal). Beach relaxation, swimming, or light surfing. Optional seafood cooking experience with locals. Overnight on the coast.
Coastal Drive & Departure
Scenic coastal drive to Colombo with an en route stop at Galle Fort. Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport for departure.
Start Your Journey