Tea Country & Estate Life
A World Steeped in Story and Stillness
When the lowlands vanish in your rearview and mist begins to rise from emerald hills, you’ll know you’ve entered Sri Lanka’s tea country — a realm of eternal mornings and old-world quiet. Here, green waves roll across the hills, broken only by winding railways, the rhythmic swish of a sarong, or the distant call of a koel.
This isn’t just scenery — it’s a living tradition.
And for a few timeless days, it becomes yours.
Where Time Began Again: The Story of Ceylon Tea
Tea was not always here. Once, these highlands were thick with forest and fever. Then, in 1867, a Scotsman named James Taylor planted the first 19 acres of tea in Loolkandura, near Galaha. What followed reshaped an island — and introduced Ceylon tea to the world.
From the ashes of failed coffee estates rose the green empire you now see: Terraces curved by hand, villages that grew around plantations, and the rhythm of life tuned to the rustle of the leaf. Even today, the craft is preserved with reverence — leaves plucked by hand, withered in sun-warm lofts, and brewed with almost sacred precision.
To walk these hills is to follow the journey of a leaf… from earth to cup, from seed to ritual.
A Patchwork of Places: Where the Hills Speak
Each bend in the tea country reveals a new secret. These are not just stops — they’re chapters in a story written in green:
- Loolkandura Estate: The birthplace of Sri Lankan tea, where the spirit of James Taylor lingers in stone ruins and rusted tools. A silent shrine to a global transformation.
- Pedro Estate (Nuwara Eliya): Colonial buildings meet alpine air, and the tea has a floral note that could only be born here.
- Haputale: Stand on Lipton’s Seat, where Sir Thomas Lipton gazed over his empire, now quilted in fog and fields.
- Ramboda & Pussellawa: Waterfalls tumble beside roadways, and tea factories welcome you with the scent of toast and tannin.
- Ella Gap: A sudden opening in the hills where cloud forests drop to lowland jungle — and tea terraces cling to every curve.
The Taste of the Hills: Varieties of Ceylon Tea
Sri Lanka’s tea isn’t a monolith — it’s a map in flavor:
- Uva Tea: Grown between July and September, with bold, peppery notes — best savored strong.
- Nuwara Eliya Tea: High-altitude, pale-gold and delicate, with hints of citrus and alpine flowers.
- Kandy Tea: Full-bodied and brisk, often blended with darker, stronger leaves.
- Dimbula Tea: Grown at misty mid-elevations; mellow, balanced, and ideal for afternoon sipping.
We organize guided tastings, where you’ll sip and swirl like a sommelier, learning how terroir, rainfall, and altitude shape every cup.
Life on the Estate: Bungalows & Quiet Rituals
You’ll stay where planters once lived — in century-old bungalows now reborn as havens of luxury.
- Nine Skies (Ella): A five-room hideaway perched above the famed Demodara Loop, with gardens spilling into the valley. Watch the blue train pass as you sip morning tea under a jacaranda tree.
- Amba Estate (Ella): A working organic farm, where everything from jams to teas is handcrafted. Mingle with artisans, hike to waterfalls, and dine on food grown steps from your table.
- Ceylon Tea Trails (Hatton): The gold standard — four bungalows with butler service, lake views, gourmet meals, and guided walks through working plantations.
- Madulkelle Eco Lodge (Knuckles Range): Luxury tents with endless views, where the silence feels sacred.
- The Hermitage (near Kandy): Spiritual, secluded, and reflective — perfect for those seeking solitude and serenity.
- Goatfell (Nuwara Eliya): A former superintendent’s bungalow turned into a boutique gem, with roaring fires and perfect stillness.
Estate life is a rhythm, slower, gentler. Days begin with sunrise tea and birdsong. Afternoons are for garden walks, journal entries, or curling into an armchair with a cinnamon biscuit. Evenings arrive like a hush, with firelight and stories shared beneath chandeliers or stars.
Experiences Worth Waking Up Early For
- Private tea plucking and rolling sessionswith estate experts
- Sunrise walksthrough mist-covered fields
- Afternoon high teawith panoramic views
- Cooking classeswith local estate chefs
- Guided walks to waterfalls, temples, and hidden tea trails
- Estate-to-cup journeystracing your own blend from leaf to brew
This isn’t just a retreat — it’s a return.
To simplicity. To silence. To something ancient, steeped, and sacred.
Where You Stay ?
Every overnight stop is more than a place to rest — it’s part of your story. We handpick exceptional elite luxury properties, luxury villas, and charming boutiques, each radiating its own warmth, personality, and unforgettable experiences.
Amba Estate
Organic tea estate with rustic charm and panoramic mountain views.
Ceylon Tea Trails
Colonial bungalows offering luxury living amidst lush tea plantatio
Madulkelle Eco Lodge
Tented eco-retreat with breathtaking Knuckles Mountain Range scenery.
Heritance Tea Factory
Iconic hilltop hotel blending history with refined luxury and nature.
How do We Travel ?
We arrange all your luxury transport needs, from premium ground vehicles and scenic sea plane rides to first-class train journeys and private catamaran charters—ensuring every part of your journey is stylish, comfortable, and unforgettable.
Luxury Land Vehicles
We offer private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, chauffeurs and Tour Guides.
Air Travel
We arrange air travel with Cinnamon Air and helicopter rides for fast, scenic, and luxurious transfers.
Train
We offer scenic train rides in first-class cabins for a comfortable and memorable journey through Sri Lanka’s beautiful landscapes.
Tailor Made Tours
Your Journey, Your Way
Create your perfect Sri Lankan journey with our Tailor-Made Tours. From cultural sites to tropical beaches, we design every detail to match your interests and pace. Enjoy private transport, custom itineraries, and expert guidance — travel your way, with comfort and style.
Other Experience
Bird Watching – Chase the colors of the sky.
Sailing, Diving & Whale Watching – Sail with the giants.
Cultural & Spiritual – Feel the soul of Sri Lanka.
Tea Country & Estate Life – Sip the story of Ceylon.
Wellness & Retreat – Breathe Heal Renew.
Pekoe Trail – Walk the path of tea.
Air Travel – Fly over island beauty