Trip To Sri lanka: Tea Trails

Upon arrival at Colombo International Airport, you will be welcomed by a ‘Hi Tours’ representative and transferred to Kandy, the scenic town of hills. After checking in to your hotel, spend the rest of the day exploring the surrounding areas. Kandy is renowned for its historic temple dedicated to Lord Buddha. At the heart of the town lies a man-made lake, adding charm to this island escape. During your leisure time, consider visiting the Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which houses Buddha’s sacred tooth, making Kandy a designated World Heritage Site.

On the second day of your trip to Sri Lanka, the focus is entirely on exploring Sri Lanka’s iconic tea trails, starting with a visit to Loolecondera Tea Plantation and the Ceylon Tea Museum, concluding with a traditional Kandy Dance show. Begin at Loolecondera, the birthplace of authentic Sri Lankan tea in 1852, home to the longest tea factory in the country, where you can admire the tender Silver Tip tea buds. Next, explore the four-story Ceylon Tea Museum, featuring ancient machinery, a library, and an audio-visual show, followed by a chance to purchase premium Ceylon tea. Conclude the day with a mesmerizing Kandy Dance performance, showcasing martial arts-inspired dances and vibrant traditional costumes reflecting Sri Lankan culture.

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy a delightful breakfast at the hotel before departing for Nuwara Eliya. En route, visit the stunning Peradeniya Gardens, home to an impressive variety of flowers and plants, including orchids, palms, and figs from around the world. With some luck, you may spot colorful butterflies and birds fluttering among the blooms. Continue your journey with a brief stop at Labukke Tea Centre to savor some tea, while taking in the scenic beauty of lush greenery and tea plantations. Nuwara Eliya, famously known as “Little England” for its misty mountains, awaits. Conclude the day with a visit to Pedro Estate to taste the renowned Nuwara Eliya Tea. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Embark on an excursion to Horton Plains, Sri Lanka’s highest plateau, renowned for its lush montane forests and abundant birdlife. Trek to the top of the gorge, enjoying the mesmerizing greenery along the way. Back at the hotel, savor a tasting of “tea cuisine” and take part in a hands-on tea plucking session, selecting the leaves you wish and learning about the traditional tea-making process. Lastly, enjoy the tea you plucked and take some home as a souvenir of your experience.

Meals: Breakfast

Start your day early with a drive to Yala, stopping at the picturesque Ravana Waterfalls along the way. Continue to Yala National Park to enjoy an exciting safari and witness leopards, elephants, bears, sambur, spotted deer, and a variety of other wildlife and plants in their natural habitat. After the safari, return to your hotel for a relaxing evening and a comfortable overnight stay. This is a highlight in your trip to Sri Lanka for nature and wildlife enthusiasts.

Meals: Breakfast

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a leisurely morning stroll. Later, embark on an exciting jeep safari in Yala National Park, observing leopards in their natural habitats, including woodlands, light forests, lagoons, and grasslands. Conclude the day by returning to your hotel in comfort and enjoying its amenities.

Meals: Breakfast

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, depart for Galle and check in upon arrival. Known as a gem of Sri Lanka, Galle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site rich in history. Wander through Dutch-style buildings, historic mosques and churches, grand mansions, and fascinating museums that reveal the city’s past. After exploring the heritage and charm of Galle, return to your hotel to relax and unwind.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel, head to Handunugoda Tea Plantations, famous for its pristine white virgin tea. Visit the tea museum and explore the tea factory to learn about the low-grown Ruhuna tea plantations and the unique climatic and geographical conditions needed for their cultivation. Discover the wide variety of teas produced in the Ruhuna factories. Conclude the visit with a tea tasting session to savor the flavors of Rahuna tea. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel and spend the day relaxing at the hotel facilities or nearby beach. Then embark on an orientation tour of Galle city. Visit the historic Galle Fort, a World Heritage Site that took 100 years to complete, followed by the iconic Galle Lighthouse, the first lighthouse in Sri Lanka. Conclude the day by returning to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, depart for Colombo, the vibrant capital of Sri Lanka. Explore the city’s colonial architecture that reflects different historical eras. Stop by a Dilmah Tea bar to enjoy a cup of authentic Ceylon tea while learning about tea traditions and experiences in Colombo. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel, embark on a tea shopping experience in Colombo, exploring a wide range of tea and tea-related products. Visit the t-Lounge by Dilmah at Arcade Independence Square to relax in style and sample various tea flavors while immersing yourself in the rich traditions of Sri Lankan tea culture. Optionally, attend the Colombo Tea Auction (held Tuesdays 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and Wednesdays 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; prior reservation required), the world’s largest single-origin tea auction, with around 700 factories and 450 registered buyers participating.

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before saying goodbye to your trip to Sri Lanka and transferring to Colombo International Airport for your onward journey.

Meals: Breakfast