For first-time tourists to Sri Lanka, exploring the central hills is a must. With its amazing beauty, temperate climate, and laid-back vibe, this is the ideal spot to unwind, see breathtaking vistas, and learn about the island’s British tea tradition.
Tea experiences
Over the course of a century, the British transformed the Hill Country into a patchwork of tea fields. Today’s tourists may still see tea pluckers collecting leaves by hand, as they have for more than 150 years, and tour historic tea factories with their original machinery.
Tea lovers will adore participating in tea tasting sessions with professionals like the one at Amba Estate, which matches specialty blends with a variety of regional and foreign cuisine.
Sensational hikes
The Hill Country of Sri Lanka offers an abundance of breathtaking treks. You have a ton of options when it comes to hikes, whether you like leisurely strolls or multi-day excursions that take you off the usual tourist route.
Take a section of the highly regarded Pekoe Trail, which National Geographic named one of the world’s top activities for 2024. This well designed route highlights the most remarkable views as it winds through the tea area.
The trek to the favorite vantage point of British tea plantation Sir Thomas Lipton, Little Adam’s Peak, which overlooks the Ella Gap, and the ascent to the woods of the Knuckles Mountain Range are among Sri Lanka’s top day hikes.
Stay in a tea bungalow
You don’t enjoy walking? From the coziness of a colonial tea planter’s home, take in the splendor of this amazing and enchanted region. These houses, which have been renovated with the finest amenities and furnishings, provide an opulent stay in breathtaking surroundings.
Look through the Hill Country motels that Red Dot recommends and keep an eye out for the real planters’ huts. While Camellia Hills offers a modern twist and a stunning view of Castlereagh Lake, Ceylon Tea Trails is one of Sri Lanka’s most sought-after estates with a vintage atmosphere.
Horton Plains
Walking through Horton Plains National Park is a must-do when visiting Sri Lanka’s highlands. There are many beautiful vistas because it is situated at one of the highest places in the nation.
Follow the path to World’s End, where the cliff plunges about 1,000 meters into the valley below. You will return to the starting place after passing Baker’s Falls, a group of waterfalls. Watch for majestic sambars as you go over the expansive grasslands.
Sacred Adam’s Peak
Climbing Adam’s Peak’s stairs is incredibly gratifying for those who can handle the thought of hiking through the night. Thousands of pilgrims ascend this mountain between December and March because it is considered sacred by the local Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, and Hindus.
Depending on your desired pace, set off between midnight and 2:00 pm to make sure you get at the summit in time to see one of Asia’s most breathtaking sunrises. Listen to your other hikers’ chanting as you go and pause to try some of the local cuisine from vendors along the route.
Ride the railway
Traveling by train is one of the greatest methods to discover Sri Lanka’s tea hills’ rich history. The trains continue to travel over the original British-installed lines from the 19th century, which are topped by the magnificent Nine Arch Bridge at Demodara. Wind your way up into the mountains and observe the surrounding beauty as it disappears, starting at Kandy, the Gateway to the Hill Country. There are strange alpine forests, little settlements, gushing rivers and waterfalls, and tea fields that sparkle for miles.
