THE PEKOE TRAIL - SRI LANKA

TREKKING DISTANCE: 12.8 km (Hantana Tea Museum to Galaha) | DURATION: 4-5 hours | GRADING: Easy

Schedule

As Julie Andrews sung, we will ‘begin at the very beginning’ of the 22-stage Pekoe Trail, at the Ceylon Tea Museum on the Hanthana Estate. The trail features a gentle elevation gain and splendid vistas of Kandy as we follow concrete and gravel roads toward Galaha. On clear days, the highest point affords views of the Victoria Reservoir and the Knuckles Mountain range.

Descending from this peak, the trail leads to a river crossing just before Galaha. We meet our driver and vehicle near the Galaha Post Office, then proceed to our nearby hotel. The rest of the day we can soak up the atmosphere and wander around town to mingle with the community, or join a Buddhist monk for a 1-hour meditation program.

TREKKING DISTANCE: 16km (Loolkandura to Glenloch Tea Factory) | DURATION: 6 hours | GRADING: Difficult

Elevation Gain: 762m (2,500 ft), Elevation Loss: 1,020m (3,346 ft), Maximum Elevation: 1586m (5,203 ft)

Schedule

After breakfast at our hotel, we will be transported to the starting point of Stage 3 of the trail. We begin at a small bridge over the Ma Oya on the Loolkandura Estate, one of the oldest tea plantations in Sri Lanka, established by Sir James Taylor who is widely renowned as the father of Ceylon tea.

On this hike you climb through some of the most historically significant tea trails in Sri Lanka. The further you climb the more remote it feels. Take a moment to appreciate the fact that you are standing on the old and forgotten Dimbula road – a trail meant for horses and bullock carts built over 150 years ago by British Engineers.

The day finishes at Glenloch Tea Factory where we relax over lunch, then board our bus and drive to the Heritage Tea Factory for an evening of colonial opulence. 

Schedule

Today you will feel you have been transported back in time as you are pampered at the Heritage Tea Factory,  wander through manicured gardens and explore Nuwara Eliya, often referred to as 'Little England,' is a charming town with a rich history and breathtaking scenery. It is known for its vibrant flowers and buildings in classic English architectural style and at its heart lies a 117-year-old golf course. Wander around the curated botanical gardens, walk around the lake or partake in the world-famous High Tea at the Grand Hotel before wandering through its gallery of famous visitors. 

Surrounded by mountains, dense moss-covered cloud forests, and lush tea plantations, the area is renowned for a perfect climate that supports the growth of some of the finest high- grown tea in the world. The city's temperate weather, (with cool temperatures around 13°C, seasonal mists and dry winds) creates an idyllic atmosphere. Lake Gregory graces the southern edge of Nuwara Eliya, while high waterfalls enhance the town's natural beauty.Late afternoon we gather in town and return to the Tea Factory in time for a gin an tonic before dinner!

Schedule

After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to the start of stage 22 at Kandapola town, a small, yet busy transit in the regional capital of Nuwara Eliya. Today we will meander along beautiful tea trails on tea estates through remote villages.

The trail circles around one of the oldest tea estates in the region: Courtlodge Tea Factory established in 1890, and we end at the Pedro Estate Tea Factory, a well-known estate and factory overlooking the surrounding countryside.

We transfer to  Seasons Villa for lunch. Then enjoy an optional afternoon drive and hike to Bomuruella Waterfall before a shared dinner at our hotel.

TREKKING DISTANCE: 15.5 km  | DURATION: 6 hours | GRADING: Difficult

Elevation Gain: 340m (1,115 ft), Elevation Loss: 650m (2,2132 ft), Maximum Elevation: 2170m (7,119 ft)

Schedule

Today, we start early to make the most of a visit to one of the most incredible national parks in Sri Lanka. Horton Plains, is renowned for cool temperatures. We are likely to see sambar deer, and maybe even an elusive leopard. We will loop around the national park to see World's End and Bakers Fall, reaching the highest point of the entire Pekoe Trail (2,170 meters).

Back on our bus, we transfer to the top of the Devils Staircase, the steepest downward descent of The Pekoe Trail and follow it to Udaweirya with breathtaking views. On a clear day you can see Udawalawe National Park and beyond to the coastline.

With stretched calf muscles, we will be met by our driver and transported to Hill Safari Hotel for a relaxing remainder of the day.

TREKKING DISTANCE: Approx. 19.5 km (Udaweriya – Haputale) | DURATION: 6-7 hours | GRADING: Difficult

                                 Elevation Gain: 1493m (4,898 ft), Elevation Loss: 1834m (6,017 ft), Maximum Elevation: 1975m (6,480 ft)

Schedule

After early breakfast, we will be transferred to the start of Stage 12 in the Udaweiya Valley, one of the most remote valleys in the tea country. (Sometimes called the Hidden Valley). The valley looks over the southern part of Sri Lanka and on a clear day you may just make out the ocean. This is a long day and the walking is challenging but, by now you should be walking fit!  Even so, it's likely you will nap on the 30-minute drive to our hotel at the end of the day.

Celebrate your achievements over a specially designed Pekoe cocktail at sunset, overlooking the valley (PYO) before a well-deserved dinner.
 

TREKKING DISTANCE: 13. 48 km (Haputale - St. Catherine) | DURATION: 4-5 hours | GRADING: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 810m (2,657 ft), Elevation Loss: 360m (1,181 ft), Maximum Elevation: 1926m (6,319 ft)

Schedule

After early breakfast, we drive to  the end of Stage 13, at St. Catherine and walk in reverse order to make the most of the incredible scenery. We follow the Thotalagala - Dambatenne Valley and traverse through the Nayabedda Tea Estate, where Sir Thomas Lipton grew his crop and surveyed his land for 'Lipton Seat', then walk to Bandarawela, a small beautiful town in highlands, with the opportunity to greet the local villagers.

After just over 13km, we will be met by our bus and transferred to the delightful tourist town of Ella, and check into the Ella's Edge Hotel with uninterrupted views of the valley.

TREKKING DISTANCE: 8.74 km (Ella to Demodara) | DURATION: 2-3 hours | GRADING: Easy

Elevation Gain: 410m (1,345 ft), Elevation Loss: 524m (1,719 ft), Maximum Elevation: 1066m (3,497 ft)

Schedule

For our last full day together it's time to explore Ella, grab a few souvenirs, cement friendships over a stove at an internationally recognised cooking school, and take a last hike to one of the most photographed locations in Sri Lanka.

Ella is a vibrant town with cafes, craft shops, hiking gear and a welcoming vibe. Spend a couple of hours in the morning immersing in the atmosphere. Then meet the team at Ella Spice Garden for a kitchen adventure. Learn eight authentic dishes, share your creations for lunch, and take home a personalised recipe book.

With bellies full, we will start walking from town on the shortest of our walks: Stage 16, traversing through Ella Forest Reserve and quaint villages. Along the way, we’ll pass the iconic Nine Arches Bridge, where you're likely to encounter other hikers. We will also see the Newburgh Tea Factory, wind through chena cultivations,  and pass a small lake.

The trail then takes us past the Demodara Tea Estate before arriving at the Demodara Railway Station. Famous for its remarkable 'Demodara Loop,' this station features a spiral rail line that passes underneath itself, looping around and emerging from a tunnel directly beneath the station. We meet our driver at the Demodara railway station and travel back to the hotel in Ella.

Schedule