Day 01 – Kandy 

After the formalities of the tour the trail will be started from Kandy. 

Hanthana Tea Museum 

This multi-functional four-story museum in a converted tea factory which is nearly 100 years old, is set in immaculate grounds landscaped with different varieties of tea bushes. The museum has a library and a sales outlet where purchases can be made from a selection of Sri Lanka’s finest teas. At the very top is a classic tea café and a telescope for a peek at panoramic Kandy city surrounded by the Hunnasgiriya and Kunckles mountains.

The museum will offer a free tea for the guest at the restaurant and if the guest is willing to do the Tea Tasting the museum will arrange as per the request. 

On completion, proceed to Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden.

Royal Botanical Garden – Peradeniya 

The oldest formal gardens in Sri Lanka, its origin dates as far back as 1371 when King Wickramabahu III ascended the throne and held court in Peradeniya. In 1821, Alexander Moon laid the groundwork for the present-day gardens. Spread over 147 acres, they have more than 4,000 species of plants including medicinal ones, palm trees, spices, and its renowned collection of orchids. The gardens are managed by the Division of National Botanic Gardens of the Department of Agriculture. It attracts around 2 million local and foreign visitors annually. The gardens are located approximately 5 km to the west of the city of Kandy. You can be witness the first “Tea Plant in Sri Lanka” at this garden.

Thereafter, visit to Temple of Tooth relic.   

Temple of Tooth Relic 

A tooth belonging to the Lord Buddha is said to be resting here. Buddhists believe an Indian Princess Hemamala, hid the tooth in her hair and brought it from Kalinga in the 4th century AD. The Kings who ruled the country had an obligation to protect the sacred tooth at all times and for this, it had to be moved to wherever the kingdom was established in the country. In 1603, the Temple was destroyed during the Portuguese invasion and was rebuilt with additional structures that fulfilled different functions. The octagonal shaped Paththiripuwa is known as a vantage point, the Magul Maduwa which was a court-house has distinct architecture, the Ulpange was an abode for the king’s consorts and the Mahamaluwa, a multifunctional esplanade.

On completion, proceed to the hotel/ accommodations.

Overnight stay in Kandy 

 

Day 02 – Nuwara Eliya via Loolkandura 

Proceed to Nuwaraeliya. On the way to Nuwaraeliya, the guests can be visited to the fist Tea cultivation of Sri Lanka to witness its lush tea plantation and eye-catching sceneries. At the end of the plantation visit, the guest can trek up  Kondagala. 

Loolkandura 

The birthplace of the world-renowned Ceylon tea. It was first cultivated as a cash crop by James Taylor, a British national who came here in 1852. Fifteen years later, his crop had expanded to 19 acres and soon, a full-fledged tea factory was established at Loolkandura Estate, which is at an elevation of 2,300 ft. By 1875, Ceylon Tea had found its way to the markets in London. Taylor, aged 57, died in Ceylon, and was interred at the Mahaiyawa Cemetery. A memorial was erected on this estate to honor his written request. 

Kondagala 

Kondagala is a mountain, which lies in the Loolkandura Estate. The summit elevation of Kondagala mountain is 150 m (492 ft) and 200 m (656 ft) long. Kondagala is a beautiful and appealing mountain located in Sri Lanka's first commercial tea estate, Loolkanduradura.

After the Kondagala hike proceed to Nuwara Eliya. 

Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya 

Day 03 – Nuwara Eliya 

At the beginning of the day, the guest can experience several activities related to the tea industry at Pedro Tea Factory. The activities include tea picking session, tea factory visit, and tea testing session.

Pedro Tea Factory

The estate is overlooked by Sri Lanka’s highest mountain, Pidurutalagala. James Taylor, a British national who came to Sri Lanka in 1852, planted the first tea bushes at this location, launching the line of Ceylon tea that followed. The factory was founded in 1885 and is still filled with antique 19th-century machinery. They are operated in the night to protect the tea from sunlight, which could degrade its quality. The factory tour lasts about 20 minutes and takes the visitor through the entire manufacturing process, from grading to packaging. It is open from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm but is closed to visitors between 12.30 pm and 2.00 pm Photography is not permitted within the factory grounds. Lover’s Leap Ethical Tea Boutique-a leading teashop-can be found inside the estate.

After having a memorable tea experience, proceed to Lover’s Leap Waterfall and Gregory Lake to witness the beauty of the upcountry of the island. 

Lover’s leap fall

A silvery trail of water that hides a tale of romance and tragedy from which it gets its name. The story goes that two lovers who did not have their parents’ consent for marriage, decided to immortalize their love by leaping from the top. In an ironic twist, this waterfall is also called the ‘Beauty of Nuwara Eliya’. The location attracts many local and foreign tourists, particularly in the month of April. The fall is located on the Kandapola Road, 2 km away from Nuwara Eliya town.

 

Gregory Lake

British Governor Sir William Gregory built the lake in 1874 by constructing a dam across the Talagala and Nanu Oya streams. The lake has an expanse of 91 acres. It is a well-known recreation spot for boating, cycling, pony rides and stunning sunsets. The park has a walking track lined with flower beds, and a cycle track which circles the lake and makes for great rides with views. Bicycles can be hired for an hourly rate. The nearby restaurants sell refreshments. The lake is located 1 km from Nuwara Eliya town in Magastota.

 

-End of the Trail-