CEYLONESE TEA
NUWARA ELIYA
The train journey up to Nuwara Eliya is one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. Delays are standard as the train slows, stops and starts again for mysterious reasons – but that just means all the more time for looking out the open doors over swooping jungle-clad mountainsides and striped plantations. British colonists originally put down the train line in the 19th century to deliver tea and workers to and from the plantations, but we have the Sri Lankan engineer B.D. Rampala to thank for kitting out the trains and stations for people rather than plants.
ELLA
Ella has lately become a favourite destination for nature-loving travellers visiting Sri Lanka. The little hillside town offers plenty of hiking trails crossing through lush greenery and misty pine forests.
In my opinion, the tea plantations that you find in Ella are not as beautiful as the tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya. However, you may take a day tour to Dambathenna tea factory, where the tea plantations are stunningly beautiful.
If you're tight for time and would still like to experience a tea tour while in Ella itself, the Kinellan Tea Factory, Newburgh Green Tea Factory, Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory offer excellent tea factory tours.
HATTON
Hatton, a hillside town in the Nuwara Eliya District, is home to a few picturesque tea gardens worth the visit. Consider spending a few nights at an exquisitely refurbished tea planter bungalow to experience an authentic tea-inspired holiday if you're visiting here.
A stay at the luxurious boutique hotel Ceylon Tea Trails will not only provide you with the experience of residing at a planter's bungalow dating back to the Colonial period, but you are also at the liberty to sign up for some curated tea experiences.
With a couple of nights' stay at Ceylon Tea Trails hotel, you can experience the guided tea tours at the Dunkeld Tea Factory, where their resident planter would take you through the tea making process. The hotel also offers a tea planter's picnic lunch where you walk through the tea field to reach your picnic spot and take in the stunning vistas as you enjoy your meal.
True tea-lovers will enjoy staying at these estate bungalows built in the 1800s. They also come with Swiss-trained butlers, gorgeous antique furniture and a planter-in-residence.
From Hatton, you may arrange a tour of the Talawakelle Tea Factory, through which you may explore some of their thriving tea plantations spread across the Nuwara Eliya district.
HAPUTALE
Situated 1431 m above the sea level & Surrounded by hills covered with cloud forests & tea plantations, Haputale is one of the most beautiful hill country cities in Sri Lanka. Haputale has a rich bio-diversity dense & allows a very beautiful view of the Southern Plains. The town is cooler than the surrounding areas & is a best place to discover Sri Lankan Tea. Major attractions of Haputale are Liptons seat, Adisham Bungalow and the famous Dambatenna tea factory. Calm & wonderful hill country nature makes Haputale a best place for a relaxation.
LOCATIONS,TEMPERATURES AND ALTITUDES FAVOURABLE FOR TEA GROWTH
| Tea Plantation | Location | Temparature | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuwara Eliya | Pedro Estate Damro Tea Factory-Ramboda-Labukele Blue Field Tea Factory-Ramboda Glenloch Tea Factory-Ramboda |
Low as 11 celsius and High as 20 celsius | |
| Ella | Ceylon tea factory Kinellan Tea Factory Newburgh Green Tea Factory Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory |
Low as 17 celsius and High as 28 celsius | |
| Hatton | Talawakelle Tea Factory Hapugastenne Tea Estate Laxapana Tea Estate |
Low as (12-15) celsius and High as (21-24) celsius | |
| Haputale | Haputale Tea factory Lipton's seat Dambatenne Tea factory Glenanore Tea Estate |
Low as 15 celsius and High as 27 celsius | |
| for further information on other regions click to visit. | |||