Footprints Through Tea Country
For some journeys, the destination is only part of the story, and this is definitely the case with the Pekoe Trail. It invites you to slow down and follow paths that trace a thread through the Sri Lanka’s verdant hill country, connecting communities, history, and timeless landscapes. The Pekoe Trail offers the ideal balance of activity and relaxation.
Laid out across 300km of ancient estate tracks, village footpaths and forest trails, the Pekoe Trail isn’t a single epic hike, but a series of day walks that you can pick and choose from, to be taken at your own pace - the focus is on immersion, not endurance. Distances are flexible, with walks designed to be enjoyed at a comfortable stride, allowing plenty of time for photographs, snack breaks, and cups of sweet milky tea. Sip fresh brews after a morning’s hike, share conversations with locals along the way, and pause to listen as the wind rustles through the valleys.
This journey is perfect for those seeking a slower, more immersive way to explore Sri Lanka, blending walking stages with time in jungles and wildlife-filled National Parks, and on the famously laid-back southern beaches. Balance the hiking adventures with a dose of indulgence at the end of each day, staying in comfortable accommodation from boutique villas to tea bungalows and coastal retreats.
Start Slow
In Negombo, the pace of life reflects the rhythm of the tides. Settle in at a relaxed beachside hotel, or choose a leafy inland villa where coconut palms and frangipani trees frame the pool. Take time to recover from the long flight, and ease yourself into Sri Lankan life. Stroll through the fish markets, discover Negombo’s colonial canals, or take a sunset boat ride across the lagoon.
Riverside Adventure
Turn inland and climb into Sri Lanka’s lush heart. Surrounded by dense rainforest and rushing rivers, Kitulgala is a natural playground for soft adventure, and the ideal stop before heading into tea country. It’s a place to step out of your comfort zone just enough, paddling through rapids, jumping into canyon pools, or taking to the trails on two wheels or on foot. The activities are accessible and family-friendly, offering a healthy dose of adrenalin without tipping into anything too extreme. Between adventures, the soundtrack is all birdcall, cicadas, and the distant roar of the whitewater.
Walking Through Tea Country
Weaving through rolling hills of Tea Country, the Pekoe Trail is a must-do in the Central Highlands, with many of the most popular stages centred around this area. Hatton is surrounded by landscapes steeped in colonial history. Stay in an elegantly restored planter’s bungalow - think four-poster beds, firelit lounges and views across endless green terraces. Walk along paths following historic ‘tea roads’ that once linked remote factories with rail tracks, winding through neat rows of tea plants, farm land and quiet villages.
The trails through Haputale offer a different mood - more remote and windswept. Follow ridge lines with jaw-dropping views down to the southern plains, into atmospheric cloud forests alive with orchids and ferns, and past sleepy villages. The stage past Lipton’s Seat is a real highlight. Pause at this iconic viewpoint, above the site of Sir Thomas Lipton’s first tea plantation, before descending into the valley below.
Ella, by contrast, offers a livelier atmosphere. Though busier, and firmly on the tourist trail, the Pekoe Trail stages here are some of the most accessible. Follow paths through the tea fields, across the iconic Nine Arches Bridge, and climb up rural trails for sweeping views. After days out walking, unwind at hillside hotels where infinity pools melt seamlessly into the surroundings and breezy verandas invite you to linger, cooling drink in hand.
A Pause in the Wild
Leaving the tea hills behind, the landscape softens into scrubby grassland and low forest. Udawalawe National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s top wildlife reserves, famed for its thriving elephant population. A morning or evening safari promises the chance to spot herds of these gentle giants moving across open plains, wild buffalo cooling off in muddy pools, and a kaleidoscope of birds. The park sits in close proximity to a range of excellent accommodation options, from cosy lodges to more luxurious tented camps.
The Laid-back South Coast
End your journey where the island meets the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka’s south coast is a patchwork of golden beaches, bustling surfer towns and sheltered bays, where surfboards lean against palm trees and yoga studios hide in jungle gardens. You can choose to settle into a boutique wellness retreat for total relaxation, or opt for a laid-back beach villa where the days revolve around swimming, seafood and sunsets. If you’re travelling outside of the best south coast beach season, our Specialists will recommend an east coast spot to fit you perfectly.
A note on cost…
The guide price of £3,090US$3,990 is a per person price (not including international flights) staying 1 night in Negombo, 2 nights in Kitulgala, 2 nights in Hatton, 2 nights in Haputale, 3 nights in Ella, 1 night in Udawalawe and 3 nights on a south coast beach; all in our favourite mid-range hotels.
