Camellia Quest: 7 Days on the Pekoe Trail (Private Tour)

Welcome to Your 7-Day Pekoe Trail Adventure in Sri Lanka!

Arrive in Kandy [ own arrangements ] and check in at your hotel. If you need assistance, we can arrange transfers to Kandy from any location. Meet your local trekking guides and visit the most sacred Kandy Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic to receive blessings before starting your 7-day trekking adventure on the Pekoe Trail Sri Lanka.

Kandy, steeped in historical and religious significance, is full of legends, medieval palaces, spice trails, and sacred temples. Reverently known as the hill capital, Kandy offers the serenity of a land where time seems to slow down. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, built in the 16th century, houses Lord Buddha’s tooth and is surrounded by artistic murals and paintings depicting the journey of Buddhism.

You will find the daily rituals, or ‘pooja,’ held amidst drumming and chanting, very intense and colorful, attracting many worshippers daily.

Embark on this unique journey through the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country, where the Pekoe Trail Sri Lanka promises breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural experiences, and unforgettable adventures.

This is the inaugural stage of the Pekoe Trail, commencing at the Ceylon Tea Museum on the Hanthana Estate. A visit to the museum itself offers enriching insights. The trail features gentle elevation gain, following concrete and gravel roads toward Galaha, offering splendid vistas of Kandy. 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. Meet your chauffeur and vehicle near the Galaha Post Office, then proceed to your hotel nearby. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure, with an optional local walk to mingle with the community.

Overnight accommodation awaits you at your hotel in Galaha, marking the end of your first day on the Pekoe Trail adventure.

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

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel in Galaha, you will be transported to the starting point of Stage 3 of the Pekoe Trail Sri Lanka. This stage commences at Loolecondera Estate, the pioneering tea plantation established in 1867 by Scotsman James Taylor. The trail begins with a challenging ascent, followed by mostly flat estate roads with gentle inclines and declines.

Traverse the historic Dimbula Road, constructed by British engineers over 150 years ago to connect Kandy with the surrounding valleys, facilitating the growth of the tea industry. The scenery along this route is enchanting, offering panoramic vistas. The final stretch of the trail covers approximately 5 km downhill, concluding near the Gampola-Nuwara Eliya road.

From there, you will be transferred to Kandalpola and checked into your hotel. Enjoy the evening at your leisure, reflecting on the day’s trek and preparing for more adventures along the Pekoe Trail Sri Lanka.

TREKKING DISTANCE: 18.1 km (Loolkandura to Thawalanthenna)
DURATION: 6 – 7 hours
GRADING: Hard

This is the last section of the 22-stage Pekoe Trail Sri Lanka, and we are completing this section in reverse order.

Following breakfast at your hotel, you will be transported to the trailhead to begin the journey from Kandapola to Nuwara Eliya. Starting in Kandapola town, just 14 km east of Nuwara Eliya, the trail winds through tea estate tracks past Court Lodge Tea Factory, established in 1890, and quaint villages nestled in the valley.

As you trek through the serene tea trails, don’t miss the enchanting Lovers’ Leap Waterfall, steeped in local folklore about a tragic love story between a prince and a village maiden. The trail culminates near Pedro Estate Tea Factory, a short 3 km from Nuwara Eliya town. Optionally, you can visit the Pedro Estate Tea Factory and enjoy a cup of freshly brewed tea at their tea center before concluding the trail.

Meet your chauffeur guide at Pedro Estate Tea Factory and proceed to Demodara. The evening is yours to explore the surroundings at your leisure, reflecting on the memorable experiences along the Pekoe Trail Sri Lanka.

TREKKING DISTANCE: 10.8 km (Kandapola to Pedro Estate)
DURATION: 3 – 4 hours
GRADING: Moderate

Today is a relaxed day on the Pekoe Trail, Sri Lanka. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before heading to the trailhead for the shortest stage of the trail, from Demodara to Ella. Ella is a must-visit destination in Sri Lanka, renowned for its scenic beauty and charm.

The trail begins at Demodara Train Station, famous for its picturesque trailway loop where the railway track passes underneath itself. The trek is pleasant and manageable, offering delightful encounters with local farmers in their chena cultivations and tea pluckers at work.

The highlight of this stage is the iconic Nine Arches Bridge, standing 80 feet tall and 300 feet long. Capture mesmerizing moments as trains pass over the bridge and wind through tunnels, offering a glimpse into Sri Lanka’s colonial-era railway charm.

Conclude the trek at Ella Railway Station, where your chauffeur will meet you. Transfer to your hotel in Makulella, just a short distance from Ella. Enjoy the evening at your leisure, exploring the vibrant streets of Ella or relaxing with a chilled beer, reflecting on the day’s adventures along the Pekoe Trail Sri Lanka.

TREKKING DISTANCE: 8.8 km (Demodara to Ella)
DURATION: 2-3 hours
GRADING: Easy

Embark on the final leg of your 7-day Pekoe Trail Sri Lanka adventure today. You’ll start by traveling to Makulella, where the reverse trek to St. Catherine’s Seat begins. Despite covering just over 9.5 km, this stage is rich with the essence of the trail—villages, temples, tea plantations, farms, historic bungalows, forests, and sweeping mountain vistas.

Commencing from Makulella Village, traverse through fragrant eucalyptus forests and the quaint villages of Liyangahawela and Balagala, offering ample opportunities to interact with locals. Don’t miss the impressive Hindu temple at Balagala, a cultural gem along the route.

Much of the trail follows an old British-planter engineered estate road, originally crafted for transporting tea leaves to nearby factories. Your journey culminates at St. Catherine, a high-altitude village renowned for Lipton Seat, where Sir Thomas Lipton once surveyed his expansive tea plantations.

Meet your chauffeur at St. Catherine and proceed to Belihuloya, where your accommodation awaits at a tranquil riverside resort, nestled in a serene environment by the Belihuloya River. Reflect on the incredible experiences of the Pekoe Trail Sri Lanka, surrounded by nature’s beauty and cultural richness.

TREKKING DISTANCE: 9.5 km (Makulella to St.Catherine’s Seat)
DURATION: 2-3 hours
GRADING: Moderate

Start your final day with a serene canoeing expedition in the Samanalawewa Reservoir, an ideal way to unwind and soak in the morning tranquility. After your canoeing adventure, return to your resort for a leisurely breakfast.

As you prepare to continue your journey, we can assist in arranging additional services, whether you’re interested in a beach extension or planning a post-trip adventure to the south. Reflect on the unforgettable experiences of the Pekoe Trail Sri Lanka as you look forward to your next destination.