Five days moving slowly through Sri Lanka's hill country on local trains and quiet roads, visiting a spice garden in the foothills, the sacred temple city of Kandy, a stay on a working tea estate above Hatton, the colonial strawberry farms of Nuwara Eliya, and the rock viewpoints of Ella. This is a trip for travellers who want to feel Sri Lanka rather than simply see it.
Five days moving slowly through Sri Lanka's hill country on local trains and quiet roads, visiting a spice garden in the foothills, the sacred temple city of Kandy, a stay on a working tea estate above Hatton, the colonial strawberry farms of Nuwara Eliya, and the rock viewpoints of Ella. This is a trip for travellers who want to feel Sri Lanka rather than simply see it.
Arrive at Colombo Airport and drive three hours north to Matale, a town famous for its spice plantations. Morning tour of a working spice garden to taste cinnamon, cardamom, and pepper fresh from the plant. Visit the Aluvihara Rock Cave Temple, a complex of cave shrines built into granite boulders where Theravada Buddhist scriptures were first committed to writing in 100 BC. Drive to Kandy for dinner and overnight. Overnight Kandy.
Rise early for the 6:30 AM dawn puja at the Temple of the Tooth, the most atmospheric of the three daily ceremonies, attended mostly by local worshippers with incense, drumming, and offerings of lotus flowers. Climb the hill to the Bahirawakanda Vihara, a giant white Buddha overlooking the entire Kandy valley, for the best panoramic view in the city. Afternoon cycling around Kandy Lake on hired bicycles through quieter residential neighbourhoods. Overnight Kandy.
Train from Kandy to Hatton through some of the most spectacular highland scenery in Sri Lanka. Check in to a working tea estate bungalow surrounded by manicured tea fields and mountain views. Afternoon walk through the estate with a demonstration of hand plucking by local workers, showing the two-leaves-and-a-bud method that determines tea quality. Walk to the viewpoint looking towards Adam's Peak, the sacred mountain that thousands of pilgrims climb each night during the season. Overnight tea estate near Hatton.
Morning drive through unbroken tea plantations to Nuwara Eliya, the highest town in Sri Lanka at 1868 metres. Visit a strawberry farm where you pick fruit directly from plants in the cool Highland air. Walk through the town's Victorian buildings including the Hill Club, the old colonial members club still serving afternoon tea, and the impressive 1875 race course. Late afternoon visit to the Sita Amman Temple, a Hindu shrine built at the spot where Sita was held captive according to the Ramayana. Overnight Nuwara Eliya.
Drive to Ella stopping at Ravana Falls, one of Sri Lanka's widest cascades, on the way down through the Ella Gap. Hike up Ella Rock, two hours through jungle and tea fields to a summit with sweeping views over the valley and southern plains. Walk to the Nine Arch Bridge for the afternoon tea train crossing. Drive back to Colombo for departure. End of tour.
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