Tea has shaped the hill country for nearly two centuries, and a visit to an estate is one of the easiest ways to understand the landscape and the people who work in it.
From leaf to cup
Tea pluckers, mostly women, pick the top two leaves and a bud by hand. At the factory the leaves are withered, rolled, oxidised, dried and sorted into grades. A short tour takes about 30 to 45 minutes and usually ends with a tasting.
Where to go
- Nuwara Eliya: the high-grown tea area, with cool air and sweeping green hills.
- Ella and Haputale: quieter estates with dramatic views and walks between plantations.
- Kandy: smaller estates and tea gardens within easy reach of the city.
Practical tips
- Go in the morning, when plucking is under way and views are clearest.
- Bring a light jacket: Nuwara Eliya is often cool and misty.
- Ask before you take photos of workers, and consider buying tea directly at the estate shop.
We can add a tea factory visit to almost any itinerary, and arrange a stay in a tea-country bungalow so you can wake up among the plantations.