Sri Lanka's central highlands sit between 1,500 and 2,500 metres above sea level — cool, misty and blanketed in tea. The Pekoe Trail, opened in 2022, threads 300 kilometres through this landscape in 22 stages. This five-day loop walks the four best: Haputale to Ella via the Lipton's Seat ridge, with tea-estate bungalows each night.
Not a strenuous expedition — a meditative walk through one of the most beautiful working landscapes on earth. Daily distances of 12–18km on well-maintained paths.
Pekoe Trail — best 4 stages
Lipton's Seat sunrise view
Nine Arches Bridge, Ella
Tea estate bungalows
Little Adam's Peak hike
Horton Plains day walk
Private walking guide
Day by day
Your 5-day hiking itinerary
Tap any day to expand.
🚐 JourneyDrive from Colombo or airport into the hill country — ascending through rubber estates and then tea as you climb above 1,500m.
👁 Afternoon
- Arrive Nuwara Eliya — "Little England" at 1,868m elevation
- Victoria Park afternoon walk — good birding spot
- Visit the colonial-era Hill Club for a drink by the fireplace 🔥
- Tea tasting at a local factory
🌙 OvernightNuwara Eliya
Sample accommodation
Jetwing St Andrews
🥾 WalkEarly departure to Horton Plains National Park for the 9km circuit — best done before the mist rolls in at 10am.
👁 Today
- World's End — a sheer 880m drop into the southern plains 🏔️
- Baker's Falls — a pretty cascade mid-circuit
- Sambar deer, purple-faced langur, Sri Lanka leopard (rare but present)
- Cloud forest birdwatching — Sri Lanka whistling thrush, dull-blue flycatcher
🌙 OvernightNuwara Eliya
Sample accommodation
Jetwing St Andrews
🥾 WalkPekoe Trail Stage 14 — from Dambatenne tea factory up to Lipton's Seat (1,970m) and down to Haputale. One of the finest ridge walks in Asia.
📍 Distance~14km, 5–6 hours, moderate ascent
👁 Highlights
- Lipton's Seat — where Sir Thomas Lipton surveyed his empire 🫖
- 360° views across eight provinces on a clear morning
- Walk through working tea fields with pickers
- Dambatenne factory visit at the start
🌙 OvernightHaputale
Sample accommodation
Olympus Plaza Hotel
🥾 WalkPekoe Trail Stage 16 — Haputale to Ella through the Thangamale Bird Sanctuary and down to the Ella valley. The most scenic stage on the trail.
📍 Distance~16km, 6 hours, some descent
👁 Highlights
- Thangamale Bird Sanctuary — over 100 endemic species
- Arrive Ella in time for golden-hour walk to Nine Arches Bridge
- Nine Arches — Sri Lanka's most photographed railway viaduct 🌉
- Ella village evening — local bakeries and rooftop restaurants
🌙 OvernightElla
Sample accommodation
Ella Gap Panorama
🥾 Morning hikeOptional Little Adam's Peak before departure — 45-minute ascent, sweeping views over the Ella Gap.
🚂 Train optionScenic train from Ella to Kandy (3.5hrs) then connect to Colombo, or direct private vehicle if flight is tight.
🚐 TransferPrivate transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport from Colombo, timed to your flight.
What's included
- All accommodation (4 nights)
- Private vehicle for road transfers
- Licensed walking guide throughout
- Horton Plains entry fees
- Pekoe Trail permit
- Daily breakfast
- 24/7 studio support
Not included
- International flights
- Lunches and dinners
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Train tickets (if chosen)