Things to do

Tea plantations in Sri Lanka

Estate stays, plantation walks, factory visits and the Pekoe Trail — the slow, fragrant heart of Sri Lanka.

Ella vs Nuwara Eliya: which to choose for tea country

Ella or Nuwara Eliya? Both offer Sri Lanka's tea highlands scenery — but they suit very different travelers. Here's the honest verdict.

Tea plantations

Ella vs Nuwara Eliya: which to choose for tea country

Ella wins on hiking and vibe; Nuwara Eliya on tea immersion and Horton Plains access. Our honest 2026 breakdown tells you exactly which to pick.

Tea plantations

Ceylon tea country: a beginner's guide to the Hill Country tea region

The 7 tea-growing regions of Sri Lanka explained — where each is, what the tea tastes like, and the best route through tea country.

Tea plantations

Ceylon tea history: how a Scottish failure became the world's tea

The story of Ceylon tea from James Taylor's first 19 acres in 1867 to the global industry it became — and why the 'Ceylon' brand persists today.

Tea plantations

How to taste Ceylon tea: grades, regions, and what each one means

A plain-English guide to Ceylon tea grades — OP, BOP, FBOP, Pekoe, and what the difference actually tastes like in the cup.

Tea plantations

Lipton's Seat: how to visit Sir Thomas Lipton's lookout above Haputale

Getting to Lipton's Seat from Haputale — tuk-tuk route, Pekoe Trail walk, best viewing times, and what you can see on a clear morning.

Tea plantations

Nuwara Eliya tea experience: a one-day plucker-to-cup itinerary

How to do a full tea-plucking-to-cup experience in Nuwara Eliya — which estates, what it involves, and what to do with the rest of the day.

Tea plantations

The 6 best tea factory tours in Sri Lanka, ranked by experience

Honest ranking of Sri Lanka's best tea factory tours — Damro, Pedro, Dambatenne, Geragama, Heritage, and Amba — and which to choose for your interests.

Tea plantations

The ethics of tea-country tourism: Tamil pluckers and what your visit supports

Honest guide to the ethical dimensions of Sri Lanka tea tourism — worker conditions, fair-trade options, and how to choose where you spend your money.