Search Icon Search Icon
Enquire Now

The Highland Experience Sri Lanka

Carefully crafted to ensure you get the ultimate highland experience, explore mountains of tea during your tour of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. A tea tour stands as the exclusive excursion on offer. Sample the famous Ceylon brew before retiring to the comfort of your accommodation.

day Location/Route duration Overnight
Day 01 Arrival and transfer to Kandy One night in Kandy Value: Earls Regent
Signature: Mountbatten Bungalow
Day 02 Kandy to Nuwara Eliya Two nights in Nuwara Eliya Value: Araliya Green Hills
Signature: Tea Factory
Day 03 Nuwara Eliya Last night in Nuwara Eliya Value: Araliya Green Hills
Signature: Tea Factory
Day 04 Nuwara Eliya to Colombo One night in Colombo Value: Mirage Hotel
Signature: Galle Face Hotel
Day 05 Transfer to airport for departure
Kandy Esala Perahera "Procession"

The Kandy Esela Perahera, which is also known as The Festival of the Tooth is a unique religious and cultural event that takes place every year in July. The procession features many dancers, drummers and elephants, who parade through the streets paying homage to the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha which is housed in the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy.

The Temple of the Tooth Relic

The Temple of the Tooth Relic, which is known as the Sri Dalada Maligawa is in the sacred city of Kandy. It houses the tooth relic of Lord Buddha and is an important shrine of Buddhist worship. The annual procession known as the Kandy Esala Perahera marks an important day in the Sri Lankan calendar.

Tea Highlands

A visitor to the idyllic Hill Country of Sri Lanka will be greeted by vistas of sloping green tea plantations and misty mountains. Tea production which was introduced to the island by James Taylor in 1867, has grown into a giant industry, creating one of the main sources of foreign income for the country.

Tea Plantation and Train Journey

Hop aboard a vintage steam train in Kandy, and enjoy a picturesque ride into the heart of Sri Lanka’s charming hill country. The winding railway tracks chart a scenic course through the rolling hillsides of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. Unwind in your air conditioned compartment, as you take in the majesty of the verdant landscape unfolding before your eyes.

Observe the shades of emerald that blanket the horizon, brimming with precious tea crops that are the nation’s pride. Envision the splendour of the island’s colonial heyday, as you tuck into a delicious four-course lunch accompanied by sparkling silverware and fine china. This journey is best begun in the late morning hours and lasts four to five hours.

Wander Through History in Kandy

Visit the Suriyakantha Centre for Art and Culture, and delve deep into the fascinating annals of European and Sri Lankan history. Housed in the Naranwala Walawwa, an 18th century Dutch-style colonial manor house, the centre represents a unique effort between a Frenchman and Sri Lankan, to showcase talent from eras past.

Explore the vast repository of local and European works over the course of two to three hours and understand the richness of Kandyan culture. Observe the various manuscripts, furniture, handicrafts, artworks and photographs on display. Located near the town of Kandy in Sri Lanka’s Central Province, Suriyakantha is open to visits between 08:00am and 04:00pm, throughout the year.

Architectural Tour of Kandy

Discover the rich architectural heritage of Kandy, the last Sri Lankan Kingdom to fall to the invading British. Today, it is one of the island’s major cities and home to an array of renowned attractions such as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the Royal Palace and National Museum.

Begin your tour at the lively town centre, and observe the diverse mix of neo-colonial and colonial-style buildings. Enjoy quality time with celebrated architect Ruchira Wickremasinghe, a recipient of the Geoffrey Bawa Travel Award, as she walks you through the intricacies of Kandy’s architectural landscape. The 2.5 hour tour can begin at any time; however, the late hours of the afternoon are ideal.

Kandy Four Temple Loop Tour

Spend half a day exploring four of Kandy’s famed medieval temples. Join your personal archaeologist on an informative, 3.5 hour coach tour of the Degaldoruwa, Embekka, Lankatilaka and Gadaladeniya Buddhist temples. Feast your eyes on the magnificent Kandyan murals on the ceiling of Degaldoruwa Temple. Witness the wonderful fusion of Buddhist and Hindu culture at Gadaladeniya Temple.

Take in the exquisite craftsmanship of the woodwork at Embekka Temple. Observe the traditional Sinhalese design of the Lankatilaka Temple, and discover the inscriptions carved into the rocks. Setting off in the morning is ideal, as the tour involves approximately 1.5 hours of travel to / from your hotel.

Virgin White Tea Estate Visit

Visit the famed Handunugoda Tea Estate in Titagalla and observe first-hand how Virgin White Tea is produced. Hailed as the world’s purest tea, it is an expensive blend which boasts an antioxidant level of 10%. Learn the finer points of tea culture and discover the intricacies of the manufacturing process, as you explore the factory and grounds on a guided tour.

Discover the tea’s speciality; its leaves are devoid of human contact during plucking, processing and packing. End on an aromatic note with a soothing tea tasting session which comprises over 20 different blends.

The visit lasts 1 to 1.5 hours, and we recommend arriving before noon. The tea factory is open daily from 08:00am to 06:00pm.

Tea Experience at Ceylon Tea Trails

Observe the century-old tea manufacturing process at Ceylon Tea Trails. Meet up with your guide at 09:00am and set off into the estate. Walk in the footsteps of the tea planters of Ceylon’s heyday, as they traversed the leafy inclines in search of ideal pastures for tea cultivation. Understand the challenges involved in the skilled art of tea plucking and learn the secret behind the aromatic black tea blend; only two tender leaves and the bud, are harvested from each plant, by hand.

Study the traditional English machinery used at the Norwood Tea Factory, which dates back to colonial times.

As your 2.5 hours draw to an end, sit back and sample fragrant brews from the factory’s many grades of tea.

Day 01
COLOMBO AIRPORT TO KANDY

On arrival at the Colombo Airport you will meet your guide and be taken to a wonderful colonial bungalow claimed to have been, one of the private residences of Lord Louis Mountbatten (Approx. 3 Hrs drive).

On arrival at the Bandaranayake International Airport, you will be warmly greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel in Kandy (Duration four hours).

Overnight in Kandy.

Day 02
KANDY TO NUWARA ELIYA
Kandy (UNESCO World Heritage Site) x
The Hill Capital of Sri Lanka (the last Kingdom of the Sri Lankan Kings) nestled in a valley in the Highlands and locally referred to, as "Nuwara" meaning The Great City. A picturesque town by the side of a miniature lake, the city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988. Visit one of the only natural reserves within city limits, the beautiful Udawatta Kele famous for its avifauna or the sacred Sri Dalada Maligawa.
The next two nights will be spent in Nuwara Eliya. Drive along the winding roads through Sri Lanka’s mountainous interior, heading towards a unique hotel in the hills. Experience the fresh mountain air as your journey takes you through stunning vistas of lush green mountains covered in tea plantations with its scattered roaring streams and picturesque waterfalls.
Stop at a tea factory, inhale the smell of the fresh tea being manufactured as you take a tour of the factory. Sip a cup of fresh high grown tea before you continue your journey through the rolling tea plantations.
Nuwara Eliya x
Perched high up in the hills, Nuwara Eliya sits like a sentinel overlooking tea country on all sides. Piduruthalagala, Sri Lanka's tallest peak is only a short while away. A replica of English country towns with their lush greenery and a profusion of gorgeous flora, Nuwara Eliya is touted as "Little England" with its Victorian houses, a golf course, Lake Gregory, a racecourse and Hakkgala Gardens. The average temperature is around 15.9C.
Check-in to The Tea Factory! Evening at leisure and overnight in Nuwara Eliya.

This morning you may visit the famous Temple of the Tooth and explore the city’s highlights for a couple of hours (approx. two and a half hours) before you head out to Nuwara Eliya.

Day 03
NUWARA ELIYA

Yes, you will stay in a converted tea factory! Delve into Sri Lanka’s rich heritage for an up close and personal experience of everything that is tea! From the stunning vistas of the tea plantations from your window to the old machinery that once worked the factory! Visit a tea factory and learn about the cultivation of tea – one of Sri Lanka’s most famous exports, and enjoy tastings to appreciate the difference in strength and flavour of the leaves.

Take a leisurely stroll through the mist covered plantation and join the tea pluckers on the field followed by a tea tasting session with an expert who will walk you through the process. Take home a special selection of tea as a souvenir of your journey.

Rest of the day at leisure to explore the region. Overnight at The Tea factory.

Day 04
NUWARA ELIYA TO COLOMBO

After a leisurely breakfast, drive down to Colombo (four hours). Depending on the day you spend in Colombo, we will arrange for you to visit the tea auctions!

Overnight in Colombo.

Day 05
DEPARTURE

Depending on your time of departure you will be transferred to the airport for your departure.

Safe journey!

Add on

  • A list of a few activities you may want to add on to your experience.
  • Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage / Kandy cultural show / Peradeniya Botanical Garden / Seetha Eliya Temple / Horton Plains trekking / Colombo city tour / shopping tour

What to Pack!

  • Socks – as footwear must be removed when visiting places of worship. You could be walking on heated paving, gravel or cement. Also, shoulders and knees should be covered.
  • Footwear – choose comfy shoes - sneakers, sandals or similar.
  • Shawl – to cover your shoulders or dress up!
  • A sweater or light jacket if you plan to visit the Hill Country.
  • Sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses, travel umbrella or lightweight raincoat.

Notes:

  • All drive times are approximate and subject to road conditions
  • Alcohol is not served on “poya days” (full moon) and other days prohibited by the Government.
  • The standard check-in time is 14:00 at hotels.
  • The standard check-out time is 11:00 from hotels.
  • Gratuity: tour guides & drivers are tipped at the end of the tour.
  • Online visa application link:  http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/
  • Purposeful Tourism: Your support: www.hbdasia.com one USD from every booking supports a cause.
  • Holidays by Design terms and conditions (www.hbdasia.com/terms.html)
  • Connect with us via FB: www.facebook.com/hbdasia or Twitter on https://twitter.com/hbd_asia

 

nights03
days04
Sun, Sand & Sea read more
nights07
days08
Surf and Yoga read more
nights05
days06
Palm Fringed Island read more
nights10
days11
Golfing in Sri Lanka read more
nights05
days06
Culinary Break read more
nights07
days08
Beaches & Wildlife read more
nights10
days11
Flavours of Sri Lanka read more
nights05
days06
Sri Lanka – Highlights read more
nights07
days08
Spice Trails read more
nights12
days13
Paradise Island – Packaged read more
nights06
days07
Fusion Sri Lanka read more
nights12
days13
Wanderlust – Sri Lanka read more
nights06
days07
The Geoffrey Bawa Trail read more
nights13
days14
So Sri Lanka – Serendipity read more
nights21
days22
Ultimate Sri Lanka read more
nights10
days11
Tea with a Twist read more
nights05
days06
A Family Affair read more
nights06
days07
The High and Low Grown read more
nights06
days07
Serendipity read more
nights09
days10
Good times together read more
nights06
days07
The Big Four read more
nights12
days13
A Tropical Experience read more
nights07
days08
Birding read more
nights07
days08
Tea & Culture read more
nights09
days10
Intimate Sri Lanka read more
nights07
days08
Beach & Wildlife read more
nights07
days08
Ayurvedic Bliss read more
nights07
days08
Serendipity read more
nights06
days07
Rainforest & Beaches read more
nights06
days07
Culture & Literary Festival read more
nights05
days06
Sun and Fun read more
nights07
days08
Romantic Escapes read more
nights07
days08
Harmony in the Highlands read more
nights07
days08
Wildlife & Adventure read more
nights13
days14
The Full Experience read more
nights 08
days09
Surfing in the East read more
nights07
days08
The Cultural Experience read more
nights05
days06
Back in Time read more
nights06
days07
The Colonial Trail read more
nights03
days04
The Peninsula Experience read more
nights07
days08
Wildlife & Camping read more
From Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, explore the highlands.