Sri Lanka Tea Country Guide: Estates, Factory Tours and Tea Tasting

Rolling hills covered in neatly clipped tea bushes are one of Sri Lanka's defining images. Tea was planted here in large quantities after a blight wiped out the island's coffee crop in the 1870s, and "Ceylon tea" soon became one of the most famous drinks in the world. Today you can visit working factories, walk through estates and taste tea where it's grown.

The tea regions

Ceylon tea is classified by the region and elevation where it grows:

• Nuwara Eliya — the highest region, producing light, delicate, fragrant teas.
• Dimbula — around Hatton, Talawakele and Dickoya; bright, refreshing teas.
• Uva — around Haputale, Bandarawela and Ella; distinctive, aromatic teas.
• Uda Pussellawa — between Nuwara Eliya and Uva.
• Kandy — mid-grown teas with full body.
• Ruhuna and Sabaragamuwa — low-grown teas from the south and Ratnapura, strong and dark.

Best tea factory tours

Most factories offer short tours (often free or for a small fee) showing withering, rolling, fermentation, drying and sorting, followed by a tasting.

• Around Nuwara Eliya — Pedro Tea Estate near the town, and the large factories along the A5 at Ramboda, including Bluefield and Mackwoods Labookellie, with tea rooms overlooking the estates.
• Around Ella — the Uva Halpewatte factory is the most popular tour from Ella.
• Around Haputale — the Dambatenne factory, built by Sir Thomas Lipton, close to Lipton's Seat.
• Low-grown tea — Handunugoda near Galle and estates near the Sinharaja rainforest.

Factories usually process tea in the morning, so go before midday to see machines working. Some don't allow photos inside.

Stay in a tea bungalow

Several restored colonial planters' bungalows around Hatton, Dickoya and Nuwara Eliya now operate as boutique hotels, often with full board, butlers and walks through the estate. They're a highlight for many travellers — see our where to stay guide. Budget guesthouses on working estates are another option.

Walk the tea country

• The Pekoe Trail — a waymarked long-distance trail of around 300 km in 22 stages through the tea country. Walk a single stage between villages for a taste of estate life.
• Lipton's Seat in Haputale — walk down through Dambatenne estate at sunrise.
• Little Adam's Peak in Ella — through tea bushes to a ridge-top view.
• Around Hatton — estate roads link bungalows, villages and viewpoints over Castlereagh Reservoir.

See our best hikes in Sri Lanka.

The people of the tea country

Many tea pluckers are Malaiyaha (Hill Country) Tamils, descendants of workers brought from South India by the British in the 19th century. Pluckers, mostly women, pick two leaves and a bud by hand and carry heavy baskets up steep slopes. Wages are low and living conditions on some estates are basic. Ask before taking photos, and if a plucker poses for you, a tip is expected and fair.

Tasting and buying tea

• Grades: OP (Orange Pekoe) and Pekoe are whole or large leaves; BOP (Broken Orange Pekoe) and BOPF are smaller pieces that brew stronger; Dust and Fannings go into tea bags.
• Silver tips — rare, delicate tea made from unopened buds.
• Buy from factories or reputable shops and look for the Lion logo of the Sri Lanka Tea Board on packs of pure Ceylon tea.
• Tea makes a light, affordable souvenir. See our shopping guide.

When to go

The hill country is clearest from January to April. Tea is plucked year-round, though flavours vary with the season — Uva teas have a prized "quality season" around July–September, and Dimbula teas around January–March.