Hike the Pekoe Trail with a Local Guide
Sri Lanka's first long-distance walking trail — 300 km and 22 stages through tea estates, cloud forest, waterfalls and hill villages, from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. Walk a few stages or the whole trail, fully guided and supported.
300 kilometres of tea country, on foot
The Pekoe Trail follows the old estate roads, footpaths and tracks that once linked Sri Lanka's tea plantations. Named after pekoe, a grade of Ceylon black tea, it winds through the central highlands in 22 stages, from the hills above Kandy, across the Hatton plateau and Horton Plains, to Haputale, Ella and finally Nuwara Eliya.
Walking it is the best way to understand the hill country: the pluckers working the slopes at dawn, the misty ridgelines, the waterfalls and the small towns where the tea is made. I guide select stages or the full trail, and arrange everything around the walking — transport, luggage, accommodation and support — so you can simply enjoy the path.
What You'll Walk Through
Walk It Your Way
You don't need to walk all 22 stages. Most guests choose the stretches that fit their time and interests — I'll help you pick.
Taster Trek
Two or three of the most scenic stages, easy to add to any Sri Lanka holiday — Haputale to Ella is a favourite.
Highlights Trek
The best stages from Kandy to Ella: tea estates, Horton Plains, Lipton's Seat and Ella Gap. See the sample itinerary below.
The Full Trail
All 22 stages and 300 km, end to end — a true long-distance journey through the whole hill country.
Pekoe Trail Highlights in 8 Days
An example of a highlights trek. Every itinerary is tailored — stages, pace and stays can all be changed.
DAY01Arrival → KandyGateway to the hill country
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Your private tour guide meets you at the airport for the drive to Kandy. We go through the trek plan, gear and the stages ahead, with an evening visit to the Temple of the Tooth if you wish.
- Airport welcome and transfer to Kandy
- Trek briefing and gear check
DAY02Stage 1 · Hanthana → Galaha12.8 km · The trail begins
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The first stage climbs out of Kandy through the Hanthana hills, with views back over the city, before winding through the earliest tea estates of the trail to Galaha.
- Pekoe Trail Stage 1
- Hanthana ridge and first tea estates
DAY03Stage 7 · Kotagala → Norwood15.5 km · Heart of tea country
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A transfer deeper into the highlands, then a walk through the classic tea landscapes of the Hatton plateau — pluckers at work, estate villages and colonial-era factories.
- Pekoe Trail Stage 7
- Working tea estates and pluckers
- Visit a tea factory
DAY04Stage 10 · Dayagama → Horton Plains14.9 km · Into the high plains
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One of the highest stages of the trail, climbing through cloud forest edges to the high, open grasslands of Horton Plains — home to highland endemic birds and the sheer drop of World's End.
- Pekoe Trail Stage 10
- Cloud forest and montane grassland
- Optional visit to World's End
DAY05Stage 12 · Udaweriya → Haputale14.8 km · Edge of the escarpment
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Along the southern edge of the hill country, where the land drops away towards the plains and, on clear days, the view stretches to the coast.
- Pekoe Trail Stage 12
- Escarpment views and hill villages
DAY06Stage 13 · Haputale → Lipton's Seat13.5 km · Sir Thomas Lipton's view
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A steady climb through Dambatenne tea estate to Lipton's Seat, where the famous tea baron once surveyed his estates — one of the great viewpoints of Sri Lanka.
- Pekoe Trail Stage 13
- Dambatenne tea estate
- Lipton's Seat viewpoint
DAY07Stage 15 · Makulella → Ella10.1 km · Into Ella
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The final walking day ends in the lively mountain town of Ella, surrounded by peaks, waterfalls and the Nine Arch Bridge. Celebrate the finish with a view over Ella Gap.
- Pekoe Trail Stage 15
- Arrive in Ella
- Optional Little Adam's Peak or Nine Arch Bridge
DAY08Ella → DepartureOr continue your journey
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Transfer to the airport, or continue to Yala for a safari or the south coast for a few days by the sea.
- Private transfer to the airport
- Optional extension: Yala safari or beach stay
The Full Pekoe Trail
The trail runs in a loop through the central highlands, from the Hanthana hills above Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. Distances are approximate.
| Stage | Route | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Kandy to Hatton | ||
| 01 | Hanthana → Galaha | 12.8 km |
| 02 | Galaha → Loolkandura | 14.7 km |
| 03 | Loolkandura → Thawalantenna | 17.2 km |
| 04 | Thawalantenna → Kumbaloluwa | 9.5 km |
| 05 | Kumbaloluwa → Watagoda | 11.9 km |
| 06 | Watagoda → Kotagala | 14.9 km |
| Hatton plateau & the high plains | ||
| 07 | Kotagala → Norwood | 15.5 km |
| 08 | Norwood → Bogawantalawa | 15.9 km |
| 09 | Bogawantalawa → Dayagama | 16.5 km |
| 10 | Dayagama → Horton Plains | 14.9 km |
| 11 | Horton Plains → Udaweriya | 13.1 km |
| Haputale & Ella | ||
| 12 | Udaweriya → Haputale | 14.8 km |
| 13 | Haputale → Lipton's Seat | 13.5 km |
| 14 | Lipton's Seat → Makulella | 9.4 km |
| 15 | Makulella → Ella | 10.1 km |
| 16 | Ella → Demodara | 8.75 km |
| Uva highlands to Nuwara Eliya | ||
| 17 | Demodara → Hali-Ela | 13.0 km |
| 18 | Hali-Ela → Ettampitiya | 14.0 km |
| 19 | Ettampitiya → Loonuwatte | 18.6 km |
| 20 | Loonuwatte → Uda Pussellawa | 12.4 km |
| 21 | Uda Pussellawa → Kandapola | 16.7 km |
| 22 | Kandapola → Nuwara Eliya | 10.8 km |
Choose How You Travel
Book only what you need. Every option includes your own private vehicle and a licensed private tour guide — the rest is up to you.
Guide & Transport
For travellers who prefer to book their own hotels and tickets.
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- Licensed private tour guide
- Airport pickup & drop-off
- Route planning & local advice
Full Package
Everything arranged for you — just arrive and enjoy.
- Private vehicle & licensed guide
- Hotels to match your budget
- Entrance tickets & safari jeep
- Activities & experiences booked
Custom Package
Mix and match — choose exactly which parts I arrange.
- Add or remove days & places
- Hotels for some nights only
- Extra safaris, hikes or beach days
- Combine with another tour
Stay Your Way
Tell me your budget and style, and I'll arrange hotels along the whole route — or recommend places if you'd rather book them yourself.
Clean, comfortable guesthouses and good-value hotels in great locations.
Characterful boutique hotels, tea-country bungalows and quality 3–4 star stays.
Five-star resorts, private villas and the island's finest heritage hotels.
Tell me what you need
Choose your package and accommodation style, and I'll send you a free, personalised quote — usually within a few hours.
The price depends on your travel dates, group size and the hotels you choose. There are no hidden charges, and nothing is confirmed until you're happy with the plan.
Tap "Send" in WhatsApp
Your request is ready in WhatsApp and reaches me once you press Send.
Open WhatsApp againGood to Know Before You Walk
Best season
January to April is usually driest in the hill country. Showers are possible all year, so pack a rain layer.
Weather
Mornings are cool and often misty, especially near Horton Plains and Nuwara Eliya. Afternoons can be warm.
What to bring
Broken-in walking shoes, rain jacket, sun hat, warm layer, water bottle and leech socks for wetter stretches.
Fitness
A reasonable level of fitness is enough. We walk at your pace, and vehicle support is always nearby.
Pekoe Trail FAQ
Do I have to walk all 22 stages?
No. Most guests walk a few stages that suit their time and fitness. I'll recommend the best ones for your trip.
How difficult is the Pekoe Trail?
Most stages follow old estate roads and footpaths with gradual climbs, so it's manageable for most walkers. Some stages are longer or steeper, and we choose them to suit you.
Where does the trail start and end?
It starts in the Hanthana hills near Kandy and ends in Nuwara Eliya, passing Hatton, Horton Plains, Haputale and Ella.
Do I carry my luggage?
No. Your luggage is moved by vehicle to each night's accommodation, so you only carry a day pack.
Can you arrange accommodation?
Yes. Choose the Full Package and tell me your budget — guesthouses, tea-estate bungalows or boutique hotels.
Why is it called the Pekoe Trail?
Pekoe is a grade of Ceylon black tea, and the trail passes through the estates where it's grown.
Walk Sri Lanka's hill country one stage at a time.
Tell me how many days you have and the kind of walking you enjoy, and I'll design your Pekoe Trail trek.
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