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What are the 10 best tourist places to visit on the Kandy tea plantation tour?

Sanjeewa Padmal (Seerendipity)
Ravan waterfall, Nuwara eliya, Kandy tea plantation tour

The Kandy tea plantation tour revolves around the hill country city of Kandy which sits 500 meters above sea level and has a set of dreamlike quality – a tumbledown, romantic city of ancient monuments, medieval relics, thousands of years old temples, and stately Theodor styles buildings. Further afield, the tea country of Nuwara Eliya contains some of Sri Lanka’s most appealing picturesque countryside.

Table of Contents

Why Kandy for a Tea Plantation Tour?

Before we dive into our list, let’s talk about why Kandy is the ideal starting point for your tea adventure:

  1. Historical significance: Kandy was the last capital of the ancient kings’ era of Sri Lanka and played a crucial role in the development of the tea industry.
  2. Scenic beauty: The region boasts stunning landscapes of rolling hills covered in tea plantations.
  3. Accessibility: Kandy is well-connected to other parts of Sri Lanka, making it easy to begin your tea journey.
  4. Cultural experiences: The city offers a blend of tea heritage and traditional Sinhalese culture.

According to the Sri Lanka Tea Board, the tea industry contributes to 2% of the country’s GDP and employs over 1 million people directly or indirectly. Now, let’s explore the top 12 places you shouldn’t miss on your Kandy tea plantation tour!

12 Best Tea Factories To Visit On Kandy Tea Plantation Tour

1. Ceylon Tea Museum

Start your tea odyssey at the Ceylon Tea Museum, located just 4km from Kandy city center. Housed in a former tea factory, this four-story museum offers a comprehensive look at the history and process of tea production in Sri Lanka.

Highlights:

Pro tip: Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds and enjoy a peaceful tea tasting experience.

2. Loolecondera Estate

No tea tour is complete without a visit to where it all began. Loolecondera Estate, located about 30km from Kandy, is the birthplace of Ceylon tea. It’s here that James Taylor planted the first commercial tea crop in 1867.

Must-see:

3. Glenloch Tea Factory

For a hands-on tea experience, head to Glenloch Tea Factory. This working factory offers guided tours that take you through the entire tea-making process, from leaf to cup.

What to expect:

4. Hantane Tea Museum

While lesser-known than its Ceylon counterpart, the Hantane Tea Museum offers a more intimate look at tea culture. Located in the Hantane tea plantation area, this museum showcases the lives of tea estate workers and the social impact of the tea industry.

Don’t miss:

5. Kadugannawa Tea Center

Situated along the Colombo-Kandy road, the Kadugannawa Tea Center is a perfect stop for tea shopping and quick education on Ceylon tea varieties.

Highlights:

6. Geragama Tea Factory

For a more immersive factory experience, visit Geragama Tea Factory. This large-scale operation allows visitors to observe the tea production process in action.

What to expect:

7. Deltota Tea Estate

Venture off the beaten path to Deltota Tea Estate, known for its stunning views and high-quality tea production. This estate offers a more peaceful and authentic experience away from the tourist crowds.

Don’t miss:

8. Mackwoods Labookellie Tea Centre

Located about 45km from Kandy, Mackwoods Labookellie Tea Centre offers a comprehensive tea experience in a picturesque setting.

Highlights:

9. Blue Field Tea Factory

Blue Field Tea Factory, situated in the Ramboda area, is known for its high-elevation teas and stunning waterfall views.

Must-see:

10. Pedro Tea Estate

While a bit further from Kandy (about 80km), Pedro Tea Estate in Nuwara Eliya is worth the trip for tea enthusiasts. It’s one of the most visitor-friendly estates in Sri Lanka.

What to expect:

11. Mlesna Tea Castle

For a unique twist on the tea experience, visit Mlesna Tea Castle in Bandarawela. This castle-shaped building houses a tea center and shop, offering a wide range of flavored teas and tea-related products.

Highlights:

12. Storefield Tea Factory

Round off your tea journey at Storefield Tea Factory, known for its organic tea production. Learn about sustainable tea farming practices and the growing demand for organic Ceylon tea.

Don’t miss:

What are the 10 best places to visit on the Kandy tea plantation tour?

From historic estates to modern factories, Kandy’s tea trail offers a fascinating journey through Sri Lanka’s most famous export. Each of these 12 destinations provides a unique perspective on the art, science, and culture of Ceylon tea. Whether you’re a tea connoisseur or simply curious about the origins of your morning cuppa, this tour will deepen your appreciation for the complex world of tea.

Remember, the true essence of a tea plantation tour lies not just in the tastings and factory visits, but in the stories of the people who have shaped this industry for generations. Take time to chat with tea pluckers, factory workers, and estate managers to gain a holistic understanding of Ceylon tea’s impact on Sri Lanka’s culture and economy.

So, pack your bags, bring your sense of adventure (and a raincoat! ), and get ready to explore the lush, misty world of Kandy’s tea country. Your perfect cup of Ceylon tea awaits!

Mini-Guide to Kandy tea plantation tour

The Kandy tea plantation tour revolves around the hill country city of Kandy which sits 500 meters above sea level and has a set of dreamlike quality – a tumbledown, romantic city of ancient monuments, medieval relics, thousands of years old temples, and stately Theodor styles buildings. Further afield, the tea country of Nuwara Eliya contains some of Sri Lanka’s most appealing picturesque countryside.

What to see in Kandy

Kandy is a UNESCO world heritage site with a large expanse of forest, a lake and dozens of ancient temples. Kandy is a remarkable tangle of the historic city, which has a large number of historical buildings and some of them date back many centuries. The city is predominantly a Buddhist city with a large community that believes in Buddhism and has a large number of Buddhist temples. Another important reason for Kandy’s popularity as a tourist destination is its cultural influence. Kandy is considered the cultural centre of Sri Lanka and it was the last kingdom of the Sri Lankan monarchy.  

Few important readings on Kandy and Tea

Sri Lanka 3-day tour with Sigiriya rock fortress, Dambulla golden temple Kandy, and Nuwara Eliya

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Kandyan cultural show

Kandy is accommodated on a plateau, which is surrounded by a ring of mountains and it has a dramatic landscape, mountain valleys covered with tea gardens, whitewashed medieval period buildings, cascading waterfalls, perineal waterways, and patches of evergreen rainforests.

Many tea plantations in Kandy offer ‘Kandy tea plantation tours’, allowing the visitors to visit their tea factories, and tea gardens and take a closer look into the tea manufacturing process. Even though these tea factories are under local management at the moment, most of them were built by British planters in the 18s. The visitors can ascertain its antiquity upon visiting the buildings.   

Travellers, who like to take part in the Kandy tea plantation tour can also experience the rich historical past of Sri Lanka by visiting the tooth relic temple, Kandy Museum, and many other places such as Natha Devala, and Kataragama Devala.  

What are the important places to visit on the Kandy tea plantation tour?

The tea plantation tour of Kandy offers a wide range of tourist attractions for visitors and these tourist attractions are not merely restricted to the places related to the tea industry. E.g. Pinnawala elephant orphanage, which is the first foster home established in the world for orphan wild elephants, is a place for one of the largest herds of elephants in the world.

On the other hand, Udawattakele forest reserve offers the possibility of spotting a large number of tropical trees, plants and veins as well as a large number of avian fauna species. Udawattakele is to be found behind the Tooth relic temple, offering easy access from any part of the city.

Another important attraction in Kandy is the tooth relic temple, which is the most visited Buddhist temple on the island and attracts many thousand visitors every day. The tooth relic temple is the biggest draw in the city and one of the oldest monuments of Kandy. The tooth relic temple is included not only in the Kandy tea plantation tour but also in most Sri Lanka trips. Here is a list of the 10 best places to visit in Kandy.

What includes in the Kandy tea plantation tour?

Like most other Sri Lanka tour itineraries, the Kandy tea plantation tour also offers a wide range of tourist attractions. However, the number of tourist attractions included in the trip is decided by the duration of your hill country tour.

The one-day Kandy tea plantation tour from Colombo and west coast beach hotels includes

  1. the visits to the Tea plantation and factory
  2. Peradeniya botanical garden
  3. the Pinnawala elephant park
  4. the spice garden, and Tooth relic temple
  5. Kandy museum
  6. Kandy Lake

If you plan to book 2 days tea plantation trip to Kandy, you can add a few more places to the itinerary such as Kandyan cultural show, the Kandy tea museum, the Udawattakele sanctuary, and Kandy oriental market, etc.

  1. the visits to the Tea plantation and factory
  2. Peradeniya botanical garden
  3. the Pinnawala elephant park
  4. the spice garden, and Tooth relic temple
  5. Kandyan cultural show
  6. the Kandy tea museum
  7. Udawattakele sanctuary
  8. Kandy oriental market
  9. Kandy Lake
  10. Kandy Museum

When is the best time for the Kandy tea plantation tour?

Sri Lanka is a tropical holiday destination and offers a warm sunny climate throughout the year. The climate of Sri Lanka can be divided into 2 distinct periods or seasons namely the southwest monsoon (from April to November) and the Northeast monsoon (from October to April).

The monsoon period can also be described as the rainy season. According to the weather pattern in Sri Lanka, the monsoon has 6 months changing pattern. Its influence is felt across southwest Sri Lanka from April to November while the northeast monsoon brings to the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka from November to April.

The Sri Lanka hill country, Kandy, and the surrounding area largely soak up rain during the southwest monsoon (April to November) and the least rainfall in Kandy can be seen during the northeast monsoon (November to April) parallel to the dry season on the south-west monsoon. Since the Kandy tea plantation tour includes many outdoor activities, therefore, it is better to venture on a Kandy trip during the dry season from November to April.

However, the trip can be booked throughout the year and a large number of travellers still book the trip during the rest of the year as well despite the fact that rain might occur.  

How to book a Kandy tea plantation tour?

Kandy trip or Kandy tea plantation tour is a popular activity among travellers, mainly among foreign travellers. Therefore, the Kandy tea plantation tour can be booked in many ways, as a blow,

Sri Lankan local tour operators offer Sri Lanka trip packages and activities through their official websites and are considered the best way the book a Sri Lanka trip. This is now of the most popular ways of booking Sri Lanka tour packages, which is also accepted as one of the most convenient and cost-efficient ways to book a Sri Lanka trip. When you purchase a Sri Lanka trip through the official website of the local company means that you can eliminate the middleman and therefore make sure you have the best prices for the trip.

An online booking portal is another popular method to serve Sri Lankan trips and activities. However, these booking portals market the products of local suppliers and act as a middleman between the customers and the supplier. Usually, the online booking portals add a whopping 25%-30% of the commission to the final price, which goes into their pocket. If you book the trip directly with the local tour operators you can easily eliminate this commission.

Most hotels allow guests to book activities and tours through their in-house travel counter. But the cost of this type of tour is considered to be a little bit higher, compared to the price of online local tour operators. The beach boys are also offering Sri Lankan trips and activities for travellers. However, it is not considered the best way to plan your activity.

Places captured on the image are Nuwara Eliya [post office, Damro tea plantation, St.clairs waterfall, Devon fall, Gregory lake

How to travel on the Kandy tea plantation tour?

Kandy is an important city in Sri Lanka and it is well connected with all major cities such as Colombo. The travellers can reach Kandy by road, rail and Air. Due to the high demand, a large number of buses and trains are plying between Colombo and Kandy every day. Air transport with domestic flights can be arranged through private companies that offer helicopters and other small aircraft.

The trains and buses (public transport) are the most affordable transport modes on the island. However, it considered not be suitable for a Sri Lanka trip as it behind the schedule most of the time. Public transport such as buses and trains are usually very crowded and therefore it can be uncomfortable sometimes. Moreover, the passengers spend twice the amount of time on the road when they opted for public transport over private transport.  

Usually, most travellers, who venture on a Sri Lanka trip use private transport such as a taxi with a local driver. It is the standard and most popular way of travelling on a Sri Lanka trip. If you plan a short Sri Lanka trip such as one day Sri Lanka trip, two day Sri Lanka trip or three days Sri Lank tour, it is important to have a very efficient transport mode for travelling between places. Taxi considered being the best transport mode in Sri Lanka and it allows you to reach all important places on the island with minimum time.

With a taxi, you have maximum comfort while spending minimum time on the road. The taxi is more expensive than public transport, but with the comfort, safety and saving time, it is well worth investing in a taxi over public transport.

One day Kandy tea plantation tour in a nutshell

Two-day Kandy tea plantation tour in a nutshell

Day 1

Day 2

Planning Your Kandy Tea Plantation Tour

To make the most of your tea adventure, keep these tips in mind:

  1. Best time to visit: The dry season from December to April offers the most pleasant weather for exploring tea plantations.
  2. Transportation: Consider hiring a car with a driver familiar with the tea estate routes.
  3. Accommodation: Stay at a tea plantation bungalow for an immersive experience. Check out Tea Trails for luxury options.
  4. Guided tours: Book a knowledgeable guide to enhance your understanding of the tea industry and local culture.
  5. Respect the environment: Follow sustainable tourism practices and support eco-friendly tea estates.

Where to sleep in Kandy

Kandy offers a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets and preferences. For luxury seekers, the E and Mahaweli Reach Hotel provide upscale amenities and stunning views. Mid-range travelers can consider Earls Regent Kandy or Royal Kandyan for comfortable stays close to city attractions. Budget-conscious visitors will find great value at Ganga Addara Hotel Kandy or Kandy City Hotel. For a unique experience, try a boutique hotel like Helga’s Folly or The Elephant Stables. Nature lovers should look into eco-lodges like Polwaththa Eco Lodges. Wherever you choose, book in advance during peak seasons and festivals like Esala Perahera to ensure availability.

Queens Hotel

Set in one of the British-styled 8th century buildings, the Queens Hotel is of great value, offering cosy rooms with wooden floors, dark-stained furnishings, and views overlooking the tooth relic temple and the Kandy lake.

Swiss hotel

The Swiss hotel, with another white-washed British colonial building, resides on the bank of Kandy lake and is a fabulously over-the-top hideaway set in a pristine garden. Rooms are split between elegant, period-furnished doubles in the castle and smaller rooms in the more modern annexe.

Ozo hotel

A fine luxury hotel set on a hill above Peradeniya’s garden, the Amaya hills have stylishly modern rooms, with authentic Kandyan design and marble bathtubs. Rooms on one side of the building have superb views, while those on the other afford the chance to have a mountain view.

Hotel Kasamara

Set in a restored Colonial building, in the busiest part of Kandy that overlooks the temple of God Kataragama, the thirty rooms, Kasamara hotel is one of the oldest accommodation providers in Kandy. The hotel is recently upgraded with, queen beds and marble baths. Most rooms provide a city view and the tooth relic temple is just a few hundred meters away from the hotel.

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