Hike Sri Lanka’s Pekoe Trail – 12 Days
Tea estates, Horton Plains, Kirigalpotta and Ella on foot, in a group of up to fourteen.
Tour overview
This 12-day hiking holiday follows the Pekoe Trail, a long-distance route through Sri Lanka's tea country. A tour leader walks with the group, which numbers between four and fourteen, with transfers and two scenic train rides between stages. You stay eleven nights in hotels and bungalows, with breakfast daily, ten lunches and a welcome dinner.
From Kandy you visit the Ceylon Tea Museum and hike the first stages through estates and villages, with time for the Temple of the Tooth. A three-hour train ride takes you deeper into the hills to Norwood, with an optional night ascent of Adam's Peak.
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You hike to Horton Plains and climb Kirigalpotta, Sri Lanka's second-highest peak, then walk two stages from Haputale and through Ella. The final stages near Nuwara Eliya end at Pedro Tea Estate before a transfer to Colombo.
The physical rating is medium, with daily hikes on varied terrain. This trip suits keen walkers who want to see the tea country on foot.
Trip highlights
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The Ceylon Tea Museum (Day 2)
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The Temple of the Tooth (Day 3)
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The train to Watagoda (Day 4)
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Horton Plains (Day 6)
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Climbing Kirigalpotta (Day 7)
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Pedro Tea Estate (Day 11)
Your route
18 stops from Kandy to Colombo
- Kandy Days 1–3
- Hanthana Day 2
- Galaha Day 2
- Loolecondera Day 3
- Talawakelle Day 4
- Kotagala Days 4–5
- Hatton Day 5
- Norwood Day 5
- Dayagama Day 6
- Horton Plains Day 6
- Bandarawela Days 6–7
- Ohiya Day 7
- Haputale Day 8
- Ella Days 8–9
- Udapusellawa Day 10
- Nuwara Eliya Day 10
- Kandapola Day 11
- Colombo Days 11–12
Why choose this tour
Walk Sri Lanka's newest long-distance trail. Ten lunches and scenic trains included.
Best suited to
- Keen walkers
- Active travellers
- Solo travellers
- Nature lovers
Day-by-day itinerary
12 days from Kandy, Sri Lanka to Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Day 1 · Kandy Kandy
A welcome dinner.
- Hotel
- Hotel Suisse
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 2 · Ceylon Tea Museum, Hanthana, Galaha Pekoe Trail Stage 1
The first stage.
- Hotel
- Hotel Suisse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 3 · Galaha, Loolkandura, Temple of the Tooth Pekoe Trail Stage 2
Tea and a temple.
- Hotel
- Hotel Suisse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 4 · Watagoda, Kotagala Pekoe Trail Stage 6
A scenic train.
- Hotel
- Daynish Rock Bungalow
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 5 · Kotagala, Norwood Pekoe Trail Stage 7
Deep tea country.
- Hotel
- Daynish Rock Bungalow
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 6 · Dayagama, Horton Plains Pekoe Trail Stage 10
A remote stage.
- Hotel
- Bandarawela Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 7 · Kirigalpotta Kirigalpotta
A high summit.
- Hotel
- Bandarawela Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 8 · Haputale, St Catherine's Pekoe Trail Stages 13–14
Forest reserves.
- Hotel
- O2 Ella
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 9 · Ella, Demodara Pekoe Trail Stages 15–16
Through Ella.
- Hotel
- O2 Ella
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 10 · Udapusellawa, Kandapola Pekoe Trail Stage 21
The penultimate stage.
- Hotel
- Galway Heights
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 11 · Pedro Tea Estate, Colombo Pekoe Trail Stage 22
The final stage.
- Hotel
- Ramada Colombo
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 12 · Colombo Colombo
The trip ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Kandy (3 nights) Hotel Suisse
- Norwood (2 nights) Daynish Rock Bungalow
- Bandarawela (2 nights) Bandarawela Hotel
- Ella (2 nights) O2 Ella
- Nuwara Eliya (1 night) Galway Heights
- Colombo (1 night) Ramada Colombo
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 11 nights in hotels and bungalows
- Meals 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 1 dinner
- Transfers and two scenic train rides
- Guided hikes on the Pekoe Trail
- Ceylon Tea Museum and Temple of the Tooth
- Kirigalpotta climb
- Tour leader throughout
Not included
- Meals not included 10 dinners
- International flights
- Sri Lanka ETA
- Optional Adam's Peak climb
- Travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want a beach holiday
- You want luxury hotels
- You dislike daily hikes
- You want international flights included — they are not
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £1,754 per person, twin share, tour only. 11 upcoming departures. Single travellers from £2,174 (single supplement from £388).
Offer Reduced prices on selected dates, shown with the regular price crossed out. Book by 16 Oct.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
How hard are the hikes?
Most days involve several hours of walking on varied terrain, with some steep climbs.
What is the Pekoe Trail?
A long-distance walking route through the tea country of the central highlands.
Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka?
UK citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for Sri Lanka, applied for online before travel.
Can I climb Adam's Peak?
Yes, as an optional night ascent from Norwood.
Can I have my own room?
Yes, a single supplement is available on request.
How many people travel together?
Between four and fourteen travellers, with a tour leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary