Ceylon tea is world-famous, and Sri Lanka's central highlands are home to some of the most beautiful and historic tea estates on earth.
Where to go: The hill country around Nuwara Eliya, Ella, and Haputale is the heart of Sri Lanka's tea industry. Pedro Estate, Mackwoods Labookellie, and the Damro Labookellie Tea Centre are popular for factory tours and tastings.
What to expect: A typical tea tour includes a walk through the estate, a visit to the tea factory to see the withering, rolling, fermentation, and drying processes, and a guided tasting of different grades.
Where to stay: For a truly immersive experience, stay at a colonial tea bungalow — many of Sri Lanka's most charming boutique hotels are converted planters' cottages. Top picks include the Ceylon Tea Trails (a Relais & Châteaux property with five bungalows by Castlereagh Reservoir) and the Nine Skies bungalow near Demodara.
When to visit: The plucking season is year-round, but the best weather is February to May.
