Natural and Refined

Ceylon Tea Trails Extension

March 11 to 14, 2026
Cost: $2,500
Leader: TBD
Group Size: 6
Days: 4

Safari Overview

Discover the enchanting world of Ceylon tea on this luxurious extension through Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands, home to UNESCO-listed tea plantations, misty hills, and colonial-era estates. Walk through lush green tea fields, visit an authentic working tea factory, and experience the centuries-old process of crafting world-famous Ceylon tea. Stay at Ceylon Tea Trails, Sri Lanka’s first Relais & Châteaux luxury resort, where elegant bungalows, stunning highland views, and curated tea experiences create an unforgettable retreat. Enjoy guided hikes, biking trails, and kayaking on the Castlereagh Reservoir, while immersing yourself in the tranquil beauty of Sri Lanka’s tea country.

WHY CHOOSE THIS EXTENSION?

  • Exclusive Stay at Ceylon Tea Trails: Experience world-class luxury at Sri Lanka’s premier tea estate retreat, nestled in the breathtaking Central Highlands.
  • Explore Sri Lanka’s Famous Tea Plantations: Walk through lush green estates, meet expert tea pluckers, and learn the secrets behind Ceylon’s world-renowned tea.
  • Guided Tour of Dunkeld Tea Factory: Discover the intricate process of tea production, from handpicking two leaves and a bud to final packaging.
  • Scenic Outdoor Activities in the Highlands: Enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking with panoramic views of rolling hills and the Castlereagh Reservoir.
  • Relax in Tranquil Surroundings: Unwind in beautiful colonial-era bungalows, savor exquisite Ceylon tea, and indulge in fresh, locally inspired cuisine.

ENHACE YOUR TRIP

  • Begin your journey early on our Sri Lanka trip from February 22 to March 12, 2026. Encounter compelling wildlife, ancient history, and intriguing culture in this Island nation.

NOTABLE EXPERIENCES

Itinerary Updated: March 2025

Co-CEO/Co-Owner Krista Hanni, MS, PhD

Private Trip Available



Print Trip
Date Description Lodge Meals
Mar 11 Travel from Galle to Hatton’s Tea Country. Scenic private transfer through Sri Lanka’s highlands. B,L,D Ceylon Tea Trails
Mar 12 Tea Estate Experience & Outdoor Adventures. Visit a working tea factory, hike picturesque trails, or kayak on the Castlereagh Reservoir. B,L,D Ceylon Tea Trails
Mar 13 Depart for home. You’ll be transferred back to Colombo and your flight home. B
Mar 14 Arrive home.

Detailed Itinerary

A glimpse into our journey

Explore Ceylon Tea Trails

Mar 11

Tea Factory Tour© Resplendent CeylonTea Factory Tour
© Resplendent Ceylon

Depart from Galle and embark on a scenic private transfer to Hatton, journeying through winding mountain roads, lush tea plantations, and misty valleys. Arrive at Ceylon Tea Trails, a luxury retreat set amidst rolling tea fields, where you’ll be welcomed with a refreshing cup of Ceylon’s finest tea. Spend the afternoon relaxing in your elegant colonial bungalow, strolling through the estate’s beautifully manicured gardens, or enjoying an optional afternoon high tea experience overlooking the picturesque Castlereagh Reservoir.

Explore Ceylon Tea Trails

Mar 12

Wake up to crisp highland air and breathtaking sunrise views over the Central Highlands. After a freshly brewed cup of Ceylon tea, set out for a guided tour of the Dunkeld Tea Factory, where you’ll witness the traditional art of tea-making, from hand-plucking the tender leaves to drying, rolling, and fermenting the tea. Learn about the history of British colonial-era planters and how Sri Lanka became a global tea powerhouse.

The afternoon offers a variety of outdoor activities tailored to your interests. Choose to hike scenic tea trails, bike through rolling plantations, kayak on the tranquil Castlereagh Reservoir, or simply relax in your luxury bungalow with a book and a cup of handcrafted Ceylon tea.

Depart Hatton after breakfast to return to Colombus for flights home.

Mar 13

Savor a leisurely breakfast overlooking the misty tea fields, enjoying locally sourced cuisine before bidding farewell to this highland paradise. After breakfast, transfer to Colombo, where you’ll board your return flight home, carrying the flavors and memories of Sri Lanka’s legendary tea country.

Arrive Home

Mar 14

Arrive home with a deeper appreciation for Sri Lanka’s tea culture, its breathtaking landscapes, and the centuries-old traditions of Ceylon tea-making.

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  • Cost & Payments
  • Included
  • Not Included
  • Climate
  • Fitness Level
  • Accommodations
  • Flights
  • Conservation
  • Conditions

Cost & Payments

Costs (in US$)

Type Cost Per Person
Trip Cost, double occupancy $2,500
Single Supplement $890

Costs are per person, double occupancy, not including airfare, singles extra. See Included and Not Included sections for more details.


Payment Schedule

Payment Due Date Amount Per Person
Payment is due with your main trip’s final payment; see Sri Lanka’s itinerary for details.


Cancellations

Cancellations are non-transferrable. No refunds are given after the Final Payment due date.

Included

  • Carbon offsets for the duration of this trip.
  • All activities unless described as optional.
  • Accommodations (double occupancy) for the nights of March 11 through March 12.
  • Meals from breakfast on March 11 through breakfast on March 13.
  • Beverages (including alcohol) while at Ceylon Tea Trails.
  • Transfers on March 11 from Galle to Ceylon Tea Trails and March 13 to the Colombo airport.
  • Trip Planning Materials – information about entry requirements, flights, packing, gratuities, etc.

Not Included

  • Carbon offsets for your flights to/from this trip.
  • All airfare, airport and departure taxes, and excess baggage fees. Round-trip airfare is approximately $1,000 to $1,200 between the US and Colombo, depending on origin.
  • Passport and visa fees.
  • COVID tests.
  • Divergent airport transfers (arranged by us) and extra hotel nights.
  • Gratuities are not required at Ceylon Tea Trails, but feel free to leave a tip for the excellent service you will receive.  We suggest tipping your driver to and from Hatton $15 a day per person for 2 days for a total of $30 person.
  • Optional trip cancellation insurance.
  • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, medical costs or hospitalization, room service, items not on the regular menu, etc. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your Traveler Form.

Climate

The temperature in Hatton in March typically falls between lows around 70°f to highs around 80°f. There is a chance of some rain.

Fitness Level

You can define your own activity level on this extension.  You can choose to relax on the beautiful grounds of the tea plantation or go for hikes or bike rides.

Flights

Detailed logistical information is included in the Trip Planning Materials we will send you.

Flights you book

  • If you are arriving from our Sri Lanka trip, see the Flights section in its itinerary for arrival information.
  • Depart from Colombo, Sri Lanka (CMB) after 5pm on March 13.

FAQ

Accommodations

The all-inclusive stay at Tea Trails lets you enjoy everything the bungalow offers. From tasty meals and outdoor activities to spa treatments, comfy rooms, and top-notch service, there’s a lot to savor and appreciate.

Seasickness

Transportation

Conservation

Our company ethos has always regarded conservation as inseparable from responsible tourism. We struggle with the dilemma that traveling worldwide expends climate-changing carbon. However, we wholeheartedly believe that traveling with us will cultivate your passion for conserving our beautiful world while stimulating each destination’s local economy. We encourage you to explore the various ways in which Cheesemans’ operates within this context:

  • Ecotourism and Conservation for Sri Lanka.
  • Cheesemans’ Trips are Carbon Neutral.
  • Offsetting your Travel to/from our Trip: We ask you to pledge to offset the carbon emissions for your travel to and from our trips. You can purchase offsets with most airlines (Delta includes them automatically), use our handy carbon calculator and donate to Sustainable Travel International, or contribute to your favorite offsetting organization.

Conditions

Read our current Terms and Conditions.