The bungalow at Norwood commands a fine view of the eastern end of the Bogawantalawa valley and rests in the shelter of one of the finest bamboo stands to be found anywhere. The suites are oversized with imposing colonial style furniture, some with four-poster beds and very elegant bathrooms. A spacious lounge and well-stocked library lead out to a croquet lawn, a large swimming pool and sun deck. It is here where planters of the past invited friends to enjoy the pristine air and glorious outlook. You too can wander the gardens unchanged since yesteryear, soaking up the atmosphere of a time gone by.

Step into the world of Tientsin and step back in time. Named after the Chinese village from which the original tea seedlings came, this very British residence is a historical landmark. Six glorious rooms and suites open onto magnificent English gardens still standing loyal to the colonial planters’ wives who created ‘a little bit of home’ in a far away land. Wander the glorious rose terraces and hide away under a leafy arbour to the myriad sounds of the many birds that make their homes there. Each suite too is faithful to the original design with polished wooden floors and high ceilings; some with four-poster beds. A large swimming pool and raised garden offers panoramic views of the tea-carpeted mountains that lead towards the World Heritage Horton Plains National Park.

Travellers approaching Castlereagh from the road can glimpse tantalising views across the lake of this magnificent symbol of the glory days of colonial life. Nestled in a wooded dell close to the water, this century old bungalow offers unrivalled water views and superb garden suites to suit every taste. Elegant parquet floors all around with open fireplaces in the dining and drawing rooms, evoke recollections of the life and times of the tea planters who once lived here. In the extensive grounds summerhouses can be found where tea is served and a good book enjoyed until the sun goes down over the water and it’s time for sundowners on the terrace overlooking the lake.

High above the lake at the edge of a tea plantation, Summerville stands sentinel. This four-room bungalow enjoys magnificent views of the water and beyond to tea planted mountains in the distance. Some suites open to private gardens and all accommodations have easy access to the cozy lounge where picture windows provide a backdrop to a roaring fire as the evening mist draws in. Summerville offers individual accommodation or the entire bungalow can be booked for a group to enjoy the very personal atmosphere of this great house.

1 King Bed

Furnished patio with hill views

Layout - Separate sitting area

Relax - In-room massage available

Internet - Free WiFi

Entertainment - iPod dock

Food & Drink - Free bottled water

Sleep - Premium bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, turndown service, and bed sheets

Bathroom - Private bathroom, deep soaking bathtub

Practical - Safe, free newspaper, and iron/ironing board; free rollaway/extra beds and free cribs/infant beds available on request

Comfort - Fresh bed sheets (on request), fresh towels (on request), and daily housekeeping

Eco-friendly - Energy-saving switches and recycling bin

Need to Know - Housekeeping on request

Non-Smoking

1 King Bed

667-sq-foot room, balcony with hill views

Layout - Bedroom and sitting area

Relax - In-room massage available

Internet - Free WiFi

Entertainment - iPod dock

Food & Drink - Free bottled water

Sleep - Premium bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, turndown service, and bed sheets

Bathroom - Private bathroom, deep soaking bathtub

Practical - Safe, free newspaper, and iron/ironing board; free rollaway/extra beds and free cribs/infant beds available on request

Comfort - Fresh bed sheets (on request), fresh towels (on request), and daily housekeeping

Eco-friendly - Energy-saving switches and recycling bin

Need to Know - Housekeeping on request

Non-Smoking

1 King Bed

484-sq-foot room, patio with hill views

Layout - Bedroom

Relax - In-room massage available

Internet - Free WiFi

Entertainment - iPod dock

Food & Drink - Free bottled water

Sleep - Premium bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, turndown service, and bed sheets

Bathroom - Private bathroom, deep soaking bathtub

Practical - Safe, free newspaper, and iron/ironing board; free rollaway/extra beds and free cribs/infant beds available on request

Comfort - Fresh bed sheets (on request), fresh towels (on request), and daily housekeeping

Eco-friendly - Energy-saving switches and recycling bin

Need to Know - Housekeeping on request

Non-Smoking

1 Double Bed or 2 Twin Beds

333-sq-foot room with hill views

Relax - In-room massage available

Internet - Free WiFi

Entertainment - iPod dock

Food & Drink - Free bottled water

Sleep - Premium bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, turndown service, and bed sheets

Bathroom - Private bathroom, deep soaking bathtub

Practical - Safe, free newspaper, and iron/ironing board; free rollaway/extra beds and free cribs/infant beds available on request

Comfort - Fresh bed sheets (on request), fresh towels (on request), and daily housekeeping

Eco-friendly - Energy-saving switches and recycling bin

Need to Know - Housekeeping on request

Non-Smoking

The day at Tea Trails starts with that wonderful colonial institution, Bed Tea. Served by your butler as part of a gentle wake-up call, this must be the most civilised way to start the day. The butler will also draw your bath.

Then an early morning walk followed by an English or Sri Lankan breakfast. A unique aspect of Tea Trails’ cuisine is the use of fresh, home grown vegetables, herbs and teas from the surrounding estates. Basil, rosemary, thyme, tarragon, sage, parsley and mint inspire and enliven the chef’s menus every day: Broccoli with roasted almond soup with blue cheese. Keemun tea and fresh tarragon infused roasted chicken with braised curly cabbage and baby carrot. Oyster mushroom soup with garden fresh basil pesto. Moroccan mint tea crusted lamb rump steak with grilled herb polenta and roasted peppers in tamarind sauce. Zucchini and pumpkin frittata with rocket and pine nut salad. Desserts are unashamedly luscious: Orange and lime cheese cake with cinnamon rhubarb. Apple tart with Assam tea cream anglaise. Cinnamon tea poached pears with butter scotch ice cream. Passion fruit pannacotta with minted citrus fruit salad. Banana and sultana compote served with Hibiscus sorbet.

Tea Trails is all about the time-honoured planters’ traditions: Roaring fires and the comfort of a single malt whisky while the mists roll in or a stiff gin and tonic after a long day’s walk in the tea gardens, accompanied by the spicy flavours of Sri Lankan nibbles to stimulate the appetite.

Scrumptious afternoon high teas in gardens curiously English and exotic at the same time. A four-course dinner that is at once contemporary and colonial with its garden-fresh ingredients married with choice wines, best shared in good company. Or a fabulously aromatic, authentic Sri Lankan rice and curry for lunch — a definite harbinger of the afternoon siesta. Rates include all food & drink, no bills to sign.

Rates at Tea Trails are fully inclusive of gourmet meals and drinks, including top shelf spirits and wines. Even service charges, taxes and laundry are included. We won’t bother you with bills

A leisurely walk or an adventure trek is a delightful way to experience the varied landscapes, exotic flora, abundant birdlife and the sweet rhythm of life in a tea garden. Take in vistas of mountain lakes, manicured tea gardens, forests and doll’s house villages. A guide can be provided or self walk on marked trails. Many of our guests walk from one Tea Trails bungalow to another for a meal or cup of tea.

Ceylon Tea Trails has opened up a world of adventure and discovery in the Bogawantalawa Valley at an altitude of over 1500 metres. The unspoiled beauty of the surrounding valleys and hills are a great biking experience. We have mountain bikes in the bungalows for complimentary use. For longer rides we recommend that you take one of our guides along.

All bungalows have a croquet lawn where you can unleash devious tactics against family and friends, a Pimms No 1 in hand. A Mr Woolcott is rightly quoted in The Guinness Dictionary of Sports Quotations as saying “It is no game for the soft of sinew and the gentle of spirit. The higher and dirtier croquet player can use the guile of a cobra and the inhumanity of a boa constrictor.”

Enjoy one of our special aromatic baths to begin or complete your day…or just as an indulgence whenever you so please. Choose from Cinnamon Spice, Green Tea, Black Pepper & Orange, Jasmine or a Bergamot & Geranium Bath. Or luxuriate in a spa treatment in the privacy and the comfort of your room after a hike or bike ride and soothe any aches and pains away…treatments include the Tea Trails Signature Massage, Deep Tissue Massage & Reflex Zone Therapy.

Tientsin bungalow has a fast clay court. British planters enjoyed an afternoon game after a tough morning in the fields and tea factory. Indulge in high tea at Tientsin after your game. Transport can be provided from other bungalows.

After coming off the slopes of Adam’s Peak, the clear waters of the Kelani River wind their way through the Hill Country of Sri Lanka before emptying into the Indian Ocean. Your adventure starts at a beautiful nature base in Kitulgala about 75 minutes from Ceylon Tea Trails. After a safety briefing and a few pointers on rafting technique, you’ll jump right into the action. Seven high quality, class III rapids and warm water make the Kelani a premier introduction to the sport of whitewater or an exciting choice for experienced rafters.

Adam’s Peak

Though not the highest mountain of Sri Lanka, the striking pyramid of Adam's Peak (2243m/7360ft) is certainly the most remarkable for its "sacred footprint". A depression in the rocky summit resembles a huge footprint, which has been venerated by Buddhists as that of the Buddha's, by Hindus as Shiva, and by Muslims as Adam's. 

Kandy

No visit to the Island is complete without a visit to the World Heritage listed "Sacred City of Kandy" in the central highlands. The Kingdom of Kandy was established in the 14th century, becoming the country’s capital city in the 16th century. Steeped in political, cultural and religious history, Kandy played a central role in the tea plantation industry once tea production took sway in Ceylon.

Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya, 48km from Tea Trails, was first conceived as a health resort - a 'hill station' in British colonial jargon - about 1825. After Nuwara Eliya was 'discovered' by a British hunting party, Sir Samuel Baker the well-known explorer, fell under its spell and, planning to make it his home, imported to Nuwara Eliya all the appointments of an English country town, including a bailiff, Hereford and Durham cows, and even a blacksmith and a forge.

Horton Plains National Park

Sri Lanka's highest plateau is characterised by a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, covered in upper montane forest and wet patana grassland at an altitude of 2,100-2,300 metres (6,900-7,500ft). Visitors can follow a 10km circular trek that takes about 3 hours.