Joanna James
Sri Lanka is a land blessed with mountainous regions where one of its primary contributors to the local economy can be discovered. The production of tea is both an art and an age-old tradition.
Found off the A5 and between the towns of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya is a tea estate whose identity and presence in Sri Lanka’s tea industry is undisputed and well received to this very day. Called the Damro Labookelie Tea Estate, the visitor will be led on a journey that will culminate in an area made up of 5,000 acres of lush greenery and mountains. Known for its unspoilt and eye-catching appearance, the said tea estate was founded in 1841 and presently boasts its own state-of-the-art visitor centre together with a charming café which sells the distinct flavours that come out of the factory. Know that tours are free to go on and ought to be scheduled daily between 8 am and 5 pm.
Set against the looming shadows of Pidurutalagala which is the nation’s tallest mountain and some 3 km east of Nuwara Eliya (Little England) is the well-appointed Pedro Tea Estate. Established by the British in 1885 on the very location where James Taylor planted his first tea bushes in the country, Pedro Tea Estate records the earliest beginnings of the local tea industry. Regarded as one of the more enjoyable tea estate tours that one can partake in when in the central highlands, tea connoisseurs can expect to be guided through every minute yet crucial facet of tea production; beginning from when the leaves are plucked, graded and ultimately packaged. Know that the 20-minute tour will only incur a charge of LKR 200 which is a fraction under USD 1 per person. For instance, when looking for places to see in Nuwara Eliya, do factor in the possibility of residing at Araliya Green City which is located a mere 2.5km from the Pedro Tea Estate.
Purchased as part of a series of acquisitions by James Lipton in 1890, the Dambatenne Tea Factory is perhaps, one of the more iconic establishments that you will come across during your travels in Sri Lanka’s hill country. This is largely part to the fact that Dambatenne Tea Factory continues to utilise similar machinery and a process that was introduced by Lipton himself. Thus, to be seen wandering through the plantations will give you a feeling of retracing the steps that were once taken by the British planters of 19th century Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Found nestled between Bandarawela and Haputale, the attraction is best visited before noon to capture rewarding glimpses of how the Factory functions.
Found some 1,285 meters above sea level in the area of Ramboda, the picturesque Blue Field Tea Factory covers an impressive 193 acres where the production of tea has been taking place ever since the year 1921. Well known for its high-grown tea variants, Blue Field Tea Factory produces on average, around 30,000kg of tea every month and offers well-guided tours that are both informative and insightful.
Understood to be one of the largest of its kind in the region, the Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory will serve as an outstanding investment of your time and energy because onsite tours are known to be amongst the most educational. Further, the estate is found 5km north of the adventure-soaked destination of Ella which is renowned for hiking and ziplining activities.
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