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Boutique holidays in Hill Country
Sri Lanka’s Hill Country Holidays | Colonial Charm & Tailor-Made Tea Country Journeys
Misty hills, timeless train journeys, and a taste of highland life.
Tucked high in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country, also known as the Tea Country, this highland region is a place of poetic beauty and colonial grace. Stretching from Nuwara Eliya and Hatton in the central highlands to the southern slopes of Ella and the misty ridgelines of Haputale, this is not a single destination but a tapestry of elegant towns, tea plantations, and epic landscapes waiting to be explored.
At once cool, regal, and impossibly scenic, the Hill Country is a highlight of any tailor-made Sri Lanka holiday. Whether you arrive by car, foot, or the famous highland railway, this is a place where life slows to the rhythm of the rolling hills—and where the island’s colonial past meets its soulful present.
Why Visit Sri Lanka’s Hill Country?
This is Sri Lanka at its most cinematic: emerald tea fields rippling across mountainsides, waterfalls tumbling from high ridges, and old-world planters’ bungalows nestled in the folds of the hills. The cooler climate and altitude offer a welcome contrast to the coast, and the sheer variety of things to do—gentle treks, high teas, market strolls, heritage railway rides—makes it a richly rewarding stop on your route. Explore a sample Sri Lanka Itinerary.
This isn’t just a stopover. It’s essential. You simply cannot leave Sri Lanka without experiencing the Hill Country. From sunrise at Lipton’s Seat to sipping tea at the very estate where it was picked, these moments are woven into the soul of the island.
Highlights of the Tea Country
Ella
Perched on the southern slopes of the Hill Country, Ella is a postcard-perfect village with a cult following. Think chilled cafés, flower-filled gardens, and unforgettable views from Ella Rock and Little Adam’s Peak. Catch the famous photo at Nine Arch Bridge as a train glides through, or wander through nearby plantations with a guide who’ll share their local insight.
Nuwara Eliya
Often referred to as “Little England”, this highland town is rich in colonial heritage. Expect Georgian-style bungalows, rose gardens, and genteel charm, offset by dramatic scenery and vibrant local markets. High tea on a manicured lawn is practically a rite of passage here.
Hatton
Home to some of the most exclusive tea estates and planters’ bungalows in the country, Hatton offers refined stays and sublime views. From here, visit tea factories, take scenic walks, or rise early to reach Lipton’s Seat for sweeping sunrise panoramas.
Haputale
A lesser-trodden gem, Haputale sits high above the plains with dramatic views in every direction. It’s a wonderful base for visiting Horton Plains National Park, home to the iconic World’s End viewpoint, and for immersing yourself in the biodiversity of Sri Lanka’s high-altitude cloud forests.
Things to Do in the Hill Country
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Take a vintage train ride through the hills—arguably one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world.
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Climb Little Adam’s Peak or trek to Ella Rock for panoramic views and photo moments.
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Sip high tea in a restored colonial bungalow.
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Join a cookery class and learn to prepare traditional Sri Lankan dishes with local ingredients.
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Tour working tea estates, meet Tamil tea pickers, and discover how Sri Lanka’s world-famous tea is still made by hand.
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Visit Lipton’s Seat, where Sir Thomas Lipton once surveyed his empire—and take in one of the most iconic views in the country.
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Stay in a planter’s bungalow, where creaky floorboards, open fires, and impeccable service evoke a bygone era.
More Than Just a Pretty Place
The Hill Country is more than its views. It’s a cultural crossroads, where you can meet the Tamil communities who have lived and worked on the tea estates for generations, learn about Sri Lanka’s colonial past, and understand how this landscape has shaped the nation’s identity. It’s also deeply peaceful—an ideal place to rest and indulge in the middle of a longer journey.
Part of a Tailor-Made Journey
As with all our Sri Lanka holidays, we don’t treat the Tea Country as a standalone escape. It forms part of a carefully crafted itinerary, connecting Sri Lanka’s wild national parks, ancient cities, and southern coast with unforgettable highland experiences. Whether you arrive from the Cultural Triangle or journey up from the south, we’ll build the Hill Country into your trip in a way that flows beautifully.
Ready to breathe in the cool highland air?
Plan your Sri Lanka Tea Country holiday with us. Whether you’re riding the rails, soaking in colonial luxury, or walking through misty plantations, we’ll help you experience the Hill Country at its most timeless and rewarding.
Our accommodation in Hill Country
Tea estates, colonial bungalows and atmospheric stays shaped by the land
Accommodation in Sri Lanka’s Hill Country offers more than just comfort and scenery—it brings with it a deep connection to a bygone era. These are former tea planters’ homes, lovingly restored with quiet sophistication, where polished teak floors, crackling fires, and the scent of fresh tea leaves recall the island’s colonial heritage. From the breezy slopes of Ella to the misty ridgelines above Haputale and the manicured gardens of Nuwara Eliya, each stay offers its own vantage point—both literal and atmospheric—on this storied landscape.
You’ll find properties where butlers still serve tea on the veranda as mist rolls in from the mountains. Where high ceilings and vintage furnishings recall Sri Lanka’s colonial past, and views stretch across estates once managed by figures whose names still echo through local lore. Some offer all-inclusive stays with beautifully prepared meals tailored each morning to your tastes. Others focus on simplicity, letting the view, the setting, and the scent of fresh tea leaves speak for themselves.
Some offer breezy verandas and far-reaching views that invite you to linger; others are tucked into the hills with walking trails just beyond the garden gate. Many are set within working tea estates, where you can follow footpaths through the fields, watch the rhythm of daily life unfold, or visit nearby factories still crafting tea by hand. Whether you spend your time exploring or doing very little at all, these are stays where the setting is inseparable from the experience.
Among the places we return to time and again, Thotalagala and Nine Skies hold a special place. Both offer something quietly remarkable—an atmosphere that blends the comfort of a country house with the intimacy of a private home. At Thotalagala, butler-served tea and a sense of timeless stillness recall the grand tradition of Sri Lanka’s tea barons, while Nine Skies pairs hilltop elegance with warm, thoughtful service. À la carte dining, open fires, and panoramic terraces make these two hotels not just restful but deeply rewarding. For us, they embody everything we look for in a Hill Country stay—and we believe they’re a perfect match for any Discerning Collection guest.
As with all our journeys, these hotels are never chosen in isolation. They’re part of a larger story: your story. Whether you’re pausing between the coast and the national parks, seeking somewhere cool and restorative mid-journey, or travelling in pursuit of heritage, landscape, and local life, we’ll build a route shaped entirely to your interests—never rushed, and always in tune with your journey.
