Arrive Colombo Airport and transfer to hotel. 
Get to know your fellow adventurers!

After breakfast, we depart Colombo heading for Ella.

Ella is a small vibrant town in the hills of Sri Lanka and after check in and arrival, the rest of the day is free for you to explore this buzzing town. (B,D)

Today’s stage, a short and easy walk to Demodera, is one of the trail’s most popular segments (and as such, busiest).

From Ella Train Station, the route follows Passara Road before branching left onto a path that leads through the Ella Forest Reserve. After a couple of km, you’ll arrive at the iconic Nine Arches Bridge, a renowned and picturesque landmark. Often called the “bridge in the sky,” this colonial-era marvel is 80 feet high and 300 feet long. Constructed from stone, brick, and cement due to the diversion of steel for Britain’s war efforts during the Great War, the bridge’s elegant design is both historic and hauntingly beautiful.

Cross the bridge and along the railway line until a small path branches to the right. Here, it’s a short but steep climb through a village, past local homes, and up steps to a village road. At this point, the hardest part of the stage is behind you. Nearby, a friendly family often offers fresh juice—perfect for a quick refreshment. This spot also provides fantastic views of the Nine Arches Bridge, offering perspectives from both the east and west.

The trail ascends gradually along a village road towards the main junction, where the Newburgh Tea Factory stands prominently. Just past a large gate leading to The Secret Ella Hotel, the trail takes a sharp left and begins a 2 km descent. This section winds through a charming village dotted with homes and guesthouses, descending to chena cultivations and a tea estate.

Entering the Demodara Tea Estate, the trail meanders along a scenic tea path. A smaller trail to the left provides another view of the Nine Arches Bridge—this time from a greater distance. 

Rejoining the main tea trail, the route loops through the Demodara Estate for a few more km. Descending towards Demodara, passing a serene lake on our left before reaching a small tarmac road. A track on the left leads to the Nine Skies Bungalow and the nearby village, where a short descent via a set of steps brings us to the railway track, and almost to our days end.

The final highlight of this stage is the Demodara Loop, an ingenious feat of railway engineering. At Demodara Station, the rail line spirals beneath itself, completing a loop before emerging from a tunnel. The loop spans approximately 900m and was designed to address the steep elevation challenges between the hills. Local lore credits the innovative solution to Devapura Jayasena Wimalasurendra, inspired by observing a tea estate supervisor unwinding and re-tying his turban. (B,L,D)

Grade: EASY

Today starts with the first km running along the wide Demodera-Spring Valley Road. Heading northeast, the path circles a small hill housing Nine Skies Bungalow, before we cross the Badulla bridge, shortly after which a sharp left turn takes us up a gradually ascending concrete trail twisting its way toward the tea fields in a northern direction.

From the Demodara Tea Estate, we’ll pass a few houses before rejoining a tea trail that gently descends for 400m, crossing a small bridge over a creek and leading to a large flat playground. A straight 100m climb marks the beginning of the push up the hill ahead. It’s a gradual and enjoyable ascent along a trail that skirts the hilltop, rising approximately 200m to its highest point, where we are provided with breathtaking views of Demodara and Ella.

From here, the trail remains clear, with stunning views unfolding as the descent toward Hali-Ela begins. This rarely visited part of tea country is enchanting, as we follow a straight and steady downhill path, including a section of  leafy path shaded by a forest of towering trees. A large tea-weighing station signals a turn in the trail, which then winds further downward and into a tea workers’ village serving the Rosette Estate. 

Leaving the village, the path follows a narrow tarmac road toward the Unugalle Estate. At a crossroads, we continue downhill along the tarmac road.

Eventually, we arrive at the Uva Planters’ Club, a historic landmark in the region. Founded in 1880 and initially known as the Uva Gymkhana Club, it has long been a social hub for the expatriate planting community. Its rich history includes discussions and plans that shaped the region’s development, with its influence predating the railway extension to Haputale in 1894 and Badulla in 1924. The club remains active today with 145 members, primarily professionals and plantation workers. For further details, their Facebook page offers more insight.

As we leave the Uva Planters’ Club, a small road to the right leads to theUnugala Hospital. Continuing along the tarmac road to the 12.5-kilometer mark, we take steps down to the Hali-Ela Train Station which marks the conclusion of todays stage.  (B,L,D)

Grade: MODERATE

Today’s stage is a challenging uphill journey, taking us from the town of Hali-Ela, set at 730m, to Ettampitiya, situated 1,246m. The trail initially heads northwest before turning southwest, traversing a remote and less-explored region of tea country.

From Hali-Ela, we leave via a village road winding through paddy fields, before we arrive at the Sri Bimbarama Temple. If visiting, remember to cover your shoulders and legs, using a sarong or similar item if necessary.

It’s then an uphill walk past local homes, followed by a gradual descent through cultivated land and village houses, leading to the Ketawala Hali-Ela Road. After walking alongside this road, we descend towards paddy fields and cross a stream to continue along a twisting path through village homes. The trail eventually transitions into a tea estate, where the climb to the iconic Dickwella Tea Factory at the top of the hill begins.

The Sri Sambodhi Temple marks the second prominent Buddhist temple along the route. It’s then a steady ascent on estate roads, and as we climb, the views of the valley below grow increasingly spectacular. 

Looping back toward the valley, circling the hill and passing the Dickwella Tea Factory above, the views here are stunning. 

Tea trails guide us past a small lake on the right before briefly intersecting the main road. The trail soon diverges again onto a scenic path, befoe we take a smaller tea trail climbing to the right, toward tea plantation worker houses ahead. Zig-zagging upward, the trail reaches the hill’s summit before descending through the houses to rejoin the main road.

Turning left on the main road, we descend past a quarry, following a tea trail to the right, which we follow until reaching the urban outskirts of Ettampitiya. We join the Ettampitiya-Hali-Ela road, before reaching the town itself. (B,L,D)

Grade: HARD

Today is split into two distinct sections. The first 8km involves a gentle descent to the Uma Oya, a remarkable river originating from Pidurutalagala, Sri Lanka’s tallest mountain at 2,524m. Eventually merging with the Mahaweli River, the Uma Oya marks a pivotal point on the trail as it signals the start of the gradual ascent to Nuwara Eliya and the end of our journey. The latter km lead through some of the most remote and unspoiled areas of tea country, offering a unique landscape reminiscent of Bali’s serene beauty, far removed from typical tourist routes.

The walk begins with a short stretch on the main Hali-Ela–Welimada Road before turning onto a gravel path surrounded by tea fields and scattered village homes. The trail connects to a paved village road before veering back onto a tea estate road that descends to the Ettampitiya Estate Bungalow. Continuing downward, the path transitions to a paved village road, then climbs uphill for several hundred metres.

The path straightens, as we descend past village homes and Dehiwwina School, until we reach the peaceful Pallawela Temple. The descent steepens, dropping about 250m in elevation. This section includes a brief stretch of steps before culminating in the charming sight of an old suspension bridge. If the bridge is inaccessible, an alternative concrete path across the riverbed provides a way to cross. This lively area often buzzes with villagers washing clothes or children swimming in the river.

After crossing, we pass a local hydro plant and rejoin the main Hali-Ela–Welimada Road. We cross the Uma Oya again via a concrete bridge and begin a zig-zagging uphill climb past village homes, as breathtaking views of the Uma Oya valley unfold to our right.

The trail briefly joins a tarmac road before diverging onto a tea trail, eventually looping back to the road. Here, the trail peels left and begins a gradual descent, passing a charming temple on the right.

The journey continues on scenic tea trails until the trail traverses a picturesque expanse of paddy fields. This enchanting part of the trail evokes memories of Bali’s Ubud region. A final 1km climb along the road brings us to the stage’s endpoint at Lunuwatte. (B,L,D)

Grade: DIFFICULT

This is the biggest day on the trek as we have had to combine Stage 20 and 21 into 1 day. Total distance travelled 30km.

Shortly after leaving Lunuwatte, we’ll pass a picturesque lake on your left and the Sri Wisuddharamaya Temple on our right.

The trail continues downhill into the paddy fields below, before the climb begins, winding steeply through village roads. This section, the most challenging of the day, zig-zags uphill until you leave the village behind and enter a serene eucalyptus forest. From this point onward, the journey unfolds through forests and tea plantations, offering 10km of tranquil countryside, evenly split between uphill and downhill sections.

Amidst eucalyptus and pine trees, we gradually ascend as the trail skirts the eastern side of a forested hill. The imposing mountain ahead may seem daunting, but The Pekoe Trail skillfully navigates its contours. The eucalyptus trees, planted decades ago to stabilize the slopes, dominate this landscape. Take in the wilderness and stunning eastern views as the clear, narrow path winds gently around the hill.

Shortly, we reach the fascinating Sthripura Caves, a site rich in mythology. The name “Sthripura” (also spelled Isthripura) derives from the Sanskrit and Sinhalese word “Sthri,” meaning woman, and “Pura,” meaning town. Legend has it that King Walagamba hid 500 queens in these caves for their protection (Basnayake, 1983).

Continuing northwest along a visible tea trail, we pass a small estate worker village on the left as the path ascends steadily. Beyond the Estate Manager’s Bungalow, we reach a tea-trail junction, perched on the border of the Central and Uva provinces, offering stunning views of both valleys. We then follow the ridge for approximately 1.5km, including a brief section of pine forest.

The descent then begins, taking us through another eucalyptus forest and then down a maze of tea trails.  After descending for a stretch,  a short uphill section followed by a small bridge crossing leaves us just 1.5km from Uda Pussellawa town.

The tea trail eventually merges with an old country road leading downhill into the village. You’ll avoid the main Uda Pussellawa–Ragala Road entirely, as this secondary path takes us directly to the heart of town. The trail narrows briefly, before widening again for a gradual descent into Uda Pussellawa.

Uda Pussellawa is a reasonably large village and an important local hub, offering basic facilities, shops, and ATMs. 

From Uda Pussellawa at 1,275m and concludes in Kandapola at 1,936m. The elevation gain is significant but rewarding, especially since we traverse tea trails with a gradual and manageable ascent. 

We start by following the main road out of town toward Ragala, before turning left onto a well-used dirt track frequently traveled by locals. The trail loops back, crossing to the other side of a small valley, as we weave through lush tea fields, reaching the highest point of this initial section. This stretch takes us across the Gordon Estate, situated along the border of the Central and Uva provinces. From here, a 2km descent offers breathtaking views of the valleys below, leading us to the “Ambalama Junction”.

From the junction, the trail climbs steadily for 6 km toward Kandapola, tracing an old south-facing secondary road. Along the way, we are treated to sweeping views of the Uva bowl. On clear days, you can spot Haputale, Lipton’s Seat, and Ella Rock defining the edges of the Uva basin. This region is also a hub for vegetable cultivation, with every available patch of soil dedicated to growing carrots and leeks.

We leave the vegetable fields behind and enter a high-elevation rainforest. This patch of autochthonous forest is rich with wildlife, including birds, monkeys, and even leopards. The old, almost forgotten secondary road winds through the forest, connecting Kandapola with the Uva Province. As we ascend, the cooler temperature becomes noticeably refreshing, particularly while traversing the forest.

We exit the forest and reach the highest point of today’s journey. The trail now takes us through the picturesque Hethersett Estate, where we get a glimpse of the iconic Heritance Tea Factory Hotel. This repurposed tea factory exemplifies how heritage conservation can be integrated with tourism. In 2007, the Sunday Times (UK) ranked it among the “100 Best Places to Stay in the World.”

The trail loops around the hotel and descends toward Kandapola, where the stage concludes at the  town centre. (B,L,D)

Grade: MODERATE FIRST HALF DIFFICULT SECOND HALF

This marks the final stage of the Pekoe Trail—congratulations! Make sure you savour the journey!

From the centre of Kandapola, we take the road directly out of the village and into the open tea estates.

For the next 8km, the path follows tea estate tracks, offering little shade. Be prepared for sunny conditions with sun protection, or bring a warm layer and raincoat if the weather turns windy or rainy, as temperatures here can drop significantly.

The trail winds around the historic Courtlodge Tea Factory, established in 1890, and continues through serene tea trails. You’ll pass a remote village nestled at the far end of the valley, a glimpse into the quieter side of life in the hill country.

The highest point of this final stage, sees us at 2,108m above sea level, from where we gradually begins to descend. Ahead lies the Pedro Estate Tea Factory, one of the most renowned estates in the region, perched majestically overlooking the countryside. 

The iconic Pedro Tea Estate marks the official end of the Pekoe Trail! From here, it’s a short transfer to our hotel, where we can celebrate with dinner and drinks! (B,L,D)

Grade: MODERATE

Transfer to the airport for your journey home, or talk to us for ideas if you’re looking to extend your stay (B)