Heritance Hotels
Heritance Hotels
The world’s travelers are turning their attention to Sri Lanka’s Pekoe Trail—a 300-kilometer odyssey through misty mountains, emerald-green tea estates, and the heart of Ceylon’s most storied landscapes. This epic trekking route has captured global attention, making headlines in National Geographic’s Best of the World 2024 and securing its place among the world’s most spectacular walking trails. Among its most breathtaking sections is Stage 21, Uda Pussellawa to Kandapola, where the iconic Heritance Tea Factory offers a one-of-a-kind experience in the heart of tea country.
Stage 21 of the Pekoe Trail is not just a hike—it’s a passage through history, nature, and the origins of Ceylon Tea. Spanning 16.7 kilometers, this stretch meanders through undulating hills, dense pine forests, and secret footpaths once trodden by colonial-era tea planters. As trekkers ascend, they reach one of the highest points of the trail—the Hethersett Estate fields and the iconic Heritance Tea Factory Hotel. This historic landmark is a shining example of how tourism can contribute to heritage conservation. Once an abandoned tea factory, it has been meticulously transformed into a boutique hotel that seamlessly blends history and comfort.
As hikers continue their descent, this stage of the trail ends in Kandapola, a charming highland town where the grandeur of the Heritance Tea Factory stands as a beacon of the region’s rich tea heritage and hospitality.
After days on the trail, weary feet and adventure-worn souls will find respite in an experience that blends heritage with indulgence. At Heritance Tea Factory, guests can plunge into the world of tea like never before—donning a picker’s basket to hand-pluck the finest leaves, crafting their own signature tea blends, and indulging in a curated tasting session guided by experts who decode the delicate symphony of flavors in every cup.
For those still hungry for adventure, the hotel’s Tea Estate Walks and Cycling Trails provide an intimate look at the rolling plantations, the historic tea bungalows, and the lush highlands that surround this iconic property. And then, of course, there’s the ultimate reward—an exquisite high tea experience, where freshly brewed Ceylon tea is paired with delicate treats, enjoyed amidst the very plantations that inspired them.
With the Pekoe Trail now recognized among the world’s most exhilarating trekking routes, Heritance Tea Factory is poised as one of its most rewarding stops—where adventure meets nostalgia, and history meets hospitality. More than just a hotel, it is a living relic of Sri Lanka’s tea heritage, offering travelers the chance to not just witness, but truly immerse themselves in the legacy of the hills.
For those seeking to turn their Pekoe Trail journey into a timeless memory, Heritance Tea Factory stands ready to welcome adventurers, tea lovers, and storytellers alike.