Plan your visit to the restaurant Ceylon Tea Trails

The guided tour of the Dunkeld Tea Factory is the quintessential tea experience. Our resident Tea specialist passionately delves into all aspects of tea in just the right amount of detail – from a look back to the early days of “planting” and the lifestyles of the early colonial settlers, to the manufacturing process, to how flavours are created to suit various palates – he’s got it covered. In the evenings, gain a rare and exclusive insight in to a centuries-old art form that has shaped a global industry. Learn about the art of tea tasting through this interactive and guided experience where guests will taste multiple teas under the guidance of their expert host. During the experience, you will learn (and try for yourself) how professional tea tasters identify (and appreciate!) the unique flavour profiles that give different teas their distinction.

Tea Factory Tour and Tea Tasting Experience

An intimate picnic lunch, in a quaint and rustic watch hut, high on the mountain behind Dunkeld Factory, with a stunning vista over Castlereagh reservoir. In the early days of the tea industry, before motorized travel came to its assistance, tea planters conducted field inspections across a vast area of tea fields and forest, either on foot or horseback. At mid-day, they would take a break under the shade of a tree or the shelter of a makeshift hut for lunch and a rest. The “Planters’ Lunch” is a plusher, four- course rendition served in tiffin boxes in a picnic setting – with vistas of the rolling tea fields stretching out in front of you.

Planter’s Lunch

Bringing together the subtle influences of the flavours of tea (not to mention the health benefit), the Tea Infused Dinner is a signature culinary experience unique to Tea Trails. Teas grown in various areas of Sri Lanka have distinctly different flavour profiles, and each lends a different effect to types of ingredients and methods of preparation. Earl grey cured fresh salmon, Moroccan mint tea crusted lamb cutlet, and vanilla panna cotta with minted fresh fruits and hibiscus tea sauce are some examples of a menu that appeals to both the intellectual curiosity as well as the palate of any gourmet.

Tea-infused Dinner

There is no greater joy than creating a lasting memory with food, hoping it fills part of our guest’s nostalgia one day.

Ceylon Tea Trails Restaurant

Ceylon Tea Trails

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Tea Trails is perched at an altitude of 1,250 m in Sri Lanka’s Ceylon tea region, bordering Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands World Heritage site. Stay in one of five authentic tea planters’ bungalows, each one of which has its own charm. Lakeside Castlereagh, Summerville and Dunkeld, Norwood with panoramic views, and Tientsin, the most traditionally colonial of the five; they are all decorated with period furniture. Observe life on a working tea estate, savour the gourmet cuisine, and be pampered by a personal butler. This is the ideal setting for trekking and biking against the breath-taking backdrop of mountains, lakes and waterfalls.

Plan your stay at the Ceylon Tea Trails

Enjoy a walk along our trails through beautifully manicured tea-fields and forests with stunning views around every bend – all five of our Bungalows are connected through trails. We recommend a guided walk in the company of a resident naturalist to get an in depth narrative, by spotting animals with their keen eye (especially the smaller critters), identifying bird calls, and interpreting tracks and signs of nocturnal animals such as leopards and smaller cat and mammals such as Fishing Cat, deer, mongoose, and primates who have traversed the trails. Our naturalists are also privy to the workings of tea plantations and can narrate day to day workings visible on the walk. You could also cycle your way through our trails and explore the beautiful scenery of Sri Lanka's tea country. Biking is a great way to immerse yourself in the unspoiled and idyllic beauty of the surrounding valleys and hills.

Walk the tea trails and go on a biking tour

Guided by a resident Naturalist, explore the biodiversity and wildlife of our central highlands that are protected as a Unesco World Heritage Serial Property. Excursions include Horton Plains, Galways National Park, Kitulgala rainforest and Peak Wilderness protected forest. You could also explore Kandy or Nuwara Eliya – Heritage cities not to be missed. Kandy is a Unesco heritage city – with points of interest including the Temple of the Tooth and the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. It is the second largest city in Sri Lanka and is steeped in political, cultural and religious history and indeed, played a central role in the tea plantation industry once tea production took sway in Ceylon. On the other hand, Nuwara Eliya was once a favourite holiday city amongst the British during their colonial rule. Old-world English colonial influence meets an evolving city striving to define a new identity, with old symbols of British Heritage standing strong.

Heritage and Nature Excursions

Climb Adam's Peak -- one of the most famous mountains in the world -- in the company of one of our trail guides. There is probably no mountain anywhere more famous than Sri Pada - Adam's Peak (7362 ft/2250m) for reasons that are cultural and spiritual. It is sacred to three religions at least; to Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus. The mountain is signified by a large depression on the summit that resembles a “foot” to which all three religions draw significance. The climb takes approximately three and a half hours (the way is paved with steps) and the trail is flanked by the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary – one of Sri Lanka’s highest protected forest reserves. Views from the top are stunning, especially early in the morning as the warmth of dawn lights up the country in an endless vista of forests, valleys, mountains and lakes.

Climb Adam’s Peak

Join Relais & Châteaux and Malik J. Fernando’s family on a unique itinerary crossing the diversity and natural splendours of Sri Lanka. <a href="https://www.relaischateaux.com/us/destinations/routes-du-bonheur/malik-j-fernando" target="_new">See the itinerary</a>

Itinerary - Sri Lanka – Tea, sea and safari

Activities, excursions and other attractions during your stay at the Ceylon Tea Trails

Nishantha Pushpakumara

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Garden Suite

Master Suite

Our rooms, suites and villas

Owners Cottage

Castlereagh Bungalow

Summerville Bungalow

Dunkeld Bungalow

Norwood Bungalow

Tientsin Bungalow

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Ceylon Tea Trails Restaurant

Chef Nishantha Pushpakumara

Plan your visit to the restaurant Ceylon Tea Trails

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