Ceylon Tea Trails

Colombo

Colombo, a port city par excellence, is the economic center and the most populated city in Sri Lanka. This city, steeped in history, like the rest of the country, was dominated successively by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British as a result of its strategic situation between Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and because of its important resources notably cinnamon. The city’s striking architecture takes its influence from its various colonizers with the recent addition of skyscrapers and other modern structures. Colombo is still an important port for the exportation of precious stones, coconuts, copra oil and of course, the country’s tea.

A few hours away, visitors can discover one of Sri Lanka’s wildest and best-preserved regions, the Bogawantalawa Valley with green mountains and natural waterfalls, ideal for tourists seeking a total change of scene and a return to nature. Thanks to its microclimate which is perfect for growing tea, the valley is often called the “golden valley of tea.” It’s here that the first British planters chose to plant the camellia sinensis coming from India and China.

Discovering the tea plantations

In the heart of the Bogwantalawa Valley, one of Sri Lanka’s most authentic regions, we find the magnificent Norwood, Summerville, Castlereagh and Tientsin pavilions of the Ceylon Tea Trails. Lost in the midst of tea plantations, with a view of the lake for the Summerville and Castlereagh and of the green mountains for those of the Norwood, each pavilion offers guests a journey in time as well as a refined setting designed to charm anyone who decides to spend a few days here.

These four residences dating back to the 19^th and 20^th centuries which once housed the British tea plantation managers, have been totally renovated without losing any of the charm of their colonial style luxury. Each one possesses several rooms and suites, handsome salons, a library, an office space for writing postcards or letters and, with the exception of the Summerville pavilion, a lovely outdoor swimming pool with a terrace for total and private relaxation. The interior décor is both traditional, with magnificent period furniture, and modern to assure guests of maximum comfort.

All guests have the benefit of the highest quality service, and each pavilion has its own manager, butler, Chef and a staff entirely dedicated to the well being of its guests. Refined meals inspired by local culture and regional products can be taken in one’s room, in one of the salons, or outdoors in order to enjoy the magnificent English gardens and the exceptional natural setting. Numerous activities enable guests to learn more about the region and its traditions including guided tours of the tea plantations and discovering traditional planting methods, bike rides in the mountains, observing the local fauna and excursions to the lovely city of Kandy.