At a glance
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We handpick the properties we work with. Everything we do is tailor-made for our clients so when you speak to one of our team they will advise you on the best property for you.
Ceylon Tea Trails is Sri Lanka’s first tea bungalow resort and a Relais & Châteaux property, made up of five restored colonial-era tea planters’ bungalows set across the Bogawantalawa Valley, known as the Golden Valley of Tea, at 1,250 metres above sea level.
The five bungalows sit between four and fifteen kilometres apart, connected by walking trails through the tea gardens, with Castlereagh Lake running between them. Each has its own manager, chef and butler, and the rate covers everything including meals, drinks, afternoon tea, laundry and taxes.
The property is run by Resplendent Ceylon, and a Tea Planter in Residence leads guided tours through the estate from field to factory to cup. Hatton is 20 minutes from the nearest bungalow, and Colombo is around 3.5 hours by road.
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- Five colonial-era tea planters’ bungalows across the Bogawantalawa Valley, Sri Lanka’s first Relais & Châteaux property, fully all-inclusive with butler service in each bungalow
- Tea Planter in Residence, guided tea factory tours, kayaking on Castlereagh Lake, mountain biking, clay tennis, cooking classes and vintage Rolls-Royce transfers between bungalows
- Each bungalow bookable exclusively for groups or by the room, with 27 rooms and suites across the five properties
Accommodation
Norwood Bungalow
The oldest bungalow on the estate, dating from 1890 and rebuilt in 1940, Norwood sits closest to the tea factory and has six rooms with views across the valley. It is the most connected to the working life of the plantation
Tientsin Bungalow
Named after the Chinese village that produced the original tea seedlings, Tientsin dates from 1888 and sits at the highest altitude of the five bungalows, at 4,600 feet.
It has six rooms, an English garden created by the original planter’s wives, rose terraces and what most guests consider the best pool on the estate.
Castlereagh Bungalow
Castlereagh dates from 1925 and sits directly on the edge of Castlereagh Lake, with two summerhouses in its gardens and views across the water.
It has five rooms and is well suited to guests who want to be as close to the lake as possible.
Summerville Bungalow
Summerville dates from 1923 and is the most secluded of the five, with a cottage feel and views of the lake and surrounding hills.
It has five rooms and is the quietest option on the estate.
Dunkeld Bungalow
Dunkeld overlooks Castlereagh Lake and the tea factory from the other side of the valley.
It has five rooms, an infinity pool with mountain views and a hot tub positioned to look out over the surface of the lake.
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Don't forget that most of our itineraries can be totally customized. Our expert team will be able to talk you through all the options.
Food & Drink
All meals are included in the rate throughout. The day begins with bed tea brought by the butler, followed by a full English or Sri Lankan breakfast.
Lunch is either a three-course meal at the bungalow or a tea planter’s picnic in the hills. Afternoon high tea is served daily in the garden.
Dinner is a four-course meal prepared by the bungalow’s chef, drawing on homegrown vegetables and local produce, with pre-dinner cocktails and canapés included. Selected wines, beers and soft drinks are covered throughout the day.
Cooking classes are available for guests who want a hands-on introduction to Sri Lankan cuisine, and the Tea Experience tour with the Tea Planter in Residence covers the full process from leaf to cup.
Spa & Wellness
Spa treatments at Ceylon Tea Trails are tea-infused, with aromatic baths using cinnamon spice, green tea or jasmine alongside massages and reflexology. Each bungalow has its own outdoor pool.
Beyond the spa, activities include kayaking on Castlereagh Lake, mountain biking, clay tennis courts, croquet lawns, white-water rafting and guided walks through the tea estates and ravines.
Transfers between bungalows are available by vintage Rolls-Royce for guests who want to experience more than one property during their stay.
Our Experts
Jaike Rowe
Luxury Travel Expert"Sri Lanka is truly one of the most special places I've been lucky enough to visit. There's so much heritage and culture to discover on this small island nation - and the vistas are absolutely breathtaking."
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Dionne Charles
Luxury Travel Expert"Sri Lanka is the ideal place to pair with a trip to the Maldives, offering a dose of cultural stimulation following a sumptuous Maldivian escape. There's also a bounty of luxury properties in Sri Lanka. "
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