Stages 1, 2 & 3 · One base මාවත
The most strategically placed base for the first three stages of Sri Lanka’s Pekoe Trail. Walk Stage 1, sleep at the bungalow, walk Stage 2 from our front door, without ever changing rooms.
Your position on the trail
Most hikers compromise: close to one stage, an hour’s drive from the next trail head, or a new hotel every night. The bungalow sits between Stage 1’s end and Stage 2’s start, twenty minutes from Stage 3. One booking. Three stages. Zero hotel changes.
Arriving by train or road Peradeniya Railway Station and Kandy city or railway station are each about 45 minutes away, with pickups available.
The three stages
Sri Lanka’s long-distance route runs more than 300 km through the central highlands. We cover the first three stages from one base.
Stage one 01
Begins at the Ceylon Tea Museum and descends through tea fields and pine forest, finishing at the Galaha Post Office, minutes from our gate.
Our role Drop-off at Hanthana in the morning, pickup from Galaha Post Office at the finish.
Stage two 02
Begins at Galaha and climbs through tea estates, river crossings and pine forest to Loolecondera, where Ceylon tea was first planted in 1867.
Our role Walk from our front door with a packed lunch; we pick you up at Loolecondera.
Stage three 03
Continues from Loolecondera through the highlands toward Uda Peradeniya, with sweeping estate views and varied terrain throughout.
Our role Drop-off at the Loolecondera trail head; pickup arranged at the finish.
A sample journey
How the Complete Stage 1 Journey usually unfolds, at your pace.
Day 1 · Afternoon
Train into Kandy from Colombo, then a walk or transfer to the Hantana Cottage. A light evening and an early night: Stage 1 starts early.
Day 2 · 6:30 AM
Hot breakfast at Hantana and a packed lunch in your daypack. Transfer to the Ceylon Tea Museum and Stage 1 begins, while your main luggage goes ahead to the bungalow.
Day 2 · 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM
12.84 km of gentle descent through tea estates and pine forest, lunch on the way, mist lifting over the valley, and Galaha Post Office at the finish.
Day 2 · 1:00 PM
We collect you at Galaha Post Office: five minutes to the bungalow, your luggage already in your room, a foot soak on the verandah and tea.
Day 2 · Evening
The Planter’s Lounge fire is lit at 6:30 PM. Three courses at the Long Table, then an early night: Stage 2 starts at your door tomorrow.
Day 3 · 7:00 AM
Breakfast and a packed lunch, then walk from the bungalow to the Stage 2 trail head, with no transfer. 14.7 km on to Loolecondera, the birthplace of Ceylon tea.
Day 3 · Early afternoon
We collect you at Loolecondera, with your luggage if you’re continuing: on to Kandy, your next stay, or back to the bungalow for another night.
Hike light. We move your bags. We pick you up. We feed you. We pour the arrack by the fire. You just walk.
The Tea Bungalow promise to Pekoe Trail hikers
Trail logistics
Transport, luggage, food and timing are the hard part of the Pekoe Trail. We handle all of it: one booking, one phone number, one team.
Drop-offs at every stage start, pickups at every stage end, and private transfers from Kandy or Peradeniya stations.
Stages 1, 2 & 3Leave your main bag with us and hike with a daypack. It moves between stages or waits safely in your room.
Daypack hikingOrdered the night before: sandwich or wrap, fruit, energy snacks, water and estate tea in a thermos. Vegetarian and vegan options.
Standard or premiumHot breakfast from 6:30 AM: eggs, fruit, local breads and estate Ceylon tea. Earlier on request, just tell us the night before.
From 6:30 AMEssential for Stage 2’s forest sections. Leech socks to buy, plus salt and basic repellent, and we’ll show you how to wear them.
On siteA daily weather check, leech and trail update, route briefing, and any closures or diversions you need to know about.
Every morningThe mandatory Pekoe Trail pass, arranged by us, or we’ll guide you through buying your own digital pass before you arrive.
On requestWet boots dried overnight, secure storage for gear between stages, and a foot soak on the verandah after long days.
Always availableKnowledgeable local guides for any stage, especially recommended for Stage 2 and the James Taylor story.
48 hours’ noticeBuilt for hikers
From a single recovery night to a full three-stage concierge. Every package can be shaped around your dates and pace.
2 Nights★ Most Booked Package
Stage 1 & 2
Pre-hike night at Hantana Cottage. Stage 1 hike with luggage forwarded. Recovery at the Tea Bungalow. Stage 2 from our front door the next morning.
$75 (≈ Rs 23,100) / couple · IntroductorySolo · Price on request / person
1 Night
Arrive tired from Stage 1. Leave refreshed for Stage 2.
Price on request
2 Nights★ Serious Trekker
Two nights, two stages, one base. Everything arranged.
Price on request
3 Nights · Stages 1, 2 & 3
Every transfer, every stage, every detail handled.
Price on request
Day Use — No Overnight
A proper rest between Stage 1 and Stage 2 — without staying the night.
Price on request
Groups & Custom Stays
For hiking clubs and group parties walking the trail together.
Price on request
At the bungalow
Boots dry by morning, the fire lit by evening, packed lunches waiting in the kitchen. The bungalow keeps the rhythm of trail life, so recovery feels as much a part of the journey as the walk.
Plan your walk
Choose your stages and how you like to walk; we’ll lay out the days around your nights with us. Your bags stay in your room throughout: every stage starts or ends a short drive from the bungalow.
Choose at least one stage.
Walking times are typical; we brief you on the morning of every hike and adjust to the weather. Rates are confirmed in your personal reply.
When to walk
We walk year-round. In the heavy monsoon months trails can be slippery, so we check conditions and brief you on the morning of every hike.
Trail FAQ
Stage 1 (easy) suits any reasonably fit walker: gentle descents, well-marked paths, around 4 hours. Stage 2 (difficult) needs more endurance, with elevation changes and longer time on uneven ground. Stage 3 (moderate) is in between. We recommend Stages 1 and 3 for first-time long-distance hikers, and Stage 2 only with proper hiking shoes and a reasonable fitness baseline.
On Stage 2’s forest sections, yes, especially during or after rain. We sell leech socks (essential for that stage), provide salt, and show you how to wear them. Stages 1 and 3 are generally clear. They’re a small, manageable part of hiking in the hill country.
Two main options. Leave your main bag at the bungalow during your stay and hike with a daypack. Or, on the Complete Stage 1 Journey, your luggage moves from the Hantana Cottage to the bungalow during your Stage 1 hike and is in your room when you arrive. From Stage 3 onwards we can send it to your next accommodation.
Yes. A digital trail pass is mandatory and supports trail maintenance. Buy your own from the official Pekoe Trail website, or we can arrange it as part of your booking. Keep the confirmation on your phone for trail patrol checks.
The main dry season runs from December to April, with January and February the most settled. A second window runs from July to September. We walk year-round, but in the heavy monsoon months (May, June, October and November) trails can be slippery and leeches more active. We always check conditions and brief you on the morning of your hike.
Yes. Local guides can be arranged for any stage with 48 hours’ notice, particularly recommended for Stage 2 if you want the story of James Taylor and Loolecondera. Solo and unguided walking is fine too; the trail is well marked.
The estimates are an average pace; many hikers finish faster, some slower. Our pickups are flexible: message us on WhatsApp 30 minutes before you reach the trail end and we’ll be there. We never rush you.
Stage 1 suits confident older children (10+) with good walking experience. Stage 2 is too demanding for most children. The estate itself is very child-friendly, with a large garden, the pool, and the Carriage House Cottage for families. Younger children are best at the bungalow with one parent on the harder days.
Plan your trail
Tell us your dates, the stages you’d like to walk and your fitness comfort level. We’ll reply with the right package, current pricing and a clear plan.
