Welcome to Ceylon Tea Trails

Luxury Tea Bungalows in Sri Lanka

Steeped in history and immersed in the verdant scenery of Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage Central Highlands, Ceylon Tea Trails is the perfect blend of past and present. Perched at an altitude of 1250 metres, our five historic tea-planter bungalows embody our natural hospitality: effortlessly relaxed and refined without pretence. Guests are invited to slow down amid our fern and flower-fringed landscape, where gourmet cuisine, tea adventures, shimmering swimming pools and timeless classic pursuits await, from afternoon tea to tennis and croquet.

Who else but the pioneering family behind Dilmah Tea could conceive of Ceylon Tea Trails’ perfect blend? With its sustainable ethos and social initiatives via the Merrill J Fernando Foundation, Tea Trails is styled with love and has earned the resort Sri Lanka’s first inclusion within Relais & Châteaux.

Your private oasis steeped in heritage and charm Our Planters’ Bungalows

Five historic tea-planter bungalows, each with 5 or 6 rooms, are spread across 2000 hectares, between 4km and 15km apart, each with its own setting and charm. Three of our bungalows enjoy a lakeside perch - Summerville; Dunkeld; Castlereagh; Norwood and Tientsin are nestled amid the emerald valleys, with mountain and tea-estate views.

Norwood

Bungalow

Set in the heart of a tea estate, with panoramic views of the mountains and tea pickers at work, Norwood has 6 rooms and an incredibly open, liberating feel. The swimming pool is backdropped by two towering bamboo bushes, which have thrived here for more than 80 years.

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Dunkeld

Bungalow

Overlooking Lake Castlereagh and fringed by greenery, delightful Dunkeld has 5 rooms and is the closest bungalow to the Dunkeld Tea Factory. One of Dunkeld’s most obvious highlights is its curved infinity pool, with a heated Jacuzzi as its striking centrepiece, both surveying the quiet reservoir below.

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Castlereagh

Bungalow

With its pretty, pinky-peach facade and view-toting summerhouses, Castlereagh has a romantic, feminine charm all of its own. The bungalow, with 5 rooms, is set in a peaceful wooded glade on the banks of Lake Castlereagh, drawing cooling breezes from the water.

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Summerville

Bungalow

Summerville puts a more modern spin on Ceylon Tea Trails’ signature hospitality. Built in 1923, at an altitude of 1,219m, the 5 roomed bungalow boasts sweeping views of Lake Castlereagh and the humped mountain ridges beyond, bristling with trees and vegetation.

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Tientsin

Bungalow

Our oldest bungalow, the 6 roomed Tientsin, is beloved for its spellbinding gardens, which unfurl like a series of emerald saris, embellished with jewel-bright flowers and frondy palms. Amid this hushed expanse, lichen-clad statues, chirruping birds, a lily pond, tucked-away stone benches and a tennis court await.

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Norwood

Bungalow

Dunkeld

Bungalow

Castlereagh

Bungalow

Summerville

Bungalow

Tientsin

Bungalow

Your Home Away From Home

Our bungalows are equipped with everything you could possibly need to feel at home: elegant bedrooms, a cosy lounge and library with a help-yourself bar, a dining room and a view-toting veranda. Tientsin, Dunkeld and Norwood also have a billiards room. Bungalows are decorated with fascinating Sri Lankan photographs revealing tantalising insights into 20th-century tea-plantation life, alongside botanical prints, monochrome floral prints, maps and more. Antique curios and knickknacks such as vintage crystalware, gleaming gramophones, old-fashioned cameras and antique teapots decorate rooms and communal areas.

Outdoor charms include abundant gardens & a sparkling swimming pool and heated Jacuzzi Bungalows also have summerhouses and a croquet lawn. Tennis-lovers will appreciate the tucked-away clay tennis court at Tientsin, harking back to the days when British planters would let off steam with an afternoon match.

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Flawless CuisineDining

At Ceylon Tea Trails, days begin with the lovely ritual of Bed Tea, as our hosts bring a fresh pot of tea to you upon waking, and end with four-course dinners and postprandials by a crackling fire – but your room rates also include all the gourmet treats and refreshments you could think of in between. You may wonder if there are enough hours in the day to fully do our food and drink justice. Our advice is to get up early!

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Key Features

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Fully Inclusive

Our rates are fully inclusive of gourmet a la carte meals, beverages including wines & spirits, laundry and the Tea Experience.

Land on Castlereagh Lake

The best way to arrive at Tea Trails, 30 minutes from the international airport. Soak in the scenic vistas as you land on our lake.

Butler Service

Tea Trails is the gold standard for personalised butler service, starting from bed tea as you awake.

Jacuzzi with a view

Soak in our heated outdoor hot tubs at Tientsin, Norwood, Castlereagh & Dunkeld.

Lush Gardens

Complementing the magnificent vistas of lakes, hills, valleys and lush tea plantations are the bungalows’ own charming gardens.

Stunning Pools

All bungalows offer large swimming pools with gorgeous views. Enjoy a refreshing dip after exploring the trails.

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The Story of Ceylon Tea

Of the pioneer British planters in Ceylon, who, propelled by a tenacity of purpose, reconstructed in the 1860’s a vast money spinning new tea industry out of the shambles that were the ruined coffee plantations, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote: “No often is it, that men have the heart, when their one great industry is ruined, to rear up in a few years another as rich to take its place: and the tea fields of Ceylon are as fine a monument to courage as is the lion of Waterloo”.

EXPLORE THE STORY OF CEYLON TEA

Escape to the magical heartland of Ceylon Tea Curated Experiences

Our experiences are mindfully curated to offer an authentic, intimate exploration into the essence of Sri Lanka. We also offer activities with healthy doses of fun, adventure and pampering, along with a holistic wellness offering for guests to escape their urban life and soothe mind, body, and soul. A selection of engaging activities for families - with a special selection for kids - are on hand as well, to round out the perfect getaway.

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The Tea Experience

Begin at the Dunkeld Tea Factory at morning light. Follow our resident tea planter along the traditional process of withering, rolling and drying tea.

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Biking the Trails

The unspoiled beauty of the surrounding valleys and hills. Adventure out on one of our bikes and uncover the quintessential beauty of the hill country

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Trekking the Trails

Think bright, crisp mornings. The golden sun glistening over the Castlereagh Lake. Adopt the slow, restful pace of the highlands of our island.

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Kayaking on Castlereagh Lake

Spend your mornings on an aquatic adventure on the Castlereagh Lake as you paddle along in hi-spec kayaks, taking in the first light of the day.

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Private Tea Tasting

A neat row of warm cups of tea in varying colours. Our resident tea planter unearths the subtle influences of the flavours. Take slow sips. Indulge.

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Lake Cruise

Embark on an experiential day out on the Castlereagh Lake complemented by stunning views of the misty mountainscape and tea valleys.

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CuratingMeaningful Journeys

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Love, passion and faithThe Fernando family story

Our values and vision are inspired by our Founders, the Fernando family, who believe that business is a matter of human service. Our portfolio of resorts are located in scenic and environmentally sensitive areas, enabling us to drive our sustainability agenda across Climate Action, Land & Sea and People & Culture.

A stay at Ceylon Tea Trails would not be complete without a walk along our nature trails encompassing lush tea landscapes, local settlements and rich cultural heritage. Along these trails lie the hidden gems of flora and fauna, and if you’re lucky enough, a leopard pugmark or some fresh scat - the best indicator that we share these paths with the resident leopards of the Peak Ridge Forest Corridor. Guided by our naturalists, get a peek into what a conservationist’s day looks like, walking through our remote camera trails exploring the wilderness of the highlands.

Merrill J. Fernando 1930 - 2023: The Passing of an Icon

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Explore our Island of Treasures

Known as Ceylon until 1972, Sri Lanka means Resplendent Island. Just off the southern tip of India, the island is about the size of Ireland and home to 20 million people. The small island packs in a continent’s worth of attractions with 8 UNESCO world heritage sites, mountainous tea country, spectacular wildlife, epic food, and breathtaking coastlines combine to form a tapestry, filled with intriguing characters that bring the story of today’s Sri Lanka to life. The country has a rich cultural heritage with its strategic location along the ancient silk route. Ancient Greeks called it Taprobane, Persians and Arabs referred to it as Serendib, the origin of the word “serendipity”.

ResplendentSpecial Offers

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Tea Trails

Private Escape Offer

Save up to $4990 by booking a 5-room bungalow

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Tea Trails

Summer at Tea Trails

Save 15% off your stay, 30% saving on spa and more

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Tea Trails

Ten Night Tea Retreat

Save 25% for ten nights on Fully Inclusive Basis

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Tea Trails

Extended Stay Savings

Save 25% for six nights or more

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Tea Trails

Walking Holiday Offer

US$ 7,090 for six nights on Fully Inclusive Basis

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Tea Trails

Advance Purchase Savings

Book 60 Days In Advance to Enjoy up to 20% Saving

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Tea Trails

Stay for five nights, pay for four

Last night free for a consecutive five night stay

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Tea Trails

Three or Four Nights Offer

Save 15% for three or four nights on Fully Inclusive Basis

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Tea Trails

Four-Night Discovery Offer

US$ 5,240 for four nights on Fully Inclusive Basis

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Ceylon Tea Trails Selected for the Coveted Condé Nast Traveler US and UK Gold List 2023

Condé Nast Traveler unveiled the 2023 Gold List, highlighting favourite classic hotels around the world that exemplify the gold standard of service and hospitality. Ceylon Tea Trails is the first Sri Lankan hotel to make this prestigious a

A Year of Recognition

The natural warmth of Sri Lankans and the continent's worth of attractions this small island offers makes it perfectly suited for the new breed of traveller looking for an unconventional experience.

Honeymoon in 2022: Five Things to Consider

The recent flux of requests has us thinking 2022 could be the year of honeymoons. The idea of making up for lost time and the revitalised focus of being amongst enviable locations has newlyweds also booking in on lengthier stays than...

Mindfulness in the Breathtaking Heartland of Ceylon Tea

It’s a couple of minutes past 6am. A glass of water, a splash of the same on my face and I quietly creep out my room towards the front terrace of Dunkeld Bungalow. There’s no one in sight as I pick my spot for the morning and spread ...

Tea and Opium: Liquid Jade and the Fruit of the Poppy

It is a singular irony that Tea, unarguably the most healthy beverage in the world next to water, should share a common history with Opium, the curse of many societies across the world for several centuries, particularly China; equally...

The Best Times to Visit Sri Lanka

Cliches aside, our island can be viewed as ideal to visit throughout the year. Regardless of what the weather is like in one part of the country, another part would offer a great experience in likeness or kind. We’ve summed up some of...

48 Hours in Colombo

It’s tough to keep up with all the development and changes within the city of Colombo. However, spending some time in the capital of our island comes with its fair share of exploration and excitement in a multitude of aspects including...

Welcome to Ceylon Tea Trails

Luxury Tea Bungalows in Sri Lanka

Your private oasis steeped in heritage and charm Our Planters’ Bungalows

Norwood

Dunkeld

Castlereagh

Summerville

Tientsin

Your Home Away From Home

Flawless CuisineDining

Flawless CuisineDining

Key Features

Fully Inclusive

Land on Castlereagh Lake

Butler Service

Jacuzzi with a view

Lush Gardens

Stunning Pools

The Story of Ceylon Tea

Escape to the magical heartland of Ceylon Tea Curated Experiences

The Tea Experience

Biking the Trails

Trekking the Trails

Kayaking on Castlereagh Lake

Private Tea Tasting

Lake Cruise

CuratingMeaningful Journeys

A Glimpse of Our World

Explore our Island of Treasures

ResplendentSpecial Offers

Private Escape Offer

Summer at Tea Trails

Ten Night Tea Retreat

Extended Stay Savings

Walking Holiday Offer

Advance Purchase Savings

Stay for five nights, pay for four

Three or Four Nights Offer

Four-Night Discovery Offer

Ceylon Tea Trails Selected for the Coveted Condé Nast Traveler US and UK Gold List 2023

A Year of Recognition

Honeymoon in 2022: Five Things to Consider

Mindfulness in the Breathtaking Heartland of Ceylon Tea

Tea and Opium: Liquid Jade and the Fruit of the Poppy

The Best Times to Visit Sri Lanka

48 Hours in Colombo

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