W15 To Ceylon Tea Museum (One way on Sri Lanka's Tea Country Trail) 2.8 KM
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 1.78 mi
- Elevation gain
- 148 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 522 ft
- Max elevation
- 2,972 ft
- TrailRank
- 24
- Min elevation
- 2,585 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Time
- 34 minutes
- Coordinates
- 71
- Uploaded
- November 10, 2021
- Recorded
- November 2021
near Uduwelewatta Colony, Central (Sri Lanka)
Viewed 124 times, downloaded 1 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
This walk has been created by one of W15's resident naturalists and hikers. The technical profile of this walk is MODERATE and can be self-guided - please note that there is a section where the path narrows and there are steps that can be slippery during the rainy period. Please contact us at W15 we will guide you.
HIKING TIPS
Learn as much as possible about Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Tea Country – the different cultures and values. Learn some Tamil and Sinhala don’t be afraid to use them – a few words in the local language will make your interaction with the locals all the more enjoyable.
Learn what’s appropriate behaviour and body language. If in doubt ask your guide or the hotel or accommodation staff. Dress respectfully with an awareness of local standards. Dont hike with your shirt off. Dress modestly at religious sites and check with us what swimwear is suitable for pools and rivers.
Always ask first before photographing or videoing people. Respect social distancing, especially in times like these. Avoid giving gifts or money to people you have just met. Never give money to children directly. Ask us if you would like to support a local initiative that helps children.
Supporting the community through a local school, clinic, or development project is more constructive. If you would like to donate to a local community project, we can help you channel the funds.
Wear comfortable and light-weight clothes. The climate can change quickly so it is advisable to be prepared. Take an extra layer or a jumper as it can get quite chilly. The hotel can provide umbrellas if needed.
The terrain can be unsteady sometimes, hence it is advisable to wear walking shoes if possible. The hotel can provide wellington boots and walking sticks.
On longer walks, the hotel can provide refreshments if required. Kindly let us know in advance.
During or after rainy weather, you may encounter leeches, especially when walking ‘off road’. We have a few pairs of leech socks that you are welcome to borrow. If one attaches to you, try to resist the urge to pull it off; leech bites are not dangerous or painful, just annoying. If it hasn't attached to you yet, flick the leech away with your fingers.
Waypoints
Museum
0 ft
Ceylon Tea Museum
The Ceylon Tea Museum is in the former Hanthana Tea Factory, which dates back to 1925, and which had been abandoned for over a decade, before the museum opened in 2001. It is well worth a visit to get a thorough understanding of the development of the Sri Lankan tea industry. The museum includes exhibits on tea pioneers, such as James Taylor and Thomas Lipton, as well as vintage tea-processing paraphernalia. On the ground floor are 19th century colonial generators, rollers, dryers, fermentation tables, sorting machines, etc. The library and museum are on the second floor, whilst there is a shop on the 3rd floor, and restaurant and tea rooms on the top floor.
Intersection
0 ft
Hantana 4 Mile Post Intersection
At the "4 Mile Post", the trail leaves the concrete track, and meets the main tarmac road. Opposite is one of the original tea kiosks; this is owned and operated by the JEDB, which manages all the Government's Tea Estates in Sri Lanka.
Religious site
0 ft
Sandagiri Mahasaya Vinaraya and Stupa
This is a Buddhist temple and Stupa (currently under construction at November 2021). Although pre-dating Buddhism, a Stupa (from the Sanskrit meaning “heap”) is an important part of Buddhism. It is generally considered to be a sepulchral monument, a place of burial or a receptacle for religious objects. At its simplest, a stupa is a dirt burial mound faced with stone. In Buddhism, the earliest stupas contained portions of the Buddha’s ashes, and as a result, the stupa began to be associated with the body of the Buddha. Adding the Buddha’s ashes to the mound of dirt activated it with the energy of the Buddha himself.
Religious site
0 ft
Multi-denominational Religious Shrine
Whilst Buddhism is the predominant religion in Sri Lanka, the majority of workers in the tea country are Tamil, originally hailing from Tamil Nadu in Southern India. Most Tamils tend to be Hindu, but there are also many Christian Tamils. With limited financial resources, it is not uncommon in the Tea Country to find multi-denominational places of worship, where one structure will act as a place of worship for Buddhists, Hindus and Christians.
Overnight
0 ft
W15 Hanthana Entrance
You have reached the entrance to the hotel. Beyond our gates enjoy our beautifully manicured gardens and the very special trees we care for.
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