The Best Nuwara Eliya Tea Plantation Experience: Our Tuk Tuk Tour Review (2025)

Last Updated on April 15, 2025 by Oliver

Nuwara Eliya definitely surprised us. After a couple of weeks of travel along the south coast of Sri Lanka, we took the train from Ella to Kandy and decided to stop in Nuwara Eliya for two days. It ended up being the perfect break. The town is often referred to as little England as it has cooler weather, quiet hills, and a completely different vibe from the rest of the country.

This guide is a personal review of our Nuwara Eliya Tea Plantation experience, with everything you need to know before heading out yourself. My goal is to help you have the best time possible while you visit Nuwara Eliya—especially if you’re short on time, like we were. We booked a tuk-tuk tour that took us to a lush tea plantation, a factory, and a few local waterfalls, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip.

So let’s get into it!

Why We Chose This Tour

After reading what felt like 50 blogs on what to do in Nuwara Eliya, we narrowed down our two-day plan: one day for high tea and exploring the town, and one full day for tea fields and waterfalls.

There were a few different tours we considered, but we really wanted to visit more than one tea factory to get a better feel for how they differ. This tuk-tuk tour stood out because it included stops at two tea factories and two waterfalls—which felt like great value for the time we had.

The fact that it was a private tuk-tuk tour was a bonus. It was just us and our driver, and he was super chill. He even let us switch a couple of things around on the day, we just gave him a bit extra as a tip for being so flexible.

We’d also read a lot about Damro Tea, which is one of the biggest and most popular tea estates in the area. Most other tours seemed to go to Pedro tea estate instead, so this one felt like the better fit for what we wanted to see. It was a little more expensive than the other option we were considering, but honestly, it was 100% worth it.

What the Tea Plantation Tour was Like

First Stop: Damro Tea Plantation

Our first stop was at Damro, which is a bit outside of town—but honestly, getting there was half the fun. The tuk-tuk wound through little hills and narrow roads, and with the breeze blowing in, it felt kind of magical. I actually wore jeans for once in Sri Lanka (!!). Still had a tank top on though it wasn’t that cold.

As we pulled up, we could spot tea pickers moving through the rows in the distance. It reminded us a lot of the rice fields in Bali; peaceful, repetitive, and clearly a ton of work. It hit us how physically demanding this job really is, especially in that kind of terrain.

The factory tour itself was pretty short and straightforward, but surprisingly informative. I had no idea that all tea comes from the same plant. I’d always assumed black, green, and earl grey were totally different types, but it turns out it’s all in how and when the tea leaves are picked and processed. We got to see the full process—from separation to drying—and walked out with a new appreciation for something we drink without thinking.

Before leaving Damro, we got a little tea tasting to try a few different teas. We sat down for a cup of black tea (included in the tour), and it was actually so relaxing after walking through the factory. They’ve got a shop where you can buy everything from classic Ceylon to slightly fancier blends.

You can get Ceylon tea for super cheap all over world, but we ended up buying an apple cinnamon blend that was ridiculously good. It’s definitely overpriced here, but I really wanted it, ha!

Second Stop: Ramboda Waterfalls

Our second stop was Ramboda Falls. We chose to go here first instead of the second tea factory because, well, we’re not British and didn’t need more tea at that point. We just needed a little break.

The entrance had a small fee of 50 rupees (so cheap!), and it’s right off the side of the road. Our tuk-tuk driver dropped us off and waited with our stuff while we explored.

The walk up to the falls took about 20 minutes—more like a stair-stepper than a hike. But the views of the stream on the way up were stunning. Once we reached the top, we hung out for a bit, took some pics, and then made our way back down. It only took about 45 minutes total, and was a great way to get out in nature.

Third Stop: Blue Field Tea Estate

Next up was the Blue Field Factory, and this turned out to be our favorite stop of the day. It had a much more local vibe compared to the bigger, touristy places. The tea plantations were smaller, and the whole atmosphere felt a lot more personal—you could really get a sense of the effort that goes into the tea making here.

A sweet local girl gave us the tour. She even took us out into the tea bushes to pick some of the leaves with the other tea pluckers and explained the whole process. It was cool to see the tea production up close and learn just how much care goes into picking and processing the tea.

After the tour, we sat down in the tea lounge with our tuk-tuk driver for another cup of tea and just chilled for a bit. We got to hear more about his life in Nuwara Eliya, and it turned into one of those really wholesome, feel-good moments. It wasn’t rushed at all, and we appreciated how laid-back and personal the experience felt.

Fourth Stop: Lovers Leap Waterfall

We had Puna Ella Falls on the itinerary for our fourth stop, but since we were planning to visit Lovers Leap later, our driver suggested we head there instead and we’re so glad we did! Getting to Lovers Leap can be tricky, but taking the longer route through Pedro Tea Estate made it easier.

To get to the trailhead, you’ll spot a left turn just before the Pedro Tea Estate. Follow the road toward the estate manager’s house, and after about 200 meters, you’ll find the start of the trail. The path is a bit rustic but totally manageable, and there are clear signs along the way (plus, the friendly staff at Pedro Tea Estate were happy to point us in the right direction).

It’s not a strenuous hike, and the waterfall at the end is definitely worth the effort. The cool mountain breeze and fresh air make it a really refreshing stop.

Last Stop: Lunch

After the hike, we stopped for lunch at Cool Land Hot Hut and it did not disappoint! Our tuk-tuk driver actually recommended it, and it turned out to be a perfect spot to take a break. You can either go for the buffet or order à la carte, and honestly, everything we tried was amazing.

(Keep in mind, this is NOT included in the tour! Typically they would take you back to your hotel or a meeting spot, but our driver was seriously the best!)

We decided to walk back from here instead of taking the tuk tuk, as he’d already gone above and beyond with all the changes to our itinerary.

Why I Think This Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka Tour Is Worth It

Normally, Oliver and I are the scooter-renting, figure-it-out-as-we-go type. But with just two days in Nuwara Eliya, we didn’t want to waste time getting lost or Googling every stop—we wanted to actually enjoy the place. And honestly? This tour just made sense.

The highlight for us was 100% the driver. He was super relaxed, made fun little stops (like pulling over so we could grab fresh strawberries off the side of the road), and gave us great recommendations along the way. There was zero pressure to buy stuff, no awkward sales pitches—just genuinely good vibes and conversation.

Also, just being real—if you only want to visit one tea plantation, that’s totally fine. We did two because it was part of the tour, but in all honesty, the factories and tea processes aren’t wildly different. It’s not like a wine tasting where you’re comparing totally different grapes and flavors. But if you’re curious to see the contrast between a big commercial operation and a smaller, local setup, this tour gives you both, which was cool.

What’s Included

• Private tuk tuk day trip tour (just you and your driver)
• Stop at Damro Tea Factory (tour + tea tasting)
• Visit to Ramboda Falls (entrance fee not included – 50 rupees)
• Stop at Blue Field Tea Factory (tour + tea tasting)
• Puna Ella Falls
• Pick-up and drop-off in Nuwara Eliya

Cost & Time

• Cost: $40 Per Person
• Duration: Approx. 5 hours
• Start Times: Every hour from 8:00 AM
• Recommendation: Book earlier in the day for cooler weather and fewer tourists at the tea plantations

Book the exact tour we did here and get your Nuwara Eliya adventure sorted in just a few clicks.

FAQ’s: Tea Factories in Nuwara Eliya

What’s the best tea factory Nuwara in Eliya?

The top 3 tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya are Damro Estate, Pedro Tea Estate, and Blue Fields Factory!

What’s the best tea plantation tour Nuwara Eliya Offers?

Maybe I’m biased, but the Sri Lanka Tea Plantation tour we did was incredible! Two factories, two waterfalls, and all the local tips a girl could ask for!!

What’s the typical Nuwara Eliya tea plantation price?

For most of the estates in Nuwara Eliya, the tea plantation tour is free and they expect you to buy a cup of tea at the end or some tea!

Where is the best place to stay in Nuwara Eliya?

The Grand Hotel is our favorite place to stay in Nuwara Eliya! The luxury hotel has high tea everyday and has gorgeous colonial style decor! The gardens are gorgeous and it really feels like you’ve stepped out of Sri Lanka into England!

💡 Make sure to check out everything you need to know about taking the train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella in 2025!

Final Thoughts on the Best Nuwara Eliya Tea Estate Tour in Sri Lanka

If you’re short on time in Nuwara Eliya but still want to experience tea country properly, this tour is the move. It gave us the perfect mix of scenery, local insight, and flexibility—without having to plan every single detail ourselves.

We got to see some beautiful spots, learn a bit about growing tea, and even just hang out and chat with someone who lives there. Super chill, super worth it, we give this tuk tuk tour a 10/10 and highly recommend!

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