If you’re traveling to Sri Lanka and have limited time to explore tea, the best tea plantation in Sri Lanka to visit is the Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory.
Sri Lanka And Tea Go Way Back
Sri Lanka has been producing tea since the 1880s and today makes about 10% of the world’s tea.
Moreover, Sri Lanka is famous for its tea, especially Ceylon tea. The name “Ceylon Tea” and the Lion logo on the packaging show that the tea is grown, processed, and packed in Sri Lanka, following strict quality standards set by the Sri Lanka Tea Board.
But Sri Lanka is not only known for its excellent tea. The country is also famous for its stunning natural beauty, with some of the most beautiful tea estates in the world.
Ceylon Tea is loved worldwide for its exceptional quality and variety. It has different tastes, looks, and characters depending on the region where it’s grown.
Sri Lankan tea can be high-grown, mid-grown, or low-grown and is grown in seven distinct agroclimatic regions: Nuwara Eliya, Uva, Uda Pussellawa, Dimbula, Kandy, Ruhuna, and Sabaragamuwa.
With so many tea-growing regions, and multiple tea estates within each region, to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which plantation to visit when you’re short on time or are traveling with restless children.
Well, if you visit just one place, the best tea plantation in Sri Lanka is the Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory.
In this article, we’ll explore:
- Why Is Uva Halpewatte The Best Tea Plantation In Sri Lanka To Visit?
- Inspiring History of Uva Halwepatte Tea Factory
- Locations And Directions To Uva Halwepatte Tea Factory
- Halwepatte Tea Factory Tours, Durations, and Prices
- The Tea At Uva Halwepatte Tea Factory
- Best Time To Visit The Best Tea Plantation In Sri Lanka
- What To Wear To Uva Halwepatte Tea Factory
- Other Things To Do In Ella Near Uva Halwepatte Tea Factory
Why Is Uva Halpewatte The Best Tea Plantation In Sri Lanka To Visit?
If you are in Sri Lanka only for the tea, then for the absolute finest tea you should head to Nuwara Eliya. Or better yet, visit each of the seven agro-climatic regions since all of them produce teas with very diverse and distinct flavors.
But if you are pressed for time and can only afford to visit one tea plantation, then your best option is the Uva Halwepatte Tea Factory. It’s a one-stop-for-all as you will get to experience great tea, great views, and great activities nearby.
Many tea plantations will offer tours but you won’t be able to see the machines in action or you won’t be allowed to take pictures. Uva Halwepatte offers well-reviewed guided tours and tea tastings, with a view of course!
They also offer classes where you will get to make your own handmade tea! From plucking to drying, you will learn about the entire tea-making process from start to finish!
Furthermore, Ella, the area where Uva Halwepatte Tea Factory is located, is much less crowded than Kandy and has more activities than Nuwara Eliya, making it a great place to explore.
You can also visit the stunning Nine Arches Bridge, ride the iconic Blue Train, and enjoy breathtaking hikes, all while surrounded by beautiful views.
As I’ve mentioned before, Sri Lanka has three kinds of teas: high-grown, mid-grown, and low-grown, depending on the elevation in which they are grown. Uva is one area that produces high-grown teas of excellent quality.
Inspiring History of Uva Halwepatte Tea Factory
Uva Halwepatte Tea Factory is a family-owned business with humble beginnings dating back to 1971.
Mr. Abeyrathne dropped out of school to support his family and started assisting his father in a small shop. What follows is a touching and inspiring story.
He eventually worked his way up and made his foray into the tea manufacturing business as a firewood supplier.
When the village tea factory, previously owned by a British national, closed down, leading to unemployment and panic for the villagers, Mr. Abeyrathne and his wife bought the Uva Greenland Tea Estate.
After purchasing the struggling tea factory, the family faced numerous challenges, including building trust with suppliers and overcoming financial difficulties. However, through perseverance and smart strategies, like focusing on local sales, they established their signature Halpé Tea brand.
By investing in modern machinery they improved production and quality. The Halwepatte factory was the first in Sri Lanka to buy a color-separator machine to sort tea leaves.
Today, Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory remains a proud family business, known for producing fresh, high-quality tea.
Locations And Directions To Uva Halwepatte Tea Factory
The tea factory is located 1,230 meters above sea level in the cool Uva region, about 200 kilometers from Colombo and just 6 kilometers from Ella, a charming village in Sri Lanka’s Uva province.
To reach the factory, catch a bus heading towards Bandarawela. Get off at Kumbawela junction, then transfer to a bus heading towards Badulla. You should get off near the 27km post, just past the Halpe Temple.
From there, it’s a 2km walk to the factory. The walk up is steep but pleasant, with beautiful views and minimal traffic.
If you’re coming from Kandy, you can enjoy the scenic Blue Train ride, which offers stunning views of Sri Lanka’s landscapes. Once you arrive at the Ella train station, you can take a tuk-tuk to the factory, which is about 5 kilometers away.
Halwepatte Tea Factory Tours, Durations, and Prices
A visit to the Halpewatte Tea Factory offers a perfect way to experience the best of Sri Lanka’s tea culture.
You can enjoy walking through lush tea gardens and learn about the tea-making process with a guided tour of the award-winning, functioning factory. The tour often ends with a cup of freshly brewed tea while enjoying stunning views of the mountains and tea fields.
Afterward, you can visit the factory’s shop, which sells a variety of tea products in attractive packaging.
You will need to be moderately physically fit in order to experience these tours as there will be some walking or trekking involved. The tours are not wheelchair accessible.
The tours happen every half hour so you don’t actually need to book in advance. You can turn up and wait for the next tour.
But some days the machines in the factory are closed because of weekends, so it’s still best to be safe and call ahead especially if you are on a short trip.
You can book tour tickets through Tripadvisor, contact the tea factory, or connect with them on WhatsApp:
Tea Factory – +94 572228530
Whatsapp us – +94 776328161
If you want to cancel your tour, you must do so 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund.
If the tour gets canceled due to poor weather, you can either reschedule it or you will get a full refund.
There are primarily 3 types of tours offered at the Halwepatte Tea Factory:
1. The Halwepatte Tea Factory Tour
Halpewatte Tea Factory offers a Factory Tour where visitors get a step-by-step guide to the tea manufacturing process.
You’ll enjoy a guided tour of one of Sri Lanka’s largest tea factories, see modern manufacturing procedures in action, and even participate in a tea-tasting session.
The tour ends with a visit to the factory’s fresh tea shop and café.
Hours: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Duration: 1 hour
Price: USD 10
Group Size: Max 15
Ages: 10-100
2. The Halwepatte Tea Plantation Tour
This Sri Lanka Tea Plantation Tour takes you on a guided visit through the beautiful tea estate. You’ll learn the process of tea plucking and explore an Instagram-worthy location, perfect for photos.
The tour includes a tea-tasting session, and you’ll also have the chance to visit the factory’s tea shop and café. Amenities provided include a scarf and tea-plucking basket.
You can also wear the traditional attire (a saree or sarong) when you’re plucking the tea leaves.
Hours: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Duration: 1 hour
Price: USD 10
Group Size: Max 10
Ages:10-100
3. The Halwepatte Tea Factory Handmade Tea Tour
For a more hands-on experience, the Handmade Tea Masterclass is the perfect choice.
This tour allows you to pluck your own tea leaves, craft your own signature tea blend, and learn about tea manufacturing during a Factory Tour.
You’ll taste your blend, take it home, and shop at the Sky Café. The Handmade Tea Masterclass also comes with a scarf and tea-plucking basket.
Hours:
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Duration: 2 hours
Price: USD 30
Group Size: Max 6
Ages: 18-54
The Tea At Uva Halwepatte Tea Factory
Sri Lanka is best known for its Ceylon black tea.
Uva tea, grown in the eastern hills of Sri Lanka, is known for its smooth, mellow taste and unique flavor. The Uva Halpepatte Tea Factory produces some of the finest tea in the Uva region.
Situated at an elevation of 3,000 to 5,000 feet, the tea from this factory has a unique richness that comes from the specific climate and altitude. The climate in the Uva region, with its dry monsoon winds, gives the tea a slightly woody, sweet flavor with hints of wintergreen and menthol.
Uva tea is often enjoyed with or without milk, making it an excellent choice for afternoon tea. Its smooth texture and slightly sweet flavor make it a favorite among tea lovers worldwide.
The tea here is often used in blends, but it also stands out as a high-quality, single-origin tea, loved for its complex flavors.
When choosing the tea, you’ll want to consider whether you prefer a smooth, mellow tea with hints of menthol or something richer and more aromatic.
For a lighter brew, look for higher-grade leaves like Orange Pekoe (OP), which produces a delicate, fragrant cup, while Broken Orange Pekoe (BOP) gives a richer, fuller flavor.
Here is an excellent article by The Tea Girl to help you understand the different grades of tea and how to choose which is the right one for you.
If you’re new to Uva tea, starting with a classic OP or BOPF might be the best choice, as they offer a balanced and rich experience.
Besides Uva Halpewatte’s own tea, you can also buy single-origin tea from them that’s grown in other regions of Sri Lanka.
Best Time To Visit The Best Tea Plantation In Sri Lanka
The best time to visit the tea plantation is in the early morning when it’s still cooler.
The best time to visit Ella overall is from January to May. The temperature is not too high at this time and Ella is cooler compared to Kandy and Colombo.
You can expect temperatures of about 30 degrees C and mild humidity.
What To Wear To Uva Halwepatte Tea Factory
If you visit from January to May, during the daytime the weather is pleasant. However, it can still get chilly, so it’s best to carry a light jumper or shawl.
Other Things To Do In Ella Near Uva Halwepatte Tea Factory
There are so many must-visit places in Ella like rewarding hikes with stunning views, iconic bridges, and trains, – you will never run out of things to do!
Here are a few things to do in Ella near the Uva Halwepatte Tea Factory:
- Nine Arch Bridge
- Hike to Ella Rock
- Little Adam’s Peak
- Ravana Falls
- Ella Town
- Ella Gap
- Ride the Blue Train
In Conclusion
Sri Lanka’s rich tea heritage offers a unique and rewarding travel experience. While many plantations offer tours, the Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory stands out as the best choice for visitors seeking an authentic and enriching experience, particularly if you are short on time.
With its family-owned history, focus on quality, and engaging tours, it provides a comprehensive glimpse into the world of Sri Lankan tea.
Whether you’re a seasoned tea enthusiast or simply curious about the process, a visit to the Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory is an unforgettable way to experience the heart and soul of Sri Lankan tea culture.
