Ella, Haputale & Bandarawela: Tuk Tuk Tea Plantation Safari with Picnic

Summary

Tea hills by tuk tuk, Lipton’s Seat views and picnic lunch

You’ll ride through Sri Lanka’s tea hills in a tuk tuk with a local guide, visit an old tea factory, try your hand at picking leaves with local women, and share a picnic lunch overlooking endless fields near Lipton’s Seat. Expect laughter, open-air views, and moments that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We rattled out of Bandarawela station in a tuk tuk that looked like it had seen a thousand sunrises — our driver, Sunil, grinned and waved at every third person we passed. The road wound through the hills so tight I kept thinking we’d tip, but Sunil just laughed and pointed out where the mist was lifting off the tea leaves. It smelled sweet and green and somehow earthy all at once. I didn’t expect the quiet up here — just the sound of women picking leaves and birds you only hear in Sri Lanka.

Stopping at a tea factory, I tried to follow what our guide was saying about withering and rolling (I got lost somewhere between oxidation and “just smell this”). There was this warm, toasted scent everywhere — not like the bags you get at home. At Lipton’s Seat, Sunil told us how Sir Thomas Lipton used to sit right there to look over his estate. The view just sort of goes on forever; honestly, I had no idea Sri Lanka had so many shades of green. We had our picnic on a patch of grass above the fields — rice wrapped in banana leaf, still warm from someone’s kitchen. A couple of ladies showed me how to pluck tea leaves (badly — they laughed when I tried) and my hands smelled like fresh leaves for hours after.

I think what stuck with me most was how unhurried everything felt. Even when it started to drizzle near Haputale on the way back, nobody rushed. Just slow riding through rain that made everything smell sharper. If you’re looking for a day trip from Ella or Bandarawela that isn’t just ticking boxes… well, this felt real.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tuk Tuk safari and tea plantation visit

• Start from Bandarawela Railway Station
• Travel by tuk tuk to tea plantation
• Explore the tea plantation and local life
• Visit tea factory
• Visit Lipton's Seat viewpoint
• Enjoy picnic lunch overlooking plantation
• Join ladies to pick tea leaves

Top questions

How long does the tuk tuk safari take?

The tour lasts about 6 hours from start to finish.

Is hotel pickup included in Ella or Haputale?

Yes, pickup from hotels in Ella, Haputale or Bandarawela is included.

Do we visit Lipton’s Seat during the tour?

Yes, visiting Lipton’s Seat viewpoint is one of the highlights.

Is lunch provided during the day trip?

A picnic lunch is included during your time in the tea plantation.

Can children join this tuk tuk safari?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult.

Will we meet local tea pickers?

You’ll have a chance to meet local ladies working in the plantation and try picking tea leaves yourself.

How physically demanding is this experience?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended for walking around plantations.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel in Ella, Haputale or Bandarawela, all rides by tuk tuk with an experienced driver-guide, bottled water along the way, entry to a working tea factory plus a homemade picnic lunch enjoyed out among the tea fields before returning late afternoon.