Ella: Tea Plantation Tour with Tea Plucking & Sky Café Views

Summary

Ella’s tea hills hands-on tour with tasting and mountain café

You’ll step straight into Ella’s living tea culture—starting with a small Ganesh ritual, then learning real tea plucking alongside local women in the fields. Taste several Ceylon teas at their hilltop Sky Café while soaking up mountain views you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me in Ella was this sharp, green smell—like wet leaves after rain, even though it hadn’t rained yet. We’d barely stepped out of the tuk-tuk when our guide, Priya, waved us over to a tiny temple tucked under a jackfruit tree. She handed us incense sticks for Ganesh worship—honestly, I fumbled mine and almost dropped it on my shoe. But she just grinned and showed me how to do it right. It felt good to start with something so local, not just rushing into the “tour” part.

Then came the tea plucking bit. They tied these baskets around our waists—mine kept sliding sideways—and gave us little mottus (sort of like mini sickles). Priya showed us how to snap the top two leaves and a bud, which is apparently the magic combo for proper Ceylon tea. I tried wearing the wraparound saree but ended up looking like I was wrapped in a picnic blanket; one of the aunties laughed and fixed it for me. The fields were buzzing with women chatting in Tamil, their hands moving way faster than mine ever could. You hear birds, distant laughter, sometimes just wind rustling through all that green.

After about an hour (or maybe less—I lost track), we followed a narrow path up to their Sky Café perched above everything. The view from there isn’t something you can photograph properly; there’s this haze over the hills and you can see workers dotting the slopes below. We tried three kinds of Ceylon tea—one was almost sweet on its own—and learned why each tasted different. There was a faint smell of woodsmoke from somewhere nearby. I still think about that view when I have my morning tea now.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tea plantation tour and tasting

• Arrive at tea plantation around 8 a.m.
• Perform worship at Lord Ganesh kovil
• Receive basket and mottu for tea picking
• Participate in tea plucking activity
• Wear customary tea plucker attire
• Trek through lush green tea gardens
• Learn tea manufacturing process
• Relax at Sky Café with scenic views
• Enjoy unique tea-tasting experience

Top questions

How long does the Ella tea plantation tour last?

The tour usually takes between 40 minutes to 1 hour to complete.

What time can I join the tea plantation tour in Ella?

You can join anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Is tea picking included on this Ella plantation tour?

Yes, you’ll participate in a hands-on tea picking session during your visit.

Can I wear traditional attire during the tour?

Yes, you can try on traditional wraparound saree or sarong if you want for the tea plucking activity.

Is transportation provided for this Ella tea tour?

No specific pickup is mentioned, but public transportation options are available nearby.

Are infants or people with health issues allowed?

Infants must sit on an adult’s lap; not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal/cardiovascular issues.

Do I get to taste different types of Ceylon tea?

Yes, there is a guided tasting where you’ll sample several grades and flavors of Ceylon tea at the Sky Café.

What’s included

Your day includes joining a local guide for Ganesh worship at a small kovil near the plantation, hands-on tea picking with basket and mottu provided (plus optional traditional attire), entry to panoramic Sky Café for multiple Ceylon tea tastings—all within flexible hours so you can arrive when it suits your plans.