TikaWeeks #35/2025: Sri Lanka update
Posted by John on 28th August 2025
“Last week I was able to complete [The] Pekoe Trail Stages 1 & 2. It was breathtaking, the views, the communities, the local people you meet along the way is what makes it special.
Stage 1 – This stage is easy and its beginner level. Most of the track is paved concrete and just 3-5km on rough terrain (will recommend trekking shoes or walking shoes like Nike & Adidas or Solomons) as it involves an elevation gain of 537m (1,762 ft) and an elevation loss of 470m (1,542 ft), reaching a maximum elevation of 1,067 m (3,501 ft). During [the] wet season leeches can be a sort of a problem but we can provide leech socks & ammas [Suba’s] home-made natural repellent made from garcinia, tamarind, salt & pepper, it works perfectly!
We start near the entrance of Hanthana mountain (near W15 Hanthana [Estate]) and we must get a stage pass (applies for any stage) which goes through Hanthana tea plantation through Katsu Kanda (a big vertical rock behind the main Hanthana mountain) passing two viewing points which looks straight at [the] Knuckles Mountain Range. We also go through the movie set of ‘Indiana Jones [and the] Temple of Doom’ and a very remote local village called Kithulmulla still followed by tea plantations and at the [end] of Stage 1 we can also see a local coffee plantation. Stage 1 ends in Galaha. Total 12.8km & it takes about 3-3.5hrs to complete at average pace with two 15-20min breaks in between for rest and snack. I reckon anyone can do this at their own pace safely.
Stage 2 – This stage can be quite challenging, very narrow path, big cliff drops on either side and the track conditions change every 5km. Best way to start this stage is from the end point in Loolkandura (near Deltota). Since the track conditions change and it can be quite dangerous especially if it rained. I would recommend doing this stage from Loolkandura to James Taylor Estate and back to Loolkandura which takes around 3.5hrs in total. That track is quite elevated, rough terrain and generally around 750-850 metres (2,460-2,790 ft) with a maximum elevation around 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) and a total loss of about 500-670 metres (1,640-2,200 ft). We can see where the first tea in Sri Lanka was planted, see James Taylor’s bungalow and his estate and the beautiful Loolkandura Tea Estate. Continuing after James Taylor’s estate is not recommended mainly for our elderly crowd and due to the track conditions and the massive cliff drops on either side & that track is full of leeches…
Both stages can be done by us from Hanthana House with food, refreshments and transport provided.”
Categories: Accommodation, Culture, Sightseeing, Sri Lanka, Sustainability
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