Discover a different side of Sri Lanka on this 12-day journey through the island’s breathtaking hill country, remote villages and spectacular southern landscapes.
Designed for women who love walking, nature and meaningful cultural experiences, this itinerary follows two of the most scenic sections of the world-renowned Pekoe Trail, winding through lush tea plantations, misty mountains and charming rural communities.
Meet the people behind Sri Lanka’s famous tea industry, enjoy slower moments in the cool highlands, and experience village life beyond the usual tourist trail. Then venture south for an unforgettable wildlife safari in Udawalawe National Park, where elephants roam freely, before finishing with time to relax on the golden beaches of Ranna.
With boutique, premium 4.5-5 star accommodation, expert local guides and a small group of like-minded women, this journey combines gentle adventure, authentic local connections and the warm hospitality that makes Sri Lanka so special.
This is Sri Lanka at its most immersive—where every step tells a story, every encounter is genuine, and every day invites you to slow down, breathe deeply and discover something new.
Price Includes
Price Excludes
After your arrival in Colombo, enjoy a smooth airport transfer to your downtown hotel. Arrive early to settle in and refresh before meeting your local guide.
Make the most of your down time with maybe a swim on the rooftop pool overlooking the Indian Ocean.
End your day with a special welcome dinner, sharing the flavours and warmth of Sri Lanka with your new travel companions.
Meals: Welcome dinner
Accommodation: The Granbell Hotel, Colombo
Transport: Airport transfer to your hotel approx 45 mins.
Travel to Sri Lanka’s cultural capital today, Kandy. The journey takes you through the hills, coconut plantations, and scenic countryside.
Before check-in at your hotel, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist temples. It’s beautifully decorated and houses the relic of Buddha’s tooth and is one of the country’s most important pilgrimmage sites.
Later, arrive at your accommodation and the rest of the day and evening is yours to spend unwinding by the pool, and relaxing.
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Simpson’s Forest, Kandy
Transport: Journey to Kandy approx 4 hours in a comfortable, private mini van.
Activities: Visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Enjoy a guided walk through the mist-covered hills, rolling tea plantations and peaceful rural landscapes. Visit traditional Tamil villages, observe their daily life and rituals. Meet friendly locals and see tea cultivation and hill-country culture. It’s a gentle hike today and it offers a great, authentic insight into Sri Lanka’s culture.
Return to the hotel and later in the day, take part in a yoga session surrounded by the peaceful forest environment, giving you the perfect opportunity to relax and reconnect with nature.
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Simpson’s Forest, Kandy
Activities: Traditional Tamil villages, gentle hiking, yoga session
After breakfast, head out of Kandy to the Knuckles Mountain Range, a UNESCO World Heritage Conservation Zone renowned for its rich biodiversity and beauty.
Enjoy a guided walk through the forests, villages and mountain trails.
Spend the late afternoon enjoying a traditional, English High Tea.
Included meals: Breakfast, Traditional High Tea
Accommodation: Simpson’s Forest, Kandy
Transport: The journey to the Knuckles foothills is 1.5 hours each way
Activities: Guided walk in the Knuckles, traditional high tea
Enjoy a breathtaking train journey through Sri Lanka’s lush hill country, passing waterfalls, forests, and vibrant tea plantations. Travel from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya (approx 2.5/3 hours) and then meet your driver and head to Pedro Tea Estate.
Discover how Pure Ceylon Tea is crafted, stroll through scenic fields, and try your hand at tea plucking. Connect with the hardworking tea pickers who bring this world-famous tea to life, gaining insight into their vital role in the community.
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Jetwing St Andrew’s Lodge
Transport: First class ticket on the train, other road transfers
Activities: Scenic train trip, Pedro tea estate visit and tasting
After an early breakfast, drive to Horton Plains National Park to begin one of Sri Lanka’s finest trekking experiences.
You’ll walk through cloud forests, open grasslands, and breathtaking mountain scenery before descending to the quiet village of Ohiya.
Your main luggage will be transported safely to your next hotel. You only need a small backpack for today with your essentials for the night.
Once you arrive at your guesthouse, it’s your time to relax and take in the walk you’ve completed!
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Remote Trekkers Lodge*
*Remote Trekkers Lodge is a unique accommodation with limited rooms so for this night, we will need to twin share.
Transport: Drive to Horton Plains, approx 45 minutes
Activities: Hiking Pekoe Trail Stage 11, graded moderate, approx 6 hours walking
Following breakfast, it’s time to lace up your shoes again and walk to the Ohiya Station for your scenic rail journey through the hill country to Ella. You’ll stop at the Nine Arches Bridge with time to take photos and see this iconic spot.
Then you’ll continue to the Anasa Wellness Resort and spend the rest of the afternoon soaking up the cooler air.
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Anasa Wellness Resort
Transport: Transfer to Ella (approx 2 hours) and transfer to Bandarawela (1 hour)
Activities: Hiking to Ohiya Railway station – Stage 12, 1-2 hours, graded moderate. Scenic rail journey from Ohiya to Ella.
Enjoy a leisurely morning making the most of the resort’s facilities.
In the afternoon, you have the option to join a hike to Little Adam’s Peak. It’s a gentle climb and rewards you with magical views over Ella Gap, rolling tea plantations and the surrounding mountains.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Anasa Wellness Resort
Activities: Optional hike (2km return)
Transport: n/a
This morning enjoy a scenic Tuk Tuk trip through the tea plantations and quiet village roads. You’ll have the chance to stop at some scenic points too. Return to the hotel for some leisure time and in the afternoon meet for a relaxed guided yoga session in the peaceful surrounds of the resort.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Anasa Wellness Resort
Activities: Tuk Tuk tour through the tea plantations, yoga session
Transport: Tuktuk tour
After breakfast, check out and head south to Udawalawe National Park, where you’ll get to take an exciting jeep safari through the park renowned for elephants, crocodiles, water buffalo, deer, monkeys and a huge range of birdlife.
Then drive onto Ranna and check in at your beachfront resort and spend the evening overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ananya Beach Resort, Ranna
Activities: Safari at Udawalawe National Park
Transport: Drive to Udawalawe (3 hours), Drive to Ranna (1.5 hours)
After breakfast visit the peaceful Kalametiya Lagoon, one of Sri Lanka’s most important coastal wetland ecosystems. Explore it’s tranquil waterways while observing colourful birdlife, mangrove forests and the beautiful natural surroundings.
Return to the resort around midday with the rest of the day free for you to relax and enjoy the beachfront resort.
Gather tonight for our farewell dinner to celebrate the wonderful experiences we’ve shared on this unique journey through Sri Lanka.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Accommodation: Anansa Beach Resort
Activities: Kalametiya Lagoon visit
Transport: transfer to the lagoon
Enjoy a leisurely morning at your hotel before meeting your guide for your transfer to Colombo Airport.
Thank you for travelling with Pip & Co Travel — we hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!
If you wish to extend your stay, extra nights in Ranna or Colombo can be arranged.
Meals: Breakfast
Transport: Transfer from Ranna to Colombo Airport – allow 3.5 hours
Want to Learn More About This Tour?
If you’re curious about the itinerary, inclusions, or what to expect, let’s chat!
Book a free 15-minute call with Penny to go over the details, answer your questions, and help you decide if this tour is the right fit for you.
It’s relaxed, obligation-free, and a great way to get all the information you need in one go.
When you join a Pip & Co Travel journey through beautiful Sri Lanka, here’s what’s in store:
Immersive Cultural Experiences
Explore ancient temples, bustling markets, and traditional villages where centuries-old customs come alive. You’ll connect with local artisans, taste authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, and witness vibrant festivals and rituals.
Diverse Landscapes and Wildlife
Travel through lush tea plantations, misty highlands, and wildlife-rich national parks. Enjoy safaris spotting elephants, leopards, and exotic birds, plus serene beachside moments along the coast.
Comfortable Accommodations
Stay in thoughtfully selected hotels and boutique lodges that blend local charm with modern comfort, giving you a restful retreat after your daily adventures.
Expert Local Guides
Benefit from the knowledge and warmth of local guides who share insights into Sri Lanka’s history, culture, and natural wonders, enriching every step of your journey.
A Balanced Pace
Our itinerary is designed to balance exploration with relaxation, giving you time to soak in each place without feeling rushed.
Responsible Travel
We prioritise sustainable tourism that respects the environment and supports local communities, ensuring your trip has a positive impact.
Lots of different people! Mostly women in their 50 – 70s are travelling with Pip & Co Travel.
Travellers who share a love of discovery, learning, adventure, fun and kindness of any age are right for Pip & Co Travel trips!
We love having solo travellers on our trips. In fact many of our travellers join our trips on their own.
If you are keen to twin share, it is sometimes possible to match you with another solo traveller. This isn’t guaranteed, though, and if there isn’t another traveller available, you will need to pay the solo supplement.
The cost to have your own room for this trip is AUD$1590.
Please contact Penny for more information.
This tour is suitable for travellers with a moderate (decent) level of fitness. Expect:
Some activities are optional, so if there’s something you don’t feel like doing you can opt-out. Please contact Penny if you want to ask specific health and fitness questions. No question is silly!
The weather is warm all year round in Sri Lanka, although in the tea country it will be mild and you will need a cardigan/jumper. In June, the south-west and southern coastal areas of the island, as well as the Tea Country, remain under the influence of the summer monsoon, although it is not unusual to go a number of days without rain. So expect a mix of some showers, and some dry days.
Most destinations accept a mix of cash and card payments. Major cities often have good access to ATMs, while more rural areas may be cash-only. It’s best to carry some local currency for small purchases, markets, or tipping.
Tipping customs vary by country — some cultures expect it, while others do not. We’ll provide detailed guidance before departure to help you navigate local etiquette with ease.
We usually suggest the group has a tip kitty to take the hassle and uncertainty out of tipping.
You need to make a AUD $500 deposit to hold your spot.
The final balance of the trip is due 90 days before the start of the trip.
You can pay with a major credit card such as Visa or Mastercard (fees apply) or with a bank deposit. Payment plans can also be arranged.
All Pip & Co Travellers will need to purchase comprehensive travel insurance prior to the trip.
If you need help with this, please contact us.
Visa requirements vary depending on your nationality but Australian passport holders do need a visa for Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka visas can be applied online before arrival. We will send out reminders to apply for your visa before the trip departure.
International flights are not included in your tour. You should aim to book flights that align with the official tour start and end dates. Where possible, arrive the day before to allow time to adjust to the local time zone and recover from long-haul travel. For this trip your arrival and departure airport is Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport.
Please note on the final day, you will need to factor in a 3.5 hour car trip to get from Ranna to the airport.
