The Pekoe Trail is a stunning, immersive trek through the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country. The trail offers both natural beauty and cultural depth by winding through lush estates, serene villages, and misty hills.
If you’re considering taking on this adventure, I’ve put together an itinerary based on my own experience of hiking an average of 24 km per day, with some days pushing up to 34 km. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but if you’re comfortable with distances of 30 to 35 km and can handle the grind of steep climbs, this plan might be perfect for you.
Altitude gain is a major factor on the Pekoe Trail—1,000 meters of elevation gain can make even a moderate day feel much tougher. I recommend checking out stage-by-stage altitude details on Wikiloc to tailor your experience better.
Remember, this itinerary is just a guide. Feel free to adjust it based on your pace and comfort level, and prioritize your safety and enjoyment on this incredible adventure.
Accommodation Categories along the Pekoe Trail
I have categorized the accommodation options as follows,
| Bare minimum | Basic | Good |
|---|---|---|
| No attached Washrooms No Hotshowers Bed Only Cost around 2500 LKR | No hot shower Food needs to be ordered outside Clean Sheets but not white Cost around 3000 LKR | Hot Shower Available Food Can be ordered from the hotel Clean Sheets and extra amenities are provided Cost around 5000 LKR |
Pekoe Trail Itinerary
Day 1
- Distance Covered: 19.34 km
- Stages Covered: Stage 1 (12.84 km), Stage 2 (6.5 km)
- Nearest Accommodation Town: Deltota
- Accommodation: Hotel Delthota Village
- How to Book: Call 0763221033 or Walk In
- Price: 3500
- Remarks: Basic Accommodation.
- Other Accommodation Options: Since Kandy City is accessible via the main road. You can take a bus or tuk-tuk to the town and find better accommodation.
Day 2
- Distance Covered: 26.31 km
- Stages Covered: Stage 2 (8.2 km), Stage 3 (18.11 km)
- Nearest Accommodation Town: Tawalantenne
- Accommodation: Randhiya
- How to Book: Walk In
- Price: 3000
- Remarks: Bareminimum Accommodation. Unfortunately, everything else was booked out for me.
- Other Accommodation Options: There are better options available around the vicinity. (Ramboda Holiday Inn)
Day 3
- Distance Covered: 29.62 km
- Stages Covered: Stage 4 (15.53 km), Stage 5 (14.09 km)
- Nearest Accommodation Town: Watagoda
- Accommodation: Kithul Cabins
- How to Book: Booking via Bookings.com or Call
- Price: 5700
- Remarks: Good Accommodation and food can be requested.
- There is accommodation at Pundaluoya if you decide to do stages 4 and 5 in two days. The hotel named Serenmo is right next to the Pundaluoya police station. However it is expensive (50 USD, 15000 LKR),
Day 4
- Distance Covered: 6.91 km
- Stages Covered: Stage 6 (6.91 km)
- Nearest Accommodation Town: Thalawakale
- Accommodation: View Rest
- How to Book: Walk In
- Price: 3000
- Remarks: Bare minimum accommodation.
Day 5
- Distance Covered: 24.54 km
- Stages Covered: Stage 6 (8.06 km), Stage 7 (16.48 km)
- Nearest Accommodation Town: Norwood
- Accommodation: Eastern View Rest
- How to Book: Call / Walk In
- Price: 3500
- Remarks: Basic accommodation.
Day 6
- Distance Covered: 20.8 km
- Stages Covered: Stage 8 (15.8 km), Stage 9 (5 km)
- Nearest Accommodation Town: Bogawanthalawa
- Accommodation: Camping at the Campsite in Haritha Kanda
- How to Book: Walk In
- Price: Free
- Remarks: You can stay in Boganwathalawa and not camp, or there is a guy who can get you camping gear in the town as well, Call 0762802308 – Lakmal
Day 7
- Distance Covered: 16.52 km
- Stages Covered: Stage 9 (12.52 km), Stage 10 (4 km)
- Nearest Accommodation Town: Agarapathana
- Accommodation: Rohitha Guest – Agarapathana
- How to Book: Call 0777822675
- Price: 5000
- Remarks: Good Accommodation. However, the guest house is 8km from the Stage 10 start point. You have to take the bus or tuk-tuk (around 1500 – 2000 LKR) to get there.
Day 8
- Distance Covered: 22.54 km
- Stages Covered: Stage 10 (10.88 km), Stage 11 (11.66 km)
- Nearest Accommodation Town: Ohiya estate
- Accommodation: Acacia Inn – Camping
- How to Book: Walk-In for Camping, Whatsapp Mr. Luxman Manager Acacia Inn for booking – 0710335207, 0710335207
- Price: Free for Camping
- Remarks: You can book the Acacina Inn As well instead of camping. You can order breakfast and dinner from Acacia Inn whether you camp or book the place.
Day 9
- Distance Covered: 8.54 km
- Stages Covered: Stage 11 (1.54 km), Stage 12 (11.66 km)
- Nearest Accommodation Town: Idalgasinna
- Accommodation: Accommodation Available/Camping Available
- How to Book: Call / Walk In / Booking.com
- Price: –
- Remarks: Basic to Good Accommodation. I didn’t stay here. I took the train to Colombo as I stopped my third segment here.
Day 10
- Distance Covered: 32.78 km
- Stages Covered: Stage 12 (10.3 km), Stage 13 (13.48 km), Stage 14 (9 km)
- Nearest Accommodation Town: Heel Oya
- Accommodation: Orchid Villa Ella, Heel Oya
- How to Book: Booking.com
- Price: 4000
- Remarks: Good Accommodation. You can order food from the house. It will be homemade delicious Sri Lankan food.
Day 11
- Distance Covered: 31.51 km
- Stages Covered: Stage 15 (10.3 km), Stage 16 (13.48 km), Stage 17 (9 km)
- Nearest Accommodation Town: Hali Ella
- Accommodation: Ninety-Nine Grand Hotel
- How to Book: Call, Booking.com
- Price: 5500
- Remarks: It was basic accommodation with an expensive price tag. It was a convenient option close to the trail so I didn’t mind it. The food was good but again it was expensive. I am saying it is expensive relative to the places I stayed along the trail.
Day 12
- Distance Covered: 22.54 km
- Stages Covered: Stage 18 (13.67 km), Stage 19 (8.87 km)
- Nearest Accommodation Town: Welimada
- Accommodation: Crown Resort
- How to Book: Call or Bookings.com
- Price: 3000
- Remarks: It was basic accommodation however it was better. The only thing that it missed from being a good accommodation is a hot shower.
Day 13
- Distance Covered: 22.54 km
- Stages Covered: Stage 19 (10 km), Stage 20 (12.58 km)
- Nearest Accommodation Town: Uda Puswellawa
- Accommodation: Pushpa Mahal
- How to Book: Call / Walk In
- Price: 4500
- Remarks: Good Accommodation however it felt basic due to the location. They can provide you with food. Call and tell them you are coming on foot. Sinhala or Tamil. Not English
- https://maps.app.goo.gl/SfwspieCheBPYxobA
Day 14
- Distance Covered: 27.5 km
- Stages Covered: Stage 21 (16.7 km), Stage 22 (10.8 km)
- Nearest Accommodation Town: Nuwaraeliya
- Accommodation: Plenty of options to choose from
- How to Book: Call / Walk In / Bookings.com
- Price: Varies
- Remarks: Basic/Good/Luxury options available
The Pekoe Trail is a journey that pushes your limits and rewards you with unforgettable experiences. From tackling those relentless altitude gains to soaking in the serene beauty of tea country, every day on the trail leaves a mark. It’s a hike that tests your stamina but also gifts you quiet moments of reflection and connection with Sri Lanka’s unique landscapes.
As you wrap up this adventure, you’ll realize it’s not just about covering the kilometers but about everything you discover along the way—about the land, the people, and yourself. Remember, the trail doesn’t have to be a race. Adjust the itinerary to suit your pace, be mindful of the challenges, and celebrate each accomplishment, big or small. Here’s to the memories you’ve made and the trails that still lie ahead. Happy hiking, and may your next adventure be just as incredible!
