The Pekoe Trail: A Captivating Journey Through Sri Lanka’s Tea Country
Imagine a hiking trail that offers breathtaking views, supports local communities, and preserves the environment. Welcome to the Pekoe Trail, Sri Lanka’s newest sustainable tourism initiative redefining how to experience the country’s famed tea regions.
The Pekoe Trail is a 185-mile-long walking route that traverses the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka. This 22-stage trail offers an extraordinary journey through some of South Asia’s most beautiful ecological and mountainous landscapes, starting in Kandy and continuing to Nuwara Eliya. Along the way, travelers will pass through stunning locations such as Haputale, Hatton, and Ella and will roughly follow a network of footpaths established during the 19th century when the British developed a tea-growing industry in the region.
Nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka’s lush tea country, the Pekoe Trail is more than just a hiking route. It’s a pioneering project that blends natural beauty, cultural immersion, and eco-friendly adventure. Managed by The Pekoe Trail Organization (TPTO)—a non-governmental organization established with the assistance of USAID’s Indo-Pacific Opportunity Project (IPOP)—this innovative venture showcases the power of collaboration between the public and private sectors in creating a national tourism asset. The trail’s name, “Pekoe,” is deeply rooted in tea culture. It refers to high-quality black tea made from young leaves, with “pek” meaning white and “ho” meaning [duck] down in Chinese dialect – a nod to the fine white hairs covering young tea leaves. This connection to tea heritage is central to the trail’s identity as it winds through Sri Lanka’s renowned tea-growing regions.
Born from the need for resilient tourism models, the Pekoe Trail is a testament to international cooperation and local innovation. The project has a solid foundation with support from the European Union and additional funding from USAID through IDG’s IPOP. In April 2024, the establishment of TPTO marked a significant milestone, bringing together regional tea plantation companies and the Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance, symbolizing a partnership that transcends industries to manage, maintain, and promote the Pekoe Trail.
TPTO has created an ambitious vision: to become the world’s best digitally managed sustainable national tourism operation. This goal is supported by objectives that balance environmental conservation, community well-being, and tourism promotion. The trail is currently being assessed for the prestigious Green Flag Certification, which would cement its status as a world-class sustainable hiking destination.
Unlike traditional tourist attractions, the Pekoe Trail actively engages with and benefits local communities. Through innovative incubation programs, the TPTO supports local entrepreneurs, creating unique visitor experiences while ensuring tourism revenue benefits those living along the trail.
The Pekoe Trail represents a new frontier in sustainable tourism that IDG is proud to support. The trail represents a vision for travel that respects nature, empowers communities, and offers visitors an immersive, unforgettable experience.
This article is written by Dion Schoorman, Communications and Administration Manager for IPOP’s Sri Lanka Tourism Assistance Buy-In Activity.
Responses