Discover the Cool Breeze and Breathtaking Views of Sri Lanka’s Highlands

Haputale: A Hilltop Haven of Tranquility

Haputale

Haputale is a small town on the southern edge of the Sri Lankan hill country. On a clear day you can see the coastline from the mountain ridge, but on other days thick mist clings on to the deep green mountains, giving you a surreal experience of being surrounded by clouds. Explore the stunning surroundings of Haputale during your travels and discover its myriad of attractions!

Key Attractions

Haputale, perched high in Sri Lanka’s central highlands, offers panoramic views of verdant tea plantations and distant mountains. Dambatenne Tea Factory, one of the oldest in the region, provides an insight into the tea-making process with tours and tastings. The stunning Lipton’s Seat offers a spectacular vantage point, allowing visitors to see across the southern plains. Nature lovers can explore Haputale Falls, a beautiful cascade surrounded by lush forests. For a peaceful retreat, Adisham Bungalow, a colonial-era building, offers serene surroundings and a glimpse into the island’s heritage
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Lipton’s Seat

Lipton’s Seat is perhaps the most popular attraction in Haputale. Situated an hour away from Haputale town, Lipton’s Seat is a viewpoint named after the celebrated Thomas Lipton. He was a Scottish businessman who moved to British Ceylon in 1890, where he met James Taylor and together they introduced tea gardens to the country. Prior to Lipton’s arrival, Taylor had attempted to grow coffee on the island, however, the coffee plantations were devastated by a leaf-blight. With Lipton’s help, the two men embarked on a business venture which would outlive their lifetimes.

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Adisham Bungalow

Constructed in 1931, the house was designed in the Tudor style and fashioned after the Leeds Castle in Kent- Sir Thomas Villiers even named it after the village he was born in and has all the trappings of what you would imagine an English mansion would have. The Bungalow has an impressive library which is filled from floor to ceiling with old dusty volumes that the planter held dear. Access to the whole house is limited and visitors are only allowed to see the library and living room, but there is an adjoining guest house where people are more than welcomed to stay.

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Dambatenne Tea Factory

The Dambatenne Tea Factory was built by Thomas Lipton in 1890 when he began his tea empire, and this is the factory that manufactures his famous Lipton Ceylonta black tea. Lipton made the tea industry what it is today; with workers harvesting the tea, he sold his tea all around the world, quickly making Lipton a household name.