Visiting Lipton Seat: A High Vantage Point in Sri Lanka
I arrived at the Haputale railway station after travelling along Sri Lanka’s most scenic route from Ella. Bandarawela is only 30-minutes away from here, but this small misty town in Uva Province enticed me to stay a little longer. Haputale, located in the Badulla district, is a charming hilltop hamlet surrounded by Chartreuse green tea estates and plantations. Given the misty weather and unusual flora and fauna, it is difficult to leave this place early. And so, we decided to explore the picturesque vistas of Lipton Seat before heading to Bandarawela.
It is the most spectacular viewpoint in central Sri Lanka, with a fascinating history. We drove down to the famous Dambatenne Tea Factory first to get to Lipton’s Seat. From there, we hired a Tuk-Tuk to take us on a scenic route perfect for tea connoisseurs, photographers, and history buffs. The road to Lipton’s Seat zigzags steeply through Dambatenne Tea plantations on its way. As we rode up the steeply curved roads, the scenery became more and more dramatic with each bend. It was the dawn of the Lipton brand here. A gleaming sheath of green tea bushes encircled the entire valley.
I even saw stonework from the British era along the old roads. I walked uphill for part of my journey and photographed and interacted with almost every tea plucker I met. In Sri Lanka, only women pluck tea leaves, while men are employed in more difficult jobs. The Lipton’s viewpoint is nestled in the Poonagala hills, overlooking lush tea estates. We took a Tuk-Tuk for half of the journey and walked the other half. My tour guide, Amith, told me about the history of the area as we travelled.
Before becoming a tea tycoon, Sir Thomas Lipton was a Scotsman who owned a few grocery stores. He started selling high-quality merchandise in his stores all over the world. We had arrived at the viewpoint by the time Amith finished telling me about the history of the place. Sir Thomas Lipton sat here and surveyed the vast Dambetenna Tea Estate and the seven provinces surrounding it. Lipton’s Seat retains its 18th-century vibe, and the views from 6463 feet above sea level are breathtaking. Head to the viewpoint cafe for a cup of freshly brewed tea.
Both the tea and the breathtaking views can be enjoyed for LKR 50. The entire valley was soon shrouded in ethereal-mist, and the sky became cloudy. Thankfully, it did not rain until after we had finished our lunch. Amith had brought a homemade lunch with him, that we could enjoy at this fantastic vantage point.
On a large banana leaf, I savoured the combination of fish, rice, Sambol, and Mellum (a type of dry veg). This travel experience enhanced as I ate with the locals while learning about their culture and traditions.
I took the Tuk Tuk back to the Dambatenne Tea Factory after enjoying the tranquilly of the tea fields and a delectable lunch surrounded by breathtaking views. The tea factory is located 7 kilometres away from the viewpoint. I couldn’t risk walking back because it was raining. If you do decide to walk back through, be wary of the leeches, especially, on a rainy day. Sir Thomas Lipton built the Dambatenna Tea Factory in 1890.
Here’s a quick rundown of some things to remember when visiting Lipton’s Seat.
- The tea pluckers have Sunday off, while the tea production unit at the Dambatenne tea factory has Monday off.
- On weekdays and weekends, Lipton’s Seat is open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- On all days except Sunday, the Dambatenne Tea Factory is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Carry small bills to buy tea and snacks.
- Haputale is prone to sudden weather changes, so bring an umbrella.
- The restrooms at Dambatenne Tea Factory are immaculate.
- A private car rental from Haputale to the viewpoint will set you back $50, and a Tuk-Tuk will set you back $15.
Many of the tea production processes, original pieces of equipment, and how the tea is picked, dried, chopped, crushed, fermented, sieved, and finally graded were revealed during the 30-minute tour. Every year, the Dambatenna Tea Factory produces over 1 million kilogrammes of high-quality tea. It’s a fascinating tour and the ideal place to learn everything there is to know about Sri Lanka’s fragrant tea. The cost of the factory tour is USD 1.50 per person.
