A Tea Story You Should Not Miss Out On
Imagine yourself in the misty hill country, wrapped in a warm blanket, holding a fresh cup of tea that, just moments ago, was a leaf in your hand. Even the thought of such a moment warms the heart. At the Tea & Experience Factory – our tea factory turned hotel, we bring that feeling to life.
Most of us know Sri Lanka’s history, which spans over 2500 years. This small island fell under the control of the Portuguese, Dutch, and British after being ruled by kings for centuries. In the 19th century, the British introduced Tea to the island, which became a substitute for the failing coffee plantations at that period. In 1883, Sri Lanka held its first tea auction in the Somerville & Co. office on Queen Street, where only Kabaragalla Tea Factory’s unsorted tea was sold. Thema Collection has now converted this historic Kabaragalla Tea Factory into what we call ‘Tea and Experience’, a place where guests can engage in real-time tea production and adventurous escapes to the waterfalls of Mandaramnuwara.
At Tea and Experience, we have curated experiences that go beyond the ordinary. Feel like wandering through the hills? Or getting soaked under a waterfall? Or spending time with some village kids? Join our naturalists at Tea and Experience, and you will learn all the secrets of Mandaramnuwara, from diverse flora and fauna to scenic trails that lead to fairytale-like moments, and cross-cultural encounters that you’ll remember forever. Highlights include the tailored waterfall discovery, trek to Pichchamal Ella, leaf-to-cup experience, and cooking demonstration, each offering a blend of nature, culture, and community.
But Tea and experience is not just about tea and adventure, there are numerous things done at the property to be sustainable and promote sustainability. Our signature leaf-to-cup experience follows the traditional way of tea brewing, using the century-old machines we have preserved. Fresh vegetables come straight from our backyard farm, harvested in upcycled plastic containers. And for nature lovers, we’ve curated day and night explorations to observe birds, toads, and other fascinating species that inhabit the surrounding forests.
Tea and Experience is a place to slow down, connect with nature, and see how much meaning can come from the little things, the people you meet, the stories you hear, and the way the mist feels in the morning. The memories you brew here with these little things will stay with you long after you leave.
