The Loolkandura tea estate, also known as the Loolecondera tea estate, is considered Sri Lanka's first tested tea plantation following the failure of the coffee plantation. It is also the first commercial tea field that was planted in Sri Lanka by James Taylor in 1867.
Loolkandura estate lies in Rikillagaskada in the Central Province. There are so many hotspots available that you must see in the Loolkandura estate, especially concerning the pioneer of Ceylon tea, James Taylor as James Taylor's Cottage, James Taylor's Well, James Taylor's seat, in addition to them Kondagala and Field No 7. The First tea field is the other major attraction on this site.
As you go, you will first see James Taylor's statue. The road where you come to the statue is a bit rocky. Then you will reach the entrance of the Loolkadura gate, where there's a 5kms hike to the top.
How to get to Loolkandura
Loolkandura or Loolecondera is located 148-150 kilometers east of Colombo in Sri Lanka's Central Province. You can reach this historically significant and scenic estate via rail or road. Typically, you must first travel to Kandy before approaching Loolkandura estate. You can use either train or bus to approach Kandy.
After reaching Kandy, you should reach Delthota by Delthota – Kandy bus, which is 32 kilometers away from Kandy, passing through Hindagala, Mahakanda and Galaha. After reaching Delthota, Loolkandura can be reached by bus or Tuk-Tuk. If you wish to take the bus, you should take Delthota - Hewaheta bus until you reach the Loolkandura Estate entrance. It is a 7km journey and it will take half an hour to reach the estate entrance.
Loolkandura Estate Timings and Entry Fee
The Loolkandura estate is accessible from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. The entry fee is Rs.200 for a local visitor and Rs. 500 (1.5 Dollar) for a foreign visitor. There is about 5km from the entrance to James Taylor’s Cottage and the road to the cottage is rocky. You can either use a vehicle or travel on foot. But a vehicle with adequate clearance is recommended to reach James Taylor’s Cottage because it will take about 2 hours and you may feel very tired if you travel on foot.
After a very steep 5km climb by vehicle and walking 750m, you can reach James Taylor's Cottage and ruins. The surroundings are just so gorgeous, and the view is breathtaking. After exploring them, another fantastic viewpoint and hiked trail, Kondagala, is just 30 minutes away from the cottage.
Best time to visit Loolkandura
The best time to visit Loolkandura is in the morning, 7.00 – 8.00 a.m. Loolkandura has pleasant weather and is usually around 20C–30C. It is great for your holiday. However, rain can be expected throughout the year as well as hazy surroundings. This site is popular for wedding photography.
Kondagala
Kondagala is a picturesque mountain, providing 360 degrees view of the amazing valleys in the surrounding area is located right behind James Taylor's cottage. You must engage in a 300 meters small hike to reach the top of the mountain. During the journey, the view of the surrounding areas, especially with mist-laden valleys, is lovely.
If you experience mist at the top, you must be very careful. The mist around the top may make it difficult to see the person next to you, making it possible to walk and tumble off the edge of the cliff, so keep this in mind when you're on top.
Sometimes it is extremely windy at the top of the mountain. So, you must be very careful in such situations, especially when approaching the mountain's edges.
Camping in Loolkandura
You also might like to do camping in the place. If you wish to camp, you should need come prepared and dress appropriately for chilly weather because, during the night period, the surrounding weather can be problematic.
Loolkandura Contact Number
You can contact Loolkandura tea estate by facebook or dialing 081-5631550.
