Nestled in a valley within the beautiful central highlands of Sri Lanka and carved out of UNESCO World Heritage Rainforest in the mid 19th Century, lies a legacy. A legacy owned by a family since 1949, which boasts of single origin tea and a property which has within its own enchanting secret gardens and natural pools rivaling fantasy.
Gartmore Tea Estate is the last estate in its line forgotten by time. The estate is a piece of colonial heritage bordered three sides by Mountains of UNESCO Peak Wilderness Protected Area and lies at an altitude of 1500m. The abundantly found wild orchids and the giant yellow footed millipedes are a testament to the rich biodiversity of the high altitude rainforests of Sri Lanka. The estate has springs that are one of the ridge origins of River Kelani and boasts of five main waterfalls that includes nationally renowned Sri Pada falls and Gartmore Falls.
The hills will give way to the spectacular view of Mausakelle Reservoir with Sri Pada (Adam's Peak) a mere 5 km crow's flight away. The Gartmore Estate spans across a property of many acres, and includes within it a bounty of treasures from a fully functional tea factory, an old colonial estate bungalow, its own waterfalls, mineral water pools, the deptless Black Pool and a myriad of rivulets leading to a long river with crystal clear water.
Have the ultimate colonial experience and be transported back a couple of centuries. Escape the travel packages and tour groups and revel in the grandeur of the colonial Sahib, as you take in everything that is GARTMORE!
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AVAILABLE NOW FOR YOUR ULTIMATE HOLIDAY
The Bungalow is set in an idyllic location amid exotic flora and bubbling brooks. Depending on the season you will be greeted with a rich selection of flora and a miniature waterfall which runs to the bungalow garden. Originally owned by Scottish planters, this bungalow is the crowning jewel of the Gartmore estate.
Within its gleaming green roofs lies a welcoming abode, with five panoramic rooms which can accommodate fourteen adults and ensuite and adjoining bathrooms, a welcoming living room and spacious dining room. Each bedroom offers a unique view of the hills or the gardens of the bungalow. In addition, the bungalow also has a card room and a game room and quarters for drivers and domestic staff, with attached bathrooms.
The gardens of the bungalow boast splendid views of the hills. On clear days you would be able to see a magical view of Adam's Peak and its shrine.
This entire establishment is serviced by a staff which comprises of an experienced cook (aka. Appu), house boy and house maid all of whom have been with the bungalow for decades. They add the essential Sri Lankan smile to all that is Gartmore.
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Not to be outdone by manmade structures, the natural surroundings of Gartmore estate shares its bounty with every guest. From exotic flora to occasional wildlife, you will be able to walk along the roads and trails to discover many hidden treasures.
Hike up to Gartmore falls and have a once in a life time experience of bathing in its plunge pool. Or take a fresh water bath in many of the known natural bathing pools, which is part of an exclusive river of crystal clear water which runs through the estate... or hike up into the hills to bath in the more undiscovered spots.
Learn the stories of the locality such as the story of the Black Pool...
Expand your horizons as you relax..
Tea Trails - Learn about the agro business of tea from bush to lips, walk with our tea pluckers and learn the art of picking the luminous "two leaves and a bud", learn the art of blending and tea tasting. Take back a little bit of Gartmore with you for your loved ones, as you take a packet of tea that is plucked, dried and blended by you.
Eco Farming - Visit our organic vegetable and herb garden and pick the choicest vegetable and herbs yourself.
Sustainable Agriculture - Gain some wisdom about sustainability in agro farming as you take an educational tour of our very own hydropower plant which services our entire production operations, while giving employment to more than 520 people.
Recreational Activity - Tea Trails; Nature Trails; Eco Trails; Hiking; Observe and Hike to the origin of the Gartmore Falls, believed to be the beginning of the River Mahaweli; View the bottomless black hole in the river; Experience a bath in pristine clear river water in a natural rock pool.
Gartmore Factory Experience - from Leaf to Cup!
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Nestled in a valley, surrounded on three sides by the UNESCO World Heritage High Altitude Rainforest of Peak Wilderness in Central Highland of Sri Lanka, Gartmore Estate has a history of producing the best teas in the world. Recognized by UNESCO in 2010 for its outstanding universal value for being a super biodiversity hotspot, the extraordinary range of flora and fauna is fueled with the very same rich laterite soil that produces the world famous tea blends of "Orange Pecko" and "Broken Orange Pecko". The black teas produced from this region of Sri Lanka are described as the champagne of Ceylon Tea and are the very best that Sri Lanka produces, giving a beautiful golden liquor and an intense powerful flavour.
Gartmore tea was instrumental in the rise of the brand of "Ceylon Tea" in its early years. The first tea estate began in 1867, and the first Ceylon Tea shipment of 10 kg arrived in London in 1873 and was an instant hit. Gartmore estate came into form in 1896 and sold at the London Mincing Lane Tea auctions on its debut at a sensational price of 25 Pounds 10 Schillings per pound. Ever since then, for over a century, Gartmore tea has been quietly leading the charge to enhance the Ceylon Tea brand. This high quality product was sold exclusively at the Ceylon Tea Auctions and exported from our shores.
We are privileged to introduce to the Market a high quality, unblended single estate Ceylon Tea, manufactured at Gartmore Estate, Maskeliya at an elevation of 5200 feet above sea level.
Now available for purchase for the first time in the locally at an introductory price of Rs100.00 for 100g and Rs50.00 for 50g.
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