Nuwara Eliya

The air feels cooler as you reach Nuwara Eliya. Tea estates cover the hills around town, and mist sometimes settles over the slopes. Bring a warm layer, even if the rest of your trip has been spent in hot weather.

Gregory Lake is a good place for a walk, while the town's gardens offer somewhere to sit and take a break. Outside the centre, roads wind past tea fields and small villages. At a tea estate, you can learn what happens to the leaves after they are picked and how they become the tea in your cup.

The photos bring together three parts of the area: flower gardens, tea-covered slopes and waterfalls. In the gardens, shaded paths and flower beds make a pleasant break from driving. A gentle walk gives you time to enjoy the cooler air without planning a long outing.

Among the tea fields, you may notice how the rows follow the shape of the hills. Ask before entering working areas or photographing the people picking leaves. A waterfall visit adds a different stop, though the paths and rocks can be wet, so leave time to walk carefully.

There is no need to fill the day with stops. A drive through the hills, a garden visit and a cup of tea can be enough. Leave room to change your plans if rain or mist moves in.