Lipton’s Seat, Ella Overview

Lipton's Seat is a viewpoint situated in the Haputale mountain range, atop the Dambatenne Tea Estate. Located at a height of 1970 metres above sea level, Lipton's Seat offers spectacular 360-degree views of the verdant hills and tea plantations. It is best to arrive here before 7:00 AM before the fog starts rolling in.

Sir Thomas Lipton, the founder of the renowned brand Lipton Tea, was often found pondering about his tea empire here; a statue of Sir Lipton greets visitors to Lipton's Seat. The views stretch for miles together—one can spot more than five provinces at the viewpoint! In addition to tea, a café at the top serves delicious food, including roti and samosa.

Although you can hire a tuk-tuk until the viewpoint, a walk to Lipton's Seat is recommended for the opportunity to soak in the tranquil atmosphere.

Things To Do At Lipton's Seat

1. Hiking
The hike to Lipton's Seat from Dambatenne Tea Factory is certainly one of the most scenic paths you'll ever come across—lush tea plantations, tea pickers at work and mesmerizing vistas at every turn. It is around 8 km and lasts for roughly two hours. Although the hike is time-consuming, the best part is that it is not very demanding in terms of fitness.

If you'd instead do a short hike, then hire a tuk-tuk till the gate and walk the remainder of the journey, which is 1.5 km. Or, you could make the descent, which takes approximately one and a half hours.

2. Visit the Dambatenne Tea Factory
One can visit the nearby Dambatenne Tea Factory to understand the process of tea production. The factory conducts informative 20-minute tours.

Lipton's Seat Timings and Entry Fee

Lipton's Seat is open all through the day. The entry fee is LKR 100 per person.

Best Time To Visit Lipton's Seat

The best time to visit Lipton's Seat is in the early morning before the clouds obscure the panorama. If you prefer waking up late, reach the viewpoint before 10 AM. If you would like to see the tea pickers too, avoid visiting on a Sunday since it is considered a holiday for them.

The off-seasonal months are from April to October; at this time, Lipton's Seat and its surrounding areas are usually prone to foggy weather, blocking the stunning views.