Lipton's Seat - Must visit place in Sri Lanka

Lipton’s Seat is considered the number 1 attraction in Haputale is a viewpoint on the Poonagala Mountain on Dambethanne Tea Estate.  The view from here is considered only rival to Worlds End view at Horton Plains. This view point is located at a perilous location at the top of Poonagala Mountain at a height of over 1950 meters with a sheer drop over one side and a 360 degree view.

Sir Thomas Lipton, the man who introduced the Lipton Brand Ceylon Tea entered in to purchasing tea estates in then Ceylon in 1890’s when the country was under the British rule. In 1890 Dambetenna which was 925 acres in size was purchased by him and he setup the largest tea processing factories in the Uva region.  It is said that this point was one of his favorite viewpoints where he surveyed his vast estate and that it one of the favorite places to entertain his guests. While the estate changed hands in 1930’s name of this view point survived as a remembrance to Sir Lipton.

From this point you can get spectacular view over Southern (Galle, Matara, Dewvundara, Hambantota), Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Eastern provinces.

Uda Walave lake, Chandirka Lake, Lunugamwehera, Kataragama, Wedihiti Kanda Hill, Handapanagala Lake, Moneragala lake, Sugar Cane Plantations of Palawatta Sugar, Wellawaya and Koslanda towns, Hambantota Habour and Air Port can be seen from here if you go there early in the morning. 

The Lipton’s Seat lies about 18 km off Haputale Town. Take the Haputale Dambetanne Road for approx 9.5 km to reach the Dambetanne Tea Factory.  You need to take ticket for Rs 50/- pp to enter the tea estate.  From here the road is narrow and a hike would take about 2.5 hours. The location is also accessible by a 3 wheeler or a jeep.