Sri Lanka: Ella > Lipton's Seat

Apr 2025 |

While searching for things to do in Ella, I learned of Lipton's Seat, and read a post from Warren at Motorcycle Paradise who had visited the place. So, risking inclement weather expected later in the day, I decided I would do it too.

Lipton's Seat is a lookout point and landmark dedicated to Thomas Lipton, the founder of Lipton's tea, a major builder of the tea industry in Ceylon (as it was called back then by the British), and an all-around unique character in history (someone I was not aware). Atop Lipton's massive mountainside plantation, he had a favorite lookout point, now memorialised with a seat and a statue of him on it (apparently, I never saw it).

Google Maps showed a 40-minute ride from Ella to the base of the plantation. But I must have missed a turn or 2, as Google Maps kept adding more time, so after 40 minutes of riding, my map showed I was still 50 minutes away (I hate it when this happens - often!). I was ready to give up when a friendly couple pointed me in the right direction and showed me a sign to follow, the first of many (and, ultimately, not enough).

I reached the plantation and started up the mountain. It is an impressive site, an entire mountainside, a never-ending, well-groomed tea plantation. First, you pass the processing plant, then it's onward up a gnarly road zig-zagging to the top, which takes about 30 minutes. The views are epic on the way up. And it's awe-inspiring to consider what it took to build all this, and manage today (and I did see many fairly destitute-looking tea pickers along the way).

As I rode up, it started to sprinkle rain. As I reached the top it was pouring, cold, and foggy. I expected Lipton's Seat to be at the peak, but the road continued at the top, then began descending down the other side. There were no more "Lipton's Chair" signs to be seen. I arrived at a fork in the road and asked someone for directions, he pointed me down an unpaved trail of muddy rocks. Given the heavy rain, cold, fog, and lack of signs with directions, I gave up and turned around. And I think I was within 100 meters of Lipton's Chair. Aside from the scenery, one highlight on the way up was seeing a giant millipede.

While Ella didn't do much for me, I highly recommend Lipton's Seat - but make sure you do it when skies are clear.