Nestled in the lush landscapes of Sri Lanka’s tea country, The Pekoe Trail is a 300 kilometer long distance hiking trail that offers a journey into the heart of Sri Lanka’s stunning hill country landscapes. The Pekoe Trail is more than a hiking route; it’s a vision of sustainable tourism that respects nature, empowers communities, and offers an unforgettable experience.
Managing a 300 kilometer hiking trail that involves multiple government stakeholders, traverses 21 tea estates, sensitive landscapes, and local communities is a complex task that requires diligent organisation. This important task is now the responsibility of The Pekoe Trail Organization (“TPTO”). The TPTO was formed in April 2024 and is a purely local nonprofit organisation that will manage, maintain and promote the trail – all while being financially self-sustaining.
The Pekoe Trail was the brainchild of longtime Sri Lankan resident and sustainable tourism pioneer, Miguel Cunat, who spent 10 years studying, hiking and knitting together hill country trails into what is now The Pekoe Trail. Development of the trail into a signature tourism product was accomplished through a three-year project funded by the European Union and USAID to promote sustainable and resilient community-based tourism.
This donor-funded project has now ended and responsibility for The Pekoe Trail is now in the hands of The Pekoe Trail Organisation.
The official name of the TPTO is the “Pekoe Trail Company (Guarantee) Limited”, which was duly registered in Sri Lanka (Registration No. GL00298657) on April 8, 2024. The TPTO is governed by an eight-person volunteer Board of Directors made up of members from the Regional Tea Plantations, the Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance, and three industry experts, including Miguel Cunat.
Day to day work on the trail is handled by TPTO staff who are responsible for trail operations, development of the trail’s digital assets, interacting with all stakeholders, and accomplishing the trail’s overarching goals.
The purpose of the TPTO is to maintain and promote The Pekoe Trail as a world-class long-distance hiking trail and signature national tourism asset for Sri Lanka. The TPTO focuses on balancing environmental conservation, community well-being, and tourism promotion while managing this scenic trail.
TPTO’s objectives are:
Developing and maintaining necessary infrastructure for the trail, such as signage, trail clearing, rest areas, and waste management facilities. These ensure consistent quality of services and experiences for trail users.
Engaging with local communities along the trail. The TPTO aims to create positive relationships, promote cultural exchange, and support community-based initiatives. This includes capacity building, training, and income generation for residents.
Ensuring the conservation and preservation of the natural environment along The Pekoe Trail. This involves maintaining biodiversity, protecting habitats, and minimising the impact of tourism activities.
Promoting The Pekoe Trail as a unique tourism experience. The TPTO collaborates with travel agencies, media, and other stakeholders to attract visitors and raise awareness about the trail.
Coordinating efforts among various stakeholders, including tea plantation companies, public and local authorities, tourism-related organisations, as well as the trail hikers community (Friends of The Pekoe Trail). The TPTO facilitates collaboration to achieve common goals.
Managing financial resources effectively to sustain trail operations. This includes revenue generation through memberships, corporate partnerships, donations, and trail passes.
The Pekoe Trail Organisation cannot accomplish these goals alone and looks forward to working with important stakeholders who are part of the trail ecosystem, including GoSL entities, regional plantation companies, trail guides, local communities, and other like-minded organisations. And, of course, the hiking community.
The trail does not receive any government funding and major donor funding is coming to an end. Therefore, the organisation will look to the trail community for support. This may come through memberships, corporate partnerships, grants, trail passes, and even trail merchandise.
The Pekoe Trail shows how tourism can be sustainable and meaningful, bringing together public and private efforts to create something truly special. The TPTO looks forward to playing its part.
The trail also has its own mobile application that provides trail descriptions, navigation, points of interest and audio stories, and emergency inforation.
Look for The Pekoe Trail app in your favourite app store.
Apple App Store | Google Playstore
