Meet The Pekoe Trail Company

Meet The Pekoe Trail Company

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 work is now carried by The Pekoe Trail Company (Guarantee) Limited. The Pekoe Trail Company (Guarantee) Limited was incorporated on 8 April 2024. It is a Sri Lankan not-for-profit company limited by guarantee that maintains and promotes the trail, and aims to be financially self-sustaining.

A Purely Local Company Takes Over

The Pekoe Trail was developed between 2021 and 2024 under the Tourism Resilience Project, funded by the European Union and USAID. 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 The Pekoe Trail Company now carries this work forward.

Our legal name is The Pekoe Trail Company (Guarantee) Limited, registered in Sri Lanka (Reg. No. GL00298657) on 8 April 2024. Its members are the Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance and a company formed by the regional tea plantation companies. Its directors are unpaid. It has no shares and pays no dividends.

Day to day work on the trail is handled by The Pekoe Trail Company 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 Pekoe Trail Company’s Mission

The purpose of The Pekoe Trail Company is to maintain and promote The Pekoe Trail as a world-class long-distance hiking trail and one of Sri Lanka’s best-loved walking routes. The Pekoe Trail Company focuses on balancing environmental conservation, community well-being, and tourism promotion while caring for this scenic trail.

The Pekoe Trail Company’s objectives are:

 1. Infrastructure Development & Trail Maintenance

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.

2. Community Engagement & Development

Engaging with local communities along the trail. The Pekoe Trail Company aims to create positive relationships, promote cultural exchange, and support community-based initiatives. This includes capacity building, training, and income generation for residents.

3. Conservation and Preservation

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.

4. Promotion and Marketing

Promoting The Pekoe Trail as a unique tourism experience. The Pekoe Trail Company collaborates with travel agencies, media, and other stakeholders to attract visitors and raise awareness about the trail.

5. Stakeholder Coordination

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 Pekoe Trail Company facilitates collaboration to achieve common goals.

6. Financial Sustainability

Managing financial resources effectively to sustain trail operations. We rely on voluntary trail contributions, supporter memberships, grants and partnerships.

The Pekoe Trail Company 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 Pekoe Trail Company Funding

The trail does not receive any government funding and major donor funding is coming to an end. Therefore, the Company will look to the trail community for support. This may come through memberships, corporate partnerships, grants, trail passes, and even trail merchandise.

Join the Legacy, Support the Trail

The Pekoe Trail Company Memberships are now open including a limited time opportunity to #JoinTheLegacy as a Founding member of the Pekoe Trail.

Become a Member

The Pekoe Trail shows how tourism can be sustainable and meaningful, with support from landowners, communities and donors, to create something truly special. The Pekoe Trail Company looks forward to playing its part.

Explore the Pekoe Trail: Your Guide in the Palm of Your Hand

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