Situated in the South-central part of the island, the central highlands comprising the peak wilderness protected area (Maha Eliya) National Park and the knuckles (Dumbera Mitiyawatha) Conservation forest have been declared a Natural World Heritage Site. These mountain forests, where the land rises 2500 metres above sea level, are home to an extraordinary range of fauna and flora, including several endangered species such as the Horton Plains slender Loris and the Sri Lankan Leopard. The region considered a super biodiversity hotspot.
First introduced here by the British, who managed to penetrate the island’s hill county in the 1800s, tea bushes cover rolling hills like soft moss, interspersed with eucalyptus, albesia and other trees. Tea-pluckers work on the slopes, butterfly-like in their colourful sarees. You would think they make the air afresh every day, to continuously delight the senses with its spring-like freshness. Wisps of milk-white clouds soften the dark outline of the high rocky crags, and roll down. There are a number of hill stations dotting the hill country landscape, each different in character.
It’s a land of peace, and silence. The nostalgia of the empire builders is reflected in Nuwara-Eliya. The town is decorated with buildings ranging in style from Georgian to Queen Anne. Parks, trout streams, an 18 hole golf course complete with gorse, the post office with the clock spire, the Anglican church with a lych-gate, and the hill club, with its hunting prints, stuffed fish and polished oak.
The island’s highest peak, is a short treck away, and the breathtaking view is worth the climb. Less than 2 km from Nawara Eliya on the main Badulla highway is Sita Amman Kovil, believed to be the spot where Sita was kept in hiding by Ravana of the Indian epic Ramayana.
The gardens are smaller and less exotic than the Gardens at Peradeniya But an elevation of 1,707 metres the species of flora is quite different. The sheer rock of Hakgala (jaw Rock) also linked to the Rama-Ravana legend rises 1500 feet straight from the gardens adds much character to the surrounding. The rose gardens and fernery are greatly admired.
Galways Land situated close 11/2 Km from Nuwara Eliya town. The park is a haunt of barking deer, small mammals and has natural forest coverage, plantations and numerous fern varieties. It is ideal place to enjoy tranquillity amidst nature.
Clad in mist, located on a high windswept saddle at almost 2134 metres the Horton plains are an expanse of misty grassland, rare and beautiful plants and ice cold stream. HORTON PLAINS NATIONAL PARK is undoubtedly one of the world’s best nature reserves and eco tourism venues in Sri Lanka. Its lies within the Central Hills, declared a UNESCO World (natural) Site in 2010. In general, the forests are seen on the hilltops or upper slopes the grasslands in the valleys and lower slopes, eventually giving way to wetland habitats. Spanning approximately 10000 hectares the park is also home to a wide variety of flora (57 species, 29 endemic to Sri Lanka) and 24 species of mammal such as elk, deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, wild hare, porcupine and leopard. For bird enthusiasts, there 87 species (14 of which are endemic), including many migratory birds.
The Plains also feature many interesting attractions such as ‘Bakers Falls’, ‘Chimney Pool’ and the famous ‘World’s End’ (a 3700 ft sheer drop that offers fabulous views of the tea estates below and all the way out to the distant southern coastline). An NuwaraEliya (27 km) it forms the eastern extremity of the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary.
A health resort having a salubrious climate which attracts its visitors. Typical up-country town, profusion of flowering trees, distant hills and market gardens. Building reminiscent of the colonial past. Lovely walks. Just 6 km from town on the Badulla highway is the Dowe Cave Temple near an old wooden bridge. Overlooking the temple are the enchanting plateaus that adorn the temple complex very similar to the Dambulla Cave temple complex.
It is the best site in Sri Lanka for white water rafting. The scenery is spectacular, forest covered hills, deep geodes plunging down to the Kelani River. You may arrange your rafting tour from the hotel or from Colombo through a travel agent or adventure tour operator.
The Sri Lanka Tea Research Institute’s Headquarters are situated here at st. Coombs Estate, tea buffs make a note, plenty of information to be gathered. A cool climate and pretty as the other hill station although different in elevation and topography. It is close to Devon falls (86metres) and St. Clair falls (73 metres). The former straight and narrow while the later broader, a double cascade.
A busy little town often covered in mist gives it a romantic expectancy. Points to see is the grand colonial mansion of Adhisham, the walk up to Lipton seat (named after the famous tea magnate), Dambatenne tea state and Diyaluma Falls 220 metres high, the second highest water fall in Sri Lanka.
Less 2 km from NuwaraEliya on the main Badulla highway is Sita Amman Kovil, believed to be the spot where Sita was kept in hiding by Ravana of the Indian epic Ramayana. The picturesque hill country is deeply woven with Ramayana as Sita is believed to have been taken from one hiding place to another in this beautiful location. In this island one may identify nearly fifty places marking each important event in this great epic. Capturing the Ramayana Trail is pure bliss for the devotees both spiritually and visually.
