Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya is located 150 km away from Colombo in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka. It is a Beautiful and cool town.  Colombo, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya is the most scenic highland motor road of Sri Lanka.  Nuwara Eliya has no Railway station. The journey to Nuwara Eliya from Kandy by train… Nuwara Eliya which is at an elevation of 1890 meters in the sea level is the highest city in Sri Lanka. 

The Main reason for visiting Nuwara Eliya is to get out into the surrounding countryside. Which boasts some of the island’s highest and most dramatic scenery. The most popular and rewarding trip is to Horton Plains National Park and World’s End. While you could also, at a push, use Nuwara Eliya as a base for visiting Adam’s Peak although you’ll need to leave Nuwara Eliya before midnight in order to reach the summit for dawn. 

 

Waterfalls West of Nuwara Eliya

They are west of Nuwara Eliya around the tiny village of DIMBULA is one of the most scenically spectacular parts of the island, though its tourist potential remains almost totally unexploited. The easiest way to get a taste of the area is to go to on one of the “waterfall tours” run by the Singletree.  And Trevene hotels in Nuwara Eliya, Which usually includes the Ramboda Falls along with several cascades in Dimbula area- notably the broad, two-tiered St Clair Falls and the taller and more precipitous Devon Falls which lie less than 2km apart just north of- and clearly visible from- A7 highway. 

Victoria Park

First of all, We can see Victoria park. This is the Centre of the town is the local Central Market. This market is Victoria Park spreading over an expanse of 27 acres with well-maintained shrubs and trees. River Nanu Oya that runs through the Victoria Park and a number of lakes within it supports the endemic birds of Sri Lanka. Among the birds are Kashmir flycatcher, Indian blue robin, Pied Thrush, Dull-blue flycatcher, and the yellow-eared bulbul.

 

Horton Plains

The Horton Plains National Park, A UNESCO World Heritage… It is between Nuwara Eliya and Haputale.  Other hill country retreat, which consists of the highest plateau of Sri Lanka at 2000 feet and a paradise of bird watchers, nature lovers, and hikers. The precipice that falls vertically for over 1050 meters in the park at the southern edge of the highlands to the lowlands below, called World’s End, is an excursion that wouldn’t be missed at all by the holidaymakers at Nuwara Eliya.

Since the view  World’s End is particularly from April to September.  Horton Plains can be reached from Haputale too. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tea Factory

An old tea factory turned into a fine hotel is about 30-45 minutes away at Kandapola. So, managed by one of the largest hotel chains in Sri Lanka, it offers good food and excellent accommodation.

 

 

Mackwood Labookelie Tea Estate

Around 20km north of Nuwara Eliya lies the expansive Mackwood Labookelie Tea Estate set in the gorgeous rolling countryside around 2000m. This firm founded by 1841.  The labookelie tea gardens are much more photogenic, and the countryside much more unspoiled, than at the Pedro estate.  It is also easy to reach since all buses between Nuwara Eliya and Kandy pass right by the entrance. 

 

Race Course and Golf Course

To the South of the Victoria Park is the Racecourse and behind the Racecourse is Lake Gregory. So, Nuwara Eliya’s finest Golf Course is located just opposite the Victoria Park. This is Building 1891 by the British colonialists in Sri Lanka.

 

 

Hakgala Botanical Garden

Nuwara Eliya to 10Km sprawling at the base of the Hakgala Rock at an elevation of 5000-6000 ft is the Hakgala Garden establishing in the 1861of course. It is made by Mr. G.H.W. Thawaites then director of Royal Garden Peradeniya.

Originally established to grow Cinchona, the source of Quinine, the anti-malarial drug, Hakgala soon became a host to a wide array of foreign species… So, many flowers have in this garden.

Among Especially foreign trees: Cypresses from California; fine old cedars; enormous tree ferns; stands of Japanese camphor; and bark-shedding Australian melaleucas. The roses that bloom during April to August steal the limelight at Hakgala.

The garden sprawl up the steep hillside, ranging from the anodyne ornamental areas around the entrance to the far wilder and more interesting patches of forest up the hill.  You might glimpse one of the garden elusive bear monkeys. While this is also an excellent place to spot endemic montane Bird species and Sri Lanka Bush-warbler. 

 

 

 

Gregory Lake Nuwara Eliya

Lake Gregory which is spreading across an area of 91.2 hectares was building British colonial Governor William Gregory for the purpose of making use of water from River Nanuoya that flows past Nuwara Eliya. Boating opportunities for the visitors are made possible by the boathouse at Lake Gregory.

 

Lovers Leap waterfall

From the Pedro Tea Estate, take a very enjoyable 5km walk to Lovers Leap waterfall.  A foot-only track heads left through the tea gardens towards the forest and a rock face. Hence, follow this trail and, just beyond the small Shiva shrine, you’ll see the spluttering waterfalls.

 

 

Galway’s Land National Park

This is one of Sri Lanka’s newest and smallest national parks. It is Open in 2006 and it is 29 sq hectares…  So, Galway’s Land is a dense patch of montane forest a few kilometers east of town. It is renewing for its birdlife, including 10 Sri Lankan endemics, as well as wild boar, barking deer, and other mammals. Park guides are available by donation from the park office and a 2km-long walking trail also leaves from here.

Keen Birders might be interested in visiting the tiny Galway’s Land National Park just southeast of the city center near the village of Hawa Eliya.  This park including Indian blue robins, pied thrush and Kashmir flycatchers. In Addition, plus assorted native species, Sri Lanka white eye and yellow wared bulbul. 

 

Seetha Amman Temple

On the way to the Hakgala Gardens, near the 83km post, is the colorful Hindu Seetha Amman Temple at Sita Eliya. Indeed, it was said to mark the spot where Sita was held captive by the demon king Ravana. And where she prayed daily for Rama to come and rescue her. So, on the rock face across the stream are circular depressions said to be the footprints of Ravana’s elephant.

The small temple- the only one in Sri Lanka dedicated to sita – boasts the usual gaudy collection of statues, including a couple of gruesome kali image, though there’s not really much to see.

 

Pidurutalagala Mountain

This Mountain is the highest mountain in Sri Lanka. An ultra prominent peak is a mountain that has topographic prominence above 1500 meters. Then, mount Pedro has a prominence and elevation of 2524m (8292 feet according to the Survey Department).

 

Pedro Tea Estate and Around

Set beneath a flank of Mount Pedro about 3km east of Nuwara Eliya, the Pedro Tea Estate offers a convenient introduction to the local tea industry. The factory building and tea fields are less picturesque than others in the highlands. But the easy accessibility and informative resident guide make it worthwhile short excursion. 

Established in 1885, the estate remained under British ownership until being nationalized in 1975. It is factory is still home to a few impressive pieces of old British machinery, some still in operation. 

In the same area, the Lover’s Leap waterfall is the most impressive cataract in the immediate environs of Nuwara Eliya. Tumbling over a thickly wooded cliff at the foot of pidurutalagala. The falls can be reached on foot from the Pedro Tea Factory, a 2km walk asks for directions locally.