NUWARA ELIYA

NUWARA ELIYA

Nuwara Eliya is called the Little England with a typical English environment offers more than any other town has to offer. The town is well planed and still retains its English Style. The 18 hole Golf Links was started in 1889. It portrays paintings and photographs of yester year. The climate, atmosphere the golf course, the race-course, horses, rose gardens and British type houses add up to a perfect vacation retreat, offers everything one needs to enjoy. The island’s highest mountain Piduruthalagala is just a trek away.

Hakgala Gardens is Rising to an elevation of 1700 metres is 10 minutes drive from Nuwara Eliya town on the Badulla Road. It was established in 1860: first as a cinchona plantation and then adapted to an experimental garden for the adaptation of plants from temperate zones in the tropics. One can see the flowers of an English cottage garden in spring and summer; the oldest tea-bush in the island, an ornamental pond and quant summerhouse. The Hakgala Mountain rises 460 metres and offers one of the most spectacular views. The leopards roam in the nights. There are many legends connecting it to Ramayana. There are many legends connecting Hakgala to Ramayana.

Horton Plains is 28 kms from Nuwara Eliya. It can be reached via Black Pool – Ambewela or via Hakgala – Rendapola, if one lodge in Nuwara Eliya. Most walk up to the “World’s-End”. It’s a sudden end the precipice drops straight down about 900 meters, with an amazing view. The weather is unpredictable, and changes often without any warning and covers the view with mist. Baker’s falls is also in its vicinity. Horton Plains is the only wildlife sanctuary in Sri Lanka where you leave your vehicle and walk, and is the source of most of the country’s may rivers. Sambhur and leopard could be seen if one is lucky early morning or at sundown.

Adam's peak, Sri Pada is 2243 metres in height and is known as Samanthakuta or Samanalakanda. It’s the abode of Deity Saman. The legend discloses that Deity Saman is the younger brother of King Ravana who ruled Sri Lanka 6000 BC. Lord Gautama Buddha on his visit to Sri Lanka left his foot print on the request of Deity Sumana. The Hindus call it ‘Siva Padam’ while the Muslims and Christians call it ‘Adams Foot’ and the Catholics call it the foot print of St Thomas whose tomb is in Madras. The pilgrimages begins with the Full Moon on of Unduwap [December] and ends with the Vesak full moon day in May. Thousands of devotees visit Adam’s Peak from Ratnapura via Carney Estate, which is an 8 km trek and takes 6-7 hours. The most popular route from Hatton – Masleliya which takes 4-5 hour climb.The magnificent sunrise can be witnessed if you are at the top (Siripada / Adam’s Peak ) in the early morning. A visit to the peak during the off season would be a wonderful experience.