Nuwara Eliya is a city in the tea country hills of central Sri Lanka. The naturally landscaped Hakgala Botanical Gardens displays roses and tree ferns, and shelters monkeys and blue magpies.ย
Literally translated as the City of Light Nuwara Eliya is one of the quaintest cities in Sri Lanka located in the Hill country of Sri Lanka in a valley surrounded by mountains. The drive to Nuwara Eliya will take you through many, winding roads, lush green valleys , misty mountain ranges, waterfalls , tea plantations and breathtaking scenery.
With an altitude of over 2000 meters above sea level and a temperature which ranges between 21 โ 10 degrees Celsius, (and falling below zero during the nights ) Nuwara Eliya is surrounded byย a myriad of lush tea plantations . As one of the largest tea exporters to the world, Nuwara Eliya is a key city supporting the tea industry of Sri Lanka.
The pleasant climate and beautiful scenery made it a favored place among the European planters and those British Officials who needed a holiday away from the tropical weather. The houses and government buildings such as the Post office, Queens Cottage and Police Station have been built in typical Victorian style giving Nuwara Ekiya the nick name ofโ Little Englandโ.
Nuwara Eliya offers many activities for tourists including trekking, mountain climbing, visits to beautifully landscaped parks, tea factories to witness the process of making the tea leaves , golfing, horse riding, and boating .
Located close to the Nuwara Eliya post office the Victoria Park is a large well maintained park of 27 acres with its colourful flora and fauna.
The Pak was named after Queen Vicotria in 1897 to commemorate her Diamond Jubilee. There are several small streams that run through the park adding to its beauty and serenity. It is a beautiful place to unwind and relax and is recommended especially for families with kids.
Named after the British Governor Sir William Gregory the lake is positioned a few kilometers away from the center of the town, Lake Gregory was made by building a dam across the Talagala and Nanu Oya streams. It is a wonderful place to relax or undertake boat rides by hiring a boat, ballooning, rowing, cycling on the banks, visiting the floating restaurant, pony rides, having a picnic o simply enjoying the beautiful sunset.
Located 49 KM from Nuwara Eliya (approximately a 1 hourโs drive) Horton Plains is one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the world. Declared a sanctuary in 1969, elevated to the position of National Park in 1988 and a UNESCO heritage site in 2010 along with the Central Hills of Sri Lanka which also includes Horton Plains and the Knuckles range.ย ย
It is a highly recommended place to visit especially for nature lovers. The beautiful landscape consisting of hills, plateaus, forests and grasslands, waterfalls, and lakes, is spread over 3000 hectares of land. It was formerly known as Maha Eliya meaning the great open land and was subsequently named Horton plains after Robert Wilmot Horton the then Governor of Sri Lanka in 1834.
The nature reserve is high in biodiversity, with many mammals, reptiles and birds. The elk, the rare mouse deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, wild hare, porcupine, Toque monkey, and leopard.
The highlight of Horton plains is the Worlds End and Bakers fall. The trek to both locations, which is a circular route, is 8 km .and would take around 3 โ 5 hours depending on the duration of the stop. The average temperature is around 16 degrees, and it is recommended to commence the trek by 10.00 to ensure better visibility as it has heavy cloud cover and mist in the early hours of the morning. Worlds end is a sheer cliff with a stunning 1200 meter (4000 feet) drop where the tea plantations and the Indian ocean can be viewed on a clear day. Visitors are encouraged to exercise caution due to the sheer drop.ย ย
Bakers Fall named after the British explorer Sir Samuel Baker is an extremely beautiful water fall fed by the Belihul Oya stream which is not tall but is a majestic sight and stunning view. Bathing in this location is forbidden.
Established in 1861 and located 16 km from Nuwara Eliya it is one of the five Botanical Gardens in Sri Lanka and the second largest with an area of 28 hectares at an altitude of over 5000 feet. This alluring and beautiful garden was converted to a Botanical Garden by William Nock a British officer and is open daily from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm. It can be viewed by foot or using a Golf cart with the entire tour taking approximately 2 hours. Wheelchairs are also available on request.
It is a must visit for those travelling to Nuwara Eliya as the lush landscape, garden architecture designed by the British with over 10,000 species of fauna and flora is nothing short of exquisite. The beautifully manicured lawns, picturesque walking paths, small streams complete with wooden bridges, decorative flower beds and the tapestry of flora, some of which have been imported from Netherland, Britain, China and Japan is a riot of colour.
The themed gardens are in several sections with each designated to different plant species, such as ferns, cacti, orchids, exotic varieties of roses, palms, cypress, cedars, tulips, medicinal plants plus a Japanese garden. The flowers are in full bloom during early spring and from March to May.
The famous Seetha Amman Temple is located very close to the gardens which is believed to have been the pleasure gardens of King Ravana -The Ashok Vatika according to the Ramyana chronicle of India.
Dedicated to Princess Sita, it is a famous Hindu temple located within a proximity of 1km from the Hakgala Botanical gardens in the village of Sita Eliyaย . According to the Indian chronical Ramayana, Princess Sita was supposed be held in captivity in this area by the Lankan King Ravana. It is believed that the princess prayed in this location daily for her husband Rama to rescue and take her back to India.ย The stream beside the temple is supposed to be where she bathed and conducted her ablutions.
In addition to Sita, temples have also been constructed by the stream for Lord Ram Laxman and the Monkey king Hanuman. ย It is interesting to note that foot prints similar to Lord Hanumanโs are found by the river.
The Sita Amman Temple is a must visit for those who are undertaking the Ramaya Trail in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is the fourth largest producer of the wonderful beverage โteaโ in the world. There are miles and miles of endless, verdant, lush tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya adding to the beauty and serenity of place. Two of the tea estates worth visiting are Pedro Tea Estate located 3.5 km from Nuwara Eliya and Blue Field Estate, Damro Labookelle Tea Factoryย ย and many more. Visitors are allowed to roam in the estate and also take a guided tour of the factory which educates them on how the tea leaves are sorted dried, graded and packed ย ย from the time they are plucked by the female tea pluckers who commence plucking the tender leaves at the crack of dawn. Visitors, will also have the opportunity to taste different varieties of tea. ย Tea was introduced to Sri Lanka by the British and Ceylon Tea is renowned over the world as one of the best.
Sri Lanka is referred to as Paradise by many visitors. The immaculate veil of the cascading Devon Falls certainly gives credence to support this statement Referred to as the โVeil of Valleyโ Devon Falls is a breathtaking creation of nature which seamlessly merges with the surrounding landscape of mist shrouded mountains while creating a beautiful symphony of sound. The veil is created with the droplets of gushing water which in turn transforms into a thin veil of mist.
Situated approximately 30 km from Nuwara Eliya the fall is named after an English planter Devon and is around 97 meters in height. The best time to view the fall is around December and March when the volume of gushing water is at its highest.
The surrounding area is scenic and a veritable paradise of a myriad of tea bushes and other types of fauna and flora some of which are endemic. Various species of birds and the occasional animal too could be seen enhancing the experience and the beauty of the area.
It is a beautiful waterfall steeped in folklore and has to be accessed through a gorgeous trail of the Pedro tea plantation. Located approximately 6km from Nuwara Eliya and at a height of 30 meters, the fall derived its name from the lore of a young prince who fell in love with a village damsel. Since there was strong objection to the association and societal pressure the lovers plunged to their death believing that they could unite in death.
The water from the fall emerges from the steams of the highest mountain in Sri Lanka, Pidurutalagalaย . Adjacent to the fall is a shrine of Lord Shiva. Although it may not be as grand as some of the other waterfalls in the district it is worth a visit.
In addition to Loverโs leap and Devon falls, there are about 16 waterfalls in the Nuwara Eliya district
Steeped in history, the Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya is a timeless masterpiece, which was established in 1891 by the fifty Governor of Ceylon, Sir Edward Barnes as a holiday home. With its exquisite architecture and sophistication, the hotel is an iconic structure in Nuwara Eliya which has been visited by many dignitaries including Queen Elizabeth II.
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The Tea Lounge is a semi outdoor venue facing the beautiful and well laid out gardens of the hotel. It serves a huge range of exquisite teas which include black green and flavored teas and delectable food including mini finger food items.
such as cold canapรฉs, savory and sweets such as cakes and scones and strawberries served on a platter which reminiscences a typical British afternoon Tea party.
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The high tea is served every day between 3.30 pm and 6.00 pm and the cost ranges from around Rs 6000 โ 9000. Visitors are encouraged to make a reservation as it could get busy during the Tourist season. A piano player entertains the guests while they indulge in this culinary experience which is a must do for all those visiting Nuwara Eliya.ย ย ย ย
Located approximately 6 km from the Nuwara Elliya town and over 6000 feet above sea level, Moon Plains or Sandatenna (the local name) was a catchment area 400 meter long and 30 โ 40 feet deep valley until 1990.
It is one of the more recent attractions opened to the public in 2014. The breathtaking panoramic and picturesque view of the mountains, peaks and the valleys that surround it is nothing short of amazing. However, at times the mist can affect the visibility.
The bio diversity of the area is also worth mentioning as there are several species of wild animals such as wild deer, elk and wild buffalo and many varieties of birds on the plains adding to its beauty.
However, the main attraction in the area is the โminiโWorlds Endโ a peak with a sharp drop offering a 360-degree view of the nine peaks surrounding the area
Visitors to Moon Plan could walk, cycle as the terrain is ideal for cycling. or even hire a jeep. The park is open from 7.00 am to 4.00 pm daily except holidays and levyโs an entrance fee of Rs 400 for foreigners. It is recommended for those visiting Nuwara Eliya for two days or more.
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
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