HILL COUNTRY

Sri lanka’s Hill country is a must for anybody enchanted by stirring mountain landscapes and afresh climate which will inspire you with a sense of adventure. This is a land of glorious tea- clad hillsides, rushing waterfalls and panoramic views a very different experience of Sri Lanka. First of all, decide how to get there. The journey from Kandy to Sri lanka’s Highlands is one of the great railway journeys of the world. We can advise on the best sections and book your tickets as part of your itinerary. A Sri Lanka train journey that is an experience in itself.

Nuwara Eliya was made into summer retreat by the British in the early 1800s and much of its colonial character still remains, including a characterful golf course. Ella attracts a younger, more price conscious clientele, Haputhale has breathtaking panoramic views to the southern plains and Dickeya offers upmarket tea bungalows in enchanting surroundings.

Walking is at the center of the best activities in the hill country, with many of Sri Lanka’s best hikes still entirely untroubled by mass tourism.they can be extensive holiday in the hills. One of Royal Road To Sri Lanka favourite activities in the hill country is a walk to Lipton’s Seat from the Dambetenna Tea Factory- the favourite view of sir Thomas Lipton, the great tea entrepreneur,

The greatest challenge is a walk up Sri padha peak, (Adam’s peak) The giant footprint at the top is variously interpreted as belonging to Lord Buddha,God shiva, Adam, or st. Thomas. A challenging climb up a stepped mountainside is best taken at night and, if you are finest sunrise in Asia and captivating views.

Horton plains grassy plains are a leading tourist attraction. The most dramatic feature of the park is world’s End , where the plateau comes to an abrupt halt with a sheer drop of nearly 1000m . Explore the park on foot or by Jeep before the midday mist falls. There is a Little world’s End , too.

Keen gardeners will happily pass a few hours at Hakgala Botanical Garden which lay claim to being the highest botanical gardens in the world. “ pleasantly disheveled “ is how Lonely planet describes them but in our experience they have often been smarter than that.

All in all, if you like mountain landscapes, you will be captivated by your experience of the Sri Lanka Hill Country,

Little Adam’s peak although this climb is relatively easy, the views from the top of Little Adam’s peak are sensational. Begin the climb with a gentle stroll through a sloping tea field , passing endless neat rows of terraced tea plants, before ascending a shot stretch of winding steps up to the top of the peak. From the top , there is a spectacular panorama featuring Ella Rock, rolling tea fields and the Ella gap , a deep gorge that leads all the way down to the southern valleys. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the south coast with the ocean glimmering on the horizon.

Ella Rock Hiking up Ella Rock is one of the most popular treks to do in Ella , but is also far more strenuous than the relatively easy climb up Little Adam’s peak. The summit is 3,300m above sea level, and 1,000m higher than Ella town, and the views from the top are astonishing. The entire trek takes about 4-5 hours. Walk along the railway lines for about half an hour accompanied by the local monkeys swinging through the trees, and then begin the ascent up the slope through fields of chilli, tomato, lemon grass and avocado, and look out for eucalyptus, banana and jack fruit trees. You also pass a large tea plantation and fascinating tropical plants like the Venus fly trap.

Nine Arch Bridge Located in Ella , the Nine Arch Bridge is one of the most iconic Bridges in Sri Lanka and is a stunning example of the incredible engineering prowess behind the island’s railway system. First constructed in the 19th century during the British colonial period, Sri Lanka’s railway line remains the easiest and most picturesque way to access the hill country, Built in 1921 , the Nine Arch Bridge is a 30- meter- high viaduct with dramatic, high arches, a beautiful piece of architecture which stands in testament to the exceptional engineering skills of the British.

When you play golf in Nuwara Eliya you will be transported back a hundred years to Sri Lanka’s British colonial days at times, you might even feel like you’re in the Scottish Highlands until you look closely at the tropical plants and flowers surrounding you . Built by a Scottish soldier of the Golan Highlanders for the British servicemen and officials stationed here in 1889, the course is truly spectacular, set 6,200ft above sea level, surrounded by rolling tea hills and framed by looming mountains. Nuwara Eliya- known as Little England – is a charming hill station which was developed by British planters in the late 1800s. This is evident throughout the town . as well as a golf club, the British built a racecourse, tea factories , colonial hotels and planters bungalows, all of which seem to be frozen in time in a bygone era.

This challenging course rewards straight hitting from the very first tee, which is a testing shot- made all the more so because you are in full view of the Clubhouse. However any dropped shots on the first can be clawed back on the par 5, 2nd , where the green is accessible in two. The par 5, 6th , is the longest hole in Sri Lanka , with a wide fairway it presents the ideal opportunity to pull out the driver and open up your shoulders. Careful with that driver though because the fairways are lined with well-established trees, a slightly wayward shot brings these into play . If you manage to stay clear of the trees further challenges lie in the crags and creeks that bisect the fairways and remorseless horse and bunkers, causing many a curse and bogey .the challenging 12th , 13th and 14th holes are referred to as Little Switzerland “ due to their resembling hills. It is also Leopard country so let that be warning enough to keep the ball on the fairway.

The clubhouse and bar is an atmospheric place to enjoy a drink and meal after your round. It is full of character and colonial history. Little has changed since the founding of the club and you can even enjoy a log fire on cooler evenings.

Notes
• Normal Golfing attire must be worn on this course and smart dress is required in the Clubhouse.’ Players bar’ has a more relaxed dressed code and a billiard room.

• There are a number of major competitions held at Nuwara Eliya Royal Road will warn you if you stay clashes with any course restrictions.

Lipton’s Seat is the chosen viewpoint of Sri Thomas Lipton , the Scottish businessman who, like so many other British colonisers, saw the profit that could be made from buying into Ceylon’s blossoming tea industry in the 19th century. One of the most spectacular viewpoints in Sri Lanka , it offers a stunning and majestic panorama of rolling lush green tea fields framed by dramatic mountains and it is said that you can see all the way out to seven of Sri lanka’s Provinces. It is a beautiful place to spend relaxing morning.

Visitors can or drive up to Lipton’s Seat. To journey to the lookout on foot ,set out from the Dambatenne Tea Factory and follow the narrow, paved road (which is sign- posted) and trek for approximately 7km through picturesque tea estates dotted with tea pickers. You will be rewarded not only with an astonishing view, but also with local selling refreshing drinks and fortifying snacks at the top. Tuk Tuk charge around Rs 2,500 to take people to Lipton’s Seat from Haputhale. We recommend visiting Lipton’s Seat in the early morning, before the mist rolls in and obscures the view on the horizon.

Horton plains is an undulating 2,000m-high plateau just 28km south of Nuwara Eliya. The grassy plains, which are interspersed with small patches of forest, are home to Leopards, sambur, deer, bear, monkeys and a rich array of birds, including some endemic species. The most dramatic feature of the National Park is world’s End ‘ where the plateau comes to an abrupt halt and drops nearly 1000m straight down. The best way to explore the park is on foot , though the plains can also be explored by Jeep, preferably from early morning as the mist often falls by lunchtime.

Horton plains comprises a gently undulating highland plateau at the southern end of the central mountain massif of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s second and third highest peaks,kirigalpoththa ( 2,395m) and thotupola kanda ( 2,357m) are found here and three of the island’s largest rivers the Mahawali, kelani and walawe originate from the Horton plains. The highlights for walkers is the trek to world’ End and Baker’s Falls.

Flora

Horton plains is well- recognized for its rich biodiversity. About 5% of the species of flora found here are endemic to Sri Lanka. The plateau supports grasslands fringed and interspersed with patches of dense montane cloud forest. The forest canopy grows to about 20m and is dominated by the endemic keena ( calophyllum walker) . The tree fern Maha Meewana dots the forest openings. Binara and Nelu are endemic and have beautiful flowers . Bivitiya is another plant with strikingly pretty flowers. The main grass species of the patina are Tuttiri. Rhododendron arboretum is now common on the plateau, which has spread to Sri Lanka via the western Ghats and mountains of the southern India from Himalayas. These flowers bloom every 14 years and then the plant dies off.

Mammals

A century ago, Horton plains was rich with elephants though, sadly, British hunters shot them to near- extinction, however sings of small population of elephants in the peak wilderness area are still evident.Now the park is frequented by sambar Deer and due to their large numbers the population of the Leopard also has increased. Wild boar, the endemic bear Monkey and Toque Monkey, slender Loris, Fishing cat, otter, Barking deer, strip necked , Mongoose, Long- tailed Giant squirrel are some of the other mammals found here.

Birds

All of the highland endemic are found in Horton plains. A birdwatcher must visit Horton plains to complete the list of endemics in Sri Lanka. Some of the highlights here include Sri Lanka Yellow eared Bulbul, Sri Lanka wood pigeon, Sri Lanka white-eye , spot- winged Thrush, Dull- blue Flycatcher, Sri Lanka Bush warbler , Scaly Thrush, Sri Lanka whistling Thrush, Brown- capped Babbler, Sri Lanka spur- fowl and Sri Lanka jungle- fowl. Other highlights are the Himalayan migrants pied Thrush, Kashmir Flycatcher and Indian pitta. Black Bird, Mountain Hawk Eagle , Black Eagle , jerdon,s Baza, pied Bushchat, Hill swallow and Hill Munia.

Butterflies

Some highland butterflies seen here include the Indian Red Admiral, common, Tamil and Ceylon Tree brown, common jay and Indian Fritillary.

Amphibians and Reptiles

There are some endemic Lizards and Amphibians found in these highland as well. The Rhino Horned Lizard ,painted Lizard are among them.

The Knuckles Mountain Range, so named because of its resemblance to the Knuckles of a clenched fist, is wonderful walking country.

The best walking months are mid- February to April and June to August and Royal Road offers the choice of a half day (8 kms) or full day (18kms) trek.

This rugged 235 sq kilometers range is made up of mountain peaks , cascading waterfalls, simple villages nestled into the slopes, terraced rice field and a sense of discovering nature at its most enchanting.

Whatever your hiking experience, it remains compulsory for you to have a guide in this protected reser, a UNESCO world Heritage site, and apart from the danger of losing your way failure to do so could bring problems with the authorities. Our trekker, an outdoors enthusiast and naturalist, will point out interesting aspects of the walk or just allow you to become lost in your own thoughts whatever you tell him you prefer.

As Sri lsnka’s Popularity grows , here remains a mystical region, still off-the- beaten track, with breathtaking views and a sense of remoteness that will appeal to experience and novice hikers alike.

Sri padha, or Adam’s peak, is a 2,234m-high mountain which is sacred to all four main religious groups in Sri Lanka Buddhist, Hindus, Muslim and Christian, all of whom variously claim the giant footprint at the top to be that of Lord Buddha, God shiva, Adam or st. Thomas ( the Christian apostle who preached in south India. Climbing the mountain is a popular pilgrimage, and a steady trickle of travelers join devotees between December and April to attempt the ascent. The climb is best started at about 2am – after a3.5 hour hike , you will reach the summit and witness one of the most glorious sunrises in Asia. During pilgrimage season, strip lights and rudimentary stalls light the way to help keep you going all the way to the top. For many, this is a moving highlight of their stay in Sri Lanka and it is certainly one of the most awe inspiring things to do in the island.