Cascading waterfalls, high wind-swept plateaus, dizzying precipices and mist-draped mountains, where deer, wild boar and jackals lurk in pockets of wilderness, and where mysterious cloud forests, medicinal herbs and rare birds await discovery.   

The Hill Country of Sri Lanka lies slightly south of the island’s centre. The cool highlands (often reaching more than 2000 meters) offer a haven for nature lovers, hikers, golfers, anglers fishing for trout in the chilly streams, adventure seekers and those simply in search of peace and tranquillity amidst great natural beauty and spring like temperatures.   Read more...

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Kandy, the capital of hill country, spreads around a scenic lake at 500 meters above sea level. The city’s main attractions are the famed Dalada maligawa or Temple of the tooth relic (the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha is enshrined here).   

A glittering festival of brilliantly dresses elephants, Kandy drummers and dancers, a stunning display of medieval pageantry, The Kandy Esala Perehera is held during July/August each year.   

The magnificent Royal Botanical Gardens (57 hectares) is located at nearby Peradeniya and renowned for the collection of spectacular orchids, spices, medical plants and palms.   

Sri Lanka’s famous cinnamon cloves, nutmeg, pepper and cardamom flourish in the fertile soil of commercial spice gardens to the north of Kandy near Matale. The Knuckles Range, reaching 1,500 meters and hoe to unique stunted cloud forests, protected in a forest reserve is offset by this town.   

Nuwera Eliya is the queen of Hill Resorts; The British established this town in the early 19th century. This attractive town boasts one of Asia’s most beautiful golf courses, a race course, a man made lake and market gardens where the temperature climate produce includes strawberries. 1,900 metres above sea level, Nuwera Eliya can be downright chilly at night and pleasant for walks in the surrounding country side during day time.   

Victoria Park in Nuwera Eliya is filled with flowers throughout the year. During the month of April this town is packed with local holiday makers enjoying the season with its many sporting and social events. Hakgala Botanical Gardens, filled with sub-tropical palnts,tupicao montane trees and popular rose gardens is a must for visitors to Nuwera Eliya.It is possible to discover the process of producing the world’s finest tea by visiting one of the many tea plantations which cover the slopes around Nuwera Eliya and most districts of the Hill Country.   

Although not the country’s highest mountain, Adam’s Peak is certainly the most sacred and lies southwest of Nuwera Eliya, a needle-like peak towering dramatically above a virgin forest reserve. The peak is climbed by thousands of devout pilgrims every year during December and May. To Buddhists, the indentation in a rock on the summit is the footprint left by Lord Buddha. The Muslims & Christians believe it to be that of Adam. Hindu’s believe it was made by god Siva as he danced the world into creation. The climb required stamina rather than mountaineering skills and the view from the summit at dawn is one of Sri Lanka’s remarkable sights.   

The Hill country around Hatton is a paradise for the adventure tourist, with dramatic waterfalls, and tea plantations. Charming accommodation in converted tea estate bungalows are a convenient base for exploring the region or for climbing Adam’s Peak.   

Horton Plains, a 2,130-metre grassy plateau is a secluded and hauntingly lovely region (protected as a national park) located south of Nuwera Eliya. Endemic species of birds, monkeys and butterflies and giant scarlet rhododendrons and primrose and daffodil orchids in the few patches of the forest are attractions for hikers.   

A four Kilo metre gentle stroll leads to the country’s most dramatic view at World’s End, a sheer escarpment dropping vertically for a dizzying 880 meters. Durign early morning when the weather is clear it is possible to see the Indian Ocean glinting some 80 kilometres to the south.   

In Haputale, a village east of Horton Plains Sir Thomas Lipton established Dambatenna and visitors could admire the view he once adored from Lipton’s seat. Visitor’s are also welcome on weekends and poya (full moon) days to the attractive stone Adisham Monasty where Bendictine monks live. A few kilometres away one of Sri Lanka’s highes water falls, Diyaluma, rushes over a cliff edge and drops 170 meteres in a sheer curtain to the pool below.   

Ella Gap north of Haputale is famed for its stunning view 1,000 meters below on to dondra Lighthouse the island’s most southern point.   

In Ratnapura, a town in the southern foothills, rubies, sapphires and other exquisite stones are literally dug up from the earth, cut and polished and set into jewellery. Visitors can watch the entire process in one of the city’s jewellery specialists, and return home with a precious souvenir of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country.   

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