| Haggala Botanical Garden |
|  10
km on the Badulla Road.The Garden was first established in
1860 under the curatorship of three Britishers of the same
name - William Nock, JK Nocl and JJ Nock. It lies under the
Hakgala Peak, between 5000-6000 feet in elevation - the highest
set Botanical Gardens in the world. It boasts 100 year old
Monetary Cypress trees from California, Japanese Cedars, Himalayan
Pines and English Oak.
The Botanical Garden is first as a cinchona
plantation and
then adapted to an experimental garden for the acclimatization
of plants from temperate zones in the tropics. Here can be
found all the flowers of an English cottage garden in spring
and summer, and much else besides - such as the oldest tea-bush
in the island, an ornamental pond and quaint summerhouse.
Hakgala (Jaw Rock) rises a sheet 1500 ft/460 meters and offers
one of the most stunning views ever. Legend says it was part
of the Himalayas carried here by the Monkey God - Hanuman
in his quest to help God-Rama rescue Goddess - Sita from the
demon king - Ravana. Sita-Eliya, site of Sita's imprisonment,
stands a mere mile away, with the 'Sita Amman Kovil' close
by. |
| |
| Queen Victoria Park |
 The
Victoria Park of Nuwara Eliya said to be named to comorate the
60th Jubilee Coronation of Queen Victoria in the year 1897.
Originally the park was used as the research field of Haggala
Botanical Garden which is located about 04 km away from the
city centre. It is known that this park was established by planting
an Oak tree by a German Princes who visited Nuwara Eliya at
the latter part of the 19th Century.
The park is 27 acres in extent and about 90% of the tree
species available are those of foreign plants. Nanu Oya which
flows through the park and a number of lakes within it enhances
its beauty. A large number of rare bird species can be found
in the park. The park is a great tourist attraction in Nuwara
Eliya. It was estimated that over 100,000 local visitors as
well as around 4000 – 5000 foreign tourists visit the
Victoria Park every year.
Victoria Park is an attractive and well-used oasis. It is
popular with birdwatchers at quieter times because of the
good opportunities it gives to see Indian Blue Robin, Pled
Thrush or Scaly Thrush lurking in the denser undergrowth.
Kashmir Flycatcher is another attractive bird species found
in the park.
|
| |
| Horton Plains |
 Nuwara-Eliya
is the town base for visits to Horton Plains National Park.
The journey from Nuwara-Eliya to Horton Plains only takes an
hour. Horton Plains National Park is the only Nations Park situated
in the hill country and the highest plateau in the island consisting
of grassland interspersed with patches of forest, with some
unusual high altitude vegetation and an excellent excursion
and a paradise for nature lovers, hikers and bird watching.
It falls within the Nuwara-Eliya District 200Km away from
Colombo, the capital city. The panoramic beauty of the hill
country is witnessed within the park. The Plains are a beautiful,
silent, strange world with some excellent walks.
The grassy plains still host many other wild lives. Species
found here include Leopard, Sambar and the endemic Purple-faced
Langur. Endemic highland birds include Dull-blue Flycatcher,
Sri Lanka White-eye, and Yellow-eared Bulbul.
 The
most stunning place is the World's End, where the southern
Horton Plains suddenly ends, and drops off to nearly 1050
meters, when is an awesome sight indeed. This shear drop offers
a breathtaking view of the land below on clear days. This
is a favorite place fro trekkers, as there are plenty of soft
and hard trails.
 Early
morning visits are essential, both to see the wildlife and
to view World's End before mists close in during the later
part of the morning.
Flora - Trees & shrubs; up
to now 744 species of flowering plants has been identified
in the area out of which 112 species are endemic, and 78 species
are identified to be endangered. Being a grassland more than
50 species of grass has been identified, majority of which
are endemic.
Fauna - 460 species of birds are
recorded to be found in Sri Lanka, out of which 33 species
are endemic - out of this number more than 100 species are
confined to Horton Plains. 12 endemic species of these birds
can be seen in Horton Plains. Mammals - more than 10 species
of mammals could be seen in the area, and apart from these,
some species of reptiles, amphibians and butterflies could
be seen in the area. |
| |
| The Ceylon Breweries
|
| The brewing of beer was started in Nuwara Eliya
by Sir Samuel Baker in 1881 at Lover's Leap. It is an interesting
visit, for the brewery is one of the finest in the island. It's
been in business since 1884. |
| |
| Sri Pada (Adam's Peak
) |
 Hill
climb of a different type to witness a spectacular sun rise
or just for the thrill of the panoramic views of Sri Lanka or
for pleasure. Not just a trail but a pilgrimage to a summit
sacred to all of the world's major religions. The most popular
hill trail in Sri Lanka. Its about 2200m above from sea level.
The season is between December and April when the summit is
not misty and relatively dry. The base of the climb on the Hatton
side is about 2 hours from Nuwara Eliya. |
| |
| Pedro Tea Factory |
| This factory is the only factory in such close
proximity to the town of Nuwara-Eliya. One of the most modern
factories, producing the highest priced tea that is popular
all over the world, manufacture of which could be observed at
Pedro Tea Factory. |
| |
| Single Tree Hill |
| Single tree is the best vantage point to observe
the beauty of Nuwara-Eliya. Easily accessed by use of the road
across the tea estate. This vantage point one could enjoy the
panoramic view of Pidurutalagala Mountain rang, Haggala Mountain,
Lake Gregory, and the entire town of Nuwara-Eliya as well as
Northern section of Horton Plains. |
|
|
| Gregory Lake |
 Lake
Gregory is one of the significant tourist attractions in Nuwara
Eliya. It was built by the Governor William Gregory during 1872
– 1877 periods by utilizing the water from the Nanuoya
which runs across the town. It is about 91.2 hectares in extent.
It was said to be used for water sports and for re-recreational
activities during the British rule. 
A boat yard now allows visitors to go boating and rowing. |
| |
| Galway’s Land Bird
Sanctuary |
 A
beautiful land area covering an extent of 57.6 hectares of land
in Nuwara Eliya had been gazetted as a Bird sanctuary in the
year 1938. This bird sanctuary attracts about 20 species of
very rare foreign birds and about 30 species of Sri Lankan birds.
Most of the endemic bird species as well as migrant bird species
could be seen at this sanctuary. In addition to the birds this
park has valuable tree species of both foreign and local. |
| |
| Nuwara Eliya Golf Club
|
|  Walking
distance from the town center spread over 90 acres, over a
hundred years old (built in 1891), the 18 holes golf course
is one of Nuwara Eliya’s biggest attractions. It is
reputed to be the only Golf Course where all the holes are
visible from the Club House or accessible by car. In the old
British cemetery at the rear of the Club House is the
memorial to Major Rogers, the elephant hunter credited with
killing around 1500 elephants.
|
| |
| British Tombs |
Tombs of some distinguished Englishman who lived
in Nuwara Eliya can be seen in front of the Golf Ground just
few meters away from the existing bus stand of the town. A tomb
has been erected in memory of a young person called Ebenisher
Golder Manro (born 01st November 1814) and was killed by a wild
buffalo on 24.01.1841 at Elephant Plain. He was identified as
a son of Lt. John Manro who lived in Sri Lanka.
There is another tomb erected in memory of Sir William Rock
who served the country as a Judge. He died at the age of 64
on 19.05.1838 in Nuwara Eliya. There is also an important tomb
erected for an Englishman called Major Thomas Rodger who had
a habit of hunting white elephants. He was said to be killed
by an elephant in the jungle. Legends say this tomb had been
continuously damaged over every four years due to highlighting
on it which people believe has a mysterious curse. The tomb
is now seen as cracked stone pieces.
|
| |
| Oliphant Estate |
| A visit to this estate, entrance from the road
at the Ramboda end of Nuwara Eliya, is significant because it
was here that the first thirty tea plants sent from China to
Sri Lanka were planted by Mr. Laurence Oliphant, increasing
his tea acreage to 100 acres. |
| |
| Labookelle Tea Centre |
The Labookelle tea center on Kandy road offers
guided tours
of the factory free of charge and also runs a sales outlet and
a restaurant on site. |
| |
| The Tea Cup |
 Enroute
to Colombo via Hatton, about 10km from Hatton town towards Colombo
The Tea Cup is easily recognizable by the large teacup in the
front. Maintained by the Watawala Plantations Limited The Tea
Cup offers brewed tea and snacks in addition to being a tea
sales center. Toilets here were superbly clean. |
| |
| The Tea Factory |
An old tea factory turned into a fine hotel
is about 30-45
minutes away at Kandapola. Managed by one of the largest hotel
chains it offers good food and excellent accommodation. |
| |
| St. Clair's Tea Centre |
 Another
sales outlet and a restaurant which also offers open seating,
on the Hatton Road at Talawakale. Just above the St Clairs falls.
There is a good viewing platform from the location. |
| |
| Tracking and Hiking |
Nuwara Eliya offers good adventure sport locations
because of its landscape.
Pidurutalagala (2550m) highest mountain peak of Sri Lanka is
just north of the town. Though the summit is not open to the
public, hiking is possible up to 7000ft. There are several water
falls along the track. |
| |
| Mountain - Piduruthalagala |
| This is the highest point in Sri Lanka, overlooking
the town to the north. You cannot walk to the top anymore but
there is a small path off Water field Drive that leads to a
waterfall. From there, the hikers can follow the river up via
seven more waterfalls - a neat hike for adventurous folk! This
journey goes as far as the 7000 foot marker. |
| |
| Sri Pada (Adam's Peak
) - The Pilgrim Path |
This is through Gampola and Ginigathhena and
you will find the story of this old path carved on two rocks
off the 28th milestone on the Nawalapitiya - Ambagamuwa road.
The spot is called Akuruketupana and the inscription dates to
around 1100AD. Today there are four other roads to the peak,
the shortest being via Maskeliya and the most popular. Other
roads are on the Sabaragamuwa side.
|
| |
| The Nissangala Lena on
the road to Sri Pada (Adam's Peak) |
| This is believed the cave in the mountainside,
where King Keerthi Sri Nissanka buried a great treasure, including
his regalia. It is only after one passes this cave and enters
the forest that one comes to the Sita Gangula, a holy river
of ice cold water, where pilgrims bathe and put on white garments,
before continuing their journey to the peak. |
| |
| City Viewing Point -
Shanthipura |
 This
is marvelous point to view the entire Nuwara-Eliya city. Shanthipura
is the village which is situated in highest spot of Sri Lanka.
|
| |
|
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|
Waterfalls - Around
Nuwara Eliya |
| |
| |
| There are many popular waterfalls around
the town. Many could be visited as a part of trekking and/or hiking
expeditions. |
|
| |
| Glen Falls |
| Glen Falls is the second largest waterfall in
the city. It is about 10 meters high and falls from the Single
Tree Mountain which is at a walking distance from the city centre.
It was said that in the past the waterfalls was so beautiful
that it had carried large volume of water. But due to destruction
of the forest cover by unauthorized development activities in
the surrounding area its existence is being threatened. |
| |
| Ravan Ella Falls |
 Situated
in the Dry zone off Welimada this beautiful waterfall is a continuous
stream of life to the villagers. It provides much needed water
for the cultivation of vegetables, their main income. The life-line
role of this tiny, yet beautiful waterfall is seen when we first
arrived the village. While the surrounding mountains were dirty
and dry this particular mountain was greenish and cultivated.
According to villages the water of this stream has to be protected
from smugglers day and night and for that they have "a
shift duty".
It is 40m (131ft) tall and in the Uduhawara village. |
| |
| Bombure Ella Falls |
This 50m (164ft) and very broad waterfall, a
tributary of
Dalugala Oya (to Mahweli ganga) is situated in the village Parawella.
When we visited it, there is hardly any water, but during the
rainy season it turned to be a gigantic waterfall. |
| |
| Poona Oya Ella Falls |
 In
the same location as above (at Ramboda Inn), there are about
5 waterfalls descending down to make the Kothmale river. One
of them is "Poona Oya Ella Fall" which is actually
a twin fall.
It is about 100m (330ft) and both falls about 4m away from
each other. This is seen from A-5 road at 53km post and there
is an observation site there. |
| |
| Gerandi Ella Falls |
Gerandi Ella waterfall is situated on the
Kandy - Nuwara Eliya
main highway at the 50th kilometer milepost, and the 9th culvert
is constructed over the Gerandi Ella waterfall. When one looks
at the mountain top from this spot, we could see a colossal
rock that is shaped like a massive fortress. The water cascading
from this rock top comes down and half way the water thins
out to a misty sheen. The height of this waterfall is approximately
100 meters (328 ft). It is approximately 1 1/2 Km from the
highway. However, if we travel by the banks of the Gerandi
Ella, we could not reach the waterfall proper. |
| |
| Sheen Falls |
| NuwaraEliya, Punduloya highway
winding through scenic undulating mountain ranges and diverse
vegetation almost touches the Sheen waterfall - a discerning
traveler could feel the droplets on one's face due to close
proximity of the cascading water by the side of the highway. |
| |
| Nanuoya Falls |
| Situated at the highest point
of the mountainous lush hill country - Nanuoya waterfall 60
meters in height (197 ft) of undulating waterfall consists
of two sections is truly a magnificent sight for the traveler
to the hill country by the Ceylon Government Railway. |
| |
| St.Clair Falls |
|  These
falls are unusual type consisting of a double cascade derived
from different water sources. The bigger waterfall, the Mahal
Ella is 80m high and is situated on the Kotmale Oya. Flowing
over a rock ledge then divides into three cascades plunging
into a big pool. The smaller one of these two falls, the Kuda
Ella is only 50m high and situated on a tributary of the Kotmale
Oya. Just 3Km from Talawakelle to visit the falls there is
a 500m footpath starting from the A7.
|
| |
|
|
|
into the Maskeliya Oya via Maoussakelle. Viewing this fall is
easy if you camp down at Upper Glencairn, Dick oya. 
Devon
Falls drops 97 meters and is named after Devon, a pioneer coffee
planter. It is 6 Km west of Thalawakelle and there is a special
parking and viewing spot at the 20th mile post.
close to the 53km post along the above A-5 trunk road. The first
part is above the road in the jungle (100m), second part is
close to the road (3m) and the third part (100m) is below the
road.
This
is by the side of A-5 trunk route Kandy to N'Eliya east of Pussellawa.
Kandy – Nuwara Eliya highway is built over the Ihala Devathura
Waterfall. At the first glance on would assume this waterfall
to be a branch of the Ramboda falls. Anyway, the Ihala Devathura
falls consists of three smaller waterfalls, and the fall in
close proximity to the highway is not so attractive to the visitor,
and is approximately 10 meter in height. However, the most attractive
and panoramic waterfall is situated a litter above the highway
and is approximately 72 feet in height. Situated surrounded
by thick vegetation about four kilometers above the highway,
this waterfall is most magnificent.