• Tea plantation worker, Sri Lanka

HIGHLIGHTS AND MAIN ATTRACTIONS OF HILL COUNTRY

HIGHLIGHTS AND MAIN ATTRACTIONS OF HILL COUNTRY

A breathtakingly beautiful landscape of emerald peaks and hills, the Hill Country is Sri Lanka’s mountainous centre. Interspersed with tea plantations, this stunning area provides some of the world’s most famously delicious Ceylon tea, as well as vast parklands which are delightful to explore. Being the highest region in the country, the climate here is almost constantly spring-like, with rain and mist not uncommon, providing refreshing change of scene from the smouldering coastal regions and arid southeast and northern plains. 



Sri Lanka

Parks, Peaks and Tea Plantations

A favourite spot in this area is the British hill station of Nuwara Eliya, which at 2,000 metres altitude enjoys a cool air of colonial sophistication, dating back to the 19th Century when the British were drawn to its addictively fresh (and familiar) climate. It retains some of its country town feel today, with gentlemen’s clubs, a race course and championship golf course - all clues to its British heritage. Visits to the working tea plantations of the area provide some fascinating journeys through hill scenery, such as Bandarawela, which is said to have the best air quality of anywhere in Sri Lanka. 

Heading 28 kilometres south of Nuwara Eliya, you will reach another of Sri Lanka’s national parks, Horton Plains, whose grasslands and forest patches are home to leopards, monkeys, deer, mongoose, giant squirrels and small groups of elephant. The ‘World’s End’, where the plateau comes to a sheer 1000 metre drop with views over the western coastline, is the park’s most dramatic feature.

Active visitors to the area will be itching to scale majestic Adam’s Peak or ‘Sri Pada’ which translates as Sacred Footprint, supposedly left by the Buddha on his journey to paradise. This imposing summit looms over the region and the ascent can take up to five hours, despite this the commanding views from the top make it more than worth the exertion, and if you go during the pilgrim season, although busy, it can be a fascinating cultural experience to witness.

Getting to the area itself is a highly enjoyable experience, as you pass through tea terraces filled with colourful sari-clad tea pluckers. 

The journey can be done via road, which takes about 3 hours if you drive south from Nuwara Eliya, or by rail.

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Contact one of our Destination Specialists to start planning your journey to Sri Lanka. Please note we recommend a budget of from £7,000 / $10,000 USD per person for our style of trip to this destination.

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