Hill Country & Nurwara Eliya

Telephone dialing code for Nuwara Eliya is 0052
Telephone dialing code for Ella is 057

Places of Interest

Activities

Sri Lanka’s hill country is ideal to adopt whichever interest you have – bird watching, walking, cycling, horse riding. The climate is very cool and misty after 4pm and you will jumpers.

Walking

Adams Peak is the most challenging of walks in the area and require strong knees, hard feet and stamina.
Horton Plains and Worlds End have a variety of treks for all levels. Maps and guides can obtained at the main office in Horton. 20km from Nuwara Eliya. From the plains and Worlds End cliff edge you will see for miles. If the mist comes down on the plains and cuts your trek short, you can spend the afternoon trekking around the many tea plantations in Dickoya region that surround Castlereigh reservoir.

There are many great walks around Ella, Badulla, Bandarawella, Heputale. Ella is the highest point and the views of Ella Gap are magnificent. Be wary of the local guides as they usually take you on mediocre well tracked treks and charge you for the privalege. Ravana Heights have an excellent guide who will take you off the beaten track and into village life. Most of the guesthouses eg. Ambiente, have maps of walks in their reception and are good starting points. The other towns are more self-adventure and you will need a guide. Or loose yourself in the many plantations of heritage estates.

Mountain walks in Nuwara Eliya can will take you up the highest mountain of Sri lanka, Mt Pedro, 2524 m. A 4km walk will take you to the tank but beyond is a security zone of cloudforest and the odd leopard. An alternative walk is to go to Single Tree Hill behind Haddon Hill Road A hours walk overlooking the town.

Golf

Nuwara Eliya Golf Club is more of a social club although recent funding has improved the greens. A large social and ex-patriate following. Green fees : $14/ weekdays $15 wkds.
Clubs and shoes can be hired for $4 / day and a caddie for $7/3hrs.
The restaurant is poor quality British dishes.

Horse Racing

A highlight for festivals which attracts many wealthy Indian and Arab owners and gamblers. The biggest meet of the year is for Buddhist New Year in mid April. The horses are largely Arab and Indian Thoroughbreds

Cycling

Many guest houses will rent mountain bikes or basic bicycles for $5/day. You might some of the hills and bumpy tracks very strenuous and resort to climbing. But the views at the top are spectacular. Paddy fields and waterfalls tucked away in light jungle attract a plethora of birds.

Bars & Restaurants (our favourites)

Nuwara Eliya is Little England and is full of British architecture and poor copies of British cooking. Whilst the service is of Colonial times it is rather dated and menus let them down.

1. St Andrews Hotel, St Andres Drive. Tel: 052 222 2445
A la Carte menu but Large and noisey dining hall
Super afternoon tea in the gardens with crepes and tea cakes.

2. The Grand Indian, Grand Hotel. Tel: 052 222 2881-7
A poor man’s Indian but an interesting mix or cultures and casual dining. Much more like a British Curry.

3. Hill Club, Tel: 052 222 2653
Jacket and tie required. Extremely formal without cause. The food can be fantastic or awful. But the experience is quite extroidinary.

4. Ravana Heights, Ella Tel: 057 222 8888
A simple Thai and Sri Lankan menu cooked by Thai hosts. You will need to book as they normally only cater for residents.

You will be rather restricted to eating within your hotel in the other villages but it will be a chance to experience some wonderful local dishes and fresh organic vegetables and strawberries for dessert. The cooler yet sunny climate in these villages enables them to serve the rest of the country with much of their quality vegetable supply.

Entertainment/ Nightlife

A good book and Bird song

Getting About/Transport

Bus

4hr trip from Kandy in the private express bus which depart every 30 mins. And a further 2 hrs if you are travelling Colombo.

Wellawaya is just 20 mins South of Ella and the start of the UVA Province and route to the South so regular buses and better roads might make for a preferable route.

The buses wind through the villages but it can take time.

Trains

There is an excellent express service to many cities namely : Badulla, Bandarawela, Colombo, Kandy Ella, Haputale, Hatton, Matale, Nanu Oya (Nuwara eliya). There are 1st, 2nd and 3rd class options and an observation carriage. You must book in advance tos ecure seats in the 1st class or observation carriage, especially Dec-March. For up to date timetables call the Rail information on Tel. 011 244 0048.

The train journey to Nuwara Eliya drops at Nanu Oya and is extremely unreliable. You must book in advance if you want 1/2nd class. The 6hr journey in our experience took 81/2 hrs !!

Tuk Tuk’s

Tuk Tuk’s are in abundance in Nuwara Eliya although you might prefer to walk around the town and soak up the market atmosphere.

Driver

For details on private drivers and getting about the island, click here as this is certainly the most efficient way of moving around the Hill country.

Sea plane/ Air taxi

A speedy and luxurious way to travel at a fraction of the time. The costs are not exorbitant. The planes land on the lake in town. For further details and costs, click here.

Banks

Banks can be found in Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Bandarawela and Hatton.