Nuwara Eliya: Best things to Do
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Purna
Intro
So-called ‘Little England’ Nuwara Eliya is the topmost Sri Lankan city above sea level, about 1800m. If you want to escape from Island’s heat and humidity to somewhere with its unique charm and cool climate this is the best place to go.
Let’s explore the most favourite 10 things to do in Nuwara Eliya for its visitors are concerned.
Attractions like Gregory Lake, Victoria Park, and Pedro Tea Plantation are considered some of Nuwara Eliya’s list of top attractions list for any explorer in the city.
This place offers flawless vibes for photographers to make some awesome captures from historical British colonial buildings to scenic Tea plantations.
Transportation
Getting to Nuwara Eliya can take around 5-7 hours depending on the traffic during the day. Means of different transportation services can be Taxy (Uber), Tuk Tuks, city Buses and Trains. The city has good inter-transport links with other cities in almost every corner of the country.
Tip: If you’re to use city Tuk Tuks, do not forget to negotiate the price of the trip with the driver before initiating the journey. This eliminates the confusion concerning the prices. Some are metered taxis, you don’t need to negotiate anything as the distance/price are shown in the meter.
Lodging
Nuwara Eliya holiday resort is a perfect holiday resort for those who are looking for a serene escape that is filled with a lot of leisure and activities.
Whether you are a luxury or budget traveller you are, it is easy to find places to stay in Nuwara Eliya and surroundings that match your expectations and budget.
It is possible to find 5-star hotels, low-budget hotels and hostels, and holiday bungalows to villas and bungalows to make your vacation a fulfilling one.
If you’d like to book your accommodation online use the booking.com link for that. Booking has options that suit every type of traveller.
Bit of History
The city shows the significant colonial influence. Due to its geo capabilities, the British used the area for fun activities such as playing Golf and Cricket, Horse riding, and hunting.
Nuwara Eliya region was exposed to the world when the colonial British governor John Davy discovered it in 1819.
British administration also introduced their style of agriculture in the area, the famous Ceylon tea was introduced as a result.
Statistics
Height: Approx. 2000m
Population: 50000
Area: 13km2
Province: Central
District: Nuwara Eliya
Population: 50000
Area: 13km2
Province: Central
District: Nuwara Eliya
Top 10 things to Do in Nuwara Eliya
1. Hike Adams’ Peak to see the sunrise
So-called “Sri Pada” in Sinhala, Adam’s Peak has been the most popular journey among both local and foreign pilgrimages over the years.
Pilgrimage season usually starts in December and lasts for a few months. Climb Adam’s Peak is a trekking activity that beings during late at midnight and lasts for a few hours till the jorney takes them to the top of the peak where the visitors can see the most wanted early sunrise.
Buddhists believe that the footprint found in the peak contains Lord Buddha whereas the Hindus believe that it is Lord Shivas where and the Muslims and Christians believe that it belongs to Adam.
2. Visit Horton Plains National Park and World’s End: UNESCO world heritage site
Situated about 32km to the south of Nuwara Eliya, Hortan Plains (හොර්ටන් තැන්න) can be reachable by about 10 km from Sri Lanka’s highest located railway station ‘Pattipola’ and also ‘Ohiya’ railway station.
Spectacular views of Horton Plain can be seen as flat plain mountain tops most of which are wetlands. Cool temperatures can go below 10 degrees at night and rise to 25 degrees during the day.
3. Picnic at Victoria Park
Situated in the middle of the city, beautiful Victoria Park is one of the must-visit attractions when Nuwara Eliya town is concerned.
The park offers a very relaxed and pleasant atmosphere full of different varieties of native flowers, trees and bird species making the place ideal for children’s play, family gatherings or a romantic day out. The park usually opens during the hours 7 am to 7 pm.
4. Walk around Lake ‘Gregory’
Gregory Lake is located about 2 kilometres from the Nuwara Eliya town centre in one of the most scenic locations in the area.
Gregory Lake is where both local and foreign visitors can try out a bunch of different activities such as paddle boat rides and pony rides in particular.
This makes the surrounding area of the lake has been all year around popular trail among local and foreign leisure lovers. Also, activities such as windsurfing and jetskiing are possible here.
5. Visit Lover’s Leap Waterfall: Discover the true love story
Lover’s Leap Waterfall is the main waterfall in Nuwara Eliya district. It streams and brooks of Sri Lanka’s highest mountain “Piduruthalagala”.
There is an interesting story behind how this waterfall was named “Lover’s Leap Waterfall”. A couple of lovers are said to have jumped off from the top of this waterfall to convey their everlasting love.
Later this waterfall was named “Lovers Leap” to commemorate this love story.
6. Visit Pedro tea plantation
Pedro Tea plantation and the factory is one of the main tea processing ventures in Sri Lanka’s central hill country located about 3km from Nuwara Eliya town.
Visitors are free to enter the tea estate and the factory to see how tea is processed, packed and shipped to all corners of the world the factory costs about Rs. 400.
7. Train trip to explore Sri Lanka’s cultural capital 'Kandy'
Taking the train or any other means of transport to explore the island’s cultural capital and the 2nd largest city Kandy has been a popular itinerary among foreign visitors.
This trip consists of exploring the true natural beauty that every visitor admires. Due to its vast transportation links, visiting Kandy you are in a better situation to travel to any major city in the country.
Kandy is a city that blends true nature and also history so it is a must-see city that every traveller must add to their Sri Lankan travel bucket list.
Reaching there
Transportation
If you are looking for sightseeing and wildlife, adventure, honeymoon, cultural tour or pilgrimages, I can help you customize your tour according to individual wishes and requirements. Feel free to Contact Me mentioning your specific requirements.
Finding Accommodation
All major online booking portals still works in Sri Lanka as well to find short or long term accommodation. If you travel for short term, use your favorite booking platforms mentioned below. Choose the favourite platform according to your interest.
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