Up-Country
Sri Lankas up-country, spanning the middle,Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces stays in stark contrast to the warm coasts with it’s temperate climate due to higher elivation, misty hills, cascading waterfalls,and lush tea plantations.
These hilly lanscspes offer their own unique endevors for the traveler. Hiking, backpacking and camping, waterfall hunting and abselling, exploring cloud forests and unique wildlfe, chilling at misty hillside resorts, have breathing views from hilltops, exploring the tea industry, and taking a scenic train ride through the hills are all possible for the viditors to this regeon.
Your next adventure starts with the hills.
Ella
Discover Ella, a charming town 1,041 meters above sea level in Sri Lanka’s Badulla District.
With its cloud forests, tea plantations, waterfalls, hillside views, and refreshing climate, Ella ensure a wonderful time for the visitor
Have a great time hiking up Ella rock and Little Adam’s Peak, and explore the cascading Ravana Ella Falls. Have a thrilling time at the underground freshwater lake Nildiya Pokuna. Explore ancient cave paintings at Kurullangala. Visit the picturesque and iconic Nine Arches Bridge.
Ella, with its diverse wonders, promises an unforgettable escape into the serene beauty of Sri Lanka’s natural landscape.
Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya, nicknamed “Little England,” nestles at an altitude of 1,868 meters, with temperate climate and lush landscapes.
Founded by Samuel Baker in 1846, Nuwara Eliya served as a retreat for British civil servants.
Experience the colonial charm with historic landmarks like Queen’s Cottage and St Andrew’s Hotel, and wander through Victoria Park, enjoy trout streams, and experience Sinhalese and Tamil New Year festivities in April.
Visit Galway’s Land Bird Sanctuary, and see the beautiful Lovers’ Leap waterfall. Have a thrilling water scooter ride at lake Gregory. Walk the terraced slopes with vegetables patches and flowers, and savor the finest orange pekoe tea.
Badulla
Nestled in the lower central hills at an elevation of 680 meters, Badulla is a travelers’ haven.Explore the reminders of British colonial history through landmarks like the Badulla railway station, St Mark’s Church, and the Old Welekade Market. Bogoda ancient wooden bridge, and the unique Demodara railway station slso offer a glimpse into the bygone era.
Explore Badulla’s cultural richness with the ancient Muthiyangana Temple and the historic Kataragama Devalaya.
Visit the magnificent Dunhinda and Diyaluma watetfalls. Narangala and Madolsima peaks offer surreal hiking experiences.
So, do visit this wonderful place where history and natural beauty converge.
Horton Plains
Nestled in the central highlands at elevations ranging from 2,100 to 2,300 meters, Horton Plains National Park is a haven of montane grassland and cloud forest and a biodiversity hotspot with numerous endemic species.
The park’s significance extends beyond its stunning landscapes – it serves as the headwaters for major rivers like Mahaweli, Kelani, and Walawe.
Hike to World’s End, a sheer precipice offering breathtaking vistas, and Baker’s Falls, a 20-meter cascade named after Sir Samuel Baker.
Immerse in the rich history, unique flora, and diverse fauna of Horton Plains, a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts.
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
The Sinharaja Forest Reserve that spans Sabaragamuwa and Southern Provinces is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site, preserving the last primary tropical rainforest.
A biodiversity hotspot with over 60% endemic plants and 95% of the island’s endemic birds, it’s home to elusive birds like the red-faced malkoha, and provides habitat for wildlife such as purple-faced langur with its dense foliage. Endemic species like the green pit viper thrive there, and its etymology, meaning “lion kingdom,” adds mystique.
Despite its small size, Sinharaja hosts Asia’s densest rainforest, exhibiting human-forest coexistence and facing conservation challenges
Knuckles Forest Reserve
The Knuckles Forest Reserve is an unparalleled destination for nature and adventure lovers.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site, part of the Central Highlands, contains misty landscapes, diverse climates, and many endemic flora and fauna, numerous waterfalls and trails through valleys and foothills leading to tropical montane rainforests, cloud forests, and unique ecosystems like montane grasslands.
The reserve hosts over a thousand plant species,128 bird species, and many mammal species.
Visitors to Knuckles reserve can hike its exclusive trails to many peaks, chase waterfalls, and observe exotic wildlife, and take some of the most beautiful photographs ever.