Off the beaten path around Nuwara EliyaThis page is about less-frequented places of interest in the
central highlands of Sri Lanka. Find a list of links to dozens of off-the-beaten-path destinations all over Sri Lanka here... |
Nuwara Eliya
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Popular tourist attractions in the hillcountry of Sri Lanka
The number of touristic highlights in the highlands of Sri Lanka is immense. Apart from Kandy and ist surroundings the most beloved destinations in higher altitudes are Nuwara Eliya and Ramboda, Haputale and Ella, Adam’s Peak and Horton Plains, St. Clair’s and Devon Falls, Kitulgala river rafting and waterfall adventures, Sita Eliya and Divurumpola Ramayana pilgrimage sites sites, Hakgala and Ambuluwawa Gardens. Bambarakanda Ella and Diyaluma Ella and Kurundu Ella are the island's tallest waterfalls. However, the name of the major travel destination in Sri Lanka's highlands is, of course, this one: tea. Tea plantations open for visitors are found near Ramboda, Hatton, Ella. A perfect way to explore the scenic beauty of the tea regions, of course, is a train ride along the highland railroad.
Lonesome places in the Sri Lanka's Central Highlands
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1*star & not too crowded
Lovers Leap is a waterfall near Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka's central highlands, more pecisely, in the suburb known as Hava Eliya. A couple is said to have leapt to death, because the royal parents of the young man denied marriage with the woman of low social status. Ever since, the area is believed to be haunted and not visited by locals after sunset.
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2**stars & not too crowded
Opened to the public in 2013, the Moon Plains near Nuwara Eliya have become a new jeep safari attraction of Sri Lanka, the only one in the cental highlands. Highlight of a visit, which usually takes one and a half to two hours, is an observation tower built on the highest point of the area, facilitating a terrific 360 degrees panoramic view to all mountains in the highland region of Nuwara Eliya.
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1*star & almost secret
Mani Katthitheri on Kondagala Rock, belonging to the Damro Labookellie tea plantation, is one of the best view points close to Sri Lanka's scenic A5 road. The top of the hill is an open-air Hindu sanctuary of Tamil plantation workers. Under the name of Mani Katthutheru, the cliff is also venerated as a Ramayana site, believed to have been visited by Lord Hanuman during his first visit on the island of Lanka.
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3***stars & rarely visted
Bomburu Ella is a group of around a dozen waterfalls in Nuwara Eliya District, not far from Hakgala Botanical Gardens. The main cascade of Bomburu Ella, which can be reached on a hike of less than a mile from the car park in Perawella, is one of the two widest waterfalls in Sri Lanka. Bomburu Ella is not crowded with tourists, though a rewarding destination for a half-day excursion from Nuwara Eliya.
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1*star & almost secret
In only 4 km distance from Bomburu Ella, there is another waterfall, it's called Rawan Ella, not to be confused with Ravana Ella in the Ella Gap. Rawan Ella is a typical horestail waterfall. The names of the waterfalls either refer to Ravana, the legendary demon who ruled Sri Lanka according to India's Ramayana Epic, or to a golden treasure believed to be hidden in the pool below the falls.
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3***stars & almost secret
The inconspicuous town of Pussellawa is situated halfway between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya at the scenic mountain road A5. Only few travellers know, it's worth a stay, viz. for excursions to Kotmale Lake, to the hills of Frotoft and Chariot Path, last not least to the town's backyard mountain known as Peacock Hill in English or Monera Gala in Sinhala. The summit with exciting cliffs and views can be reached via a bumpy gravel road, with only an easy 30 minutes hike for the final part to the top.
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2*star & almost secret
Usually, travelers crossing the Nuwara Eliya tea region on their way from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya do not visit the Frotoft tea plantation, which is situated further uphill and can be accessed only via bumpy dirt roads. However, Frotoft Estate is worth such an uncomfortable detour for its unforgettable scenic beauty, though the factory can not be visited.
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3***stars & almost secret
Chariot Path is a group of Pattana grasslands in a primeval pygmy forest of Sri Lanka's Central Highlands. The location is believed to be a strip of barren land left by being touched by the heavenly chariot of the legendary King Ravana. Chariot path is situated on the ridge of the main range of the highlands, in an elevation of almost 2000 m. Though rarely visited by foreigners, it's a one of Sri Lanka's best hiking and camping destinations, with phantastic panoramic views to various directions
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2**stars & almost secret
Waterfall intergrating a temple are a rare sight, that can be seen in the lonesome area of the tea plantation called Dunsinane. More precisely, the waterfalls are at the border to Sheen Estate. Dunsinane Falls, also known as Pundalu Oya Falls, can only be reached using bumpy side roads, but the 1 hour detour from Nuwara Eliya is rewarding due to the scenic beauty of Dunsinane Estate.
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2**stars & almost secret
Sri Lanka's so-called Hidden Tempel, the Kadadora Vihara, is usually submerged in the Kotmale reservoir. Only in dry periods with extremely low water levels, the temple of the abandoned village of Kadadora reemerges from the lake and becomes a pilgrimage site as well as a very rare photo motiv, attracting resettled villagers and curious travellers alike. Best chances to spot the hidden temple are in March and April. But it cannot be seen every year.
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1*star & almost secret
The Dehadu Kadulla in the village of Kadadora, not far from the Kotmale Dam Museum, is a rare example of an ancient fortified gateway in Sri Lanka. Actually, the name of Kadadora is derived from this gate. The very small archaeological side might not be worth a detour in itself, but a visit of the Dehadu Kadulla can easily be combined with visits of nearby attractions such as Kotmale Dam and museum, Kotmale Mahaweli Mahaseya and the hidden temple of Kadadora.
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1*star & almost secret
The Ranamure Pihilla (spring with water spout) and Ambalama (traditional shelter) in the village of the village of Mawela Kotmale valley, a bathing place popular with locals, is a protected monument and said to have been Dutugemunu's refuge for 12 years, when he had to hide after insulting his father, King Kavantissa of Rohana. The spring and amalama are situated in an idyllic setting of rice terraces in the Kotmale valley.
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1*star & rarely visited
Starting from Pussellawa or Ramboda, an excursion to the dam and museum of Sri Lanka's Kotmale reservoir and nearby attractions will take 3 to 4 hours. The best view point overlooking the dam is an observation platform belonging to the Kotmale Dam Museum, which is in 1 km road distance from the dam. The flooded temple Kadadora Vihara and the new giant stupa of Kotmale Mahaweli Maha Seya are within short driving distance, too.
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1*star & rarely visited
The landmark building of the Kotmale Valley near Nawalapitiya in Nuwara Eliya District was constructed as a memorial for temples and villages that submerged in the new artificial lakes of the Mahaweli Project, Kotmale Reservoir being one of them. The accessible dome of the Kotmale Mahaweli Maha Seya is the largest modern stupa created in Sri Lanka to date.
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1*star & almost secret
The tea region of Uda Pusselawa to the east of Nuwara Eliya is rarely freqented by tourists, despite ist scenic beauty. A rarely visited area with lots of waterfalls is between Hanguranketa and Ragalla along the B413 road, here you find the 189 m tall Kurundu Ella and the island’s most picturesque ensemble of waterfalls known as Mandawela Ella.
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2**stars & not too crowded
The town of Pusselawa halway between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya is surrounded by tea plantations such as Rothschild, Helbodde, Melfort, or Peacock, and is a perfect starting point for half-day excursions to Kotmale Valley or Peackock Hill or Charioth Path, the latter being one of the best hiking destinations in Sri Lanka. For those seeking to see more than the touristic classics of Sri Lanka, a stay in Pussellawa should be worth considering.
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2**stars & rarely visted
Among the more than a hundred waterfalls of the highlands, let’s highlight 3 different regions. Near Norton Bridge are the deep chasms of Lakshapana and Aberdeen Falls. Reaching the bottom requires climbing lots of stairs at both sites. Aberdeen Falls can be the destination of a hiking tour starting at the Ginigathena Pass. Car parks are availabke at both sides of the river, but for taking photos you cannot avoid the climbs.
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2**stars & rarely visted
There are some remote places even in the touristy Kitulgala area that are not at all overcrowded with tourists, for example Beli Lena with a waterfall in front of a cave and the two waterfalls of Mannakethi.
Beli Lena id one of the largest rock shelters in South Asia. The huge abris, not surprisingly, are major finding places of the island's prehistoric Balangoda culture. |
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3***stars & almost secret
Though Badulla is known to many travellers as the terminus of the highland railroad, not many foreigners are going to explore the surroundings, except from Dunhinda Falls. But there are several other places of interest that could be worth a detour from Badulla, The gravel road from the tea region of Spring Valley to Namunukula village is one of the most gorgeous scenic roads in Sri Lanka. From the top of the pass, jungle pathes lead to the summit of Namunukula mountain, which has breathtaking vistas in all directions.
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1*star & almost secret
A much shorter and easier detour from Badulla or also from Ella is a visit of Bogoda Bridge. This is by far the oldest and largest wooden bridge in Sri Lanka. Interestingly, it is roofed, because it suved as a pilgrimage rest, a so-called Ambalama, too. Apart from the picturesque bridge, there is also a cave temple in the typical Kandyan style.
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1*star & almost secret
5 km east of Lunuwatta, which is on the road from Welimada to Uda Pussellawa, are the inconspicuous Ishtripura Caves. The caves, situatet at the northern slopes of a hill, can only visited by a dirt road via a tea plantation. As the caves are velieved to have been inhabited by Sita Devi for a while, they are a Ramayana site. The area is idyllic, but it's not a must-see. The very narrow caves can not be entered.
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3***stars & rarely visted
Madulsima is a charming village in the southeast of Sri Lanka's highlands, ; situated around 50 km east of Ella, . It's main attraction is a spectacular precipice called Pitamaruwais. It's one of the escarpments called "Mini World's End" in Sri Lanka. Madulsima is the remotest one of that attractions, therefore rarely frequented by foreigners, though this scenic site is much beloved among native Sri Lankans, particular among campers.
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1*star & almost secret
Arawakumbura Falls are a group of waterfalls in the remote southeastern part of Sri Lanka's central highlands. In general, the valley of Lunugala is rich in waterfalls and, on the mountain ranges to the west and east, wonderful viewpoints
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