Exploring Nuwara Eliya’s Top 5 Scenic Attractions – find your way through cool climes and create awe-inspiring moments.
The central highlands of Sri Lanka reveal a host of pleasures and pastimes to while away the hours with and for those visiting Nuwara Eliya, here are the top 5 scenic landmarks you can head over to.
- Hakgala Botanical Gardens
Immerse your senses within the picture-perfect environs of Hakgala Botanical Gardens where varying species of plant life and flowers can be discovered. Inaugurated in 1861 by English botanist – George Henry Thwaites who sought ways and means to expand the cultivation of cinchona in the country, the attraction also functioned as a tea estate before its eventual conversion to a garden space in the year 1884. Divided into various sections including the Bulb Garden, Rock Garden and Upper Flower Garden; the Hakgala Botanical Gardens is undoubtedly, well known for its collections of roses and orchids which bloom come the months of March to April. If you opt for a stay at the opulent Araliya Green City, it is just a 15-minute drive to the botanical garden.
- Lake Gregory
Feelings of peace and tranquillity will be your companions as you begin combing through every inch there is to Lake Gregory which is one of the best places to visit in Nuwara Eliya, especially when you are staying at Araliya Green Hills Hotel. Hire a boat and set off into the distance or paddle along in your own merry way in the company of a swan boat that will have you taking in the surroundings that range from green gardens and cottage-style accommodation facilities that border the Lake. Ideally speaking, a good time to come down to Lake Gregory will be during the evening as this is when you will be able to feast your eyes on mist-cloaked mountains as you go on a relaxing walk, allowing the kids to frolic or even ride a pony.
- Horton Plains National Park
For the nature lovers out there, a trip to Nuwara Eliya’s Horton Plains National Park will appear worthy of inclusion in your bucket list. Replete with wide, open plains and grasslands & numerous routes that will coax you towards unearthing the treasure-trove which is Horton Plains; avid hikers will find ample reason to make for the distinct sights which make-up one of the Emerald Isle’s most visited national parks. First up is the dizzying drop called World’s End which is believed to extend 1,200 meters towards the town of Balangoda. Once here, you may savour panoramas of deep valleys and emerald mountains that will act as a wonderful prelude to calling by Baker’s Falls which is rated as one of the country’s most beautiful waterfalls. In terms of the wildlife that can be spotted, the Sambar Deer and Red Slender Loris will be far easier finds, but you will need to remain silent in order to witness the Sri Lankan Leopard which is known for its elusive nature.
- Devon Falls
The Nuwara Eiya District lays claim to dramatic backdrops and spectacular scenery that will have you completely taken in and overwhelmed the farther and deeper you voyage. One such landmark is Devon Falls which ranks as the 19th tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka and is thought to be a photographer’s dream come true. As a cascade that plummets from as high as 97 meters in the air, Devon Falls features two separate viewpoints from where you can absorb an ambience that encompasses plenty of foliage that branch out in every direction. For those residing at Araliya Red, a visit to Devon Falls can be conveniently planned out.
- Galway’s Land National Park
Regarded as one of the smallest national parks on the island, the 27 hectares of Galway’s Land National Park are home to a wonderful collection of birdlife that can be found amidst the montane forests. Aside from the species of birds, the visitor will also be able to capture scenes of the Barking Deer and the Sri Lankan Wild Boar which call Galway’s Land home.