Experience the very best of these unique attractions in Sri Lanka’s central highlands. Visit ancient religious sites, learn how world famous Ceylon tea is grown, walk through lush forests, and go off the beaten path exploring rugged trails and hidden waterfalls.
Devil’s Staircase
A 14km challenging trail from Ohiya to Kalupahana (or vice versa) made of steep ascents, descents, and sharp zigzag turns. A highlight on the trail is Sri Lanka’s tallest waterfall, Bambarakanda Falls.
Ravana Falls
Ravana falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in the Badulla region. The falls feature an impressive 3-tier cascading waterfall that gushes down a rock face, creating rock pools along its path.
Ella Rock
A moderate hike that traverses train tracks, tall grasses, tea plantations, and a small eucalyptus forest to reach a summit with epic views. From the top of Ella rock, you can expect views of the famous Ella Gap, Little Adam’s Peak, as well as Ella town.
Ravana Ella Prehistoric Cave
Steeped in Ramayana folklore, the Ravana caves are located in a cleft in the mountain that rises to Ella Rock. Archeological findings close to the cave have suggested that this site was once an ancient human habitation thousands of years ago.
Seetha Amman Temple
A colourful Hindu shrine that sits by the Seetha river on the edge of a forest in Nuwara Eliya. Legend has it that this ornate temple marks the spot where princess Sita was held captive by king Ravana.
Dhowa Rock Temple
The ancient Dhowa Buddhist rock temple in the hill country of the Uva Province is known for its rock paintings and sculptures believed to date back over 2,000 years.
Bandarawela Prehistoric Habitation Site
Archaeological findings have excavated a collection of prehistoric stone artefacts from the hill sites around the present Anglican Church in Bandarawela dating back to Sri Lanka’s stone age.
Gartmore Falls
Gartmore Falls is split into two sections: the lower fall is a dramatic drop down a rocky escarpment that pours directly into the Maskeliya Reservoir while the upper falls is a natural infinity pool that you can bathe in, overlooking the reservoir.
Horton Plains
This cloud forest National Park blends a high degree of diversity and abundance of plant and animal species found nowhere else on earth. Walk amongst tree ferns and marvel at a vibrant forest canopy decorated with an array of mosses, lichens, and orchids.
Thangamale Sanctuary
A lesser - known forest popularly known as the Thangamale bird sanctuary. The forest is home to an array of highland birds such as the endemic yellow - eared bulbul and Ceylon white - eye, as well as smaller animals such as lizards, porcupines, deer, and monkeys.
Idalgashinna Railway Station
Deemed as one of the the most picturesque railway stations in Sri Lanka, this colonial - era station was constructed in 1893 and holds the record for the highest number of tunnels between two railway stations in Sri Lanka.
Little Adam’s Peak
A viewpoint with an impressive 360 - degree view overlooking the Ella gap, all the way to the glistening tanks in Udawalawe National Park.
Nil Diya Pokuna
Nil Diya Pokuna, which loosely translates to ‘blue water pond’, is a freshwater pond found underground, deep within a cave tunnel complex in Ella.
Galway’s Land National Park
A smaller and lesser - known national park made up of a dense patch of montane forest. The park is renowned for its birdlife, including endemic and migrant species, as well as smaller mammals and lizards.
Hakgala Botanical Gardens
This is the second largest botanical garden in Sri Lanka, home to an impressive array of local, regional, and exotic flowering plant species such as roses, orchids, ferns, succulents, and trees including cedars and giant cypresses.
Darawella Planter’s Club (Dick oya Maskeliya Planter’s Club)
Historically one of the largest and finest sporting clubs in Sri Lanka during the pioneering days of plantations. The club was founded by British tea planters in 1868 and is situated at the foothills of Darrawella Estate in Hatton.
Adisham Bungalow (St Benedict’s Monastery)
With its sprawling lawns, blossoming gardens and views of the misty and undulating mountain terrain of Haputale, Adisham stands as testimony to a bygone era of the British tea planters.
Christ Church of Warleigh
An Anglican stone church built in 1878 during the British colonial era. The church is home to relics of a bygone era, including an ancient pipe organ and a 140 year old Bible.
Ceylon Tea Museum
Learn about the history of tea in Sri Lanka commercialised by tea pioneers, browse a range of tea - processing paraphernalia, and treat yourself to a cuppa at the tea cafe of this museum housed in a 1925 - vintage tea factory.
James Taylor’s Seat & Cottage
Visit the Loolecondera tea plantation established by the father of Ceylon tea, James Taylor, and check out his old cottage and the famous seat with views over Knuckles mountain range and Victoria reservoir.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most scared Buddhist temples believed to house the tooth relic of the Lord Buddha. As well as the revered main temple, the complex includes a series of smaller temples, shrines and museums.
Udawatta Kele Sanctuary
Situated on a hill - ridge behind the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, the sanctuary is a great escape for nature lovers. This small forest is ideal for walks, birdwatching and sighting smaller wildlife amongst the giant lianas that dominate this canopy.
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