Situated
at around 2000m above sea level
and surrounded by lush tea plantations
Nuwara Eliya is the main hill resort
of Sri Lanka and the heart of the
tea industry. Once a pleasure retreat
of the European planters the town
is still very much an English town
with many English style bungalows
and buildings. Nuwara Eliya is a
good escape for those who miss cool
breeze in tropical Sri Lanka at
any time of the year. Local tourists
flock to this town in their 'season'
from March to May when it is the
hottest duration for the town, April
being the busiest.
Nuwara Eliya offers
many activities for tourists including
visits to tea plantations golfing,
horse riding, boating, hiking
and of course exploring the beauty
of the landscaped gardens, waterfalls
and plateaus.
The
Tea Country
Sri Lanka is one of
the world's largest exporters of tea. Since the
introduction of tea to Sri Lanka in mid 19the century
Nuwara Eliya has been the capital of the tea industry.
For many miles prior to reaching Nuwara Eliya from
either direction you will find acres and acres of
tea plantations, infact nothing but tea estates.
There are many factories open for visitor's which
also have tea sales outlets.
Labookelle
Tea Centre
The
Labookelle tea center on Kandy road offers guided
tours of the factory free of charge and also runs
a sales outlet and a restaurant on site.
The
Tea Cup
Enroute
to Colombo via Hatton, about 10km from Hatton town
towards Colombo The Tea Cup is easily recognizable
by the large teacup in the front. Maintained by
the Watawala Plantations Limited The Tea Cup offers
brewed tea and snacks in addition to being a tea
sales center. Toilets here were superbly clean.
The
Tea Factory
An
old tea factory turned into a fine hotel is about
30-45 minutes away at Kandapola. Managed by one
of the largest hotel chains it offers good food
and excellent accommodation.
St.
Clair's Tea Centre
Another
sales outlet and a restaurant which also offers
open seating, on the Hatton Road at Talawakale.
Just above the St Clairs falls. There is a good
viewing platform from the location
Sports
and Adventure
Victoria Park
in the town itself is good for strolls. Boating
at Gregory Lake is available at the boat house
on the Badulla Road. Pony and Horse riding is
available at the turf club of Nuwara Eliya also
situated within the city. Regular monthly races
are scheduled from August 2002.
Nuwara
Eliya Golf Club
Walking
distance from the town center, built in 1891 the
club offers 18 hole course for a green fee of about
Rs 1500. Could rent clubs, shoes and buy old balls.
Water
Falls
There
are many popular water falls around the town. Many
could be visited as a part of trekking and/or hiking
expeditions.
Ramboda Falls - 329 ft. is also an attraction
in this area
Devon Falls drops 97 metres and is named after
Devon, a pioneer coffee planter. It is 6 Km west
of Thalawakelle and there is a special parking
and view
Laksapana Falls - off the Nuwara Eliya - Kandapola
Road. The Nuwara Eliya beer is brewed from the
water of the stream.
Hortain
Plains
Hortain
Plains
A
national park, Sri Lanka's highest plateau is
an excellent excursion and a paradise for nature
lovers, hikers and bird watching. The grassy plains
still host many other wild lives. Also within
the park are the World's End, a shear drop of
1000m offers a breathtaking view of the land below
on clear days, Bakers Falls and and trails for
hikers.
To
and From
About
76 km from Kandy or 180km form Colombo. For those
who are traveling from Colombo there are two main
routes, one via Kandy and the other via Hatton.
Most public buses go via Kandy. But the road via
Hatton is less busy. Both roads are narrow and winding
with sharp bend and beautiful sceneries. Train is
not the quickest way but will be more comfortable
because of the gradual ascendancy. Train travelers
must get off at Nanu Oya (about 20Km from Nuwara
Eliya) and could take a private van (Rs 125 - 150)
to the town. Observation trains offers a chance
to view the beautiful scenery.
Road Distances to
Other Major Towns in .
km
Colombo
180
Kandy
76
Badulla
56
Ratnapura
148
Golf
Course
Hill Club
A
member's only club, however visitor's could apply
for temporary membership for use of the facilities.
A dress code applies for dining where you could
borrow appropriate clothes. No jeans allowed. There
is also a golf course and tennis courts
Tracking
and Hiking
Nuwara
Eliya offers good adventure sport locations because
of it's landscape.
Pidurutalagala (2550m) Highest mountain peak of
Sri Lanka is just north of the town. Though the
summit is not open to the public, hiking is possible
up to 7000ft. There are several water falls along
the track.
Hakgala. Botanical Gardens is about 10Km from
the town
Sri
Pada
Hill
climb of a different type to witness a spectacular
sun rise or just for the thrill of the panoramic
views of Sri Lanka or for pleasure . Not just
a trail but a pilgrimage to a summit sacred to
all of the world's major religions. The most popular
hill trail in Sri Lanka to 2200m above sea level.
The season is between December and April when
the summit is not misty and relatively dry. The
base of the climb on the Hatton side is about
2 hours from Nuwara Eliya.
>>>>>
Accommodation
Accommodation
in Nuwara Eliya are in plenty. However some may
not be operating during the non peak period. Despite
many new hotels accommodation between March to May
could be very difficult and must be booked in advance
especially on the weekends. Prices may also go up
during this time.>>>>>
The
Labookelle tea center on Kandy road offers guided
tours of the factory free of charge and also runs
a sales outlet and a restaurant on site. 
Enroute
to Colombo via Hatton, about 10km from Hatton town
towards Colombo The Tea Cup is easily recognizable
by the large teacup in the front. Maintained by
the Watawala Plantations Limited The Tea Cup offers
brewed tea and snacks in addition to being a tea
sales center. Toilets here were superbly clean.
An
old tea factory turned into a fine hotel is about
30-45 minutes away at Kandapola. Managed by one
of the largest hotel chains it offers good food
and excellent accommodation. 
Another
sales outlet and a restaurant which also offers
open seating, on the Hatton Road at Talawakale.
Just above the St Clairs falls. There is a good
viewing platform from the location
Walking
distance from the town center, built in 1891 the
club offers 18 hole course for a green fee of about
Rs 1500. Could rent clubs, shoes and buy old balls.
There
are many popular water falls around the town. Many
could be visited as a part of trekking and/or hiking
expeditions.
A
national park, Sri Lanka's highest plateau is
an excellent excursion and a paradise for nature
lovers, hikers and bird watching. The grassy plains
still host many other wild lives. Also within
the park are the World's End, a shear drop of
1000m offers a breathtaking view of the land below
on clear days, Bakers Falls and and trails for
hikers. 
About
76 km from Kandy or 180km form Colombo. For those
who are traveling from Colombo there are two main
routes, one via Kandy and the other via Hatton.
Most public buses go via Kandy. But the road via
Hatton is less busy. Both roads are narrow and winding
with sharp bend and beautiful sceneries. Train is
not the quickest way but will be more comfortable
because of the gradual ascendancy. Train travelers
must get off at Nanu Oya (about 20Km from Nuwara
Eliya) and could take a private van (Rs 125 - 150)
to the town. Observation trains offers a chance
to view the beautiful scenery. 
A
member's only club, however visitor's could apply
for temporary membership for use of the facilities.
A dress code applies for dining where you could
borrow appropriate clothes. No jeans allowed. There
is also a golf course and tennis courts 
Nuwara
Eliya offers good adventure sport locations because
of it's landscape.
Hill
climb of a different type to witness a spectacular
sun rise or just for the thrill of the panoramic
views of Sri Lanka or for pleasure . Not just
a trail but a pilgrimage to a summit sacred to
all of the world's major religions. The most popular
hill trail in Sri Lanka to 2200m above sea level.
The season is between December and April when
the summit is not misty and relatively dry. The
base of the climb on the Hatton side is about
2 hours from Nuwara Eliya.
Accommodation
in Nuwara Eliya are in plenty. However some may
not be operating during the non peak period. Despite
many new hotels accommodation between March to May
could be very difficult and must be booked in advance
especially on the weekends. Prices may also go up
during this time.
