Joanna James
The central highlands or hill country of Sri Lanka is a drastic change from the sunny coastlines. There you are surrounded by misty hills, gushing rivers and silvery cascades. Tea bushes carpet the mountainsides and weather is salubrious; so what can you do there? Loads! Do read on.
Worlds end is located within the Horton Plains National Park in the Nuwara Eliya district. Home to indigenous flora and fauna the park is home to Worlds End, where the plateau suddenly stops plunging 880 metres below. One of the country's most iconic look-out points you can trek to Worlds End from the entrance of the park, the hike is 4kms after which you can take the 2km loop trail back, past the equally iconic Bakers Falls. One of the most prominent attractions in the hill country, Horton Plains National Park is lauded for some of its unique foliage which does not grow anywhere else and is quite foreign to a tropical country.
Located in Wellawaya, the 1000-year-old stone sculptures, of Buduruwagala, cut into the rock face are the region's most famous attractions. Amongst the smaller statues, the 15-metre statue of the Buddha is deemed the tallest in the country and quite an impressive sight to gaze at. This stone statue still bears a trace of the original carving with the robe showing little flecks of orange remaining, to suggest the Buddha statue was once painted a glowing orange colour. To get to the site you must travel inland, about 9kms from the Wellawaya town along a rather pretty country road. There are plenty of Sri Lanka holiday packages which include tours of these beautiful, yet off the beaten track locations, which would be a pity to miss for lack of knowledge, hence a tour booked through a reliable tour operator like Silvertree Travel will ensure you get to experience the best of the island.
Proving how bio-diverse the environs of this small island are the rustic surroundings of Udawalawe National Park is quite unique and beautiful. The park is home to herds of wild elephants, sambar, wild buffalo, spotted deer and giant squirrels. Centred around the Uda Walawe Reservoir, the 308.2sqkms of parkland is on par with some of Africa's best.
Located in the hill capital Kandy, the Peradeniya Botanic Gardens which was once reserved exclusively for royalty is a favourite haunt for both the locals and visitors to Kandy. The 60-hectare parkland is a lush oasis of various types of foliage and flowering plants with a vain of the Mahaweli River running through the park adding to its salubrious surroundings.
Adisham built by a British philanthropist sits in the hills of the Uva Province. The place is now a seminary and part museum, with most of the original owner's furniture well preserved in part of the mansion. At Adisham you can walk around and enjoy the beautifully manicured gardens and stop at the little shop run by the monks to purchase the very famous Adisham brand jams, cordials and chutneys and enjoy the serene tranquillity of the place.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
