Joanna James
Nuwara Eliya is a lovely town shrouded in misty hills, quaint cottages, free-flowing cascades and well-manicured garden spaces to stroll through. Consider these 12 activities, the next time you’re here.
Feel as if you were on holiday in England when at Victoria Park. Take a stroll along well-paved pathways but be sure to bring along your trusty pair of binoculars for this splendid attraction is where species in the likes of the Kashmir Flycatcher and Indian Blue Robin reside.
Situated in close proximity to Araliya Red which is among hotels around Nuwara Eliya, the stunning spectacle called Gregory Lake will have you delighting in a wide range of pastimes. For instance, you can paddle along merrily in a swan boat, cast your line in search of that elusive catch or remain on land and ride a horse with vistas of mountains in the distance.
Be educated on the nitty-gritties surrounding tea production which is one of Sri Lanka’s main export goods at none other than Pedro Tea Estate. Walk through lush green tea gardens, stop by to catch a glimpse of how meticulous a task the plucking of tea is before retiring to the onsite museum where you will be transported back in time to the good old days and to when tea cultivation first saw the light of day in the Emerald Isle.
Go on a shopping spree at Bale Bazaar which showcases a completely different vibe when compared with Colombo’s malls. A sought-after meeting point for the locals, Bale Bazaar offers a selection of winter clothing and herein is an opportunity to pick out a colourful sweatshirt that will invariably come to your rescue in the cold weather.
An excellent stopover for those all-important holiday captures and poses, the Nuwara Eliya Post Office affords a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness as to how life unfolds in these parts. Watch the town’s folk come and go as you take in the red brick walls and the unmistakable sight of the clock tower which juts out proudly.
Open daily from 7.30 am to 5 pm is picturesque Hakgala Botanical Gardens which will be a welcome break from the city. Stumble upon a gamut of floral species, each with its own unique character but be sure to invest your time wisely inspecting the rare orchids which grow here.
Watch as an astounding veil of water cascades over a steep cliff which is very much part and parcel of the appeal associated with Devon Falls. As you remain in awe of Sri Lanka’s 19th tallest waterfall, be mindful of the macaque monkeys who live and breed near Devon Falls.
Though, travellers will need to embark on a challenging hike to reach Aberdeen Falls, here is one of the nation’s fondest waterfalls which is replete with lush greenery and a natural pool at the bottom where you can kayak to your heart’s content.
Dubbed the widest of its kind in Sri Lanka, Bomburu Ella Waterfall is in actuality, a collection of ten other cascades which adds to its allure. However, you will have to move off the beaten path in order to reach Bomburu Ella Waterfall but factor in the Nuwara Eliya – Welimada access point.
If looking for a day trip from Nuwara Eliya, then consider discovering the glorious wilds of Horton Plains National Park which features attractions such as Baker’s Falls and World’s End.
Perfect for those not too keen on adhering to travel itineraries, a carefree meander through Nuwara Eliya town will have you immersing your every sense in the nuances of Little England which is the town’s nickname.
As no direct train connects neighbouring towns and cities to Nuwara Eliya, you can buy a train ticket from Kandy to the adventure-savvy region of Ella and embrace the beauty of Sri Lanks’s central highlands, long before you arrive in Nuwara Eliya.
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.
