Nuwara Eliya.
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Overview

Nuwara Eliya (pronounced nu-REL-iya) is a city in the Hill Country of Sri Lanka. At 1,868 m (6,129 ft) altitude, the architecture and temperate climate gives it a very different feel from the rest of the country.

Understand

The city was founded by British explorer Samuel Baker in 1846. Nuwara Eliya (which literally means 'city of lights') was built as a hill country retreat where the British colonialists could immerse themselves in pastimes such as fox hunting, deer hunting, elephant hunting, polo, golf and cricket. Many of the buildings retain features from the colonial period such as the Queen's Cottage, General's House, Grand Hotel, Hill Club, St Andrew's Hotel and Post Office. New hotels are often built and furnished in the colonial style. Visitors to the city can wallow in its nostalgia of bygone days by visiting its landmark buildings. Many private homes maintain their old English-style lawns and gardens.

Get in

By train Seven times daily there are trains coming from Colombo or Kandy, and they then proceed further to Badulla. The journey between Kandy and Ella is considered one of the most spectacular in the world. Book tickets well in advance, because unreserved coaches get crowded.

There are 4 trains per day from Kandy, 4-5½ hours, 2nd class Rs 1200, 1st class/observation saloon Rs 2000. Five daily trains from Colombo, 6-9 hours, 3rd class Rs 1200, 2nd class Rs 1700, 1st class/observation saloon Rs 2500.

By bus Buses can be taken from Colombo route #79, three times per day, six hours. Or from Kandy, every 20 minutes, 2½-3 hour trip.

Be aware - road transport between Colombo and Nuwara Eliya is very slow. The journey will typically take five to six hours to cover the 180 km. Traffic, poor weather or failing light can extend the time needed. Rail transport is about the same due to the old and meandering track.

Get around

The town centre is small enough to walk around. To visit sites further afield, take a bus or hire a three-wheeler. A tuktuk within town (e.g.

The same caveat applies to touring around the area as for getting there. Assume that you'll not exceed 20 km/h no matter what the mode of (ground) transport. So plan any excursions carefully, and don't assume that you can cover more than about 100 km in a day, including stops.

See

Victoria Park. A pleasant place to spend an hour or so, with an astonishing variety of plants, ranging from tropical rain forest to English country garden. At the far southern end of it there is Victoria Museum which houses a collection of old colonial era photos, entrance fee is included into Victoria Park's entrance ticket.

Nuwara Eliya Post Office. A picturesque Tudor-style, two-storey red brick building close to the big roundabout at the centre of town. One of the oldest post offices in Sri Lanka and still in use. It has a postcard and stamp collectors shop, which sells some recent first day covers, from 100Rs.

Lake Gregory. Large man-made lake, along the edge is a beautiful park, with water sports (paddle boats, jet ski rides and cruises) as well as other recreational activities. Offers a splendid and peaceful environment for sightseeing and boating. Boats can be hired from the area.

Hill Club. A gentleman's club that was established in 1876 by British coffee planters and has about 750 members today. It is housed in a two-story grey stone building right next to Nuwara Eliya Golf Course, another remnant of the British colonial era.

Lover's Leap waterfall. A beautiful 30-m-high waterfall. Legend has it that a prince and his lover jumped down this waterfall after the king prohibited their love. To get there, take a tuk tuk to Boralanda (before the turnoff to Pedro Tea Factory) for about Rs 700 from town centre. Start walking uphill to the left from there. After about 500 m, follow the sign to the left and stay on the path. You will reach the waterfall after another 2.5 km.

Pedro Tea Factory. Offers fascinating tours of a working tea factory. In the hills nearby there are paths through the tea plantations to wander along. You can visit the shop and stroll through the tea fields for free, or hire a guide for a tour.

Galway's Land National Park. A wildlife sanctuary on the edge of town which is great for bird watching. It's also the smallest Sri Lankan National Park and it's quite run down. Very expensive now for foreigners.

Hakgala Botanical Garden. Large and impressive, just a short bus journey away. However, it's far smaller and less pretty than Botanical Garden in Kandy.

The mountains in the central province of Sri Lanka and near to Nuwara Eliya are adorned with many picturesque waterfalls including Dunhinda Falls, Diyaluma Falls, Baker's Falls, St. Claire's Falls, Ravana Ella, Bambarakanda Ella, Aberdeen Falls, Laxapana Falls, and Bridal Falls.

Blue Field Tea Factory. Short 5-15 minutes excursion which is followed by a complimentary cup of tea, generally guide asks for a donation in the end. Overall, the entire process looks much more as a preparation for buying overpriced teas in their shop than the educational event. Visitors can proceed later to the tea plantation fields, which has a remarkable view over the valley.

Ramboda Falls. Big 108m high waterfall.

Do

Take a walk up through the tea plantations south-west of the town to the top of Single Tree Hill for a splendid view over Nuwara Eliya. From the hill top you can walk north for a couple of kilometres along the ridgetop to a nearby village and get a tuk-tuk/three-wheeler or walk back to town. Playing golf is also an option at , along with heading to the (the only proper ones in Sri Lanka). These are both traditions left over from the colonial era. Take a train trip from Nanu Oya towards Kandy. For the colonial experience book a 1st class ticket in the observation car. For an authentic local experience book a 3rd class ticket and hang out of the door of the carriage.

Adam's Peak. A 2,243m mountain located about 30 km away from Hatton, of religious significance for many pilgrims heading there every month. Dalhousie is the nearest place to Nallathanniya, which is one of the many entrances to Adam's Peak. This trail is the steepest of all trails in Sri Lanka, although it is also shorter than any other trail. It is recommended to stay overnight at any hotel in or near Dalhousie and start climbing the Adam's Peak early in the morning. There are plenty of budget hotels. It will take 2½–3 hr to climb up and some 1½–2 hr to come down. (Longer in the rain.) Avoid weekends, public holidays, poya (full moon) days and school holidays when the queue at the top can be 2 km long with sometimes more than 12 hr wait. Having said that, there is an alternative route to the top, splitting off the stairs at about 1,920 m elevation. This could spare you the queue, but there is no lighting and is a proper trail partly with no stairs.

Buy

Buy postcards and stamps from the famous old post office.

Eat

De Silva Food. Possibly one of the best budget restaurants that takes care about hygiene and quality of the food. Extensive menu which mainly focuses on rice, noodle, burgers. Big portions. They also sell some sweets.

Adma Agro. Serves only strawberry-based dishes, using locally grown strawberries.

Milano Restaurant. Just next door to De Silva, similar food, prices and quality. Serves pizza and Chinese dishes as well.

Ambaal's pure vegetarian Hotel & Restaurant. Close to Milano and De Silva, this sprawling restaurant provides tasty authentic Indian food on three floors at good prices.

St Andrews Hotel. Does a good buffet, described as a "fusion" of eastern and western tastes.

The Hill Club. It is a special experience which will take you back almost 100 years. But you must dress for dinner. If you don't have a jacket and tie you can borrow from their collection. Food is excellent and served by waiters in national dress with white serving gloves.

Grand Hotel. It does a great high tea.

Grand Indian. It is possibly the best place in Nuwara Eliya to get good traditional Indian food.

Drink

Cafes with Italian style espresso coffee include Barista and Grand Cafe.

Sleep

Blue Moon Guest House, Ranasinghe Mawatha. Guest house with 4 bedrooms, dining area, and common sitting area. Friendly staff.

Growing Beyond Apartment- This is a clean apartment with 2 bed rooms, and can accommodate up to 5 people. TV, WiFi and hot water. Kitchen with cooking utensils provided. Contact 0777857546, 0777257584, 0777691391.

Fernbank. 18-room hotel on the edge of town. Rooms are heated; family rooms have two double beds, and the suites have a separate living area and kitchenette. The restaurant, The Four Eighty, serves halal food, lunch, dinner and high tea, and is open to non-residents. No alcohol is served.

The Bellwood Manor. Exclusive all-inclusive boutique hotel, founded the 1870s.

Anilana Craig Bank. Sitting just above Nuwara Eliya town, is a villa set within magnificent gardens that overlook the golf course and rolling hills. Ideal for groups of families and friends who will love its privacy and secluded yet central location. Designed by a Frenchman, the villa's European styling blends perfectly with the property's colonial atmosphere which harks back to a former era.

The Tea Factory Hotel. Colonial-style rooms with views of the surrounding tea plantations. All the rooms (superior, premium or executive + suites) come with rain showers and baths.

King Fern Cottage. Welcoming budget guesthouse with a friendly owner, large rooms with comfortable beds and en-suite bathrooms.

Spring Acre. This tastefully furnished luxury holiday bungalow can accommodate up to 10 persons and has a breathtaking view of a tea estate and the Pidurutalagala mountain range.

Langdale by Amaya. Boutique resort. Escape to the cool mornings and crisp air of Randalla, a quaint hill station tucked in the mountain ranges of the central highlands.

Scottish Planter Glendevon Bungalow. This bungalow built from quaint stone, and its interior was inspired by Scottish architecture. Offers a spa, dining, personal butlers, and an in-house library.