Horton plains national park, World heritage site

Location NUWARA ELIYA
Thinkstodocategory Wildlife Safari
Title Horton plains national park, World heritage site
Name Horton plains national park, World heritage site
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Id 36
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Created 2/4/19, 12:26 AM

Decsription

<ul>Horton plains national park is situated 2,300 m above sea level, spreading across Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, and Ratnapura districts, and 190 km away from Colombo, 29 km away from Nuwara Eliya, and 50 km away from Ella.<br>
<br>Maha Eliya Thenna, literary meaning in Sinhala “the great open plain,” was the original name of the area and it was renamed after Sir Robert Wilmot-Horton, the British Governor of Ceylon from 1831 to 1837.<br>
<br>It was nominated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and upgraded to a national park in 1988. Peak wilderness sanctuary adjoining the west with Horton plains national park together with Knuckles mountain range has called “the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka” is a World Heritage Site.
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Related Itinerary Day Schedules

Id Itinerary Id Duration Info Accommodation Info Location Id Description Meals Info Hotel Id Image Created Actions
169 17 DAY - 19 (Sigiriya) 27 <ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel.</li><li>Visit Dambulla Cave Temple and Sigiriya both are UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site</li><li>Afternoon visit Minneriya National Park where you can see the biggest number of herds of Asian elephants in one place.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Fresco Water Villa, Sigiriya</li></ul> Bed & Breakfast 193 SIGI-MINNE.jpg 4/19/20, 3:36 PM View Edit
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209 21 DAY - 10 (Nuwara Eliya – Horton Plains - Nuwara Eliya) 8 <ul><li>Transfer to Horton Plains national park at 5 am. Approximately 1 and a half hours’ drive.<br></li><li>The Horton Plains national park is one of the most beautiful national parks in Sri Lanka where you will find scenery unlike anywhere in the country. The Horton Plains national park is at the highest plateau of the country where it comes to a sudden end at the place called “the world’s end” which is indeed an amazing sight to behold. This normal circular route covers World’s End and Bakers’ fall which takes 3-4 hours.</li><li>Picnic breakfast will be provided before starting the hike or trek.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Oak Ray Summer Hill Breeze, Nuwara Eliya</li></ul> Bed & Breakfast 196 HORTON-2.jpg 4/22/20, 1:08 PM View Edit
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216 22 DAY - 6 (Belihuloya – Kalupahana – Ohiya - Horton Plains) 8 <ul><li>Early morning start the journey from Belihuloya to Horton plains National Park through Ohiya – Kalupahana Jeep track via Devil’s staircase. Picnic meals and refreshments will be provided.<br></li><li>Up to the Bambarakanda waterfall, you will travel by the vehicle. Then we start the hike up to 26th milepost at Horton Plains – Ohiya road (B508). </li><li>This 12km hike is one of the most beautiful nature trails in Sri Lanka. It goes through V-cut, Devil’s staircase, Y junction up to 26th milepost.</li><li>You will enjoy every moment of hiking and able to find a lot of breathtaking places where you would like to stay for a while. Therefore it will take approximately 5 hours.</li><li>Your vehicle will be at the 26th milepost and then proceed to the entrance of the Horton Plains National Park where vehicle access is not possible.</li><li>Basic campsite a high mountain which very close to nature, 2 km inside the Horton Plains national park is ready for your next stay. Pre-arrange team will carry everything on their shoulders to the campsite for you.</li><li>After enjoying your meals, you will be setting out for the 6km Nature Trek in Horton Plains. You will visit Baker’s fall and then arrive at the World’s End cliff. </li><li>Most of the day, both mini and main “World’s Ends” are covered with mist and clouds but your patience will offer the chance to clear up the clouds and get a glimpse of a steep drop and a tea estate beneath the World’s End.</li><li>In the evening, only you and the camp staff are only in the whole area only the noises of the creatures can be heard. This is a unique experience once in a lifetime.</li></ul> Full board DEVIL-OHIYA.jpg 4/22/20, 3:09 PM View Edit
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229 24 DAY - 9 (Nuwara Eliya) 8 <ul><li>Transfer to Horton Plains national park at 5 am – approximately 1 and half hours’ drive.<br></li><li>Trekking in the normal circular route covering World’s End and Bakers’ fall takes 3-4 hours. </li><li>Picnic breakfast will be provided before starting the trek.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Oak Ray Summer Hill Breeze</li></ul> Bed & Breakfast 196 HORTON-4.jpg 4/24/20, 2:27 AM View Edit
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239 25 DAY - 5 (Belihuloya - Nuwara Eliya) 8 <ul><li>Early morning start the journey from Belihuloya to Horton plains National Park through Ohiya – Kalupahana Jeep track via Devil’s staircase. Picnic meals and refreshments will be provided.</li><li>You will enjoy every moment of the track and be able to find a lot of breathtaking places where you would like to stay for a while. </li><li>Horton Plains national park, a world heritage site has a fantastic trekking trail through the park. You will be able to explore Mini world’s end, World’s end and Baker’s falls<br></li><li>After trekking transfer you to Nuwara Eliya</li><li>Dinner & Overnight stay at Oak Ray Summer Hill Breeze, Nuwara Eliya</li></ul> Bed & Breakfast 196 DEVIL-OHIYA1.jpg 4/24/20, 5:39 AM View Edit
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262 26 DAY - 11 (Nuwara Eliya) 8 <ul><li>Transfer you to Horton Plains National Park at around 5 am – approximately 1 and half hours’ drive.<br></li><li>You can choose either trekking in the normal circular route covering World’s End and Bakers’ Fall which takes 3-4 hours or Hike to Kirigalpotta mountain one of the best nature trails in Sri Lanka which is a 14 Km round hike will take about 6-7 hours.</li><li>Picnic breakfast will be provided before starting the hike or trek.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Oak Ray Summer Hill Breeze, Nuwara Eliya</li></ul> Bed & Breakfast 196 HORTON-3.jpg 4/25/20, 1:14 AM View Edit
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278 27 DAY - 11 (Nuwara Eliya) 8 <ul><li>Transfer to Horton Plains national park at 5 am – approximately 1 and half hours’ drive.<br></li><li>Trekking through the national park in a circular route covering World’s End and Bakers’ Fall takes 3-4 hours. </li><li>Picnic breakfast will be provided before starting the trek.</li><li>Afternoon visit Hakgala Botanical Garden that is believed to have a relation with Ramayana epic.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Oak Ray Summer Hill Breeze, Nuwara Eliya</li></ul> Bed & Breakfast 196 HORTON-1.jpg 4/26/20, 2:28 AM View Edit
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295 28 DAY - 10 (Nuwara Eliya) 8 <ul><li>Transfer to Horton Plains national park at around 5 am – approximately 1 and half hours’ drive.<br></li><li>Trekking along a circular route covering Bakers’ Fall Mini World’s End and World’s End that takes 3-4 hours. </li><li>Picnic breakfast will be provided before starting the trek.</li><li>Afternoon visit Hakgala Botanical Garden that is believed to has a relation with Ramayana epic.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Oak Ray Summer Hill Breeze, Nuwara Eliya</li></ul> Bed & Breakfast 196 HORTON-3.jpg 4/26/20, 6:30 AM View Edit
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379 36 DAY - 2 (Negombo - Anuradhapura) 46 <ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel.<br></li><li>Transfer you to  Anuradhapura - approximately 3 and half hours’ drive</li><li>En-route hike to Yapahuwa rock fortress, the capital city of ancient Sri Lanka for a limited period. And explore Nillakgama Bodhigaraya, Avukana Buddha statue, and Sesseruwa Buddha statue. It is said that these two rock-cut statues were made by the master and the pupil.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Rajarata Hotel,  Anuradhapura</li></ul> Bed & Breakfast 204 2.jpg 5/10/20, 6:12 AM View Edit
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528 48 DAY - 1 (Airport – Kitulgala) 53 <ul><li>At the arrival lounge of Colombo Airport, you will be received by your chauffeur guide who will take care of you for the next 16 Days and transfer you to Kitulgala – approximately 2 and half hours drive.<br></li><li>Kelani River flows through the Kitulgala which makes it, the most famous destination for water-based adventure activities.</li><li>Check in to the hotel and relaxing few hours’ at the hotel.</li><li>Evening bird watching trail at Kitulgala – Kelani valley forest reserve. The trail starts by crossing the Kelani River and goes through the village where many endemic bird species can be seen.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Rafters Retreat Lodge, Kitulgala</li></ul> Bed and Breakfast 211 3.jpg 5/21/20, 2:12 PM View Edit
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544 49 DAY - 1 (Airport – Sinharaja) 57 <ul><li>At the arrival lounge of Colombo Airport, you will be received by your chauffeur guide who will take care of you for the next 16 Days and transfer you to Sinharaja. Approximately 3 and a half hours’ drive. <br></li><li>Check in to the hotel and relaxing few hours’ at the hotel.</li><li>Sinharaja the hilly virgin rainforest, the UNESCO World Heritage Site represents a biome that dates back to the Deccan Plate and consists of lowland, mid-elevation, and montane rainforest. Out of a total of 830 indigenous flowering plants on the island, Sinharaja has nearly 500 plants and out of 27 native bird species in the country, 17 species make Sinharaja their home. </li><li>Afternoon walking through the bird watching trail where you will be able to see at least 10 endemic bird species.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Rain Forest Edge, Sinharaja.</li></ul> Bed and Breakfast 217 4.gif 5/21/20, 3:16 PM View Edit
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561 50 DAY - 2 (Chilaw - Wilpattu) 19 <ul><li>Morning bird watching walk in Anawilundawa sanctuary</li><li>Late breakfast at the hotel.</li><li>Transfer you to Wilpattu. Approximately 2 hours drive</li><li>Afternoon safari in Wilpattu national park for wildlife and hidden cultural treasures of the ancient port city. </li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at The BackWaters Lodge, Wilpattu</li></ul> Bed & Breakfast 219 1.jpg 5/22/20, 12:46 AM View Edit
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615 55 DAY - 1 (Airport – Kitulgala) 53 <ul><li>At the arrival lounge of Colombo Airport, you will be received by your chauffeur guide who will take care of you for the next 14 Days and transfer you to Kitulgala – approximately a 2 and half hours drive.<br></li><li>Kelani River flows through the Kitulgala which makes it, the most famous destination for water-based adventure activities.</li><li>Check in to the hotel and relax for a few hours at the hotel.</li><li>Evening bird watching trail at Kitulgala – Kelani valley forest reserve. The trail starts by crossing the Kelani River and goes through the village where many endemic bird species can be seen.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Rafters Retreat Lodge, Kitulgala</li></ul> Bed & Breakfast 211 6.jpg 5/25/20, 4:53 AM View Edit
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719 74 DAY - 1 (Airport – Sinharaja) Rain Forest Edge 57 <ul><li>At the arrival lounge of Colombo Airport, you will be received by your chauffeur guide who will take care of you for next 14 days and transfer you to Sinharaja. Approximately 3 hours drive</li><li>Check in to the hotel and relaxing for few hours. </li><li>Sinharaja the hilly virgin rainforest, the UNESCO World Heritage Site represents a biome that dates back to the Deccan Plate and consists of lowland, mid-elevation and montane rainforest. Out of a total of 830 indigenous flowering plants in the island, Sinharaja has nearly 500 plants and out of 27 native bird species in the country 17 species make Sinharaja their home. </li><li>Afternoon walking through the bird watching trail where you will be able to see at least 10 endemic bird species.</li><li>Dinner and Overnight stay at Rain Forest Edge, Sinharaja</li></ul> Full Board 217 BIRD-WATCHING.jpg 5/14/22, 12:41 AM View Edit
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733 75 DAY - 1 (Airport – Negombo) 34 <ul><li>At the arrival lounge of Colombo Airport, you will be received by your chauffeur guide who will take care of you for the next 14 Days and transfer you to Negombo. Approximately 20 min. drive</li><li>Relax few hours at the hotel</li><li>Afternoon boat ride in the Dutch Canal to explore the fishing life of the people in the area</li><li>Overnight stay at Jetwing Thalahena, Negombo</li></ul> Bed & Breakfast 201 1.jpg 5/15/22, 12:17 AM View Edit
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770 80 DAY - 5 (Kitulgala - Airport) 78 <ul><li>Today, you can partake in a variety of adventure activities at Kitulgala. Waterfall abseiling, Jungle Rock sliding, Confident jumping, and white water rafting are all available depending on your strength and desire.</li><li>White water rafting on the Kelani River requires no prior rafting or swimming experience. It is even safer for beginners.</li><li>After that, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight. Approximately 2 and a half hours’ drive.</li></ul> 3-5.jpg 11/15/22, 5:24 AM View Edit
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Related Activity Details

Id Activity Id Name Description Created Actions
28 36 Most Striking Feature <ul>The plateau of the Horton Plains area is the highest plateau of the country which rises up to 2,500 m above sea level. It comes to a sudden end at the place called “the World’s End” which contributes immensely to its awe-inspiring physiognomy. The “Mini World’s End” drops by 274 m whereas the “World’s End” drops by 884 m. On a clear day morning, World’s End affords the view running to the southern coast and the Udawalawa national park with an adjoining reservoir of the southern part of the country.<br> <br>The Baker’s Fall, originally known as Gonagala Waterfall, formed by Belihul Oya, a tributary of the Walawe River, is named after British explorer Sir Samuel Baker. It is 20 m high and gives different views when you are looking at it from different angles.</ul> 2/4/19, 12:34 AM View Edit
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29 36 Landscape & Views <ul>The weather of the Horton Plains changes very quickly. One minute, it can be sunny and clear and the next minute, it would be chilly and misty.<br> <br>The nature trails to the mountains of Kirigalpoththa (2,389 m) and Thotupola (2,357 m), the second and the third highest mountains of Sri Lanka, situated towards the west and north of the National Park, are one of the best nature trails in Sri Lanka. The hikers can experience all aspects of the unique and fragile eco-system of the Horton Plains national park on the nature trail to Kirigalpoththa Mountain. The trail goes through areas of wet grassland, cloud forests, and scrubs at the summit. A wide variety of beautiful wildflowers and hundreds of birds can be seen during the hike. If you are lucky enough, you will be able to see wild boar, deer, and leopard.<br> <br>The rainwater of Horton Plains drains through tributary to Mahaveli River to the north, Walawe River to the south, and the Kelani River to the west.</ul> 2/4/19, 12:38 AM View Edit
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30 36 History & Archaeology <ul>According to the Ramayana, King Ravana landed his flying machine the “Dandumonara” with Queen Sita from India, at the Thotupola Mountain.<br> <br>The archaeological research done by Prof. R. Premathilake of the University of Kelaniya confirms that the incipient management of barley, oats, and herding, possibly of wild and domestic cattle, occurred around 15,500 BC in the Horton Plains, as evidenced by pollen and other multi-proxy records.</ul> 2/4/19, 12:40 AM View Edit
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31 36 Biodiversity & Rare Species <ul>Horton Plains national park is covered with 35% of Montane grassland and 65% of the cloud forest with rich biodiversity. Nearly 750 species of plants belonging to 20 families are recorded and 5% of species are found to be endemic to Sri Lanka. Many species of ferns, lycopodium, lichens, and orchids are ornamenting tree trunks and their branches whereas an old man’s beard, hanging in the branches, adds beauty to the forest.<br> <br>Horton Plains harbours 24 species of mammals, 87 species of birds, nine species of reptiles, and eight species of amphibians. Sambar deers, with a population of around 1,500 to 2,000, are the most common mammal in the Park.<br> <br>Horton Plains’ slender loris (in Sinhala, “Unahapuluwa”) is considered to be one of the world’s most endangered primates seen only four times during the period of 1937 to 2002 and are believed to be extinct. But in 2010, a team of conservation biologists was able to sight it and capture it on camera.<br> <br>Elephants are the most striking feature of almost all the national parks in Sri Lanka, except the Horton Plains national park. Until the early 20th Century, Horton Plains was rich with elephants and the whole population was hunted down to extinction by the colonialists.</ul> 2/4/19, 12:44 AM View Edit
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32 36 Access <ul><p>There are six ways available to access the Horton Plains national park. Some are motorable roads but some are only by hiking.</p><p><br> 1. Nuwara Eliya - Ambewela - Pattipola - Horton Plains<br> 2. Welimada / Nuwara Eliya - Hakgala - Boragas - Ambewela - Pattipola - Horton Plains<br> 3. Haputale - Boralanda - Ohiya - Horton Plains<br> 4. Belihula Oya - Kalupahana - Udaweriya - Horton Plains<br> 5. Agarapathana - Diagama - Horton Plains<br> 6. Ohiya Shortcut which goes through railway line to the Ohiya Tunnel and Ohiya Bridge<br> <br><b> Visiting hours for the Park - </b>6 a.m. to 6 p.m.<br> <br><b>Mode of safaris -</b> By foot (9 km main-trek, a circular route, can be enjoyed within three hours) <br> <br><b>Best time of the day to visit the Park -</b> Morning before 10 a.m.<br> <br><b>Best months to visit the Park -</b> Throughout the year. December to February have the brightest sunshine.</p></ul> 2/4/19, 12:54 AM View Edit
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