Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Things to do, weather & itineraries
Time slows to a halt in the evergreen tea plantations, colonial bungalows, and cascading waterfalls of the central highlands, where the winding roads of the hillside lead to the sleepy town of Nuwara Eliya or “Little England.” Touted as the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea industry, this quaint getaway boasts a unique brew of colonial history and mythology in a haven of greenery.
As a tourist destination, Nuwara Eliya’s popularity is credited to the British, who transformed it into a holiday retreat from the heat. Its main attractions include centuries-old tea factories that provide insight into the island’s colonial heritage, and the famed Seetha Amman Kovil of the Hindu legends, as well as Horton Plains and the Hakgala Botanical Garden which reflect the beauty of the English countryside.
Unlike the other, hotter parts of the isle, the daytime temperatures in Nuwara Eliya range from 12°C (53.6°F) to 20.2°C (68.4°F), giving the region its cool, minty atmosphere. Travellers generally tour Nuwara Eliya in the period between mid-December and mid-April to experience the best weather without heavy rainfall.
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Things to do, weather & itineraries
Time slows to a halt in the evergreen tea plantations, colonial bungalows, and cascading waterfalls of the central highlands, where the winding roads of the hillside lead to the sleepy town of Nuwara Eliya or “Little England.” Touted as the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea industry, this quaint getaway boasts a unique brew of colonial history and mythology in a haven of greenery.
As a tourist destination, Nuwara Eliya’s popularity is credited to the British, who transformed it into a holiday retreat from the heat. Its main attractions include centuries-old tea factories that provide insight into the island’s colonial heritage, and the famed Seetha Amman Kovil of the Hindu legends, as well as Horton Plains and the Hakgala Botanical Garden which reflect the beauty of the English countryside.
Unlike the other, hotter parts of the isle, the daytime temperatures in Nuwara Eliya range from 12°C (53.6°F) to 20.2°C (68.4°F), giving the region its cool, minty atmosphere. Travellers generally tour Nuwara Eliya in the period between mid-December and mid-April to experience the best weather without heavy rainfall.
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Things to do, weather & itineraries
Time slows to a halt in the evergreen tea plantations, colonial bungalows, and cascading waterfalls of the central highlands, where the winding roads of the hillside lead to the sleepy town of Nuwara Eliya or “Little England.” Touted as the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea industry, this quaint getaway boasts a unique brew of colonial history and mythology in a haven of greenery.
As a tourist destination, Nuwara Eliya’s popularity is credited to the British, who transformed it into a holiday retreat from the heat. Its main attractions include centuries-old tea factories that provide insight into the island’s colonial heritage, and the famed Seetha Amman Kovil of the Hindu legends, as well as Horton Plains and the Hakgala Botanical Garden which reflect the beauty of the English countryside.
Unlike the other, hotter parts of the isle, the daytime temperatures in Nuwara Eliya range from 12°C (53.6°F) to 20.2°C (68.4°F), giving the region its cool, minty atmosphere. Travellers generally tour Nuwara Eliya in the period between mid-December and mid-April to experience the best weather without heavy rainfall.
Tour itineraries featuring Nuwara Eliya
As mentioned before, the main excursions that you can enjoy in Nuwara Eliya are its tea factories, the Seetha Amman Kovil, Horton Plains, and the Hakgala Botanical Garden. You may refer to the sample itineraries below for more information on how these excursions fit into a typical Sri Lanka itinerary.
Tour itineraries featuring Nuwara Eliya
As mentioned before, the main excursions that you can enjoy in Nuwara Eliya are its tea factories, the Seetha Amman Kovil, Horton Plains, and the Hakgala Botanical Garden. You may refer to the sample itineraries below for more information on how these excursions fit into a typical Sri Lanka itinerary.
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Things to do in Nuwara Eliya
Lush tea estates form an oasis of greenery at every turn in the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea industry, and the quaint factories in the vicinity stand as proof of the island’s colonial heritage, effectively making Nuwara Eliya the perfect place to visit a tea factory. Each live demonstration is combined with a retelling of the factory’s history that provides travellers with glimpses into the origins of the famed Ceylon tea.
The average tour lasts around 20 to 30 minutes, and it begins with a leisurely walk through the emerald plantations to observe the tea pickers at work. Travellers are then guided through the factory to watch as the plucked leaves are withered, rolled, fermented and ground using traditional methods and centuries-old equipment.
Most of these tours conclude with a visit to the showroom, where tourists are encouraged to sample and purchase varieties of Ceylon tea at discounted prices. However, they may also be taken to the in-house cafe to savour the aroma of a hot cuppa over slices of a buttery tea cake and splendid views of the surroundings.
While there are plenty of tea factories that are well worth a visit, Travellers Isle recommends the Pedro Tea Estate and the Heritance Tea Factory Hotel for their unique, hands-on approach to tea processing.
The Pedro Tea Estate is steeped in a history of experimentation under Scotsman James Taylor, who perfected the growth of Ceylon tea on its grounds. Although it lacks the magnificence of the other factories that are in and around the area, its closeness to Nuwara Eliya is its biggest selling point, making it a convenient addition to most tour itineraries.
This factory also provides travellers with an opportunity to become tea pickers and pluck tea leaves from its verdant plantations. However, since processing is a nighttime activity, you will only be guided through the tea manufacturing process without a live demonstration. You must also keep in mind that photography is not permitted inside, and that the factory is closed from 12PM to 3PM on a daily basis.
Similarly, the Heritance Tea Factory Hotel’s origins can be traced back to the British colonial period, and it was originally a tea factory before it was converted into a hotel. Apart from its luxurious interior, the hotel is best known for its organic, miniature tea factory, which supplies 25 kilograms of tea to its guests each day.
The hotel’s miniature factory turns the process of manufacturing tea into a fun, hands-on experience, allowing travellers to pluck leaves from the hotel’s plantation and borrow its machinery to produce their own tea. That being said, you must be a guest at the hotel in order to participate in this interactive tour and reservations must be made in advance.
The small village of Seetha Eliya is home to a sturdy, riverside temple where the quiet murmur of prayers and the lighting of incense draw attention to the devotion of the Hindu community. As the only temple on the isle that is dedicated to Sita, who reigns over beauty and devotion in Hinduism, the Seetha Amman Kovil stands as a popular pilgrimage site that highlights the interplay between Indian and Sri Lankan folklore.
According to a Sanskrit epic known as the Ramayana, the goddess Sita was imprisoned in this temple by the demon king Ravana, who fell in love with her beauty. Even though she is soon freed by her husband, Rama, who slays Ravana and returns peace to the land, traces of her captivity remain on this sacred ground, evoking awe among pilgrims and travellers alike.
For instance, devout Hindus share the belief that the blackened soil on one end of the riverbank was caused by Hanuman, the monkey god, who scorched the area beneath his feet when he left to inform Rama of Sita’s whereabouts. Meanwhile, the yellow soil on the other end may represent how Hanuman spared Ashok Vatika (the place where Sita was held captive) from destruction.
There is also the giant footprint of Hanuman that has been etched on rock. This giant depression lies beside several smaller depressions, which may have been caused when Hanuman shrank in size to watch Sita from afar.
Please note that this temple does not charge an entry fee, but you must purchase a ticket at the entrance if you wish to observe its daily service rituals, which occur from 7AM to 1PM and from 2PM to 6.30PM. Moreover, all visitors are expected to comply with the temple dress code by concealing their bare arms and legs.
Touted as the only national park on the isle that can be toured on foot, Horton Plains doubles as a UNESCO World Heritage Site that extends across a terrain of grasslands, marshlands, and cloud forests, and it transforms a seemingly ordinary hike into a slow-paced exploration of the region’s diverse landscapes.
Originally known as Maha Eliya Thenna (“Great Open Plain”), the terrain was discovered by British explorers in the 1820s, and it was soon renamed in honour of the former Governor of Ceylon, Sir Robert Wilmot Horton. However, it was not until 1988 that the plains were declared a national park, and their popularity has grown ever since.
Despite its late discovery, the park has a longstanding history as the source of water for three of Sri Lanka’s major rivers—the Mahaweli, the Kelani, and the Walawe, which form a network amid the greenery to provide water to different sections of the terrain. It is also home to 24 mammal species and 87 bird varieties, including the endemic purple-faced langur, grizzled giant squirrel, yellow-eared bulbul, bush warbler, and many more.
Much of the park’s reputation as a tourist attraction comes from its natural landmarks. Both World’s End and Mini World’s End evoke awe and unease from travellers as they peer down the precipices where the world seemingly comes to an end. These two viewpoints offer spectacular views of the verdant plantations and the southern coastline from afar, as well as a sense of achievement in nearly completing the park’s 9.5-kilometre hiking trail.
There is also the famed Baker’s Falls, where water cascades down a height of 22 metres against a backdrop of lush greenery and sturdy rocks. The waterfall gets its name from a bloodthirsty British hunter by the name of Sir Samuel Baker, who single-handedly hunted many of the elephants that inhabited Horton Plains during the colonial rule of the British.
While this park is open all year round, Travellers Isle recommends a stroll through the plains as early as 6AM on a weekday for scenic views that can be enjoyed minus the crowds. Visits after 10AM are generally discouraged as the views from World’s End and Mini World’s End are obscured by heavy layers of mist by then.
Please note that this excursion may take up to 3 hours of your time, and that plastic disposables are not permitted inside. Moreover, since the hike can be attempted with children, visitors are expected to exercise caution at all times, especially at its viewpoints which do not have any safety guards.
With its exotic plants, manicured lawns, and greenhouses that teem with rare blooms, the Hakgala Botanical Garden stands as the second-largest of its kind on the isle, making it one of the must-sees of Nuwara Eliya. Nature enthusiasts may seize this opportunity to learn more about the vegetation in the region while connecting with the great outdoors across 28 hectares of land.
Historical records have revealed that the garden was established in 1861 for the sole purpose of experimentation by the British colonial powers. However, as they experimented with the growth of Cinchona trees, they soon realized that tea cultivation was a more profitable venture. Following this, the park was upgraded to a garden, and, as an ode to its colonial past, it continues to shelter over 1000 plant species from Sri Lanka and across the globe.
That being said, the garden also carries a hint of mystery as it is rumoured to be the famed Ashok Vatika of the Hindu legends, where Princess Sita was held captive by the demon king Ravana. Although the precise location of the sacred site cannot be determined, most travellers recall this legend as they admire the many blooms that adorn this garden, and they may feel a sense of wonder as they consider the possibility that the gods once walked on this land.
Today, however, the garden is split into several sections that can be toured at your own pace. Travellers Isle recommends paying a visit to the Rose Garden, the Orchid House, the Fernery, and the Arboretum, which each boast a stunning collection of blooms. Among these sections, the Rose Garden remains the most popular, as it teems with roses from England and America that cannot be grown in any other part of the island.
Before you stop by, it is worth noting that the garden is open throughout the year, but the ideal time for a visit is in April, as this is when its flowers can be seen in full bloom. This tour is also best experienced on foot, but if the prospect of a long walk does not appeal to you, a golf buggy can be hired to drive you around.
Although Nuwara Eliya’s main attractions form the bulk of most tour itineraries in the region, a stroll through the town is an equally valuable experience that may set the scene for what you can expect during your stay. Of the many noteworthy stops that can be reached either on foot or by tuk-tuk, Travellers Isle recommends the Post Office, Gregory Lake, and Victoria Park as the must-sees of the region that will not take up much of your time.
At the forefront of these landmarks is the Nuwara Eliya Post Office—a fine example of medieval architecture that blends the looks of both cottage and manor homes. As the oldest post office on the island, its distinct red brick structure and clock tower are proof of the country’s colonial heritage, which can be traced back to 1894. Travellers usually stop by to purchase postcards and to enjoy the novelty of sending letters to their loved ones using the local postal service.
On the other hand, a visit to Gregory Lake is considered the best way to spend the mid-afternoon. Named in honour of the former Governor of Ceylon, Sir William Gregory, this reservoir was originally a site for recreational activities, and, at present, it has expanded its selection of water sports to include jet-skiing and windsurfing. Alternatively, travellers may enjoy a picnic and take a speedboat or paddle around on a swan boat for magnificent views of their surroundings.
Lastly, Victoria Park presents wanderers with an opportunity to breathe in the minty air of the hill country while they admire a sizable collection of exotic blooms that adorn each path. During the British colonial takeover of the island, the plants that were experimented on within the park premises would be replanted in Hakgala if their growth was deemed a success. Today, the park is also home to various tropical birds, and it is regarded as a birdwatcher’s paradise by many.
The scenic waterfalls of Nuwara Eliya run through the sloping hills, and lie hidden amid a tangle of emerald forests and rocky ledges that merge to form picture-perfect landscapes in the countryside. While there are plenty of waterfalls that can be viewed from afar, Travellers Isle’s top picks for the hill country include Ramboda Falls, Lover’s Leap, and St. Clair’s Falls, which collectively boast of an outstanding beauty that cannot be found elsewhere.
Ramboda Falls is a common stop enroute to Nuwara Eliya, as it introduces travellers to the dazzling views that define the region. This two-tiered waterfall cascades down a height of 100 metres, earning it the eleventh place among the highest waterfalls on the island while making it a spectacle to behold during your travels. Although it is generally viewed from the roadside, you may access a small viewpoint by walking down a flight of stairs from the main road.
Meanwhile, Lover’s Leap is enshrouded in legends that have fascinated locals and tourists alike for quite some time. Perhaps the most memorable of all would be the legend of a young prince and a commoner who leapt off the brink of the waterfall after his parents rejected their relationship. This has made it exceedingly popular among couples, and many choose to take the 20-minute hike to the top of the waterfall for vistas of the town.
There is also St. Clair’s Falls, which runs through a tea estate of the same name in the town of Talawakele. Regarded as one of the widest waterfalls on the island, this popular stop has also been dubbed the “Little Niagara of Sri Lanka”, and it is made up of two sections: the Maha Ella (“Greater Fall”) and the Kuda Ella (“Lesser Fall”). After admiring the waterfall from afar, travellers may stop by St. Clair’s Tea Centre for a hot cuppa and some delicious snacks.
Tucked away from the leafy plantations of the hill country lies a road less taken, on which cattle, farmland, and ryegrass fields mark a remarkable change of scenery, elevating the region’s old-world charm. This stretch of land is home to two of the largest dairy farms in Sri Lanka—the New Zealand Farm and the Ambewela Farm, which offer valuable insight into how milk is produced on the isle.
Unlike tea factories, dairy farms offer self-guided tours, and tourists are free to explore every station at their own pace. Of these many stations, the most noteworthy would be the milking parlour, the cheese factory, and the shelter which houses pregnant cows, calves, stud bulls, and goats. Each section is also marked with a description of the milk production process, thus allowing travellers to better understand how these local farms operate.
Generally, dairy farm tours conclude with a visit to the farm’s shop, where travellers may savour the taste of fresh yoghurt, milk, and cheese while admiring the Ayrshire and Holstein Friesian cattle from afar.
Before you stop by, you must keep in mind that these tours must be reserved in advance due to the possibility of these farms being closed to the public. This can be arranged by your travel agency or, if you are travelling solo, it can be scheduled over a phone call. However, please note that the ideal time to visit these farms is between 1PM and 4PM, as this is when the cows are milked.
Originally a sanitary landfill site for waste from the neighbouring cities, Moon Plains or Sandathenna stretches across 400 metres of land, forming a newer attraction that appeals to wildlife enthusiasts of all ages. With grasslands that shelter all kinds of flora and fauna, this valley provides travellers with an opportunity to experience Nuwara Eliya’s stunning landscapes by jeep.
Although it was only opened to the public in 2014, this lush valley is home to 105 species of birds, as well as plenty of wild boars, purple-faced langurs, elk, spotted deer, and various other animals too. However, several features set Moon Plains apart from most other attractions on the isle, such as the circular patterns on its plains that are said to resemble the craters on the moon, as well as its small assortment of landmarks.
For instance, the winding roads of Moon Plains lead to Mini World’s End where the land plunges downward, making it seem as though the world has truly come to an end. This viewpoint is considered a replica of the one in Horton Plains that shares the same name, and it evokes similar feelings of awe and dread when gazing down its precipice.
There is also the famed Agro Park which has earned a reputation for its fresh produce. The wooden bridges of this park lead to different sections where all kinds of crops are grown by the local community, and visitors may watch them tend to these crops as wild rabbits and ducks frolic amid the greenery.
A jeep safari in Moon Plains may take up to 2 hours of your time, and it remains open from 7AM to 4PM. However, it is best visited in the early mornings and the late afternoons for outstanding views of the surroundings. Moreover, it is a preferred activity among tourists who are unable to visit Horton Plains, as the terrain is somewhat similar in appearance with guaranteed wildlife sightings.
Please note that, apart from the standard entrance fee that is charged per head, you will have to rent a jeep to carry you across the plains for an extra sum.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is Nuwara Eliya famous?
At a glance, Nuwara Eliya’s fame comes from its cool climate and rustic beauty—a fact that has earned its reputation as both an introvert’s paradise and a hideaway in the hills. However, this scenic town is also touted as the birthplace of Ceylon tea, making it the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea industry.
Among travellers, the region is best known for its cold weather, and it is widely regarded as one of the coolest parts of the country. The town itself is enshrouded in layers of mist, and it stands at an elevation of 1868 metres above sea level with temperatures that fluctuate between 12°C (53.6°F) and 20.2°C. Due to this, plenty of locals and tourists venture into Nuwara Eliya to stave off the heat during the hotter months of the year.
The town also boasts an outstanding beauty that is unique to the central highlands of Sri Lanka. With emerald valleys, verdant tea plantations, mist-shrouded mountains, and cascading waterfalls at nearly every turn, Nuwara Eliya’s beauty is unmatched, and it reflects the beauty of the English countryside.
On the other hand, Nuwara Eliya’s reputation as the birthplace of Ceylon tea began under the supervision of Sir James Taylor, a Scotsman who revolutionized the island’s tea industry. Through countless experiments, Taylor was able to extract the best flavour from tea leaves, and the growth of tea was proven to be a far more profitable venture than coffee. And so, the coffee plantations in the vicinity were replaced with tea seeds from India.
As time passed, more factories were set up to meet the increasing demand for Ceylon tea, and machinery was brought over from England to speed up the production process. Thus, Nuwara Eliya was able to establish itself as one of the key players in the tea industry, and today, it has become famous for producing some of the finest tea varieties in the world.
2. Is Nuwara Eliya worth visiting?
Definitely. Despite its sleepy ambience, Nuwara Eliya is home to a wealth of attractions that appeal to travellers of all ages, thus cementing its status as one of the must-sees of Sri Lanka. Not only is it the perfect place to learn about the British colonial period, but its activities are also a favourite among those who wish to de-stress and connect with nature.
In fact, Nuwara Eliya’s origins are interwoven with the island’s colonial past, as it was merely an uninhabited wilderness of jungles prior to its discovery by the British in 1818. At that time, the former Governor of Ceylon, Sir Edward Barnes, concluded that the region’s cool weather and rustic beauty would make it the perfect holiday retreat for the hottest months of the year. This led him to clear the land.
As Barnes built roads and rest areas on this land, it soon became an annual routine for the capital of the country to be shifted to Nuwara Eliya in March and April until the heat subsided. To keep themselves entertained, the British went on to establish recreational clubs and construct bungalows in the style of medieval architecture. The town thus began to develop a unique British identity that would eventually set it apart from other destinations on the isle.
However, what really makes Nuwara Eliya so well worth a visit are its attractions. A stroll through the leafy plantations can set your mind at ease, and simply watching the local community of tea pickers will clue you in on how hard they work to support their families. Meanwhile, a visit to the nearby tea factories is considered a rite of passage when touring Sri Lanka, and you may marvel at how the centuries-old equipment honours the region’s colonial roots through its continued use.
On the other hand, the Seetha Amman Kovil combines spirituality with mythology to showcase an ancient crossover between Sri Lankan and Indian legends. As a popular pilgrimage site among Hindus, this temple is especially revered for its blackened soil and the etched footprints of Hanuman, and it thoroughly emphasizes the devotion of the Hindu community.
Horton Plains and the Hakgala Botanical Garden are also frequented sites among nature enthusiasts, as they both offer different approaches to experiencing the region’s flora and fauna. While Horton Plains is home to natural landmarks that can be toured on foot, the botanical garden teems with a mixture of blooms that are unique to Sri Lanka and that have been brought over from different parts of the world. This has led many to roam these lands and wind down from their travels with a much-needed digital detox.
3. What is the best month to visit Nuwara Eliya?
The best months to visit Nuwara Eliya lie in the period between mid-December and mid-April, which is coincidentally the ideal time to tour the whole of Sri Lanka. This will guarantee decent weather and minimal rainfall during your travels. However, it is also possible to pay a visit to the hill country in the months that fall between July and September.
Travellers generally steer clear of the region in June, October, and November, as the possibility of experiencing heavy rainfall during this time is very high.
4. How long do you need in Nuwara Eliya?
At most, you will need 2 days for a slow-paced tour of Nuwara Eliya’s main attractions. However, if you wish to experience everything that this quaint town has to offer and you have enough time to spare, you may complete your tour in 3 or 4 days. This will give you ample time to experience its scenic hikes while learning everything there is to know about the town’s history.
5. What to wear in Nuwara Eliya?
What you ought to wear in Nuwara Eliya depends on your ability to withstand the cold. Since its temperatures fluctuate between 12°C (53.6°F) and 20.2°C (68.4°F), you may opt for a wardrobe of cottons, silks and linen, as these fabrics will regulate your body temperature.
However, if you are not accustomed to cold weather, it is best that you pack thick outer garments, such as jackets, woollen cardigans and scarves that can keep you warm while you are out and about. You should also consider adding some warm nightwear to your suitcase as the nights in Nuwara Eliya are rather chilly.
Moreover, your tour of the region will involve quite a lot of outdoor experiences, so it is best to wear sports shoes or comfortable sneakers that provide proper support for your heels. It is also recommended to carry a raincoat with you at all times as you may experience mild rainfall during your travels.
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