Highlights of The Hill Country

Offering a radically different climate and topography from the rest of the island, the Hill Country provides further evidence of the rich variety that can be experienced during a trip to Sri Lanka. The British influence is felt stronger here than elsewhere, from charming colonial mansions to vast tea estates, plus the breath-taking road and rail journeys which are testament to British engineering. Kandy is the island’s second city, and is a deeply auspicious place for Sinhalese Buddhists, being home to the Temple of the Tooth (the tooth in question supposedly belonging to Buddha himself). Nuwara Eliya is at the highest, and coolest, point on the island and was subsequently made a summer capital for the British and all their needs – expect to find strawberries, manicured lawns, and – most vitally – tea in great number here. A spectacular rail journey can be taken from here to the charming town of Ella, a great base for walking, canoeing, and climbing. Finally, no trip to the Hill Country would be complete without a pilgrimage to Adam’s Peak, or a visit to World’s End in Horton Plains National Park – a jutting rock precipice with a sheer 880m drop.

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Adam’s Peak, or Sri Pada, is Sri Lanka’s most famous mountain and a sacred place for local Buddhists. Climbing the mountain is popular with local pilgrims and there are six trails which climbers can take.

The village of Ella on the south-eastern edge of the Hill Country is one of the region's most appealing destinations. Surrounded by rolling hills and tea plantations, there are some great walks that can be done from Ella as well as some more adrenalin fuelled activities, such as canoeing and rock climbing.

The adjoining towns of Hatton and Dickoya lie just north of a the spectacular Castlreigh Resevoir in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. Set amongst rolling hills and lush plantations, this region is famous for tea production.

World's End, Horton Plains National Park, Sri Lanka

Nestled on the edge of the Hill Country in the centre of the Island, the Horton Plains National Park is one of Sri Lanka's most important parks, particularly for topographical variations. The cooler temperatures have led to the Horton Plains developing its own unique vegetation and it is famous for its population of many rare and endemic birds.

Kandy wears a number of different hats; it is Sri Lanka's second city and the former capital, it is the principal city of the central Hill Country region and it is the most southerly point of the ‘Cultural Triangle', being the home of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth, the Island's most important Buddhist relic.

Kitulgala is small town on the western side of Sri Lanka’s hill country. In recent years it has become well known for its adventure activities which include hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and white-water rafting.

Matale is a large town and district in the centre of Sri Lanka, famous for its fertile land and spice production. Indeed you will find the Matale area dotted with dozens of spice farms, tea plantations and great bird-watching spots.

At an elevation of 1800m above sea level, right at the heart of the Hill Country and often referred to as ‘little England' due to its cool climate, colonial heritage and the traditional English garden vegetables which are grown in abundance here, Nuwara Eliya is a charming and most intriguing town.

The Knuckles Mountain Range, just 35km northeast of Kandy is so-called as its folds and peaks supposedly resemble those of clenched fist is a fantastic place for trekking.