Breaking the Routine | Our Escape to Nuwara Eliya

Today, I am writing about the final episode of our unforgettable trip to Nuwara Eliya. It was our third day, and on the fourth day, we attended a wedding in Bandarawela.

On the third morning, we had to say goodbye to our remarkable accommodation, Tranquil Villa Hotel, after enjoying a delicious breakfast. Our target destination for the day was Horton Plains. The road to Horton Plains passed through a pine forest, offering us a completely different experience compared to the wetland forests we often see. The drive was challenging, with sharp turns, but fortunately, we didn’t encounter any larger vehicles as we arrived around 10 a.m.

After the climb, we reached the ticket counter, where we purchased a ticket that also covered the parking fee. From there, we had to drive another 5 km to reach the base entrance of Horton Plains.

We were advised not to stop along the drive, so we continued without breaks. The road itself was spectacular! As we approached the main entrance, we passed through grasslands and occasionally spotted deer. Some road signs even mentioned that leopards inhabit the area.

There was a large parking area at the base entrance, and despite it being only 10 a.m., many vehicles had already arrived. At the entrance, our bags were checked for polythene. I had already left any unnecessary items in the car before entering.

Recommendations for Visiting Horton Plains
Based on our experience, here are some tips for your visit:

It’s better to visit early in the morning.
Carry a large bottle of water, a hat, proper shoes, and rain protection.
Pack snacks, but avoid using polythene wrappers.
Thankfully, there are no leeches in this area.
Mobile signals are unavailable both inside Horton Plains and around the ticket counter.

Once you enter, you’ll walk a short distance to a junction with two possible paths. We chose the route that leads to Baker’s Falls first because it included steps to go downhill. We wanted to avoid climbing them on the way back.

The walk across the grasslands was breathtaking, with a wide variety of vegetation. It reminded me of old textbook lessons about Horton Plains. I tried to match the surroundings with images from my memory.

After about 30 minutes, we reached Baker’s Falls. It was far more beautiful than I remembered from any photograph.

Next, we headed towards World’s End. Although it was still close to noon, mist began to roll in, making the path ahead seem mysterious.

Unfortunately we couldn’t see the valley below due to the mist,

We then visited Little World’s End, which was also enveloped in mist.

Along the way, we spotted deer, a few bird species, and plants like Maha Rathmal.

The highlight of our visit was seeing the Nelu flowers, which bloom only once every six years. The lower layers of the plains were adorned with these rare blooms.

The entire hike took us around three hours. It was truly a remarkable experience, offering an unparalleled opportunity to immerse ourselves in this unique environment.

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