Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya is located at the heart of the hill country 6182 feet above from the sea level. The town is situated at 74 km away along Kandy-Nuwara Eliya road and this was rediscovered by British in 1827. It is still very much like an old English town with styled Bungalows and buildings. The cool calm climate, gorges rolling tea plantation which makes the best “Ceylon tea” and the breathtaking beautiful waterfalls makes Nuwara Eliya one of the most beautiful town in the world.

History of Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya can be treated as one of the most beautiful nature creations in the world and it is the most beautiful city in Sri Lanka. Even though British claim that Nuwara Eliya was found in 1827 by British hunting party it was known to Sri Lankan long before. It is said that the British governor Sir Edward Bans (1824-1831) was very much interested about the cool climate Nuwara Eliya had and build a bungalow called “Bans Hall”. He is treated as the person who encouraged the human settlements of Nuwara Eliya. During these times other buildings were also build such as St Andrews and Carlton. The “Bans Hall” is converted to a hotel called “Grand Hotel” later with more than 150 rooms.

The person behind the Agricultural revolution of Nuwara Eliya was Sir Samuel Baker who came to Sri Lanka in the year of 1845. The farm started by Baker got popular as “Bakers Farm”. To commemorate Baker there is a monument at the location of his farm and there is a word called “Baker’s ward” at Nuwara Eliya hospital to remember him.

The Governor during the time of 1872-1877 Sir William Gregory choused the capital as Nuwara Eliya and the development became fast. He built a lake called Gregory Lake within the city limits which has become a popular tourist attraction of Nuwara Eliya.

Horton plain

Horton plain is the only mountain National Park which has an area of 3,162 ha. The park is one hour away from Nuwara Eliya. Best months to visit are April and August.

Hakgalla Garden

Hakgalla Garden is located along Nuwara Eliya ~ Badulla road (along Kandy~Ramboda) This place is 5581 feet high from the sea level. It is said that the King “Rawana” used this place as a herbal garden.

This place was started as a Botanical garden by British botanist Dr. G.H.K. Thwaites who was the director of “Peradiniya Botanical Garden “ in the year of 1859. Initially they grew “ sinkona” which was used to produce “ quiveenen” for malaria. There are more than 60000 species of plants have planted here. During the summer season this one of the most scenic places of Nuwara Eliya

With the cool climate of Nuwra Eliya many differnt kinds of plants from differnt parts of the world can be seen. For example conifers and cedars from Australia, Bermuda cypresses from the Himalayas English oak are some of the highlights.

Victoria Park

Victoria Park was established in 1897 as for the jubilee of Queen Victoria in completion of sixty years on here thorn.The park is within the city limits and it has become a must see location anyone who visit Nuwara Eliya. During the summer the park is filled with colorful roses and various flowers where you wont be able to see them in any other city of Sri Lanka.

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Pinnawala

Pinnawela orphanage is situated northwest of the town Kegalla, halfways between the present capitol Colombo and the ancient royal residence Kandy in the hills of central Sri Lanka. It was established 1975 by the Sri Lanka Wildlife department. This 24 acres large elephant orphanage is a also breeding pace for elephants, twenty elephants were born since 1984, and it has the greatest herd of elephants in captivity in the world. The difference between the elephant orphanage in Pinnawala and Ath Athuru Sevena Transit Home at Uda Walawe is that at the Transit Home these baby elephants once cared for are released to the wilds when they reach a certain age.

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The City of Kandy

At an altitude of about 500 m above sea level lies Kandy which is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is about 115 km from Colombo.

The city was founded in 1592 by King Vimaladharmasuriya I. It was the last capital of Sri Lanka until it was captured by British in 1815.

The valley of Kandy is surrounded by magnificent hills which made it as the last bastion of the Sinhalees Kings.Even though Kandy is a new city it was evident that the inhabitance was the more than 880 years. Today Kandy offers its visitors rich collection of art and craft
and historical buildings. It includes a collection of ancient temples buildings, handicrafts, souvenirs, rich cultural practices and rituals. Most of all the world popular Kandy pageant or “Kandy Asela Pererahara”. Boating on the lake visiting the royal Botanical Gardens are some of other attractions.

Kandy “Asela Perahera” is annually held in the months of July or August. The inner caskets used to cover the tooth relic of Buddha is taken in a grand procession through the streets of the city. It includes traditional Kandyan dancers, drummers, flag of the provinces of Kandyan kingdom and the elephants are grandly dressed with attire specially made for them. The, it attracts large crowds from all parts of the island.

The temple of Tooth Relic (Dalda Maligawa)

Temple of tooth relic houses the most sacred Buddhist relic, the Tooth of loard Buddha. Buddhists from all around the world venerate this place. During the ancient times the Tooth Relic is considered the symbol of Kingship and became the most sacred object.

The temple was built in 17th Century by King Wimaladharmasuriya and renovated by his son King Narendrasingha and Kirti Sri Rajasinghe. King Sri Wickramasinghe built the octagen known as the “Pattirippuwa”. The only remaining relic of Buddha is housed in this temple. There are seven golden caskets enclosed for the tooth relic. The relic casket is covered with bullet proof glass frame. Daily rituals are performed three times a day (at dawn, at noon and in the evening) by two chapters of Malwatte and Asgiriya vihara monks.

Peradiniya Botanical Gardens

Peradiniya botanical garden is situated 1500 feet above from the sea level and covers an area of 150 arches. Mahaweli river flows from North and West of the gardens making a beautiful place. This garden was used by King “ Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe” in the year of 1747 – 1780.

Peradiniya botanical Garden is home for so many plant species which are local and foreign. At the entrance of the garden you can see the species Amherstia nobilis which as flowers blossom all the time. Along the river banks of Mahaweli river there are many plant species from many different countries such as Japan, China and Java. The most attractive place of all is the orchid house.

The most suitable time to visit is from 8.00 to 13.00 and from 16.00 to 18.00. Contact Golden Lanka Travels for reservations.

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Wildlife Parks

Wildlife Parks of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is famous for its natural beauty and wildlife. The Magnitude of bio diversity found in Sri Lanka has led to rank Sri Lanka as the 10th highest in bio diversification present per square area. Many species are endemic. There are many beautiful National parks which are rich with flora and faun. Wildlife sanctuaries and national parks are located all around the country which are very popular among local and foreign travelers.

Yala National Park

Stated about 309 km from Colombo Yala National Park is treated as one of the most premier tourist destination of Sri Lanka. The park is very popular for Jeep Safaries among local and foreign tourists Park is home to elephants,spotted deer, barking deer, sloth bear, Wild buffalo, wild boar. More than 120 species of birds are living in the park.

Bundala National Park

Bundala National Park is located about 250km south east of Colombo in Hambantota district. Biodiversity of this parkis very high as the water land system gives the maximum support for numerous species.

Wasgamuwa National Park

Wasgamuwa National Park is located in Matale and Polonnaruwa districts. Park is home to elephants, sloth bear, leopards, crocodiles.More than 143 species of birds found in this park.

Horton Plains

Horton Plain National park is situated about 200 km away from Colombo falls within the Nuwara Eliya district. This is the only Park which is situated in Hill country.Horton Plain is very famous for its panoramic scenic beauty of the Hill country. The major attraction of the park is famous “Worlds End” which is a 1000m spectacular drop.

UdaWalawe National park

Uda Walawe National park is situated about 170 km from Colombo. It covers an area of 30,821 hectares. As the park lies within the dry zone mostly the vegetation is grassland.

Gal Oya National Park

Gal Oya National Park is situated 314 km from Colombo in Inginiyagala district. It is surrounded by the Senanayake Samudra.The park is famous for its extraordinary elephant population which is about 150.The idealway to watch animals of this park is to have a boat Safari around the tank.

Minneriya National park

Do a jeep safari in Minneriya National park. The park covers an area of 8,889 hectares giving home to 160 species of birds about 25 species of reptiles, 26 fish species,09 amphibians and more than 78 butterfly species. The park is ideal place for elephant and leopard watching.

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Hikkaduwa

The beautiful world lies beneath the waves, and Sri Lanka offers a wide variety of experiences and vistas for photographers .
Hikkaduwa reefs support five species of angel-fish and twelve species of butterfly-fish. These fish feed on coral tentacles and coral polyps. Statistics from the Hikkaduwa Marine Sanctuary have revealed that 18.2% of the lagoon area have live hard coral cover, 8.19% of coral rubble and 28.9% of dead corals.
In this area, traditional fishing types such as angling and the use of cast nets are prevalent.

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Ambewela

Ambewela is one of beautiful places of Sri Lanka and it's situated at Nuwaraeliya district. Ambewela has highest and widest grass grounds of Sri Lanka.

Milko and Highland full cream milk powder factory is situated at Ambewela. One and only Sri Lankan milk powder factory is it. New Zealand farm and Ambewela farms are also at Ambewela. New Zealand farm has Cows, Bulls, Rabbits, Pigs, Hens, Cocks and gouts and many more animals and lot of products are manufactured buy Ambewela farm. Cheese , Butter and many milk products are manufactured buy it. Widest grasses ground also at Ambewela farm. You can see lot of bulls and cows in there. Getting milk with machine at 12:30 noon in Ambewela farm.

There are very beautiful very beautiful reservior in Ambewela. It's not very big but it has various beauties in various pots. The lake which had got for Anjalika movie and teledramas is Kandeela lake and it is situated at Mepilimana from 6km from Ruwaneliya junction of Nanuoya..

Ambewela is situated at the way of Horton plains from Nuwaraeliya. Ambewela is more famous because of Ambewela milk powder factory, New Zealand and Ambewela farms, Railway station, Mipilimana Kaneela lake and cool climate. There are some residence places at Ruwaneliya and Mipilimana. SLBC guest house and some rooms at Mepilimana and several rooms and hotels at Ruwaneliya. Ambewela cool is feeling comfortable at every time of the year. In new year season period most tourists are come to Ambewela for visit farm and other beauty .

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Sigiriya

Sri Lankan architectural tradition is well displayed at Sigiriya, the best preserved city centre in Asia from the first millennium, with its combination of buildings and gardens with their trees, pathways, water gardens, the fusion of symmetrical and asymmetrical elements, use of varying levels and of axial and radial planning.

The Complex consists of the central rock, rising 200 meters above the surrounding plain, and the two rectangular precincts on the east (90 hectares) and the west (40 hectares), surrounded by two moats and three ramparts.

The plan of the city is based on a precise square module. The layout extends outwards from co-ordinates at the centre of the palace complex at the summit, with the eastern and western axis directly aligned to it. The water garden, moats and ramparts are based on an 'echo plan' duplicating the layout and design on either side. This city still displays its skeletal layout and its significant features. 3 km from east to west and 1 km from north to south it displays the grandeur and complexity of urban-planning in 5th century Sri Lanka.

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