Horton Plains National Park is a national park in the highlands of Sri Lanka. It lies about 20 kilometres south of Nuwara Eliya and 20 kilometres west of Haputale, 2000 metres above seat level among the second and third tallest mountains in Sri Lanka - Kirigalpotta and Totapola. The average temperature in this area is about 16 C. With high winds in the evening it can be quite chilly. The park covers 31.60 km², and is a mixture of highland forest and wet grassland. This is the only National Park in Sri Lanka where visitors are allowed to walk on their own on the designated tracks.
You can reach Horton plains through Bandarawela or Nuwara Eliya which is about 1 ½ hour drive. It is also possible to take the train up to the Ohiya Station and walk up to the plains which may take about 3-4 hours. But remember this is a uphill climb. There is no accommodation at the plains except two lodges and three camping sites which you must book beforehand.
Sambar is the most common animal in the plains but wild boars and leopards too can be found in this area.
Once you reach Horton plains you can visit the worlds end which is a 4000 feet straight vertical drop. This is of course a 4 kilometre walk from the car park on a beautiful path. This drop can be covered with mist most of the time the and the best time to be up at the worlds end is towards the afternoon. On the way you can also see the bakers falls which is about 2.5 kilometres from the entrance .
Horton Plains can be reached by any of the following routes:
from Colombo to Horton Plains ( 101 miles / 163 km)
Via Nuwara Eliya, Ambewela, Pattipola (20 miles/32 km)
Haputale or Welimada, Boralanda, Ohiya (24 miles/38km)
Nuwara Eliya, Hakgala, Rendapola, Ambewela, Pattipola (24 miles/38 km).
Adventurous visitors can trek into the park along the Thalawakele-Agarapatana-Diyagama and the Belihul Oya-Nagarak trails.
Stratification: Wet grasslands & Sub-Montane and Montane forest
Area: 3,160ha
Status: UNESCO World Heritage Site (nature), National Park
Altitude: 2100 – 2200mm
Temperature: 15 C°
Annual Rainfall: 2500 - 5000mm
Best time of year to visit: November to March
Optimum duration of stay: 1 to 3 nights
One day excursion: From Nuwara Eliya
Most convenient accommodation option: Nuwara Eliya
Nature Highlights: The escarpment (900m) called World’s End, Barker’s falls
Wildlife - regular sight: Herds of Sambar Deer
Location: Central Highlands of Sri Lanka
Ambewela Milk Factory
Ambewela Milk Factory
Nelu blooms after 12 years in Hortan Plains
Chimney Pool Horton Plains
Beakers Fall
World end
Nelu blooms after 12 years in Hortan Plains
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