Nuwara Eliya & World’s End

Yesterday Mark and I headed about 2 1/2 hours south of Kandy into Sri Lanka’s hill country. We’re currently staying in Nuwara Eliya, a small town that still retains lots of British influence and is known for its tea plantations. It’s also much cooler in Nuwara Eliya, much to Mark’s delight.

Yesterday afternoon we took a short tour of the Pedro Tea Plantation factory. It was interesting to learn about the process that goes into taking leaves from the hillside and making them into what many people drink every morning. The tour was very informative and finished with a cup of tea, of course.

Next, we headed across the road from the tea plantation on a five kilometer round trip walk to a waterfall known as Lover’s Leap. We had some great views of the surrounding tea plantations and countryside on the walk up to the falls.

Mark at Lover’s Leap

Today was probably my favorite day in Sri Lanka yet. Mark and I hired a tuk tuk (three-wheeler with a carriage for passengers) and driver for the day to take us to Horton Plains. The drive there was a bit longer and bumpier in a tuk tuk compared to a car, but it was cheaper and quite an experience. Plus the views driving up to Horton Plains were incredible.

Horton Plains is a national park housing Sri Lanka’s oldest cloud forest. It is most popular for its nine kilometer round trip hike to World’s End, a lookout point at the edge of the cloud forest. Words can not describe how beautiful this hike and this park were– Mark and I both commented that we felt like we were in The Lion King several times. Although the three big attractions on the trail (World’s End, Mini World’s End, Baker Falls) were well worth the hike, I really enjoyed the scenery of the hike itself. At points it seemed like we were in the jungle and at other times, we were in vast open plains.

Mark on the path

At Mini World’s End

Mini World’s End

Mountains and clouds at World’s End

World’s End

Baker Falls

If you’re ever in Sri Lanka, don’t miss Horton Plains! It was probably my favorite hike I’ve ever done and the scenery is some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.