“Mini England” or Nuwara Eliya, located 175 km from Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo, is a favorite place for tourists. Tourists flock to this city, known as the “country of tea,” to enjoy a pleasant environment away from Sri Lanka’s dusty cities. The English and Scots started the first tea plantations here because of the beautiful, cool climate.
How to Get Around
Surrounded by natural beauty, the green tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya, high and low hills are enough to impress any tourist. You can explore on foot some beautiful bungalows built by the British, royal-style hotels, rows of bushes, and flower and fruit gardens. All in all, this village is as beautiful as a picture.
Some recent structural changes have enhanced the beauty of the area. Places to visit here include Horatan Plains National Park, Lake Gregory, Lover’s Leap Waterfall, Victoria Park, Pedro Tea Factory, Hakgala Botanical Garden, Rambada Jharna, and Seetha Amman Temple.
There are tourist guides available for tea garden tours. Tourists can witness all the steps of tea processing. The tea produced here is recognized worldwide for its quality and flavor, so don’t miss the opportunity to buy tea when visiting here.
Here is a golden opportunity for trekking enthusiasts. But those who are afraid of trekking can also easily trek here because the slopes of the hills are quite smooth. Most tourists prefer trekking through the hilly tea plantations, where they can witness the beautiful scene of picking tea leaves and enjoy the sweet smell of tea leaves.
A variety of flora and fauna can be found in Victoria Park, which is basically a botanical garden housing almost 100-year-old trees. Some different species of birds are also seen there.
If you have time and desire, you can go hiking on a mountain. There are several waterfalls here, and hiking over them provides an unforgettable experience. Some of the notable waterfalls are Lover’s Leap, Aberdeen Fountain, and St. Clair’s Fountain. Additionally, visitors can go boating in the lake.
The Grand Hotel is the oldest building in Nuwara Eliya, and its architecture catches the attention of tourists. If you have time, don’t miss the opportunity to stay at this hotel for one night. Also, don’t make the mistake of skipping tea at the Grand Hotel. Visitors can also indulge in golf and billiards, the favorite sports of the British.
You can also visit Hakgala Botanical Garden from here, where different types of roses, ferns, badar, and blue doils can be seen. Another attraction is the Hindu Seetha Amman Temple, which houses various religious idols. Visitors can also explore densely populated sanctuaries like Galway National Park, offering opportunities to see many guest birds and near-endangered animals, including bulbuls and flycatchers.
Basically, the charming weather and surrounding environment make it easy to lose track of time here. Many people come here to have a picnic with their families, especially during the rainy season, to witness the diverse natural beauty.
How to Get to Nuwara Eliya
First, the plane lands at Bandaranaike Airport in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. From there, you can choose to travel to Nuwara Eliya by rail or road.
There is no direct train to Nuwara Eliya, so you should first take the train from Colombo to Nanu Oya, which is 10 km from Nuwara Eliya. It takes about 6-7 hours to travel from Colombo to Nanu Oya by train. From Nanu Oya, you can get a taxi to Nuwara Eliya for 250-300 Sri Lankan Rupees.
If you want to travel at a lower cost, you can take a bus. In that case, the fare will be about 30-35 Sri Lankan rupees. By road, you can take a taxi, car, or bus from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya via Kandy or Hatton town. It takes about 6 hours to reach Nuwara Eliya by bus, but the road is bumpy.
Travel Expenses
Travel costs and hotel fares to Nuwara Eliya will be slightly higher during the peak season. The cost of traveling from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya will range from 1,500 to 3,500 taka. Additionally, it will cost 200 to 250 dollars per person to stay for two nights and three days, including hotel accommodation.
Where Will You Stay
There are several good-quality hotels and homestays in Nuwara Eliya. For example, Fairy Hostel, Hill View Guest Inn, Moon Plain Inn, Beck Packer’s Nest Nuwara Eliya, Mangala Flora, Country Lodge, Peach Villa, and Sydney Rest offer good rooms for two people at prices ranging from 5 to 10 dollars. Again, a night’s stay at the Colonial Hotel in Nuwara Eliya will add a different dimension to the experience.
Some Travel Tips
- February to June is a good time to visit Nuwara Eliya.
- If you go here by hiring a taxi or a car on the By Road during monsoon, ask the driver to drive carefully, as the road here is quite slippery.
- Trekking to the hilltop tea plantations is the best.
- Try to take the train from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya because you will miss out if you don’t see the stunning view of the surrounding buildings while taking the train. And definitely try to get a window seat.
- A little further from Nuwara Eliya, you will find multi-colored taxis, locally known as tuk-tuks. If time is short, it is better not to go more than 60 km by tuk-tuk.
