Why Nuwara Eliya is the Must-Visit Hidden Gem on Your Sri Lanka Travel Plan: A Restorative Getaway in the Highlands

Sri Lanka is a tropical country with hot and humid weather. But, if you head inland towards the upcountry, passing mountains and tea plantations, you’ll find a European-style retreat: Nuwara Eliya. Appropriately nicknamed ‘Little England,’ it is one of the most gorgeous places on the island and should be part of your Sri Lanka travel itinerary. Here’s why.

img via flickr

Rejuvenating Climate 

This charming little town is situated in the central highlands at an altitude of over 1,800 metres. The high altitude has gifted Nuwara Eliya with a climate that is much milder than that of the rest of the country. This is why Nuwara Eliya was loved by the British during the colonial era. With highs of 20 degrees and lows of 10 degrees, Nuwara Eliya enjoys a crisp, cool climate. Spend a few days here, exploring the mountain scenery, enjoying the cool breeze, and you’ll come away a renewed person. Plus, the air quality in Nuwara Eliya is exceptionally good, making it a staple in Sri Lanka's wellness tourism sphere.

Hotels with Scenic Views 

With a host of high-end, low-end, and mid-range options, Nuwara Eliya has a winning accommodation sector. One of the best things about hotels here is that most of them are set in scenic locations surrounded by rolling mountains and tea plantations, which alone is reason enough to visit Nuwara Eliya. If you’re looking for a four-star option, you’ll be happy with Araliya Red.

Mountains 

Sri Lanka has a reputation for being naturally beautiful, and Nuwara Eliya reaffirms that reputation. On your journey to this little mountain town, you’ll get a glimpse of what awaits you once you arrive. Wherever you look, there are misty, forested mountains touching the clouds, creating extraordinary views. Waterfalls, tea estates with rich histories, hiking trails, and lakes combine to create a fairy-tale-like world.One of the best places to visit in Nuwara Eliya is Horton Plains National Park, where you’ll also find the fabled World’s End. It’s quite a trek, but one you’ll enjoy. The park is also home to some rare wildlife.

Train Rides

 It’s your chance to enjoy the world-famous Kandy to Ella train ride, said to be one of the most scenic journeys you should experience. You’ll travel through Sri Lanka’s lush hill country, passing verdant tea plantations, mountains, and waterfalls. The journey takes about seven hours to complete, and by the end, you’ll find yourself wishing it were longer and eager to jump back on the train!You’ll depart from Kandy and travel through the highlands. As the train climbs higher and higher, the air becomes cooler and more refreshing. The train makes several stops along the way, each one more beautiful than the last. Nanu Oya is a popular stop, where you’ll have enough time to get off the train and explore the area before getting back on to complete the rest of the journey. Ella, the final destination, is known for its serene natural beauty, hiking trails, and waterfalls, all contributing to its laid-back atmosphere.

Tea Plantations 

Whether you decide to take the train or the car, you’ll be heralded towards Nuwara Eliya by terraced tea plantations that produce the world-famous Ceylon tea. It was the British who introduced tea to Sri Lanka in the 19th century, effectively transforming the upcountry into a tea-growing region. Though the British left the island, the tea industry is alive and well, producing some of the finest teas found anywhere in the world. Stretching over hills and valleys with waterfalls and forests, tea estates in Nuwara Eliya offer guided tours and tea-tasting sessions. Tea picking is still largely done by Tamil female workers, who have been contributing to the lucrative tea production of the country for centuries. This adds a cultural dimension to the gorgeous scenery. Pedro Tea Estate, located just a few kilometres from Nuwara Eliya, is one of the most famous tea estates in the country. Other must-visit estates include Blue Field Tea Gardens and Damro Labookellie Tea Garden, and Brookside Tea Farm.