Horton Plains National Park, Nuwara Eliya - Timings, Safari Cost, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 10 km from Ohiya, 29 km from Nuwara Eliya and 48 km from Ella, Horton Plains National Park is a protected area in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. It is one of the most beautiful World Heritage Sites in the world and among the prime places to visit in Nuwara Eliya during Sri Lanka Tour.

The great Horton Plains was discovered by the planter Thomas Farr in the early 19th century. The original name of the plains was Maha Eliya, meaning 'great open plains,' but it was renamed in 1834 after Robert Wilmot-Horton, the then Governor of Ceylon. Horton Plains was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1969 and was elevated to a national park in 1988. The Peak Wilderness Sanctuary which lies in the west is contiguous with the park. And, in 2010, the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka which incorporates Horton Plains National Park, Peak Wilderness Sanctuary and the Knuckles Mountain Range was inscribed on the World Heritage List.

The Horton Plains National Park is spread over the two highest mountains in the area called Kirigalpotta (2395m) and Totapola (2359m). The 'plains' form a plateau of rises and fall over 2000m high, covered by wild grasslands and interspersed with patches of thick forest, rocky outcrops, filigree waterfalls, and misty lakes. The plateau's sudden end is famously known as 'World's End', a stunning near 880m drop. These plains are the headwaters of three major Sri Lankan rivers, the Mahaweli, Kelani, and Walawe.

Spreads over an area of 3,169 hectares, the park is rich in biodiversity and many species found here are endemic to the region. The vertebrate fauna of the region includes 24 species of mammals, 87 species of birds, 9 species of reptiles and 8 species of amphibians. At present, the largest and the most commonly seen mammal is the sambar deer. Among the other mammals in the park are Strip-necked Mongoose, Long-tailed Giant Squirrel Wild Boar, the endemic Bear Monkey, and Toque Monkey, Fishing cat, Otter, etc. The Sri Lankan elephant disappeared from the region in the 1940s at the latest.

The park offers amazing hikes amongst the shadows of Sri Lanka's second and third-highest mountains- Kirigalpotta and Totapola. Horton Plains National Park is the only park in Sri Lanka where visitors can get out of the vehicle and take a walk in the wilderness. The World's End and Baker's fall are the highlights of the Horton Plains. The tourists approaching Horton Plains from Nuwara Eliya find an entrance point at Pattipola while those approaching from Haputale find an entrance point at Ohiya. Three kilometers drive from either entrance leads to the newly built visitor's center, the starting point for the 9 km main trek of the Horton Plains. The main trek taking a circular route can be enjoyed within 3 hours. The trail opens up with an expansive view of grassland and densely wooded cloud forest. There is also a small museum at the Visitors center that exhibits interesting displays on the history of flora and fauna of Horton Plains.

Early morning (between 6 AM to 10 AM) is the best time to visit before the clouds roll in.

Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM

Entry: LKR. 60 for Locals, USD. 15 for Foreign Adults, USD. 8 for Foreign Child, USD.8 for Service Charge, LKR. 250 for Jeep Entry