How to Plan a Trip to Nuwara Eliya

Nestled amidst the hill country of Sri Lanka, the town of Nuwara Eliya offers many delights for the visitor and is a popular holiday destination in Sri Lanka. It is located amidst pristine nature and innumerable tea estates. Nuwara Eliya offers a pleasantly cool climate and many engrossing attractions that will capture the imagination of the discerning visitor.

Plan how to get into and around Nuwara Eliya

You will find that Nuwara Eliya is located on the train route between the city of Kandy and the town of Ella. This train journey is regarded as being amongst the world's most picturesque train rides; therefore, there is no doubt that the most scenic way to travel to Nuwara Eliya would be by train. However, you may also opt to travel to Nuwara Eliya by bus if you so desire.

Once you are in Nuwara Eliya, probably the best way to travel to your sightseeing destinations would be by tuk-tuk. All that you need to do is to find a friendly driver and negotiate the price for the trip. You should be ready to bargain to arrive at a reasonable price. Of course, some hotels will organise excursions which will be convenient, while you can also spend time just walking around the town.

Select the time at which to visit

Visitors will find that Nuwara Eliya experiences rainfall at various periods through the year; probably the optimal time to visit would be the months between February and April when you will encounter the least amount of rain and flowers will be in full bloom. April is particularly popular as it is the period of the local New Year; the town will get quite crowded and it is advisable to book accommodation in advance.

From October through December there is a greater chance of rain, though the mountain setting and cool climate add a unique charm too!

In the period from December through February, the nights will be especially cold, and therefore it will be advisable to ascertain whether your chosen accommodation will provide sufficient blankets.

Choose the attractions to visit

There are many interesting places to visit and two of the most popular attractions are Gregory Lake and the pleasant Victoria Park, ideal spots to relax and unwind at. When it comes to accommodation in Nuwara Eliya from which you could easily visit both these sites, an option to consider would be Galway Heights.

Nature lovers can plan excursions to the well-known Horton Plains National Park. Here you will have the opportunity to experience lovely pristine nature with the viewpoint known as World's End, a sheer cliff that drops for 880 m, being a highlight.

If you appreciate the beauty of nature, you should undoubtedly make plans to visit some of the Nuwara Eliya area's outstanding waterfalls, such as Lover's Leap and Ramboda Falls. Also, you may take the opportunity to visit attractions like the Hakgala Botanical Gardens and perhaps one of the tea estates that offer tours.

Consider the dining options

Should you desire affordable dining in Nuwara Eliya, a good choice would be De Silva Food Centre where you will find a selection of Sri Lankan as well as Chinese foods at very moderate prices. Another option for those on a modest budget would be Milano Restaurant, an establishment that serves up a combination of Sri Lankan, Western and Chinese dishes.

On the other hand, if you are ready to spend some more cash on your meals in Nuwara Eliya, consider the Grand Indian restaurant which is a popular establishment in the town. Although the costs will be higher, this restaurant offers food of an excellent standard.

Meanwhile, if you are a fan of Thai food, the place to go to would be the Grand Thai restaurant. Here you will find a good selection of delicious Thai dishes. Since this is also a popular restaurant, you should make the effort to arrive early so that you do not have to wait for seats.

Also, check to see if your hotel has its own restaurant; such dining venues provide comfortable and convenient options to enjoy some delectable delights.