A day in the hills

Text and Pix by Roshenka de Mel

With a rare day to spare, the possibility of a quick trip somewhere immediately stirs an enticing selection of places in the minds eye. Already the conditions for travel start to formulate; a short distance, access to the beach, somewhere that’s easy to drive to, somewhere that delivers a generous dose of relaxation.  

Heading down South for us Colombo folk always seems like the fastest most restful one day escape, but amidst winding hairpin turns and high altitudes, nestled in the ethereal hill country of Sri Lanka, lies a more enticing day trip destination. With its cool crisp air and misty vistas strewn with tea estates, and waterfalls, you can’t beat a day in the hills of Nuwara Eliya for refreshment and rejuvenation.

Planning tips

With a 4:00 a.m. departure time from Colombo, whoever takes the wheel will have to be an experienced driver with the focus of a tiger on a hunt and stamina of a Kenyan runner.

 The five hour journey getting there, towards its end involves intense maneuvers, sharp turns that if not tackled properly can send a complacent driver and company tumbling off a cliff edge.  

If you are inclined to feel sick, carry a pillow and sleep.  If you keep the pace and cut all recklessness out of the transport equation, you should reach Nuwara Eliya town by 09:00 a.m. Do not make excessive stops on the way, a loo break in Kandy should suffice and get you to Nuwara Eliya with enough time to spare for your very own hill town adventure.

Nuwara Eliya is incredibly chilly most of the time, so make sure you take a jacket of pullover.

Planning plays a crucial part in how much you get done, it’s all good and gravy to “go with the flow” and explore the hills at leisure but if you don’t want to waste the day lost in meaningless wandering sessions, target a couple of attractions and as soon as you reach Nuwareliya have an idea of a few places/areas of interest you’d like to touch base with.  The roughest plan will save time and ensure you experience as many different aspects of the hills as possible.  

Morning time horse riding

Nuwareliya is home to a multitude of thoroughbred champion race horses, with their sturdy build and majestic tail flicking movements, a peek at them leaves one in awe.

As they stand in their stalls, majestically towering above, their manner conveys a perfect harmony of power, grace and strength.  If the need to ride such a fine specimen does arise, reject it and turn to the countless ponies and handlers at the entrance to the race course, who can’t be missed (especially since they will surround your car and call loudly for your attention).

Whilst the race horses are off limits, you can bargain a ride with one of the mixed breed horses or ponies owned by the handlers.  Observe the temperament of the horse or pony before you select one, also remember that they are easily distracted. You will need to speak to your horse or pony as you ride, if you’re uncomfortable a handler will stay close.  Make sure you negotiate a price before you start your ride and if startled while on the horse, try and contain your anxiousness, if the animal picks it up, he will get distressed and act up.

Strawberry pizza at midday

Opposite Lake Gregory the ‘No Vacancy’ sign leads to a delightful offering of strawberry, cream, chocolate treats ranging from milkshakes, to ice-cream and the star of the show, the No Vacancy strawberry pizza. On a dough base sprinkled with sugar, covered with fresh cream and farm grown strawberries, a healthy drizzle of chocolate sauce complete the topping and makes for a memorable gorge.

A cold wake up on Lake Gregory

Boat rides on Lake Gregory are very cold and you will shiver, with a variety of boats to choose from, you can bargain a short ride around the lake. Be warned though that as nice as it is to take in the scenery by boat, the water is likely to be choppy and the wind sharp.

Franciscan Sisters Jamerie stop

Behind St. Xavier’s church, the Franciscan Sister convent has a little outlet for the jams, wines and chutneys they make and sell. The strawberry jam is a must try and for the more adventurous, perhaps a sip of beetroot wine.

Their jams are available at Keells outlets if you don’t have time to pay a visit.  If you peer out the window of the jammery, you’ll observe the sisters walking through their strawberry gardens and collecting their home grown strawberries in baskets.

Lunch at Grand Hotel and Picnic at Victoria park

The Grand Hotel allows day guests access to a buffet lunch. The spread is fairly simple, but the colonial appeal of the hotel and its olden day eerie atmosphere makes it an interesting stop and you can quickly freshen up for the remaining half of the day.

If you’re looking for a more outdoorsy lunch setting, try a picnic lunch at Victoria Park. The park is a constant attraction for school children and visitors and with a mix of botanical and water features along with vibrant flowers, plants and trees. However aside form the amusing ‘Behave decently’ signs along the denser areas of the park allow for a giggle and if you walk a while, you’ll find a small patch of grass, ideal for a sit down picnic.

The market and buying strawberries

If you’re looking for fresh fruit and vegetables the Nuwara Eliya market place is the ideal stop to collect the freshest produce and reasonable prices. If you’re looking to take strawberries home, the Adma’s No Vacany strawberries are small and soft whilst the Jagro strawberries are bigger and juicy. Even the Jagro’s are more expensive, the quality of strawberries is very good.

Heading back

Nuwara Eliya is filled with so much to enjoy, savour and experience, it may not seem like your typical day trip destination but it offers a pleasant change to you’re a more common beach trip.  

Stop by Devon Falls and the tea factory on your way home and if possible leave by 4:00 pm as the traffic to Colombo can be daunting on the drive back.  Also, you’ll want to get down the winding roads leading out of Nuwara Eliya before night fall.  

With its stunning mix of scenic vistas and rich variety of experiences to offer, Nuwara Eliya transports you to a pristine hill top paradise, where everything from the fresh air to the towering pine trees, exudes a pristine freshness that is completely re-energizing to experience.