Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Haputale
2nd/3rd class Rs 80/40
Hatton
2nd/3rd class Rs 60/30
Kandy
2nd/3rd class Rs 160/90
A 1st-class observation carriage seat is Rs 1000 no matter where you get on or off. The
limited number of seats in this class are in high demand so try to book ahead. Not all trains
have a 1st-class carriage. A 2nd-class reserved seat is Rs 600 to anywhere between Kandy
and Badulla.
Horton Plains National Park & World's End
This is one of the few national parks in Sri Lanka where visitors can walk on their own (on
designated trails). Although the main focus of the park is on World's End don't underes-
timate the joy of the walk across the grassland plains. Longer and more challenging walks
up Mt Kirigalpotta and Mt Totapola are also possible.
Sights
Horton Plains National Park
PARK
(adult/child Rs 1895/1011, jeep Rs 250, service charge per group Rs 1011 plus overall tax VAT 12%;
6am-6pm)
Horton Plains is a beautiful, silent, strange world with some excellent hikes in the shadows
of Sri Lanka's second- and third-highest mountains, Kirigalpotta (2395m) and Totapola
(2357m). The 'plains' form an undulating plateau over 2000m high, covered by wild
grasslands and interspersed with patches of thick forest, rocky outcrops, filigree waterfalls
and misty lakes. The surprising diversity of the landscape is matched by the wide variety
of wildlife (although many of the larger animals are very elusive).
Get there for a 7am start and you may be lucky enough to have the paths to yourself.
The plateau comes to a sudden end at World's End, a stunning escarpment that plunges
880m.
Wildlife
As an important watershed and catchment for several year-round rivers and streams, the
Horton Plains hosts a wide range of wildlife. There are a few leopards, sambar deer and
