Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
wild boar about, but you'd be very lucky to see the boar or leopard. The shaggy bear mon-
key (or purple-faced langur) is sometimes seen in the forest on the Ohiya road, and occa-
sionally in the woods around World's End (listen for a wheezy grunt). You may also find
the endemic toque macaque.
Birdwatching
The area is popular with birdwatchers. Endemic species include the yellow-eared bul-
bul, the fan-tailed warbler, the ashy-headed babbler, the Ceylon hill white-eye, the Ceylon
blackbird, the Ceylon white-eyed arrenga, the dusky-blue flycatcher and the Ceylon blue
magpie. Birds of prey include the mountain hawk-eagle.
Plants
A tufty grass called
Chrysopogon
covers the grasslands, while marshy areas are home to
copious bog moss (sphagnum). The umbrella-shaped, white-blossomed keena (
Calophyl-
lum
) stand as the main canopy over montane forest areas. The stunted trees and shrubs are
draped in lichen and mosses. Another notable species is
Rhododendron zeylanicum
, which
has blood-red blossoms. The poignant purple-leafed
Strobilanthes
blossoms once after five
years, and then dies.
World's End
VIEWPOINT
The walk to World's End is 4km, but the trail loops back to Baker's Falls (2km) and con-
tinues back to the entrance (another 3.5km). The 9.5km round trip takes a leisurely three
hours. Unless you get there early the view from World's End is often obscured by mist,
particularly during the rainy season from April to September.
All you can expect to see from World's End after around 9am is a swirling white wall.
The early morning (between 6am and 10am) is the best time to visit, before the clouds roll
in. That's when you'll spy toy-town, tea-plantation villages in the valley below, and an un-
encumbered view south towards the coast.
Try to avoid doing this walk on Sundays and public holidays, when it can get crowded.
And despite the signs, weekend groups of young Sri Lankan guys will do their utmost to
make noise and inadvertently scare away the wildlife.
Guides at the national-park office expect about Rs 750. There's no set fee for volunteer
guides, but expect to donate a similar amount. Some guides are well informed on the
