Central Province (Sri Lanka) Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Map of Central Province (Sri Lanka)

• 7.29305680.6351 Kandy
• 6.96666780.7666672 Nuwara Eliya
• 7.46666780.6166673 Matale

• 7.85138980.6541671 Dambulla — a cave temple included in the UNESCO world heritage list
• 7.40027880.812 Knuckles Mountain Range — ideal for trekking.
• 7.95694480.7597223 Sigiriya — another UNESCO world heritage list site with a stone fortress and palace ruins surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens

In ancient times, the region was known as Malaya Rata and was inhabited by early tribes such as the Yaksha, Raksha, and Naga. During the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa kingdoms (300 BCE - 1200 CE), Central Province was known as Malaya Deshaya and was ruled by local princes on behalf of the central kingdoms. Its rugged terrain made it a defensive stronghold, allowing these rulers to maintain their sovereignty. The province was part of the Kingdom of Kandy, the last independent Sinhalese kingdom which successfully resisted Portuguese and Dutch invasions for centuries, maintaining Sri Lankan traditions and cultural identity.

The Kingdom of Kandy finally fell to the British in 1815. The British colonial administration introduced tea in the 1860s, since earlier coffee plantations had failed to survive. Tea estates flourished in the province’s highlands, transforming Nuwara Eliya into a hub of British colonial influence.

The main southwest “Yala” monsoon drenches the hill country from April to July. This province is at its sunniest from January to March.

• Sigiriya Airport (GIU ^IATA) has scheduled helicopter and light aircraft flights from Colombo (mostly), Hambantota and Trincomalee.
• Kandy is very well connected with Colombo by train. Direct trains also connect Kandy with Nuwara Eliya and Matale.

For bus information, the Central Province Transport Services Authority website is close to useless.

The Central Highlands of Sri Lanka comprises the mountainous rain forests, and consists of three separate wet-zone protected areas: Knuckles Mountain Range, the Peak Wilderness Protected Area, and the Horton Plains National Park. The Central Highlands is a UNESCO World Heritage site

• Peak Wilderness Protected Area — Adam's Peak is the major attraction in the Peak Wilderness Protected Area. There is a third-class train service available from Kandy railway station to Hatton. It is better to take the bus to Hatton as the trains are usually overcrowded and take the same time as the bus. The bus leaves from Kandy Bogambara bus station, takes 3 hours and costs Rs. 125. From Hatton bus station, you'll have to take another bus to Maskeliya, and from there, yet another bus to Dalhousie - the buses depart hourly. Another option is to take a tuk-tuk from Maskeliya to Dalhousie (Rs. 500, 30 minutes).

Dalhousie is the nearest place to Nallathanni town, which is one of the many entrances to Adam's Peak (Sri Pada). This entrance is one of the most favored by those undertaking the climb. Although this trail is the steepest, it is also approximately five kilometers shorter than any of the other trails. It is recommended to stay overnight at any hotel in Dalhousie and start climbing Adam's Peak early in the morning. There are plenty of budget hotels in Dalhousie. It will take 2-3 hours to climb up and some 90 minutes to come down depending on your fitness level and weather conditions.

When buying tea while climbing, ask for loose tea as they give low quality tea bags to foreigners by default. Also watch out for a Buddhist monk at the start who tries to lure you into a temple where you have to pay (you don't have to pay anything to climb up).

• Horton Plains National Park — The World's End is a major attraction in the Horton Plains National Park, and Ohiya is the closest city. From Hatton, take the train bound for Badulla and disembark at Ohiya railway station.

• Hiking — Knuckles Mountain Range is an excellent area for hiking. Several tour operators offer anything from day trips to week-long hike and camping tours.

The North Central Province is within easy reach of Sigiriya and Dambulla.

Take the train direct from Kandy to Ella.