Diyaluma

Stunning pool at the top of Upper Diyaluma

Our 3 Favourite Places in Sri Lanka

Our 3 Favourite Places in Sri Lanka

Our 3 favourite places in Sri Lanka

Having lived in the Sri Lankan Hill country for the past six years, it’s an easy choice to pick our favourite 3 places.

Of course GlenMyu Estate would automatically be number one, however here are our favourite places to visit in the Sri Lankan hills.

You may be surprised that Ella, Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam’s Peak don’t make our list.

They are a little too touristy for us!

Our guests tend to agree

When guests ask for recommendations on what to do and see when they stay at GlenMyu Estate, we are always happy to help.

It’s amazing how many things that you can do when staying in the Sri Lankan Hill Country. 

The opening of the Pekoe Trail in 2023 added a new dimension to what we typically would recommend. 

There are several sections of the trail within reach of GlenMyu Estate and we have already had several guests complete stages 12 and 13 of the Pekoe Trail.

Our 3 favourite places to visit in Sri Lanka.

Here are our three favourite places to visit in Sri Lanka when staying at GlenMyu Estate.

1. Diyaluma Waterfall and Upper Diyaluma Waterfall.

Diyaluma Waterfall is the second tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka. Bambarakanda Waterfall is the highest and is also within reach of GlenMyu Estate.

It’s number one on our list for many reasons. Embarrassingly, we were a little late finding out about this amazing place. It was only when some German guests invited us to accompany them that we discovered this gem.

What and where?

The second tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka is a spectacular sight, especially when there is good water flow.

Here is a video of Diyaluma Waterfall from the roadside that was taken in January 2024.

Diyaluma Waterfall and Upper Diyaluma Pools are around 45 minutes drive from GlenMyu Estate.

The main waterfall is located on the A4 road between Koslanda and Wellawaya.

Diyaluma Waterfall can be viewed from the main A4 road between Beragala and Wellawaya.

There is a small road that takes you to the start of the twenty minute hike to visit Upper Diyaluma Waterfall and pools.

 

The advantage of staying at GlenMyu Estate

There is a good reason to stay at GlenMyu Estate if you want to visit Upper Diyaluma Waterfall.

We are only a 45 minute drive from the waterfall.

If you don’t like crowds and are willing to get up early, then you are more likely to have a unique experience.

The crowds from Ella and Haputale are further from the falls and therefore if you get there early you may have this amazing environment all to yourself.

In January 2024, my best friend and my godson went early to Upper Diyaluma Waterfall and we were the only people there.

We saw our first tourist arrive as we finished our hike and dip in the pools.

2. Horton Plains National Park

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is our second favourite place to visit in Sri Lanka.

This National Park is located in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. It was designated as a National Park in 1988.

The park is at an elevation of 2,100–2,300 m (6,900–7,500 ft). It covers an area of  31.6 km² (3,169 hectares).

It’s unique landscape on the island consists of ecosystems such as Montane evergreen forests, grasslands, marshy lands and aquatic ecosystem.

3 places to stop and catch you breath (and take those Instagram pics!)

Horton Plains National Park has three main stopping points on the 111 kilometre circular hike. 

The first is Lesser World;s End which has a cliff with a 270 metre drop,

Secondly is Greater World’s End which has an impressive 870 metre precipice.

The third spot to rest is in front of the beautiful Baker’s Falls waterfall. This waterfall is named after the founder of Nuwara Eliya.

Flora and Fauna

Another highlight of Horton Plains is the flora and fauna you will see there.

Horton Plains’ vegetation is grasslands interspersed with montane forest. It includes many endemic woody plants.

And there are lots of different fauna to see (if you are lucky!).

Sambar Deer is the most commonly seen faunal species in the park. You can normally see them on the plains as you enter the park. There may even be a large male who hangs around by the car park.

Other fauna include the Montane Toque Macaque, the Slender Loris, the Long Clawed Shrew. The park is also home to twelve species of endemic birds.

And even some Leopards!

It is unusual to spot a leopard in Horton Plains National Park.

However, we did have guests from  Austria that saw one as they left the park in March 2024.

Ghost of the Clouded Plains is a book which was published in 2023 documenting the leopards there. 

It is Photographer/Naturalist Sankha Wanniatchi’s first book venture and captures over 8 years of intense study on the Leopard of Horton Plains.

You can see more details of the book at the following link to Barefoot Ceylon.

3. Lipton's Seat, Haputale

We first visited Lipton’s Seat many years ago before we were living in the country.

Unfortunately, we didn’t really appreciate the beauty of the viewing place of Sir Edward Lipton at the time.

We made the mistake of getting to the top of Lipton’s Seat too late on in the day and we didn’t get a good view of the landscape.

Our Australian guests set us right

In November 2023 our Australian guests, Matt and Millie left GlenMyu Estate early in the morning to catch the sunrise at Lipton’s Seat,

November is not the best month to sight see in the Hill country as there is a bit of rain before the drier peak seasons of Late December to April,

How wrong we were!

Matt and Millie really set us right about Lipton’s Seat. 

Look at the amazing experience they had watching the sunrise. We were bowled over.

Hike in a beautiful landscape in Sri Lanka

Walking through the tea plantation

One of the joys about visiting Lipton’s Seat is walking down through the manicured lines of tea bushes.

You may even get an opportunity to capture one of the tea pluckers in action.

And a tea factory tour

Matt and Millie finished of the experience by doing a Tea Factory tour at Dambetenne Tea Factory.

The tea factory offers regulars tours which will provide you with the knowledge of where you tea comes from and how it is processed.

Our top 3 favourite places in Sri Lanka - Summary

  1. Diyaluma and Upper Diyaluma
  2. Horton Plains National Park.
  3. Lipton’s Seat

Stay at GlenMyu Estate to visit the Sri Lankan Hill Country.

A stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country and see sights like Diyaluma Waterfall, Horton Plains and Litpon’s Seat.

We only have three bedrooms and you will need to book early during the peak holiday season.

The estate is usually within an hours drive of the major sightseeing locations such as Nine Arch Bridge, Ella Town,  Bambarakanda Waterfall and many more,

GlenMyu Estate is listed on Booking.com and Airbnb.
Contact us by the WhatsApp button on our website for direct booking rates.

Our 3 Favourite Places in Sri Lanka Read More »

Instagrammable places in Sri Lanka

Swim at the top of Sri Lanka’s 2nd Tallest Waterfall.

Swim at the top of Sri Lanka's 2nd Tallest Waterfall.

Swim at the top of Sri Lanka’s 2nd Tallest Waterfall. 

A unique experience that our guests love to do from GlenMyu Estate.

Upper Diyaluma waterfall is the second tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka at 220 m (720 ft). The falls are the 619th highest waterfall in the world.

It’s based 6 km (3.7 mi) away from Koslanda in Badulla District on Colombo-Badulla Highway.

GlenMyu Estate is located on the Colombo-Badulla Highway and is 19km from Upper Diyaluma Waterfall.

Read about our experience at our article “Our day trip to Upper Diyaluma Waterfall”.

We were amazed when we went on our first trip from GlenMyu Estate to Upper Diyaluma Waterfall.

The road access has been improved since we have been living in Sri Lanka. As it is only forty minutes from GlenMyu Estate our guests can normally beat the other tourists to the site.

Many of our guests have been able to spend an hour or two exploring Upper Diyalima before other people reach the waterfall.

This makes it a special experience for them to remember. 

Here are a few photos of Ru enjoying swimming in the clear waters at Sri Lanka’s 2nd tallest waterfall.

Our guests really enjoy swimming at Sri Lanka's 2nd tallest waterfall

Our guests Matt and Millie enjoying Upper Diyaluma Waterfall in November 2023.

A reasonably priced experience in Sri Lanka.

Swimming at Sri Lanka’s 2nd tallest waterfall.

You can read about the entry cost at our article “Diyaluma Waterfall Entry Cost”.

The local council only started charging an entry fee last year and they have improved the access to this wonderful experience. The costs is minimal at LKR 350 (around £1, US$1, €1).

Other costs to at Sri Lanka's 2nd Tallest Waterfall.

Unless you have your own vehicle there will also be transport costs to take you to Upper Diyaluma Waterfall.

We normally send guests in a Tuk Tuk from GlenMyu Estate. The driver will show you the route around Upper Diyaluma, keep your valuables safe whilst you are swimming and take you back to the estate.

In January 2024 the driver has charged around LKR 6,000 for the return journey (around £15, US$19, €17). 

Where is Upper Diyaluma Waterfall

The access road to Upper Diyaluma Water can be reached from the A4 Colombo to Batticaloa High near to Koslanda.

GlenMyu Estate is around 40 minutes drive from Upper Diyaluma Waterfall.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate - swim at Sri Lanka's 2nd tallest waterfall

A stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country and see sights like Upper Diyaluma Waterfall is a unique experience.

We only have three bedrooms and you will need to book early during the peak holiday season.

The estate is usually within an hours drive of the major sightseeing locations such as Nine Arch Bridge, Ella Town, Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Lipton’s Seat, Bambarakanda Waterfall and many more,

GlenMyu Estate is listed on Booking.com and Airbnb.
Contact us by the WhatsApp button on our website for direct booking rates.

Swim at the top of Sri Lanka’s 2nd Tallest Waterfall. Read More »

GlenMyu Estate Luxury Bed and Breakfast
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