Trekking in Sri Lanka Archives - GlenMyu Estate Luxury Bed and Breakfast

Horton Plains National Park (World’s End) Sri Lanka

Hiking in Sri Lanka, Holiday, Horton Plains National Park, Natural Swimming Pool, The Pekoe Trail, Things to do on holiday in Sri Lanka, Travel / By Mikeez

Horton Plains National Park (World's End), Sri Lanka.

Horton Plains National Park (World’s End) is one of the best experiences if you are staying near Ella, Nuwara Eliya or Haputale, Sri Lanka.

The views, the landscape, the wildlife, the flora and an exhilarating hike are reasons alone to visit this park when on holiday in Sri Lanka.

We visit Horton Plains and World's End often (and our guests love it!)

At GlenMyu Estate, we love this UNESCO World Heritage site so much that we visit several times during the year.

The changing landscape during the year makes it a place where you never get bored of visiting.

We also always feel exhilarated at the end of the hike, whatever level of fitness we have at the time.

A swim in the natural spring-fed swimming pool at GlenMyu Estate is a welcome experience when we return after our hike.

Hiking in Horton Plains National Park in January 2024

Here are some videos and photos that I took in January 2024 when my best friend and my godson accompanied me on the 11 kilometre hike.

I hope that it becomes an annual event with my friends and family.

Starting on the hike at Horton Plains

Reaching Lesser World's End

Greater World's End - a fantastic view

The Beautiful Baker's Falls

The final part of the loop

What did it cost for our hike at Horton Plains?

A hike around the amazing Horton Plains National Park is one of the more expensive experiences you can do from GlenMyu Estate.

We however think that the cost is worth it given the experience that you have and it helps support the preservation of the National Park. It also provides some much needed employment to local people.

Ticket Price/Entry Fee to Horton Plains National Park

The fees for two foreign adults for entry to Horton Plains National Park were as follows in January 2024:

The total cost of LKR 23,257.8o.

This is around
GBP £57
Euros €66
US$73

Other costs for our hike

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What do you need to take for a hike at Horton Plains National Park?

Clothing and footwear

Footwear – I would recommend wearing sandals with fastenings. (Thats what I usually wear). Otherwise you can wear training shoes or walking shoes.
Walking shoes or boots are not necessary, but if you have brought them with you, why not use them?

Jacket – a light wind or rain jacket is all you need to bring along with you to Horton Plains. It is a little chilly at the start of the hike as you will start early in the morning.
There could be a little wind or light shower during your walk. I
tend to find that I need my jacket for the first fifteen to twenty minutes and then it goes into my small backpack for the rest of the hike.

Food, drink and other things for your hike

Food and Drink – At GlenMyu Estate we send you off with a packed breakfast and you can take this on your hike and eat it at one of the sightseeing points. You will just need snacks and some water for the three hour or so hike.

There is a small shop at the entrance to Horton Plains where you can pick up some items if you need to. The selection is limited though.

Please take all you litter with you and keep the park clean

Sunscreen – Don’t get caught out by the cloud cover! As you are at an elevation of between 2,100–2,300 m (6,900–7,500 ft) the UV level can be quite high. We have had guests return a little too red in colour, despite our warning.

Loo Paper and soap – There are a some toilets on the route however they don’t supply toilet paper or soap. Take some with you so you don’t get caught short!

Camera/Mobile Phone – you will have plenty of photo opportunities for those Instagram and Social Media moments.

A small backpack – you will need something to carry the items listed above

Back to the swimming pool to soothe those muscles

One of the things that we most enjoy after the hike is t soak our muscles in the swimming pool at GlenMyu Estate.

We normally arrive back at the estate a around 3 p.m. and the water in the pool has been gently warmed by the sun.

It is really a heavenly end to a fabulous day.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate to explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country

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

Stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country

See sights like Horton Plains National Park 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.

Horton Plains National Park (World’s End) Sri Lanka Read More »

5 reasons to visit Sri lanka in 2024

Cookery Courses, Hiking in Sri Lanka, Holiday, Horton Plains National Park, Lipton's Seat, Haputale, Sri Lanka, Things to do on holiday in Sri Lanka, Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Koslanda / By Mikeez

5 reasons to visit Sri Lanka in 2024.

5 reasons to visit Sri Lanka in 2024.

Don’t miss this opportunity to visit a paradise island before too many holidaymakers find it!

Here are our 5 reasons to visit Sri Lanka in 2024 on holiday.

There are so many reasons to holiday in Sri Lanka in 2024.

We list below our 5 reasons on why you should not delay and visit in 2024.

1. Come to Sri Lanka now before it gets too busy

You must have read about some tourist spots around the globe restricting visitors.

Some places like the canary Islands have seen protests against the rise in tourism from local residents.

Sri Lanka is encouraging tourism right now and the government has ambitious plans to increase numbers from 1.5 million to 2.3 million in 2024.

By 2030 the target is an ambitious 5 million tourists!

The island is idyllic now, but as the number of tourists increases, the shine will dull in the future as tourist spots get too busy.

An amazing experience that many of our guests have when they holiday at GlenMyu Estate is visiting Upper Diyaluma Waterfall.

The second highest waterfall in the country is becoming more discovered as the road access has improved in recent year.

It’s fast becoming an Instagram must.

We have has so many guests that have left GlenMyu Estate to visit Upper Diyaluma before breakfast and have had an amazing experience.

As we are only 40 minutes from the waterfall, our guests have managed to beat other tourists there and sometimes have had the place all to themselves.

When they return to GlenMu Estate for a late breakfast, they are energised from the unique early morning experience that they have had.

2. Getting a train ticket is difficult now, it will be more challenging in the future

One of the great experiences that you will have as you travel around this paradise island is to take a train journey through a beautiful landscape.

Lost of our guests at GlenMyu Estate arrive at Haputale Station from Kandy and are wowed by what they see on the train journey.

Even in 2023, some guests have found it a challenge in getting train tickets. Can you imagine how difficult it will be as tourist numbers increase?

It would be great if Sri Lankan Railways put on additional service to cope with increasing demand. However, this will be difficult as the tracks are limited on the capacity they can handle.

3. A less crowded beach

There are so many beaches around the coast of the island that you would think that there would always be places where you didn’t have to fight for a spot on the sand.

What tends to happen in Sri Lanka is that as a “new beach” is discovered, people flock there and lots of development follows to cash in.

As time passes there will be less places to discover and that ideal image of an uncluttered beach will dissipate.

So, we say ‘come now” before the beaches get too busy.

4. Go East before it gets found

The east and north coasts of the island are becoming a more popular destination to visit as this part has gradually opened up since the ending of the civil war some 15 years ago.

The best time to visit is between April and September as the coasts are generally monsoon free.

As most of Europe is in the Mediterranean during their summer vacation, there are opportunities to spend time at less crowded beaches.

5. Be one of the pioneers to walk the Pekoe Trail

The Pekoe Trail is a new, 22 stage, 300km walking trail around Sri Lanka.

It only opened in late 2023.

The new experience in Sri Lanka has already won awards and is being recognised.

‘Best Wider World Tourism Project’ at the British Guild of Travel Writers International Tourism Awards (ITA)

National Geographic’s ‘Best of the World’ List for 2024

As more tourist travelling to Sri Lanka become more aware of the Pekoe Trail the number of hikers on the walk will rise.

If you want to hike the Pekoe Trail with less of a crowd, we would recommend that you visit Sri Lanka in 2024 or soon after.

Several of our guest at GlenMyu Estate have already hiked stages 12 and stages 13 of the Pekoe Trail.

Located a short drive from Haputale, GlenMyu Estate is a convenient place to stay within reach of several stages of the Pekoe Trail.

Our 5 reasons to holiday in Sri Lanka in 2024

Beat the increase in tourist numbers.
Enjoy a beautiful train journey.
Experience a less crowded beach.
Discover the East before it develops as a main tourist destination.
Be one of the first to walk the Pekoe Trail

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Stay at GlenMyu Estate to explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country

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

Stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country

See sights like Horton Plains National Park is a unique experience.

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

5 reasons to visit Sri lanka in 2024 Read More »

Off-Grid Holiday -Cliff Lodge, Haputale, Sri Lanka

Accommodation, Hiking in Sri Lanka, Holiday, Lipton's Seat, Haputale, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka, Things to do on holiday in Sri Lanka / By Mikeez

An off-grid holiday in Sri Lanka

An off-grid holiday in Sri Lanka.

The Cliff Lodge, Haputale was featured on Channel 5’s series, Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild.

The programme aired on the UK’s Channel 5 on the 6th February 2024.

What is an Off-Grid holiday

Sawdays describe an Off-Grid Holiday as “Our off-grid places to stay harness a strong commitment to the environment. They are in beautifully remote regions and encourage you to spend most of your day outdoors.

The Independent Online article “Why ‘going off-grid’ is the next big travel trend” of 15th March 2022.
It stated that “At the beginning of 2022, rentals website One Off Places spotted that their “off-grid” category had zoomed into the top 10 most-browsed sections.”.

The idea of a complete escape (no phones ringing, no emails to answer, no TV schedule to keep up with) can be extremely appealing to many people.

About The Cliff Lodge, Haputale

The Cliff Lodge consists of four glass pods and provides an opportunity to reconnect with the wilderness, as there is no hot water, electric or gas.

The journey to Cliff Lodge passes a Mountain Range, Tea Plantations and near to the famous Lipton’s Seat.
Lipton’s Seat was the point where Scottish Tea Baron, Sir Thomas Lipton used to sit and survey his vast tea empire in Sri Lanka.

This off-grid holiday allows you to “The Most Remote Glamping Lodge in the Mountains of Haputale, Sri Lanka”.

Read all about The Cliff Lodge by visiting their website.

We, at GlenMyu Estate have had guests that have stayed at The Cliff Lodge and have had an amazing experience.

You can contact The Cliff Lodge and see their location at their website.

February 6th 2024 - The Channel 5 Documentary with Ben Fogle

There was a lot of press about the programme.

The Daily Mail Online has a clip and a commentary about the episode “A couple told Channel 5’s New Lives in the Wild about their move to Sri Lanka “.

The couple, Anke and Naveen, told Ben Fogle how they escaped the rat-race in London to live off-grid on top of a mountain in Sri Lanka

Memorable TV Online states that ” Ben Fogle embarks on a journey to Sri Lanka, a stunning island nestled in the Indian Ocean.”.

He meets Anke and Naveen who “he couple resides in the peaceful remains of a tea plantation, embracing an entirely off-grid existence. “.

TV Guide states that Ben discussed why the couple moved away from civilisation, the struggles they had settling into their new lives and if they mean to entirely sever their ties with the outside world

The best of both worlds

Variety is the price of life. You may want to experience a mixture of Off-Grid living and a little bit of luxury whilst on holiday in Sri Lanka.

Perhaps a stay at The Cliff Lodge followed by some days at GlenMyu Estate will provide you with this experience.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate to explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country

A stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country and see sights like Horton Plains National Park 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. These include 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.

Off-Grid Holiday -Cliff Lodge, Haputale, Sri Lanka Read More »

Best place to stay to visit Horton Plains, Sri Lanka

Hiking in Sri Lanka, Horton Plains National Park, Natural Swimming Pool, The Pekoe Trail, Things to do on holiday in Sri Lanka, Travel, Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Koslanda / By Mikeez

Where is the best place to stay to visit Horton Plains, Sri Lanka?

Where is the best place to stay to visit Horton Plains National Park, Sri Lanka?

Here is why we think GlenMyu Estate is ideal for you.

So many options

Scroll through the web and you will find lots of places to stay when you visit Horton Plains National Park

What's important is" what do you really want?"

There are some places that are nearer to Horton Plains but, as of yet, the quality may not be what you require.

Nuwara Eliya does have some good quality accommodation. However you must remember that you will be at an altitude of 1,868 m (6,128 ft). It can get a bit chilly at night.

Climate Data shows the average temperature in Nuwara Eliya however in January the temperature can get as low as 0°C (32°F).

A little bit of luxury away from the crowd

Guests tend to choose GlenMyu Estate as it is away from the larger tourist towns such as Nuwara Eliya and Ella.

It is a chance to properly relax during your busy itinerary around the island.

As we only have three bedrooms on the five acre estate you will have plenty of space for yourselves.

GlenMyu Estate - The same time to get to the park as from Nuwara Eliya

It takes a similar time get from GlenMyu Estate to the entrance to Horton Plains as it does from Nuwara Eliya.

Are you heading North or South?

Perhaps if you are heading from North to South then staying in Nuwara Eliya would be convenient. However, we would recommend that you research Nuwara Eliya and decide whether you really want to stay there.

Of course there are several interesting places to visit in Nuwara Eliya. The Post Office, The Grand Hotel, Gregory Lake and Waterfall. There are some really good tea factory tours such as Pedro Estate.

If you want to be nearer, but not in Ella, then GlenMyu Estate provides a good base. It’s a great location to visit to Horton Plains and also day trips to Ella and the sights there.

GlenMyu Estate is also only 40 minutes to 1 hours drive from the spectacular Upper Diyaluma Waterfall which is one of our favourite places.

We can arrange a driver - and a fabulous packed breakfast.

We regularly arrange a cart or van to take you to Horton Plains National Park (and back!).

Ru makes a fantastic packed breakfast to take with you so that you can have something to eat and drink during your hike.

We normally send to off at 6 -6.30 am in the morning so you have the best chance to see the views at World’s End and also to avoid the intensity of the sun.

The great news is that you can get back to GlenMyu Estate in the early afternoon, You can enjoy a refreshing swim. Your muscles and tired legs will be thanking you!

A delicious meal in the evening (and perhaps dessert!).

The food at GlenMyu Estate is starting to get a reputation (please read our customer reviews).

So, after expending the energy on your hike, what better way to finish your day with a delicious meal prepared by Ru and the team.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate to explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country

A stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country and see sights like Horton Plains National Park 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.

Best place to stay to visit Horton Plains, Sri Lanka Read More »

Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Koslanda, January 2024

Holiday, Horton Plains National Park, Things to do on holiday in Sri Lanka, Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Koslanda, Waterfalls / By Mikeez

Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Koslanda in January 2024.

Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Koslanda in January 2024.

A spectacular day out from GlenMyu Estate to the second tallest Sri Lankan Waterfall.

Our close friends were over from the UK and we had to show them this wonderful natural site that is only 40 minutes drive from GlenMyu Estate.

A couple of Tuk Tuks

We could have taken our car but instead we decided to hire two Tuk Tuks with drivers for the day. I had previously driven my car to the car park at the entrance to Upper Diyaluma and didn’t want to do this again.

The main reason was that I was quite nervous driving up the road which was really designed for Tuk Tuks.

I would have a less stressful day and the drivers would be able to keep an eye on our belongings when we were in the pools.

Knowing the best route?

We regularly get Indunil to take guests by Tuk Tuk to Upper Diyaluma Waterfall and he knows the best route to take.

We consider that getting to the top of the waterfall and then descending down enjoying the pools is the best route to enjoy Upper Diyaluma.

An early start

Like many other experiences in Sri Lanka we got up early to beat the crowds to Upper Diyaluma in January 2024.

The journey took longer that we anticipated and was just over an hour.

The road had deteriorated with heavy rains in October and November.

There, however, was evidence that the road was being fixed.

We realised that there was an easier way up.

Our guide took us up some roughly made steep steps to the ticket booth.

It was only when we descended that we saw that there had been new smooth concrete steps all the way down to the road.

If I had known this before the start of the walk would have been so much easier on my legs!

Next time!

The hike up was not too challenging however you really need to watch your footing on some of the pathways.

When the concrete pathway ends you will be walking through some rougher tracks so you will need to be careful.

Now there are reasons to get to the top of Diyaluma Waterfall and also reasons to get there early.

The sight of the cool water after your hike is really appealing.

What will I see when I get there?

The top of upper Diyaluma is amazing.

I spent some time in the shallow pools wading around and enjoying the fresh, cool water.

What an experience at Upper Diyaluma Waterfall

I was in awe of this place and the nature it presents.

Getting closer to nature is something that you can do in the Sri Lankan hill country. When there are few or no other people around it really is a special experience.

I wonder why this is an Instagram spot?

Well, if you want to know why Upper Diyaluma Waterfall has started to become a popular Instagram spot just have a look at this video.

What a wonderful place and experience.

My only concern is, that with more exposure on social media, it will get very crowded.

There is something about being alone in this beautiful environment. You can really experience the true beauty of the place when you don’t hear the noise of other travellers.

What a special time!

Time for a swim at Upper Diyaluma Waterfall

I missed swimming in some of the pools at the top of the waterfall as they were a little dangerous when we were there in January.

Sri Lanka had experienced usual heavy rainfall in October and November which resulted in the waters being a little rough.

I decided that self preservation was more important and I waited until I found a more calm spot

Looking over the edge!

We reached the point where you can see Diyaluma Waterfall from the roadside.

I was careful and only went close to the edge but not near enough to be in danger of falling!

How much did it cost for the day trip in January 2024?

The entrance fee is minimal at LKR 350. We did our trip early and the ticket office was closed. However, given the minimal cost I would have been happy to pay the fee.

I plan to buy some extra tickets on my next trip there so that they have not lost the income.

Additional costs

Tuk Tuk hire from Glenmyu Estate is around LKR 6,000.

Indunil will come with you on the hike and show you the best route.
He will also keep hold of your valuables when you are swimming in the pools.

The road home

On our Tuk Tuk ride on the way back to GlenMyu Estate, we were able to see the landscape and towns that we had travelled through now it was light.

Is it worth it?

Visiting Upper Diyaluma was a special experience that we highly recommend at GlenMyu Estate.

It was such a great experience that I will be doing it again at different times of the year.

As we got up early we were back at GlenMyu Estate act a reasonable hour so we had time for a swim in the pool and could relax in the afternoon.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate to explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country

A stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country and see sights like Upper Diyaluma Waterfall which 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, Horton Plains National Park (UNESCO), 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.

Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Koslanda, January 2024 Read More »

Our Horton Plains experience in January 2024

Hiking in Sri Lanka, Holiday, Horton Plains National Park, Sri Lanka, Things to do on holiday in Sri Lanka, Travel / By Mikeez

Our Horton Plains experience in January 2024.

Our Horton Plains experience in January 2024.

Find out about our fantastic hike in the montane cloud forest in the Sri Lankan Hill country.

Second time for a father, first time for a son

My oldest friend, Peter, and I had hiked the circuit at Horton Plains National Park in January 2023. On that visit Peter came on his own to Sri Lanka.

This year Peter brought his son, James, who is also my godson.

We were replay looking forward to experiencing the hike together.

After paying and chatting to the person manning the ticket office we drove towards the car park

We saw some Sambar Deer in the distance as we enjoyed this spectacular landscape.

The start of our walk through through Horton Plains.

I call it a walk as today I didn’t want to rush around the 11 kilometre circuit.
It was my godsons first experience of hiking in this beautiful landscape and I wanted us to take our time and take in all that this special place has to offer.

My level of fitness was another element to why we should take it a little slow today.

Education put to good use.

My godson, James, had studied Geology at Exeter University in England.

Here was an opportunity to put his studies to use and get to know a little about the pathway we were walking on.

More challenging that I expected

When we started over the section that I remember as being the harder part of the walk I was pleasantly surprised at it looked like it had been repaired.

Unfortunately, I had mistaken the part of the hike we were on.

The more difficult part was as challenging as it always had been.

Stunning colours as you hike Horton Plains.

It is worth spending a little more time on your walk enjoying the trail.

There are some stunning colours and lines in the rock formations on this part of the route.

The birds and insects provide the soundtrack in the background as you walk.

A rough track to tackle.

We stopped for a while as there was a bit of a kerfuffle taking place nearby.

If you listen carefully you will here the monkeys having a little disagreement about something.

James was a little ahead of us and was able to see the monkeys in the trees before they scampered off.

After the harder track of the evelen kilometre circuit, the surface got a little better and easier to navigate.

We met several other hikers who had taken the anti clockwise route. They had already reached Lesser World’s End and were eager to tell us what we were about to see.

We made it to Mini Worlds End and the other hikers were spot on.

This was the best view I have seen at Mini World’s End. The view was quite clear and we could see for quite a distance.

We took our time here to admire the view and take some photos.

Onward ho! Our January 2024 Horton Plains Experience

After a real to reenergise after the harder part of the hike, it was onward towards Greater World’s End.

We had an 870m precipice to look forward to and expected a clear view similar to that at Lesser World’s End.

Greater World’s End did not disappoint.

We met a Sri Lankan family who had also made it there.

The father was quite proud that he was able to show his two daughters this marvel for their first time. It was school holiday time so they were exploring the Sri Lankan Hill country, an important thing to do as a local person.

We really enjoyed the stunning tracks that take you around the circuit at Horton Plains National Park.

In the past we have raced around the track, but today we really wanted to enjoy the nature and landscape.

Spectacular landscapes and scenery at Horton Plains

As you walk on the track towards Baker’s Falls the landscape changes and there are more plants and birds to see.

The Rhododendrons are not yet in bloom yet but there were a few flowers coming. Hopefully I will be able to do another hike a little later in the year and see these plants in full spectacular flower.

Crossing the bridge

There are interesting places that you pass and see as you walk. This times I really noticed the amount of birds and wished that I had brought along sone binoculars.

We came across a lake which looked very inviting, but we knew we would have to wait to get back to GlenMyu Estate for a swim.

Difficult signs, easy signs

There are small green signs on the route which will provide an indication of how hard or easy the section of the trail is.

Beautiful Baker's Falls

I was looking forward to getting out of the sun and reaching Baker’s Falls.

The waterfall is reached by descending some concrete stairs and which is sheltered by trees.

The temperature drops and the sounds of the water crashing down the waterfall is evident in the background.

When we reached Baker’s Falls there was a family group enjoying the cascade and taking lots of pictures. This was one of many highlights of our Horton Plains experience.

We helped out by taking a group photo for them.

It was great experience watching local people loving their time at Baker’s Falls.

Local people loving the waterfall.

We really enjoyed the atmosphere and talking to the other travellers who were enjoying the waterfall.

I have learnt from my time on the island that Sri Lankans love fresh cool water. If there is a small pool or waterfall they want to bathe in it.

Unfortunately, a lot of local people can’t swim and I read about lots of drownings in the press during the year.

We also visited Upper Diyaluma Waterfall in January. Although I am a good swimmer, there were pools that I would not venture into as the water power was strong and dangerous.

Feeling closer to natures power.

The sound and the power of the waterfall makes me think of nature. I know that the erosion from the strength of the water hitting the rocks means that the waterfall is alive and forever changing.

A place for friends and family

Sharing your experience as you walk through Horton Plains is a joyous part of the being at Horton Plains.

I travelled with my oldest friend and his son, my godson. The shared experience was something that we talked about for several days afterwards. It’s a memory we will all take with u

Saying hello or good morning to fellow travellers as we hiked the trail at Horton Plains provides a sense of community.
Sharing the experience with each other, encouraging others to go on and being excited about what they are about to see is feeling I will also remember.

So many people who were walking in the anticlockwise loop were able to tell us about the beautiful view at World’s End we were about to experience. They appeared to be excited about sharing what they saw with us.

The walk back towards the starting point of the trail was enjoyable and our legs were looking forward to a rest.

As the sun was getting a little more intense we were also keen to get to some shade.

Before we left for a snack at the small shop we went into the shop to pick up a few mementos of our day. It would act as a good reminder of our Horton Plains experience.

Apart from some clothing they have some interesting books about Horton Plains which tell you more about the environment and the wildlife and plants.

There are leopards in Horton Plains and James kept an eye out for them while we were leaving.

We didn’t expect to see any and our expectations were met!

Recently we received a new book about the Leopards of Horton Plains called Ghost in the Clouds by …..
The book is available at Barefoot

Stay at GlenMyu Estate and visit Horton Plains National Park.

A stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country and see sights like Horton Plains National Park 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.

Our Horton Plains experience in January 2024 Read More »

Horton Plains National Park Entry fee ticket from 16-1-2024

Horton Plains Entry Fee in January 2024

Hiking in Sri Lanka, Holiday, Horton Plains National Park, Sri Lanka, The Pekoe Trail, Things to do on holiday in Sri Lanka, Travel / By Mikeez

Horton Plains Entry Fee January 2024.

Horton Plains Entry Fee January 2024.

What is the entry fee to this UNESCO World Heritage site in the Sri Lankan Hill Country?

Our guests left from GlenMyu Estate around 6 a.m. so they could arrive early and hopefully get a clear view at World’s End.

There had been a lot of rain in Sri Lanka during the periods October, November and until Mid December and I was worried that it may be too wet.

However, fortunately the paths had dried out substantially. We had some drier weather from around the 12th January 2024 which must have helped the pathways recover.

The hike was a lot easier than our guests experienced in December 2023 and took our Australian guests around 4 hours.

They were very lucky and had clear views at Lesser World’s End and Greater World’s End.

It was an amazing experience seeing the view of the 870 metre precipice at World’s End.

Our guests really loved Baker’s Falls which had good flow due to the amount of rain in recent months.

They has a wonderful experience and now that I know that the pathways are okay to hike, I will be able to recommend the walk to other guests at GlenMyu Estate.

Horton Plains Entry Fee January 2024.

We really appreciate our Australian guests allowing us to share the entry fee ticket to Horton Plains so that other visitors are aware of the cost at 16th January 2024.

A breakdown of costs for the Horton Plains Entry Fee on 16th January 2024.

Here is the breakdown of the fees for two foreign adults for entry to Horton Plains National Park.
The ticket is dated 16 January 2024 and is priced in Sri Lankan Rupees.
The total cost of LKR 23,257.80 is around GBP £57, Euros €66 and US$73 (currency conversion at 21/12/2023)

16,300 – Foreign Adults (Two people)
150 – JOCOV – I have no idea what this is!
3,260 – Service Charge
3,547.80 – Value Added Tax

23,257.80 Total

Additional costs.

Our guests drove their hire car to Horton Plains so their additional costs would be their daily car hire and petrol.

Many of our guests do not drive their own car and we normally arrange a van or car to get them to Horton Plains National Park.

Previously we arranged a van to take our guests to Horton Plains from GlenMyu Estate and the hire cost in January 2024 was LKR17,000 plus tip.

Fuel prices in Sri Lanka do change on regular basis.
Therefore there may be an increase or decrease in price when you enquire about transport to Horton Plains.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate to explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country

A stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country and see sights like Horton Plains National Park 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.

Horton Plains Entry Fee in January 2024 Read More »

Trekking Adventures in Breathtaking Landscapes

Hiking in Sri Lanka, Holiday, Lipton's Seat, Haputale, Sri Lanka, Mini Adam's Peak, The Pekoe Trail, Things to do on holiday in Sri Lanka, Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Koslanda / By Mikeez

Trekking Adventures In Breathtaking Landscapes.

Trekking Adventures In Breathtaking Landscapes in the Sri Lanka.

Discover the walking trails in the Sri Lankan Hill Country.

Trekking in the breathtaking landscapes of the Sri Lankan Hill country is an unforgettable experience.

You will feel great after completing your walk through tea gardens, enjoying stunning landscapes and meeting local people on the way.

And when you leave this part of the island you can always recover at the beach.

5 Treks, hikes and walks in the Sri Lankan Hill Country.

Here are 5 treks, hikes and walks that our guests love to do when they stay at GlenMyu Estate.

There are walks for all abilities from difficult to leisurely.

1. The new kid on the block - The Pekoe Trail

The Pekoe Trail is the newest walking trail in Sri Lanka and was opened in 2023.

The trail consists of 22 stages over 300 km with the route starting in Kandy and going through Hatton, Nuwara Eliya, Haputale and Ella.

Hiking between 9km and 22 km sets a challenge for some walkers. It is worth looking at the difficulty of the hike before deciding on what stage to tackle.

Some of the trails are a work in progress however they have all been hiked since they were opened. Our guests hired a guide to trek part of stage 12 between Haputale and Idalgashinna.

Stages 11-14 of the Pekoe Trail are within reach of GlenMyu Estate.

2. Favourites at GlenMyu Estate - Upper Diyaluma Waterfall

Upper Diyaluma Waterfall is a superb experience to visit when you stay at GlenMyu Estate.

It’s only a short hike but it can be a little challenging if you are not fit enough.

The beauty of this hike to the top of Sri Lanka’s second tallest waterfall are the stunning pools.

It’s becoming a favourite Instagram spot when you travel around this paradise island.

Swimming in the cool pools looking out over the stunning landscape is a special experience.

The entry fee to Upper Diyaluma is quite cheap, so it makes it a budget experience you can have on your holiday.

At GlenMyu Estate, we normally send our guests off with a guide who knows that best route around Upper Diyaluma.

As we are located just 40 minutes from the waterfall, you can beat the tourists from Ella.

Therefore, you are likely to be one of the few people enjoying the pools before the crowds arrive.

3. In equal place - Horton Plains National Park

Horton Plains National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site.

The 3,169 hectares plains at an elevation of 2,100 meters above sea level is home to a unique environment.

There is an 11 kilometre circular trekking route which passes the spectacular viewpoints of Mini World’s End and World’s End.

You will also see the beautiful Baker’s Falls.

Marvel at the unique flora and fauna that you will see as you walk one of our favourite trails.

The entrance fee to Horton Plains National Park makes it one of the more expensive places to visit when you are on holiday in Sri Lanka.

However, we still think that it is good value for what you experience.

4. Honorable mention - Lipton's Seat, Haputale

Visiting the viewpoint where Tea Baron, Sir Thomas Lipton, surveyed his vast tea empire is another great experience.

If you visit the viewing point at sunrise it can be a magical time. Have a look at the photos that our Australian guests Matt and Millie were able to capture. They are amazing.

You can go later in the day however, you may not get a great view as the clouds may have come in.

Trekking down from the viewpoint and seeing the ladies plucking the tea is another great sight.

5. A gentle stroll - Adisham Bungalow/St Benedict's Monastery

For a less strenuous walk an outing to Adisham Bungalow fits the bill. The estate, which hosts St Benedict’s Monastery, is just a short distance outside Haputale town.

Another budget experience, as the entrance fee is minimal, you can walk through and admire the manicured gardens. There are lots of inspirational and amusing signs to keep your interest.

Three rooms are available to view in Adisham Hall where there are some artefacts to see.

By visiting and purchasing the gift shop that sells cordials and jams made at Adisham, you will be supporting this institution.

Trekking, hikes and walks in the Sri Lankan Hill Country - Summary

The Pekoe Trail – pick one of the 22 stages to tackle.
Upper Diyaluma Waterfall – enjoy swimming in the natural pools.
Horton Plains National Park – take the 11 kilometre walk past World’s End, Mini World’s End and Baker’s Falls.
Lipton’s Seat – sit and admire the views over the Tea Gardens of the Scottish Tea Baron’s empire.
Adisham Bungalow – stroll through the beautiful gardens and visit the historic rooms in the hall.

Ella town is just over one hours drive from GlenMyu Estate and you can also trek up Ella Rock or Mini Adams Peak.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate and trek, hike or walk in the Sri Lankan Hill Country.

A stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country and see sights like Horton Plains National Park, Upper Diyalima Waterfall, Lipton’s Seat and Adisham Hall. Trek stages of the all new Pekoe Trail.

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.

Trekking Adventures in Breathtaking Landscapes Read More »

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

Holiday, Sri Lanka, Things to do on holiday in Sri Lanka, Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Koslanda, Waterfalls / By Mikeez

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 »

Things I am Looking Forward to in 2024.

Hiking in Sri Lanka, Holiday, Life in Sri Lanka, Lipton's Seat, Haputale, Sri Lanka, Music, Photography, Sri Lanka, The Pekoe Trail, Things to do on holiday in Sri Lanka, Travel / By Mikeez

Things I am looking forward to in 2024

Things I am looking forward to in 2024.

A year of exploration, meeting new people, learning and getting more balance in my life.

Time to reset and look to the future.

Did you set a New Year’s resolution?

I set my early so that I didn’t have to wait until January the 1st.

However, the beginning of the year is a good time to spend some time thinking and planning what I want from 2024.

Sri Lanka in 2024 - it's going to be a busy year at GlenMyu Estate.

Our to the number of tourists expected to visit Sri Lanka in 2024, we are expecting a busy year. The government’s plans are to substantially increase tourism

We only have three bedrooms at GlenMyu Estate so there is limited capacity.

We can already see that we have a lack of availability in early 2024. This is the main tourist season in Sri Lanka and the number of enquiries reflect this.

Tourist numbers reached 200,000 in December 2023. The curve in visitor arrivals is going upwards.

It’s important for a country that needs foreign income after some difficult years.

It's not about money.

As we expect to be busy it’s important to take some time to reflect on what we achieved in 2023. And what we can improve on in 2024.

But, it’s as important that we look at what we want to achieve personally for ourselves in 2024. It’s not about the money, it’s about our health, wellbeing and achieving a balance in our lives.

We love meeting new people and having visitors, but we will need to take some time our for ourselves. This will mean some time away from the estate.

Our visitors have been to places that we have not been.

Since arriving in Sri Lanka in 2016 and being busy with the construction and development of GlenMyu Estate, we have had little time to enjoy this paradise island ourselves.

So many of our guests arrive in the Sri Lankan Hill country and are able to tell us about places that we haven’t visited ourselves.

Originally, when my then Sri Lankan girlfriend and I started dating we did travel around Sri Lanka on annual trips to visit her family. We started coming during the civil war and there were parts of the country that we were unable to visit.

Since the end of the civil war in May 2009, visiting the North and East of the country has opened up.

Friends from the UK who were visiting Sri Lanka for a wedding that travelled to Jaffna. They loved it there and said that we must explore the region before it gets spoilt.

Exploring Sri Lanka.

One of the things we aim to do in 2024 is to explore Sri Lanka.

We will need some time out for ourselves and will travel during the quieter times of the year.
By visiting more if the island we will be able to pass over our experiences and recommendations to our guests at GlenMyu Estate.

Learning to relax and meditate from our guests.

It’s amazing what each new guests brings to our lives at GlenMyu Estate.

Neither my wife or I were in the hospitality business and we were a little nervous when we started. However, it did not take us long to love hosting new people and learning more about their lives. We love it!

Each new visitor brings a new story and experience to GlenMyu Estate and they add colour to our lives.

I like to do some research on where our guest live, but I learn so much more from our conversations with them. There are places that I have not been, however, I feel that I have a good insight when I meet our guests.

Appreciating the environment and being closer to nature.

One of the main things that we see in our guests demeanour at GlenMyu Estate is how quickly they manage to relax.

The stresses of work and everyday life appear to be lifted in the hill country.

Guests are able to rest and get a good nights sleep.
The temperature at GlenMyu Estate is typically between 22 and 26 degrees Celsius during the day and the humidity levels are not that at the coast.

We often see the sense of relief and relaxation as guests emerge from the vehicle that has brought them here.
The shades of green from the trees and the plants that greet you appear to provide a sense of calm and belonging.

Meditating at the waterfall - or watching the ducks!

One of our first guests at GlenMyu Estate asked me whether I meditated. He was a little surprised that I didn’t.
Living in Sri Lanka and with Buddhism being the dominant philosophy, one may expect that I would meditate.

Our German guest and his wife climbed down to the waterfall here. His wife stayed for a while.

However, he stayed for around three hours meditating, surrounded by nature and with the sound of water in the background.

I am often inspired by guests, and although I have not learnt to meditate, I have found my own substitute.

We have around twenty ducks at the estate. I enjoy passing some times watching them go about their business.
Whether foraging in the undergrowth or bathing in the streams, this is my version of meditation.

Working on me, working on us.

My early New Year’s resolution was to swim every day and improve my level of fitness. It’s going well and it is starting to become a daily habit.

Before we moved to Sri Lanka, my wife and I didn’t spend much time together due to long working days and the amount of foreign travel my wife had to do.

At GlenMyu Estate we are together twenty four hours of the day. We both have our own designated work to do so we do spend a fair time apart, albeit only a distance of fifty to one hundred metres.

Being busy with the bed and breakfast, we do know that we need to spend more time together.

There will be some downtime during the year, despite the expected tourist numbers, and we will be able to spend some time alone.

We are looking forward to meeting you!

As mentioned, we love meeting new people and seeing their experience of GlenMyu Estate.

Hopefully we will meet you soon.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate to explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country

A stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country and see sights like Horton Plains National Park 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.