Haputale

Haputale is a stunning mountainous town hidden in the hills. Situated at the far southern end of the hill country, it is usually a stopping point when visiting Horton Plains. The lush hue of tea bushes spread across the verdant landscape is its highlight, and the town is predominantly Tamil due to the large numbers of tea estate workers. Haputale to Nuwara Eliya, the highland’s principal city, is only an hour’s drive away and has a scenic railway journey too. Its location on a narrow mountain ridge provides sweeping views across the region, sometimes reaching as far as the southern coast of the island. Haputale weather is a refreshing and invigorating respite from the hot lowland.

Top Attractions

Haputale Lipton’s Seat

It is Sri Lanka’s most impressive viewpoint and is named after Thomas Lipton, the pioneer of Ceylon Tea. On a clear day, it overlooks seven different provinces.

Adisham Monastery

This exquisite Benedictine monastery once belonged to tea planter Sir Thomas Lester Villiers. It is one of only 18 Sylvestrine monasteries in the world.

Dambatenna Tea Factory

Built by Sir Thomas Lipton in 1890, this legendary factory allows you to watch fermentation, rolling, drying, cutting, sieving, and grading of tea.

Thangamale

It is a bird sanctuary and highland forest with a ridge-top walking trail. The sanctuary part of Glennanore Tea Estate is 131 hectares with rock cliffs.

Dhowa Rock Temple

This 2000-year old heritage Buddhist temple situated in an ancient village is famous for its unfinished Buddha rock carving and Kandyan era paintings.

Pattipola

It is the highest railway station and tunnel in Sri Lanka, standing at 6225ft above sea level. The train ride from Haputale to Ella is a breathtaking one.