Horton plains were declared as a national park in 1988 and has been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 2010. The plateau above 6000 Feet above sea level has so much Bio- diversity and is home for many endemic species of Birds to Sri Lanka and the most popular being the SriLankan white eye.
The Horned lizard, or black-lipped lizard, the Purple faced Monkey and the Sambur Deer are often spotted here.
The undulating foot path through the cloud forests and River beds take you to the World`s End which is the Highlight of the Park. On a clear day you get to see the Distance of 100 Miles and drop of 3000 feet.
The Baker’s Waterfall named after the British explorer Sir Samuel Baker, is not tall, but is beautiful with stunning views at different angles. The waterfall is surrounded by a thick forest, tree ferns and montane shrubs.
The best time to visit the Park is from January to March as there is very little rain around. Its best to be at the World`s End early around between 8 and 9 before the Mist settle in for the day.
Set against a backdrop of thick jungle and tea plantations, Ella’s Nine Arch Bridge is one of Sri Lanka’s most stunning sights. It is an amazing sight to see the classic blue Sri Lankan train passing by slowly over the Bridge through the mist. This is an unique experience that will take you back in time..
The history of Nine Arch Bridge
The Nine Arch Bridge has a fascinating history which was built during the British period. The steel and metal that was allocated to build the Bridge had been used by the British Army during the First World War. Granite Rocks and slabs along with Bricks were used as substitutes to move the project forward. The Nine Arches Bridge stretches to nearly 300 feet at a height of over 75 feet. This is regarded as a Railway Wander and seeing the train spiraling up the hills is a great Site. The Nine Arch Bridge has become one of the most visited attractions in the Country. This is a Photographer`s Paradise with so much verity.
If you do not have the time to visit the Ancient cities in Sri Lanka, the Museums in Colombo are the places to go to, as they reveal the rich Sri Lankan History and its Culture. They house important visuals signifying the milestones of our History and provide useful information about the highlights and the turning points. There are some specialized Museums with their own unique collections showcasing a vibrant image of focused subjects.
National Museum of Colombo Sri Lanka
This is the oldest, largest, and the most visited museum in Sri Lanka built in 1877. National Museum in Colombo is housed in a grand colonial building. With more than 4,000 palm leaf manuscripts, ancient royal regalia, jewelry with Gems and ancient artwork, collection of traditional masks and temple frescoes.
Artifacts on Display in National Museum of Colombo
The museum’s main attraction is the crown jewel and throne of the last King of Kandy that was returned to the people of Sri Lanka by the British. Over 750,000 people visited the Museum to see this, when it was first displayed in 1934. You will also find a huge collection of masks and puppets in the museum.
National Museum Library
The extensive National Museum Library has been operational since 1877. However, the library was started seven years earlier in 1870 under the name of Government Oriental Library. This is the country's largest legal depository which has numerous local publications printed in the last 150 years.. The library also houses many palm leaf manuscripts written in various languages years ago on diverse topics such as astrology and folklore.
Natural History Museum
This Museum was established in 1986 housing exhibits of pre-historic cave paintings, Jurassic- period fossils, over 5000 specimens of various mammals, plants, and animals native to Sri Lanka. Among other exhibits, you will also find a collection of different rocks that showcase the country's varied natural history.
