Do you also want to view the magnificent sunrise from a hilltop with a perfect view? Then look no further! Visit the Single Tree Hill Nuwara Eliya which offers you the best sight of sunrise. Add this to your bucket list and visit with your family and friends or on a solo trip. At a height of 6890 ft. above sea level, you get a spectacular view of the entire city of Nuwara Eliya. Furthermore, there’s an added adventure of climbing the entire hill, trekking through plantations, and gaining the serene experience of tranquillity in the early morning. Escape the fast-paced life of technology and dive deep into nature.
About The Single Tree Hill In Nuwara Eliya
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With beautiful tea plantations all around, this 4 km hike will be worth the entire duration of 2 and a half hours when you view the majestic sunrise all by yourself and experience the peace during the morning hours. As the name ‘single tree’ suggests, when you reach the peak of this hill, you will find a single tree to welcome you. It is one of the top 10 mountains of Sri Lanka and precisely falls on the seventh rank. On your way to the top, you might encounter a beautiful Buddhist temple where you can rest and look around in for a while. The temple is also as peaceful as the entire trek and one can confirm this fact by spending a few minutes of silence and meditation here.
We suggest that the best time to reach the top of this hill would be 5:30 to around 7 a.m. On a very clear day, you can easily view the entire urban city of Nuwara Eliya along with other attractions like Pedro Mountain, Lover’s Leap Fall, and Seven Virgin Hills.
Must Read: Places To Visit In Nuwara Eliya
About The Town
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The magnificent town of Nuwara Eliya, an administrative capital and one of the country’s leading tea producers, is extremely important in Sri Lanka. Its name translates to “City of Light” which effortlessly conveys beauty through its name itself. Its temperate climate and magnificent beauty attracted British civil servants during colonial rule. Soon, Nuwara Eliya began to be called Little England in Sri Lanka (earlier known as Ceylon). For many years, this place has served as a retreat zone for many, and surprisingly, it is still the main attraction in Sri Lanka.
Certain charms of the Colonial period have been left behind, making them magnificent tourist destinations today. The Queen’s Cottage, General’s House, Grand Hotel, and the Town Post Office are some buildings that still retain British features.
How To Get To The Single Tree Hill?
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To reach Nuwara Eliya, you can avail of the various modes of transport available. The most common and preferred ones are Buses and Cars. Once you reach Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka, you can hire a private taxi or take a bus to Nuwara Eliya, approximately 175 kilometres away from here. Several intercity buses are found here, usually from Colombo to Hatton and Kandy. These buses will lead you to Nuwara Eliya. For a faster commute, trains are a better option. However, Nuwara Eliya does not have a railway station inside the city. The nearest railway station is located 8 km away in Nanu Oya. Usually, it takes 7 hours if you travel from Colombo to Nanu Oya. The closest airport to Nuwara Eliya is the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. Therefore, you must reach Nuwara Eliya either by road or train.
Suggested Read: Lankarama In Sri Lanka
Other Places Around Nuwara Eliya
Depending on the planned trip, you can stay in Nuwara Eliya for more than a day and visit other attractions. Here is a suggestion of places you could add to your travel itinerary.
1. Horton Plains
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Lying in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, the Horton Plains National Park is a rich biodiversity hotspot and a popular tourist destination. After Sir Robert Wilmot-Horton, the original name was changed from Maha Eliya Thenna to Horton National Park in the British Period. According to the myths and legends, this is the exact place that was set on fire by Lord Hanuman in the classic Ramayana epic. With a rich diversity of flora and fauna, experience the tropic wonders of Sri Lanka with your family and friends in this magnificent National Park.
2. Tea Plantations
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Mainly known for tea plantations and tea factories, you can get a chance to view the entire process in real life. The most famous tea plantation here is Pedro Plantation; you can get a chance to visit the factory and take a tour of the journey of tea leaves from seeds to leaves to actual tea. After the tour, you can enjoy a great cup of tea prepared from the original and unadulterated tea leaves.
Suggested Read: Temples In Anuradhapura
3. Lover’s Leap Waterfall
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One more attraction in Nuwara Eliya is the Lover’s Leap waterfall. This is an attractive nature creation that will draw your attention. According to folklore, the waterfall was named Lover’s Leap after an American woman, who was extremely heartbroken by her lover not returning from a hunting expedition, leapt off the cliff and made the story of her love eternal. You can reach the Lover’s Leap waterfall by crossing through Pedro Tea Estate.
4. Seeta Amman Temple
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Seetha Amman Temple, also known as the Ashok Vatika Sita Temple has a mythological significance from the great epic of Ramayana. It is believed that under the Ashoka trees around here, Goddess Sita used to meditate and rest when she was captivated by King Ravana. This temple is now maintained by Indian Tamils who initially arrived as a labour of the British.
Further Read: Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya
Planning to enjoy the perfect sunrise with the perfect view? Single Tree Hill in Nuwara Eliya may be the perfect place for you. At a staggering height of 6890 ft, this mesmerising tourist destination is a must-visit. Now that you have a list of things to keep in mind for your next vacation to Sri Lanka, make sure you plan your trip to Nuwara Eliya to these fabulous spots for the experience of a lifetime. Don’t miss out on these opportunities and book your tickets now!
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Cover Image Credit: Dulmini Balasooriya for Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Single Tree Hill Nuwara Eliya
What is the best time to visit the Single Tree Hill in Nuwara Eliya?
it is recommended that you avoid rainy days when visiting Single Tree Hill because the sight won’t be very clear. Therefore, you can plan your trip either between December and April or July and August.
How much time can I spend on top of the hill?
you can spend approximately 45 minutes to 2 hours on the top. The overall trek is somewhat around 1 to 2 hours. If you plan something else during the other half of the day, you would have to plan accordingly.
What is Single Tree Hill famous for?
The Single Tree Hill is famous for the mesmerizing view of the entire city of Nuwara Eliya that you can get after a magnificent trek through one of the world’s greatest tea plantations. If you are a nature enthusiast or a fitness freak, this is your ultimate destination.
How long is the walk to Single Tree Hill?
The trek from Main City Nuwara Eliya to the top is approximately 2100 metres which could take about 1 to 2 hours.
Is there an entry fee to trek on Single Tree Hill?
No, there is no particular entry fee to visit or trek on the Single Tree Hill in Nuwara Eliya.
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With a passion for exploring and travelling to the roads long forgotten, experience the world through enthralling stories and adventures. Join me as I share my experiences at some of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and quench that pestering curiosity with something exciting!
