Haputale is a small town on the southern edge of the Sri Lankan hill country. On a clear day
you can see the coastline from the mountain ridge, but on other days thick mist clings on to
the deep green mountains, giving you a surreal experience of being surrounded by clouds.
Explore the stunning surroundings of Haputale during your travels and discover its myriad
of attractions!

• Lipton’s Seat

A Colonial Legacy

Lipton’s Seat is perhaps the most popular attraction in Haputale. Situated an hour away
from Haputale town, Lipton’s Seat is a viewpoint named after the celebrated Thomas
Lipton. He was a Scottish businessman who moved to British Ceylon in 1890, where he met
James Taylor and together they introduced tea gardens to the country. Prior to Lipton’s
arrival, Taylor had attempted to grow coffee on the island, however, the coffee plantations
were devastated by a leaf-blight. With Lipton’s help, the two men embarked on a business
venture which would outlive their lifetimes.
A Viewing Point Like No Other

Lipton’s Seat is a popular vantage point, from where Thomas Lipton would sit with a cup of
tea in hand and proudly look over his estate. Today, you can still have one of the best views
from the lookout, and there is even a life-sized statue of Lipton on a bench to take pictures
with! It is recommended that you go early in the morning to avoid the crowds and the latemorning fog. From here you will see one of the most breathtaking views, as the sun rises,
the hills turn from a dark blue to vibrant green, the sky transforms into a kaleidoscope of
colour from lilac with a burst of pink and orange before finally turning blue… to say this
view is beautiful almost seems like an understatement. By noon though, the views get
washed over by a blanket of mist, so plan your visit accordingly. This is definitely a mustvisit which will be enjoyed by anyone.

• Diyaluma Waterfall

Diyaluma Waterfall is the country’s second tallest waterfall and one of the most accessible.
Like many places in Sri Lanka, Diyaluma Waterfall is yet another location that is entrenched
in folklore.

Interesting Lore

Diyaluma roughly translated to ‘rapid flow of water’ or ‘liquid light’, despite these fairly
tranquil names, the story behind the cascade is quite tragic. It is said that once a long time
ago, a chief’s son was banished and he was supposed to flee the village with his betrothed.
To leave the village before being attacked, they had to scale a cliff face, however, the girl
slipped and fell to her death. The gods took pity on the young girl, and almost immediately
a gush of water rushed over the cliff to wash off any evidence of the tragedy. Even though
the story behind this waterfall’s name is quite morbid, the view from the top makes you
instantly forget about the story.

Why You Should Visit

To get to the fall there are three routes, but the most popular is the Uda Diyaluma trail. The
trail is quite easy since the ascent isn’t too steep, making it a family-friendly activity to
partake in. At times, the trek can seem quite surreal; it’s needless to say that you will pass
some beautiful landscapes, but at one point you will go through endless fields of
lemongrass where you will be encompassed in a cloud of citrusy freshness. The climb will
take about an hour, but once you get to the top you will be greeted to a stunning view of the
rolling hills and the town below. Once you’ve reached the summit you can enjoy a dip in the
cool rock pools or even have a picnic on the large rock boulders which are scattered around
the area.

• Adisham Bungalow

The Adisham Bungalow was once the country house of Sir Thomas Lester Villiers, but today
it houses the Adisham Monastery of the St. Benedict. Found just 3km away from Haputale
town, the Adisham Bungalow is one of the most picturesque corners in the region.

The Legacy of a Colonial Planter

Constructed in 1931, the house was designed in the Tudor style and fashioned after the
Leeds Castle in Kent- Sir Thomas Villiers even named it after the village he was born in and
has all the trappings of what you would imagine an English mansion would have. The
Bungalow has an impressive library which is filled from floor to ceiling with old dusty
volumes that the planter held dear. Access to the whole house is limited and visitors are
only allowed to see the library and living room, but there is an adjoining guest house where
people are more than welcomed to stay.

Surrounded by Greenery

Sir Thomas Villiers spared no expense when it came to his home, but what’s even more
splendid than the actual house is its surroundings. Adisham Bungalow is perched on the
edge of a cliff which is flanked by a larger outcrop fringed with tall pine trees, which
somehow dwarf the house. The country home also has a wonderful view of the Uva valley,
as well as a beautiful garden and orchard that you can stroll through.

The Kiosk

Forming part of the main building, pop into the little kiosk selling a variety of fresh items
from homemade jams to pickles and coffee liqueurs. Whether you’re taking an edible
souvenir back home or need a refreshing juice, the kiosk makes organic, local products that
taste great!

• Dambatenne Tea Factory

The Dambatenne Tea Factory was built by Thomas Lipton in 1890 when he began his tea
empire, and this is the factory that manufactures his famous Lipton Ceylonta black tea.
Lipton made the tea industry what it is today; with workers harvesting the tea, he sold his
tea all around the world, quickly making Lipton a household name.

How to Reach the Factory

From Lipton’s Seat, Dambatenne Tea Factory is just a short way off, and you can either get
there by tuk-tuk or by following a trail through the tea plantation. If you are travelling with
young children, maybe opt for the latter option as it gives your kids the chance to run
through a gorgeous green tea plantation.

An Insightful Tour

There is a tour of the factory that runs every 30-minutes and it is a really interesting
activity to do, especially if you’re ‘tea-enthusiast’. At the factory, you will be given a tour of
the factory grounds where you will be able to see the whole manufacturing process- from
the collection of the tea leaves to the oxidation process, and finally the packaging- of Ceylon
black tea. At the end of the tour, you will also be able to sample some of the worldrenowned Ceylon tea and be given the opportunity to buy a few souvenirs from here.

• Idalgashinna Railway Station

Located between Haputale and Ohiya railway stations, Idalgashinna Railway Station is
often deemed as the most picturesque railway station in Sri Lanka. The station is from the
colonial era and was constructed in 1893 when the railway track was extended from Nanu
Oya to Haputale. The station is also famous for having 14 tunnels between Ohiya and
Idalgashinna, holding the record for the highest number of tunnels between two railway
stations in Sri Lanka.

Amazing Views to Behold

Idalgashinna Station is a tiny station which looks even smaller by the pine-forest covered
hill towering behind it. There is only one platform for the whole station, and as soon as you
get off the train all you can see are endless green hills with a few scattered buildings which
peak through the greenery. The best time to visit the station is in the morning, especially
for sunrise, because in the later afternoon/evenings the station is enveloped in a thick
cloud of mist. However, despite the restricted view, it is magical watching the mist roll in
and cover everything in a blanket of white.

A Unique Walking Trail

There is also a very scenic walking trail from the Idalgashinna Station to the Ohiya Station.
The trail is 8km long, so it’s about a three-hour walk. The trail runs along the railway track;
for most of the journey the rail line hugs the edge of the cliffs it passes, and this is where
you get some breathtaking views of the forest-covered hills. The trail also takes you
through deep valleys and all 14 tunnels between the two stations which have a rather
ominous feel to it when you stand on the edge looking into a tunnel of darkness… Needless
to say, this is wonderful and definitely a must when in Haputale.

• The Devil’s Aircase

Across the world there have been several man-made and natural structures which have
been given the name ‘The Devil’s Staircase’, and among them, Sri Lanka has one of the most
dangerous. The 14km trail has a steep ascent with many sharp zigzag turns, and it’s
recommended that only more experienced hikers should embark on this trail as it is quite
challenging. Alternatively, you could also go with a 4 wheel drive vehicle, but you would
miss out on the beautiful scenery.

Why You Should Visit

You could either start your journey in Ohiya and end in Kalupahana or vice versa, the only
difference would be if hiking uphill or downhill. The highlight on the trail is the
Bambarakanda Falls, the cascade is a kilometre before Kalupahana and you could end your
journey here instead. Bambarakanda Falls is the country’s tallest waterfall with a height of
863ft! The Devil’s Staircase passes the tributary that creates the waterfall, which looks
especially beautiful when the first rays of sunlight reflect off the cascade. Even though you
may not be able to swim beneath the waterfall, it is quite lovely to sit here for a moment
and enjoy Bambarakanda Falls as well as the surrounding pine forest.

The Last of the Tropical Forests

Although this hike is probably one of the most challenging it is undoubtedly one of the most
rewarding. Until the turn of the 19th century, the whole island was almost entirely covered
by tropical forest, but they were cleared to cultivate coffee and tea. Today, the Devil’s
Staircase is one of the last remaining areas on the island which still have these primaeval
forests and should not be missed.

• Thangamale Bird Sanctuary

One of the country’s lesser-known wildlife sanctuaries, Thangamale Bird Sanctuary is a
wonderful attraction to visit with kids. The sanctuary takes up most of the Thangamale
Mountain which is adorned with evergreen cloud forests. Thangamale is home to many
species of endemic and migratory birds, such as the Yellow-eared Bulbul, Sri Lankan
Parrot, and the Sri Lankan Jungle Fowl. As you stroll around the sanctuary, enjoy the
surrounding scenery where you can catch glimpses of other mountain ranges, including
Pidurangala, Sri Lanka’s tallest mountain.
Tip – Some parts of the trail might require you to be a bit more cautious, as nature tries to
take back control.
When to visit – The months from June to September are ideal for bird watching. Prepare to
trek in the early mornings!

• Horton Plains National Park

Horton Plains National Park is one of the only national parks in the highlands. The park has
a 9.5km trail that loops around the park. Ideal for kids of all ages, the trek through the
open plains is a fun experience for the whole family. As you trek through the park, you’ll
come across the main highlights – World’s End and Baker’s Falls. Ensure to wear
appropriate footwear as the trail could take approximately 2-3 hours!
Tip – Stay at a property in proximity to the park.
When to visit – Start your trek at 6am (as the park opens). After 10am, a thick blanket of
mist will hinder your views.

• Muthiyangana Raja Maha Vihara

One of the best things about Sri Lanka is its interesting history. Muthiyangana Raja Maha
Vihara is an ancient Buddhist temple about an hour and a half away from Haputale. The
temple’s history dates to the time of the Buddha; where it’s believed that the Buddha
visited on his third time to the island along with 500 Arahants. It is on this site that one of
Sri Lanka’s king built a temple whose stupa enshrines a hair relic and Mukathaka Dathu
(sweat droplets which have turned into pearls) from the Buddha.
Tip – Remember to cover your shoulders and knees before entering the sacred temple.

• Dambatenne Tea Factory

Love tea? Head to this tea factory to learn how Ceylon’s finest is plucked before its
processed and packaged. Dambatenne Tea Factory was built by Sir Thomas Lipton, one of
the founding fathers of Ceylon Tea. This Scottish businessman lived in Ceylon and
introduced tea gardens to the island with James Taylor in the 1860’s.
The Dambatenne Tea Factory was built in 1890 by Lipton himself where it produced the
first batch of the world-renowned Lipton Ceylon Tea. Over 100 years later and the factory
is still in mint, operating condition. Embark on a tea factory tour with your pals and take a
walk back in time too. You’ll learn about the intricate process of manufacturing a cup of
Ceylon’s tea too.
Tip – Head to the tea shop at the end of the tour where you can buy your favourite box to
take back with you.