Waulpone Rock Cave

   Waulpone, the 'legendary Rock Cave' with the unexpected archaeological evidence of a civilisation, tens of thousand years old, running back to the time of the "Balangoda Man" is again, in the grips of a new menace, the illegal gemming activities.

  The ancient rock-caves with vast stretches of wilderness, set in a panoramic view, is fast losing its tourist - potentials and historical value, with the pleasing prospects of the environment, under the axe of the wood-cutter, the tools of gemmers and the dynamites of the treasure-hunters, according to reports. The stream that flows through the front entrance to the cave with the cool, silvery water providing a pleasant surprise to the way-weary visitors, has lost its charm through the indiscriminate mass gemming operations affecting the immediate environment and the bed of the stream, dug and overturned.

  The 'pencil-columns' of 'stalactite' and 'stalagmite' formed by the age-old lime stones, over the years, an inch of which according to scientific calculations, would take hundred years to grow, are indeed a rare gift of nature peculiar to the cave to be saved from wanton destruction.

  The glistening boulders of marble-rocks lying scattered around the back of the caves, gave it an added value which enhanced both the local and foreign tourist interest in Waulpone. 'Balangoda Man', unearthed, at the 'Batadomba Lena, at Kuruwita, in 1986 by Dr. Shiran Deraniyagala, estimated 30,000 years old, could, indeed, be traced to Waulpone, as well, a possible abode of the 'early settler' who derived his historical apalation from 'Balangoda' (or vice-versa), if excavations were undertaken according to archaeological sources.

Horton Plains National Park

            Horton Plains National Park is a national park in the highlands of Sri Lanka. It lies about 20 kilometres south of Nuwara Eliya and 20 kilometres west of Haputale, 2000 metres above seat level among the second and third tallest mountains in Sri Lanka - Kirigalpotta and Totapola. The average temperature in this area is about 16 C. With high winds in the evening it can be quite chilly. The park covers 31.60 km², and is a mixture of highland forest and wet grassland. This is the only National Park in Sri Lanka where visitors are allowed to walk on their own on the designated tracks.

You can reach Horton plains through Bandarawela or Nuwara Eliya which is about 1 ½ hour drive. It is also possible to take the train up to the Ohiya Station and walk up to the plains which may take about 3-4 hours. But remember this is a uphill climb. There is no accommodation at the plains except two lodges and three camping sites which you must book beforehand.

Horton Plains National Park Map

Sambar is the most common animal in the plains but wild boars and leopards too can be found in this area.

Once you reach Horton plains you can visit the worlds end which is a 4000 feet straight vertical drop. This is of course a 4 kilometre walk from the car park on a beautiful path. This drop can be covered with mist most of the time the and the best time to be up at the worlds end is towards the afternoon. On the way you can also see the bakers falls which is about 2.5 kilometres from the entrance .