{"id":7858,"date":"2013-02-11T17:05:16","date_gmt":"2013-02-11T09:05:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/day.lat\/lon\/?p=7858"},"modified":"2026-10-04T20:54:34","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T12:54:34","slug":"central-highlands-to-coastal-yala-national-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/day.lat\/lon\/2013\/02\/11\/central-highlands-to-coastal-yala-national-park\/","title":{"rendered":"From the Central Highlands down to Yala National Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

I spent the night in Nuwara Eliya, nestled in the mountains near Sri Lanka’s highest peak, Pidurutalagala (Mount Pedro), at 2,524 m. It’s a beautiful old town where the British used to send people during the hottest months to cool off. The town, often called \u201cLittle England\u201d, is still full of big, luxurious British government homes, a big golf course, and a horse racing track. Today many of the big homes are either hotels or occupied by the very wealthy. <\/p>\n

\"Morning
Morning tea at Norwood Bungalow, Ceylon Tea Trails, Sri Lanka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It is downright cold at night, and I had to bundle up in thermals to sleep – which always seems a bit weird in the tropics. The area is surrounded by market gardens, tea plantations, and spectacular views. <\/p>\n

\"Farm
Farm workers tending terraced vegetable plots in Sri Lanka\u2019s Central Highlands<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Farm
Farm Workers Transplanting Leek Seedlings, Central Highlands, Sri Lanka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The drive down was really spectacular first thing in the morning, with amazing views off the highlands through the dreamy morning mist and down into valleys of terraced market gardens and tea plantations. At least, I thought so. My driver could not understand why I kept asking him to pull over so I could take these pictures. He eventually relented.<\/p>\n

\"Tea-covered
Tea-covered hills and misty valleys of Sri Lanka\u2019s Central Highlands<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Tea-covered
Tea-covered hills and misty valleys of Sri Lanka\u2019s Central Highlands<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Tea-covered
Tea-covered hills and misty valleys of Sri Lanka\u2019s Central Highlands<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From there, my driver and I descended back to hot, humid sea level, stopping at a few more temples along the way before eventually arriving at the world-famous Yala National Park. <\/p>\n

\"Hindu
Hindu temple (kovil), southern Sri Lanka, en route to Yala National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Ancient
Ancient Mahayana Buddhist rock carvings, Buduruwagala, Sri Lanka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Ancient
Ancient Mahayana Buddhist rock carvings, Buduruwagala, Sri Lanka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Ancient
Ancient Mahayana Buddhist rock carvings, Buduruwagala, Sri Lanka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Drive from the Central Highlands to Yala National Park<\/strong>
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Map of the route \u201cFrom the Central Highlands down to Yala National Park\u201d: 138,115 m, 615 m of climbing and 2,374 m of descent, elevation between 82 m and 1,860 m, time 05:21:05. It starts at 6.96097, 80.76807 and ends at 6.28501, 81.29249 (latitude, longitude).<\/p>