1 Camp at the highest altitude national park in Sri LankaHigh altitude campout near World's End – Horton Plains National Park

Glamp in the misty highlands and live inside Horton Plains National Park, meet the local sambar, and explore nature trails to World’s End.


SLDT/1702/TR07

Why should you book this trip?

  • You will be led by a well-experienced conservationist cum naturalist.
  • Horton Plains National Park is the only national park in Sri Lanka where you can go on guided nature trails and do bush walks. Located 2,300 metres above sea level, Horton Plains is filled with endemic plants and animals, some of which are not only endemic to Sri Lanka but also to this particular region.
  • Referred to as Mahaeliya in the native language, Horton Plains is connected to prehistoric era human settlements dating back to 34,000 BC and to the Ramayanaya, which is a mythical legend rooted in South Asia.
  • The Eco Team High Altitude Tented Camps are the ideal way to enjoy being close to nature in the mountains.
  • This is a unique camping experience in Sri Lanka offered at an altitude of 7000 ft above mean sea level.
  • It is a wonderful experience you cannot get anywhere else in Sri Lanka.
  • The skill of an experienced naturalist/guide who knows the movements of wildlife throughout the park is required at certain times, a facility which Mahoora can easily provide.
  • There will be excellent photo opportunities that cannot be missed out on.

 camp at the highest altitude national park

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Included in the price

  • Tented accommodation
  • Naturalist service for the guided walks at Horton Plains
  • Entrance fees to the Horton Plains National Park
  • All meals from day 1 lunch to day 2 breakfast
  • Bottled water throughout the day
  • All Government taxes & service charges
  • Two half day guided walks at Horton Plains [ 1st day afternoon and 2nd day morning ]

 

 

 

Exclusions

  • Tips to staff
  • Any transfers
  • Anything that is not mentioned above

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Tour in brief (1 night, 2 day)

  • This is real camping in style! Being a high mountain with possible strong wind and rain, where vehicle access is not possible, we offer a basic campsite which is very close to nature, inside Horton Plains National Park.
  • Due to the windy weather conditions prevailing most of the time, it's not possible to erect high/spacious tents while fly sheets are also not possible. Our team will carry everything on their shoulders for about 2km to set this camp for you so it's not possible to offer a luxury camping or “galamping” experience in Horton Plains.
  • You will be welcomed at the Horton Plains park entrance and then taken to the campsite by foot. Though there will be help available, we strongly advise you to pack extremely light. After enjoying your first meal with us, you will be setting out for the 6km Nature Trek in Horton Plains with our naturalist. First, you will visit Baker’s Falls and then arrive at the World’s End cliff covering approximately 3km. To get to Baker’s Falls, you have to deviate from the main trail and go approximately 500m on a very difficult downward path.
  • Take pictures at these locations to take your memories home; most of the day, both small and big “World’s Ends” are covered with mist and clouds. So one must have patience for the clouds to clear up in order to get a glimpse of a steep drop and a tea estate beneath World’s End. The big World’s End has a sheer drop of 3700 feet.
  • You will be back at the camp finishing the rest of the 3km trek to sit out and enjoy a warm cup of coffee with cookies. By evening, the whole area will be illuminated with lanterns which will be a beautiful sight. Since we will be in a highly restricted area, we are not permitted to have a campfire or even an open fire for a BBQ. Both will be done creatively without open flames.
  • We assure you that this experience is a unique, once in a life time experience, provided your expectations are being managed. After refreshments you will have your dinner and go to sleep or do some star gazing provided the sky is clear.
  • On the following day, after breakfast at the campsite you leave for a bird watching trail in the Horton Plains to observe the endemic, resident and migratory birds this beautiful park has to offer and then head back to the campsite before leaving for your next destination.

 

 

 

 

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Important

  • Camp food - 
    The food will be freshly prepared – basic camp meals served. Camping stools will be provided and the basic cutlery and crockery. Since we are in a highly restricted area and open flame cooking is not permitted, we will not have the BBQ meal. However, grilled meat will be provided instead.
  • Beverages -
    Alcoholic beverages are not permitted inside the national park. A limited range of soft drinks will be available at the campsite. However, unlimited tea and coffee will be served in the campsite.
  • Campsites -
    Being a high mountain, the weather conditions in this campsite can be quite harsh and unpredictable at times. You could face extreme weather conditions such as strong winds, heavy rain and biting cold in the night. We offer an adventurous, participatory campsite which is very close to nature. Vehicle access is limited and you would need to trek for 2 km to the campsite. Of course our staff would help carry your belongings to the site.
  • Tents -
    The camps provided are unlike any other camping accommodation provided in other parts of the island. These are the camps of the real adventure traveler, designed to withstand the harsh weather conditions. The accommodation will be in a water proof tent with basic facilities. A sleeping bag will be provided in the night and the tents will be covered with fly sheets during the night. Erecting tents against the heavy winds in the national park is an adventure in itself.
  • Toilets and bathrooms -
    Toilet and washing facilities will be provided with squatting pans in permanent structures provided by the Department of Wildlife Conservations. Bathing and washing can be done in the natural pool situated close to the campsite.
  • Things to Bring -
    Lightweight travelling bag/backpack – It’s important that you take only the essentials to the campsite and leave the rest in your vehicle/hotel. Though you will get staff assistance if required, it will be very helpful for you to travel light to the campsite.
  • Smaller backpack - 
    As there will be a lot of trekking to do in the park, you will certainly require a backpack to carry things like water, raincoat, snacks, camera, binoculars, etc. wherever you go. If you want to use one backpack for both requirements, you may require some kind of a bag to leave your things in when you are trekking.
    Please prepare your backpack with the essentials and avoid carrying unnecessary baggage to the campsite.

  • Some of the things you may need to have in the campsite
    • Down jackets. 
    • Warm pullovers.
    • Light cloths.
    • Trekking shoes/boots.
    • Raincoat with hood poncho.
    • Monkey cap and sun hat.
    • Water proof camera bags.
    • Sunglasses/sun burn lotions.
    • Good insect repellent in a no-spill container.
    • High-altitude drugs (if required).
    • Any prescription medication you are taking.
    • Walking sticks (not compulsory).
    • Camel pack (water bag which will go into the backpack – not compulsory).
    • Anything that you would need of a personal nature.




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Horton Plain National Park

Named after a Colonial Governor Horton who had rediscovered the plains during the colonial era, the Horton Plains National Park is around 3,160 hectares in size. It was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and subsequently granted national park status on the 18 of March 1988. Tools dating back to the Balangoda prehistoric man’s culture have been found here which date back to around 34,000 BC. The headwaters of important rivers such as the Mahaweli, Kelani, and Walawe are at Horton Plains.

Streams, swamps, and waterfalls are the important wetland habitats found here. This national park is considered a biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka..

24 species of mammal have been recorded at Horton Plains National Park of which the most commonly seen is the Sambar Deer. There are an estimated 1000-2000 Sambar inside Horton Plains. Toque Macaques, Purple-faced Langurs, Rusty-spotted Cat, Sri Lankan Leopards, Wild boars, Stripe-necked Mongooses, Sri Lankan Spotted Chevrotains, Indian Muntjacs, and Grizzled giant squirrels are some other mammals encountered. Aquatic animals are limited to fishing cats and aquatic animals. The Horton Plains Slender Loris which is a subspecies of the Red Slender Loris formerly is found here as well. The Horton Plains Slender Loris is considered one of the most endangered primates in the world.

750 species of plants belonging to 20 families have been recorded from Horton Plains. Of the 54 woody plant species 27 are endemic to Sri Lanka. Tree trunks and branches are entwined with ferns and orchids. 16 of these orchid species are endemic.

 

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Feedback

I would highly recommend Sri Lanka day tours for the half day safari they arranged in Kaudulla Park. It made our trip in Sri Lanka. The kept excellent communication with me both via email and whatsapp to arrange dates, cost and timings for pick ups. The driver for our safari was very well experienced for getting us safely around the park, and what's more, seemed to chose the best route for the drive starting with Eagles, then lone elephants, to a small family of elephants (the youngest being a 2 week old elephant) to the grand finale of approximately 150 wild elephants grouped together. Phenomenal experience and memory for my first safari. Top marks. 

Simon Bradshaw – UK – AUG 28