Other activities in The Hill Country
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Sri Lanka Trekking
Based at Expeditor guest house, Sumone Bandara and Ravi Kandy at Sri Lanka Trekkingcan arrange trekking around Kandy and camping and trekking expeditions to the rugged Knuckles Range. Sumone and Ravi can also arrange mountain biking and rafting trips in other parts of the Hill Country.
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Dambatenne Tea Factory
A few tea factories in this area are happy to have visitors. The most popular, Dambatenne, was built by Sir Thomas Lipton in 1890, one of the most famous figures in tea history. A tour through the works is an education on the processes involved in the fermentation, rolling, drying, cutting, sieving and grading of tea.
Although it’s 11km from Haputale, the popular factory is easily accessible. A bus for the estate workers goes from the bus station for Bandarawela to the factory and back again about every 25 minutes (Rs 15). A three-wheeler there and back costs about Rs 500.
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Ratna Gem Halt
Ratna Gem Halt offers a five-day basic gemology course that teaches students skills, including how to cut and polish gemstones. Excursions to the gem mines and markets are included.
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Queens Hotel
This central hotel conceals a quiet pool behind its stately facade. The pool is open to nonguests and charges around Rs 300 per person.
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Millennium Elephant Foundation
Two kilometres from Pennewala, on the Karandupona–Kandy road, the Millennium Elephant Foundationhas 11 elephants rescued from situations as diverse as aggressive mahouts and retirement from working in temples. Volunteers are welcome at the Foundation – get ready to bathe the elephants in the river – and the facility also supports a mobile veterinary service. Volunteers are expected to stay at least three months (US$2525), but one-month assignments (US$1100) are also considered. Costs include all accommodation and food.
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Sri Jemieson International Meditation Centre
Near Ampitiya, 4km southeast of Kandy, the Sri Jemieson International Meditation Centre runs free five- and 10-day courses. Phone to find out when the next course starts. There are eight rooms for male students only; this is a monastery and temple. Women must stay off-campus but are welcome to meditate here during the day from 8am to 4.30pm. Catch a Talatu Oya bus from Kandy’s clock tower bus stop. Look for the sign on the right-hand side about 3km along the Ampitiya–Talatu Oya road. It’s a 1.2km walk to the centre.
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Suwamadura
Spotless facility with trained staff offering a full range of treatment options, including massage, steam baths, herbal saunas, and the warm, soothing bliss of shiro dhara. The herbal sauna uses 50 different herbs, a few more than KFC’s Colonel Sanders, and probably a whole lot better for you. Treat yourself after a long day’s walking.
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Single Tree Hill
A good place for walking is up Single Tree Hill (2100m), which takes about 90 minutes. Walk south on Queen Elizabeth Rd, go up Haddon Hill Rd as far as the communications tower and then take the left-hand path. Guest houses can supply you with a rudimentary map.
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Hill Club
There are four clay tennis courts at the Hill Club. The fee includes balls and racquet hire. Try not to lob a ball into the Sri Lankan President’s residence next door.
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Hotel Topaz
The friendly Hotel Topaz is one of the few hotels that opens its pool to nonguests. Charges are around Rs 300 per person. A three-wheeler from town costs Rs 200.
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Hotel Suisse
One of the few hotels that opens its pool to nonguests. Charges around Rs 300 per person. South of Kandy lake, Hotel Suisse has a pretty pool and garden.
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Hotel Suisse
One of the few hotels that opens its pool to nonguests. Charges around Rs 300 per person. South of Kandy lake, Hotel Suisse has a pretty pool and garden.
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Dalada Vidiya
This central hotel conceals a quiet pool behind its stately facade. The pool is open to nonguests and charges around Rs 300 per person.
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Pattipola
Hike along the train lines from Haputale to Pattipola (14km, an all-day hike), the highest train station in Sri Lanka.
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Pompakelle Forest Park
The lush Pompakelle Forest Park, behind Ratnapura Rest House, is laced with walking trails through this lush forest.
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