This beautiful Benedictine monastery once belonged to tea planter Sir Thomas Lester Villiers. To recreate his English lifestyle, he developed some English…
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Haputale
Perched at the southern edge of the Hill Country, the largely Tamil town of Haputale clings to a long, narrow mountain ridge with the land falling away steeply on both sides. On a clear day you can view the south coast from this ridge, and at night the Hambantota lighthouse pulses in the distance. On a not-so-clear day, great swaths of mist cling magnetically to the hillsides. Either way, it’s a spectacular part of the country.
The scruffy town center is a dusty ribbon of traffic, three-wheelers and small-scale commerce. But take a short walk and you’ll be rewarded with extraordinary views. The railway hugs one side of the ridge in a minor victory for 19th-century engineering.
Haputale is a useful base for trips to Horton Plains; guesthouses arrange vans for Rs 4500 per person.
Explore Haputale
- Adisham Monastery
This beautiful Benedictine monastery once belonged to tea planter Sir Thomas Lester Villiers. To recreate his English lifestyle, he developed some English…
- Dambatenne Tea Factory
This popular tea factory was built in 1890 by Sir Thomas Lipton, one of the most famous figures in tea history. The tour through the works is an education…
- LLipton’s Seat
The Lipton’s Seat lookout is one of Sri Lanka's most impressive viewpoints (unless it's misty and cloudy of course, which is why early morning is the best…
- TThangamale
This woodland west of town is called a bird sanctuary, but it's more of a highland forest with a pleasant ridge-top walking trail. You can access the…
- MMosque
Towards the eastern end of town.
- HHindu Temple
In the east end of Haputale.
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Haputale.
See
Adisham Monastery
This beautiful Benedictine monastery once belonged to tea planter Sir Thomas Lester Villiers. To recreate his English lifestyle, he developed some English…
See
Dambatenne Tea Factory
This popular tea factory was built in 1890 by Sir Thomas Lipton, one of the most famous figures in tea history. The tour through the works is an education…
See
Lipton’s Seat
The Lipton’s Seat lookout is one of Sri Lanka's most impressive viewpoints (unless it's misty and cloudy of course, which is why early morning is the best…
See
Thangamale
This woodland west of town is called a bird sanctuary, but it's more of a highland forest with a pleasant ridge-top walking trail. You can access the…
Guidebooks
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