Tourists who are the penchant of eco diversity adventures in Sri Lanka will prefer this most. Hortain plains is considered as a picturesque destination in Sri Lankan tourism. Hortain Plains’ is a beautiful mountainous nature park situated in 2200 m above sea level. Local travelers call is as Maha Eliya plains. Hortain plains is located in Nuwara Eliya, the southern plateau of Central Province in Sri Lanka. Other than that the park is marginalized of Kirigalpotta mountain from the south and Thotupala Kanda Mountain from North. Consequently, they are listed as the second and third highest mountains in Sri Lanka.
Hortain plains’ was invented by British animal hunter Mr. Horton. You have 2 options to visit the park. One is Ohiya entrance – through Welimada or Bandaraweala. Another route is Pattipola entrance – through Nuwara Eliya and Ambewela. The national park covers an area of 31.6 sq.kms. Horton Plains’ is the mother water fountain of Mahaweli, Kelani and Walawe rivers. Further, it also feeds Kiriketi Oya, Belihul Oya, Agra Oya and Bogawantalawa Oya. The average temperature is around 16 C but it is variable between 5C and 27 C. Thus the mean annual rainfall is around 2000 mm.
Horton plains are reckoned as the only national park in Sri Lanka that allows visitors to walk and travel freely on their own tracks in the park. But they can’t access every part of the park because some may damage to the indigenous plants and animals. Such kind of activities must be prohibited. Misty climate, high winds are common situations here. Most of the time, the park is covered with fog and cloud.
Sri Lanka Samba Deer, Wild boar and monkeys are common at a residence in the national park. Not only that but also there will be leopards, black napped hares, otters, giant squirrels and much more. As indicated this endemic leopard is very attractive but due to the thick savannah plains and huge trees, it will be difficult to find it. The Hortain plains was boosted as a national park in 1988 and appointed as one of the heritage sites in Sri Lanka. World’s end, 4000 feet straight vertical drop can be visited at the same time. Baker’s fall is also situated about 2.5 km from the entrance. It's better to be noted that there are no reservation facilities at the Hoton plains.Today the area is controlled by the Wild Life Department of Sri Lanka.