sri-lanka-13-full-pdf-ebook.pdf

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Bandarawela

Bu ngalows sleep between four and six

pe ople, which makes this a real bargain if

tr avelling as a group or family. Meals are

also available from a resident cook. Advance

bookings are essential.

Melheim Resort BOUTiQUE HOTEl $$$

(%Colombo 011-585 0227; http://www.melheimresort.

co m; l ower Blackwood, Beragala; s/d incl breakfast

US $140/150; aWs) This upmarket lodge,

built into and around giant granite boulders,

has great views over the burning lowlands (al-

th ough not as good as those from Haputale

to wn) and large, very plush cottages. There’s

a nice pool and good restaurant, and the bath

towels are folded and moulded into towel-art

el ephants, swans and other creatures, which

almost make it worth the cost alone! It’s 8km

do wnhill from Haputale and 2km from the

village of Beragala.

8 Getting There & Away

BUS

Destinations include Bandarawela (Rs 32, one

hour) and Nuwara Eliya (Rs 99, 3½ hours). For

Ella, change in Bandarawela. To get to Tangalla

or Embilipitiya, change in Wellawaya (Rs 93). All

buses depart from the town centre opposite the

Risara Bakery.

TRAIN

Haputale is on the Colombo–Badulla line, so you

can travel directly by train to and from Kandy or

Nanu Oya (for Nuwara Eliya). A 1st-class obser-

vation ticket is Rs 1000 for anywhere between

Badulla and Nanu Oya and Rs 1250 from Nanu

Oya to Kandy. A 2nd-class reservation is Rs 600

to any of the following locations.

East bound trains to Ella and Badulla leave at

12.05pm and 2.15pm. West bound trains towards

Kandy leave at 10.25am and 2.25pm.

DESTINATION FARE TIME

Bandarawela 2nd/3rd class Rs

20/15

30min

Colombo Rs 330/180 8½-9hr

Ella Rs 50/25 1hr

Kandy Rs 210/115 5½hr

Nanu Oya Rs 80/40 1½hr

Ohiya Rs 30/20 40min

TA XI

Private minibus taxis gather in the town centre

and will take you to Horton Plains (Rs 4500

return trip including waiting time), Ella (Rs 2000)

and Uda Walawe National Park (Rs 6500).

Bandarawela

%057 / POPULATION 7880 / ELEVATION 1230M

B andarawela, 10km north of Haputale but

no ticeably warmer, is a busy market town

that makes a good base for exploring the sur-

ro unding area. Due to its agreeable climate,

it ’s a popular area to retire to. Each Sunday

morning the town has a lively market. Other-

wise Bandarawela has little to attract tourists.

It ’s a good transport hub if you’re heading

east or further into the Hill Country.

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Bandarawela

ÿ Sleeping

1 Bandarawela Hotel ...............................B2

ú Eating

2 Mlesna Tea Centre................................A2

ï Transport

3 Buses to Ella, Badulla &

Wellawaya...........................................B2

4 Buses to Haputale & Colombo............B2

5 Buses to Welimada...............................B2

6 Long-Distance Buses...........................A 1

7 Taxis.......................................................B2

8 Taxis.......................................................B3

9 Three-Wheeler Stand...........................B 2