Sights of lush green mountains topped with cloudy peaks and a chilly breeze to complement the thrill of looking down a cliff…Sounds like the adventure you are looking for? The hills of Sri Lanka offer you the Moon Plains for an exciting experience with nature and its wonders. Locally known as Sandatanna, the attraction is just 2.5 km away from Nuwara Eliya town. Once you’ve arrived at the gate, you’ll need to book a safari jeep for your ride up to the viewpoint of the plains.
The excursion by jeep can take about 45 min to 1 hour. On your way up, you can see vegetable patches, pasturing cows and buffalos, deer, and even wild boars. But out of all the views, you would enjoy the best upon reaching the summit. The Moon Plains is also home to 105 species of birds, of which 16 species are indigenous to the island. Your guide will explain in detail what you are seeing on either side during the very bumpy jeep ride uphill!
As you come closer to the top, the air turns cooler and the gentle clouds of mist greet you with a refreshing embrace. There is a viewpoint from which you could see the peaks of other mountains that stand magnificently around you and steep stone cliffs with subtle patches of greenery are also visible if you visit here on a less misty day. Even from where you stand and at your immediate surroundings, the plant life is abundant with beautiful blossoms of wildflowers and dwarf trees that grow at high altitudes. Pose for a photograph or ten at various points while your guide explains the nine peaks you would have noticed by now.
The highest visible peak is that of Pidurutalaga, followed by Kirigalpoththa Mountain, Single Tree Mountain, Great Western Mountain, Kikiliyamana Mountain, Konical Hill Mountain, Thotupola Mountain, Namunukula Mountain, and Haggala Mountain. Apart from the peaks, little settlements of colourful buildings and zinc roofs are also part of the panoramic view here.
The cotton-like clouds move quite fast as though they are being conjured up by the enhancement of nature and it is breath-taking to watch them float away over to one peak from another. The best time to visit here would be during sunrise and sunset when the sky is decked in its most dazzling attire with vibrant hues of orange, crimson, and yellow!
