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Haputale is 173 km from Colombo. The elevation is 1431 m (4695 ft) above the sea level. The area has a rich bio-diversity dense with numerous varieties of flora and fauna. Haputale is surrounded by hills covered with cloud forests and tea plantations. The town has a cooler climate than its surroundings, due to its elevation. The Haputale pass allows views across the Southern plains of Sri Lanka. The South-West boundary of Uva basin is marked by the Haputale mountain ridges, which continue on to Horton Plains and Adam's Peak to the west. CNN named Haputale as one of Asia's most overlooked destinations.
Haputale population about 60000. It is mixed community with Sinhala, Sri Lankan Tamils, Indian Tamils and Muslims.
From Haputale can visit to
Adisham Bungalow - Adisham Hall, or Adisham Bungalow is a country house near Haputale. At present it houses the Adisham Monastery a congregation of St. Sylvester.
The house was built in 1931 by an English aristocrat and planter Sir Thomas Villiers, former Chairman of George Steuart Co, a trading and estate agency based in Colombo. Sir Thomas was a grandson of Lord John Russell and descendant of the Dukes of Bedford. Named after Adisham, it was designed by R. Booth and F. Webster in Tudor and Jacobean style, on 10 acres (40,000 m2) of land. Adisham Hall played host to many prominent personalities of the colony until the retirement of Sir Thomas, after which it was sold to Sedawatte Mills in 1949. In 1961 it was purchased by the Roman Catholic Church and was subsequently converted to a monastery. The house is well preserved along with its period fittings and furniture, and is open to visitors.
Adisham bungalow is very closed to Glanor tea estate of Haputale. There are several tea estates and Hindu Kovil also at near Adisham bungalow. Up side of bungalow is a eucalyptus forest and downside of bungalow is railway between Haputale and Idalgashinna railway stations.
Garden of Adisham is a fruit estate and flower estate. Jams, Cordials and several foods are produced at Adisham bungalow and available for buy.
The sturdy rock like fortress, surrounded by undulating hills, as far as the eye can see , contains many items that normal visitors are unfamiliar with , which accounts for the large number of guests who seek admission whenever the gates are open.
Carefully cultivated flower gardens, Burma teak shingles that cover the roof, antique furniture and a well planted-out construction are a few of the attractions that Adisham Bungalow offers to sight seers.
Maintenance of the monastery garden which retains its old English charm, with well-preserved lawns, beautiful flower beds, evergreens, and majestic trees, is also a costly affair, and is managed by funds collected at the gate, and is therefore not a mere commercial venture. Visitors are welcome to visit the monastery from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Only on the weekends (Saturday, Sunday and Poya days and public holidays) (except Good Friday & Christmas day)
Lipton's Seat
The Lipton’s Seat is located at Dambetenna in the Haputale Mountain region. Lipton’s Seat lookout rivals the views from World’s End . The Scottish tea baron Sir Thomas Lipton used to survey his burgeoning empire from here.
Take the signed narrow paved road from the tea factory and climb about 7km through lush tea plantations to the lookout. Recommend to arrive before 1000 am to see view of 5 provinces or 7 districts such as Uva, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Eastern provinces.
Dambetenna Tea Garden was owned and enjoyed by Sir Thomas J. Lipton over a forty-year period spanning the date 1800's to the 1930's. He loved the place. It inspired him. Legend has it that it bought him immense pleasure to entertain his guests at picnics and also to contemplate nature's bounty and the prospects of the future on "Lipton's Seat" at the summit of his plantation. Perched perilously at the edge of a sheer descent of over 6000 feet and offering a 360 degree view, surely the scenic beauty of "Lipton's Seat" is one of the world's most breath taking.
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