"Haputale" Haputale by Maxus

Straddling a high ridge in the southern hill country, maybe Haputale's chief attaction is the most incredible views. On a clear day you can see the south coast and Sri Pada (Adams Peak) is sometimes visible from the high point east of the town. What most struck me about the view south is that the curvature of the earth is clearly apparent, I've been around but this place left me lost for words.

Another plus is the climate, a sort of English summer with cool mornings and warm afternoons, perfect for walkers, twitchers and anyone seeking escape from the heat and hassel of the tourist resorts.

Haputale is very easy to reach for independent travellers, there are frequent buses and the town is right on the railway line. This is the perfect destination for rail travellers, The trip from Colombo is one of the worlds great railway journeys, its quite a haul and you will be more than ready for a break by Haputale and there is plenty of cheap accommodation including my particular favourite, Dias Rest (see the accommodation tips on my Sri Lanka page).

Haputale is a good base for exploring this part of Sri Lanka, there is a bank, the shops have everything you are likely to want and there is much less hassle here from ‘guides’ than in other more tourist orientated towns. Vans are available for hire near the railway crossing, you shuold negotiate a price. If you stay with Dias he will advise you on places to see and can arrange most things you need (he does this as a service to his guests and not to make profit from you).

It’s a friendly town of mainly Tamil and Muslim people, a lot of tea is grown and processed here. My German friend Oliver has created an interesting Haputale website with lots of excellent photographs and information (address below).

I usually stay with Dias (see tips) in the village of Thotulagala - a peaceful easy going place 3km from Haputale and the railway but the most comfortable place to stay is probably Amarasinghe guesthouse, which is nearer the town.

If you want impossibly cheap, detached accommodation with a working family in a stunning, comparatively isolated and hugely atmospheric mountain-side position then choose Dias Rest, which you are likely to have to yourself but for more comfort (at only slightly more expense)then go for the charming and warm Amarasinghe Guest House.

Useful Websites

www.haputale.de/

www.amarasingheguest.com

Dias Rest: http://people.freenet.de/diasrest/

• Pros:Laid Back, Cool, Wonderful
• Cons:Grumpy Sinhala ShopKeepers - Use Tamil Shops
• In a nutshell:Staggering Views and Good Accommodation