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| Year and Month | July 2008 |
| Number of Days | 4 Day Trip |
| Crew | 5 |
| Accommodation | Horton Plains Camping |
| Transport | Van |
| Activities | Camping / Photography / Hiking |
| Weather | Misty / Raining / Extreme Wind |
| Route | Colombo -> Awissawella -> Dehiowita -> Karawanella -> Kitulgala -> Ginigathhena -> Hatton -> Thalawakele -> Nanu-Oya -> Ambewela -> Pattipola -> Pattipola Entrance – Horton Plains National Park (approximately 200km) |
| Tips, Notes and Special remarks |
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| Author | Dinesh Deckker |
| Related Resource | 1. Attraction: Horton Plains (Maha-Eliya) – Heaven on Earth, 2100m Above Sea Level
2. Related Trip reports
3. Contact Numbers of Forest Department and Wildlife Deparment for Reservations 4. If you have any comments suggestions feel free to contact Dinesh on 0716 – 818740 or dineshdsd@gmail.com |
We booked the camp site 3 from Wild life department which was the totally isolated from crowd but unfortunately when we reach there, the camp site numbers had been changed by Wildlife Dept. Earlier site number 2 had been changed to 3. We got the camp site in between the two (1&3 earlier).
This was a real disappointment but anyway its bit isolated from the bakers trek. So its better to call and find out before booking. Department of Wildlife – 0112560380 (Malabe) You don’t need any recommendations to book these camp sites unlike Forest Dept Camp Sites
 Horton Plains Camp Site 3 – Earlier it used to be Camp Site 2 |
 Setting up the Tent |
Ready for the overnight stay
I am posting this travelogue for the benefit of people who has not done camping. People who has already camped in Horton Plains bear with me.
When you planning to camp in Horton Plains, keep in mind that you will need to walk at least 2Km to reach the campsite. So try to carry minimum equipment and food needed. In Horton Plains camp site you are allowed to use gas burners but Campfires strictly prohibited. Wildlife officers will warn that they will come to camp site at night to check but it won’t happen. Still I strongly recommend not lighting a campfire cause as it might fully burn down Horton plains.
At Horton Plains you have to be careful with fire. Once some people have caused a fire in Kirigalpotta area. Also some areas of Horton Plains has been burnt several times according to the information we got from wildlife officials.
 Getting water for cooking |
 One of the two Head Chefs |
Keep in mind that, it’s very difficult to use a gas burner if there is strong wind. It happened to us and better to take something to cover the wind if that occurs. Also keep some backup instant food in case if it rains.
By the way, the ost beautiful camp site I ever stayed on is in Knuckles and will add it with the “Dothalugala Travelogue “
There is a toilet available in the camp site but it is not in usable condition. Commode was full of sand when we checked it. So you will have to be “natural”!
 Lighting the Lantern |
 Best morning tea I ever Had… |
We had instant noodles as breakfast as it was easy to prepare. Anyway we had rice with 3 curries for dinner..
 At Last… some Breakfast |
 Matrix Movie shoot at Horton Plains... |
Leaving only foot prints (..and bringing everything else back!)
Take garbage bags so you can collect all garbage and can put in to the cement garbage can.
The guy below helped us to carry our equipments he was very strong and I am inserting his picture as a tribute to him. You can get help from a villager, ask from a Wildlife Officer. Villagers work at Horton Plains and HSBC pay 100 rupees per day for collecting garbage in Horton Plains.
 Venkadaswamy – the Hercules |
 Me & the Crew with Wild Life Officials |