MOON PLAINS (SANDATENNA) IN SRI LANKA Second World’s End in Nuwara Eliya – By Leelananda Ihalagamage in Melbourne
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Situated in the corner of the beautiful city Nuwara Eliya is a landscape with a grandeur view, that is named “Moon Plains” (Sandatenna), which is also gaining the name “Second World’s End” surrounded by clouds, forest and unique diversity of flora and fauna. The recently popularized Moon Plains has similar characteristics of its contemporary Horton Plains.
Nestled 6200 ft. above sea level and the views of eight different mountainous ranges are magnificent. Moon Plains offers visitors a spectacular 360 degrees picturesque view of surroundings and get chilly and misty, so you need to watch your steps. Among the mountains are Pidurutalagala mountain 8281 ft., Single Tree Mountain 6890 ft., Kikiliyamana mountain 7339 ft., Great Western mountain 7257 ft.,, Conical Hill mountain 7116 ft., Kirigalpotta mountain 7835 ft., Thotupola mountain 7737 ft., Hakgala mountain 7110 ft. and Namunukula mountain 6679 ft. Visitors can enter the site from the Gregory’s Lake in Nuwara Eliya. Moon Plains is situated at the end of the Central Province. On completion of your 6 km journey from the starting point along the Moon Plains valley, there is a potato farm consisting of 6400 ac.
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Moon Plains is what a panoramic view for seeing many of the endemic birds in Sri Lanka, 40 – 50 varieties and number of wild animals, such as sambar deer, chital deer, wild boars, mongoose, land monitor, jungle fowl, buffaloes, etc., and as well as Sri Lankan leopards can be spotted in this region. So, you may need to keep your eyes vigilant to catch a glimpse of these rare animals everyday from 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. only (before the late-morning mist starts setting in depending on the visibility during the day) and in the afternoon after 3.00 p.m. excluding Poya holidays and other religious holidays. You could even take a bicycle up there as the terrain is perfect for cycling. The best period to visit the Moon Plains is from February to April.
Location : Seetha Eliya Farm. Route : Nuwara Eliya to Seetha Eliya Farm 5 km. Only authorized safari jeeps are permitted to travel to the view point. Entrance fee for foreigners : Adults – Rs.400/-; children – Rs.100/-. Safari charges : Rs.2,500/-. Open from 7.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Contact hotline : 00 94 52 305 7042; 00 94 77 968 7846.
Photos : Courtesy – FB
Image Source : moonplains facebook
Image Source : moonplains facebook
Image Source : moonplains facebook
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