A Visit to the Moon Plains

Moon Plains, named for its circular plains that resemble craters on the moon when viewed from above, is a wide valley located a short distance from town and is a relatively new attraction in the Hill Country. The area was classified as an Agricultural and Environmental Tourism Zone in 2014, but what makes this valley a popular tourist attraction is that it sits amidst some of the tallest mountain ranges and cloud forests in the Central Highlands, offering visitors breath-taking views of the surrounding landscape. A visit to Moon Plains entails a 30-minute jeep ride through carpeted grasslands to a hilltop from which you can witness a 360-degree view of the enveloping countryside.

On a clear day, you can observe the peaks of 9 of the 11 tallest mountains in Sri Lanka which cannot be viewed from anywhere else in the country. They are Pidurutalagala Mountain (highest peak in Sri Lanka), Kirigalpotha Mountain (2nd), Thotupola Mountain (3rd), Kikiliyamana Mountain (6th), Great Western Mountain (7th), Hakgala Mountain (8th), Conical Hill Mountain (9th), Single Tree Mountain (10th) and Namunukula Mountain (11th). Another key attraction at Moon Plains is the ‘Mini Worlds End’ like viewpoint – a peak with a sharp drop, presenting visitors with a stunning view of the landscape below (the original Mini Worlds End is found at Horton Plains). Moon Plains is bordered by forests rich in biodiversity so you can also expect to see many bird species, deer, buffalo and more.