Complete guide to Moon Plains Sri Lanka.
07
Mar
Narmada Wijegunarathne is a devoted traveler and nature lover, deeply passionate about both exploration and writing. Professionally, she excels as a quantity surveyor in the construction field. Her favorite pastime is trekking through breathtaking landscapes, enjoying her love for hiking, camping and nature adventures.
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Complete guide to Moon Plains Sri Lanka.
Hey fellow explorers! Get ready to dive into this epic spot in Nuwara Eliya. We’re going deep into the cool secrets of the Moon Plains. I have everything about the inside scoop. Let me walk you through all the tips and essential information you want to know. No need to wait. Let’s jump straight into the story.
What is Moon Plains aka Sandathenna?
It is an agricultural and environmental tourism zone. Besides that, it functions as a government seed potato farm and happens to be the largest one around. It opened its doors to the public very recently, in 2014. If you are chilling in the refreshing breeze of the Nuwara Eliya, this destination will remind you why it is worth visiting Nuwara Eliya again and again. It is just a short drive away from the town.
Why it is so special?
Now you might be wondering what makes a plain the perfect vantage point. Okay, let me be more clear. This place boasts the title of being the only 360-degree viewpoint covering nine peaks out of the top ten mountains in Sri Lanka. Still not convinced? You can even catch the sight of the highest village Shanthipura, and the highest-located temple in Sri Lanka, the Single Tree Hill Temple, from there. These Plains are at 6200 ft above MSL like it’s reaching for the heavens.
How to get to Moon Plains?
It is located at Seetaeliya, along Ranhawadigama Road in Nuwara Eliya. The distance is approximately 5 km from the heart of the Nuwara Eliya town. To get here, simply follow the upper road from the left side of the end of Gregory Lake on the Nuwaraeliya-Welimada main road. Eureka! Now you’ll find one of the most beautiful places waiting for you. The distance is just a sweet 2.5 km from the starting point of the lake to reach this enchanting destination.
Moon Plains ticket prices
Once you step here, you will spot the ticket counter. Whether you are a local or a visitor, tickets are a must. For locals, the ticket price is 80Rs per adult and 30Rs per child, while foreigners pay 600Rs Per adult and 300Rs Per child. You can’t use your wheels to ride through the plains because it is a hyper-sensitive biodiversity zone. Instead, hop on a safari jeep for a 45 – 60 minute ride. The ticket price for safari jeeps is 3000Rs for locals and 5000Rs for foreigners. The jeep can fit up to a maximum of 06 adults and 02 kids at once. Your journey is about to cover a 5-6km distance through the farm, starting from the ticket counter to the viewpoint.
The best time to visit Moon Plains
This place opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. The best time to visit here is early morning for the ultimate experience with the mist, chilly vibes, and the last rays of sunrise. But if it’s raining or excessively misty, hang tight until it clears up. Some days it stays foggy even at 10 am. But usually, as it gets late, the surroundings become scorching.
Trivia on Moon Plains
You may have to wait a bit until your safari jeep returns from the previous trip. Your token for the safari jeep has a number on it, and someone at the place will call it out when it’s your turn. So, keep in touch always. It can be crowded on weekends, but on weekdays there are not many visitors. Oh, and a quick heads up. You can’t go solo without a guide too. This is a hyper-sensitive bio-diversity area, and it’s all about protecting the sensitivity here. Also no walks along the routes. Your cab driver doubles as your guide, ready to give you his expertise on everything about the place. If you want to know more info, just ask. They’re there to help. And speaking of rides, this is a no-go for pregnant moms, seriously ill folks, or those who have recently had surgery. Others can enjoy the bumpy, fun ride with each up and down.
Activities in Moon Plains
While you bump along on your safari, you can see that the extensive meadow touches the clouds, and the maze of routes feels like the road to heaven. This is the perfect color combo of green, blue, and brown, a real feast for the eyes. You can see the environment has changed its characteristics according to the climatic zone and the landscape. The trees are shorter because the strong winds can easily break the taller ones down. Keep your eyes on endemic animals, birds, and plants in Sri Lanka, from this ecosystem, such as the dusky blue flycatcher. Also, you might spot wild boar families crossing the road, buffaloes ruminating, and Sri Lankan sambar deer. The fur coats of those buffaloes are a bit thicker than the others we see inside the country due to the cold weather. They’ve got plenty of good grass to snack on and lots of space to stray.
Panoramic views
Once you park, you should take a small walk to reach the viewpoint. But before that, you will see the mini world’s end here at one corner of the land. Then, there is that breathtaking view of the Welimada plateau, the Uva Province, and the Central Province. Welcome to two different climatic zones at once. You may notice how trees have suddenly grown taller, and it is different from those mini trees and bushes we passed earlier. So, that is nature’s way of adapting to the new climatic zone.
Endless Moon Plains activities
Now, Let’s check out what are the top nine mountains we can see from the ten. Pidurutalagala, Kirigalpoththa, Single Tree Mountain, and Namunukula are some of the highlights. Hey, hold onto your caps and hats here. This is a wind alert. Now, let’s go to that awesome viewpoint. Before you climb the stairs, peek under the deck. It points out the directions with name boards, working like a compass down there. Get ready for the most entertaining activity. Scenic views and perfect photography sessions are the best to work with. This is a great photo booth for your IG and FB pics. You may see those faraway mountains playing peek-a-boo with us through the fog, making the atmosphere heavenly. The cab driver might give you a buzz in about 30-40 minutes, so make sure to finish your activities within the duration and get back to the jeep in time.
Additional tip
But wait. The adventure goes on. Seethaeliya Agro Park is eagerly awaiting your arrival. It is a paradise for home gardeners, a natural environmental system. You may see friendly bunnies hopping around with their white fur and ruby-like red eyes. Feed some carrots, beets, and cabbage leaves to those friendly guys. Also, there are some fish species in the ponds, adding another charm to that park. The best part is you don’t want to pay additional fees to visit here, and the previous Moon Plains ticket price covers this place too. The garden is filled with stunning treasures. A lot of things to expedite. I bet that you don’t have this specific Aloe vera breed in your home. This garden gives that perfect dreamy farm vibe with these bridges, mini islands, and huts. Oh! They even cultivate strawberries here. All these crops are pesticide-free, and you can buy some veggies for a reasonable price.
Goodbye, peeps
Remember to keep this place clean. Please don’t litter here. Leave behind memories and perhaps a few carbon footprints. Make your journey not just enjoyable but eco-friendly too. Happy exploring, homies.