Trekking Worlds End, Sri Lanka. The Ultimate Guide To Horton Plains
World’s End in Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful and varied treks you will stumble across in this incredible country.
Arriving at daybreak in the early morning mist, with the sunlight kissing the plains, and spotting deer grazing silently in the long grass, you will feel as though you have stepped into a different country.
World’s End is the name of one section of the trek in Horton Plains. Although World’s End is the highlight for most, the national park has a range of other interesting and beautiful sights too.
This is a trek that is more accessible than some, due to the well-maintained paths and the slightly less strenuous hill walking. If you are considering missing out on this hike then consider it again, it really does have something for everyone.
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Quick Guide To Horton Plains
- What is Horton Plains National Park?
- How much to budget
- How to reach Horton Plains
- Where to stay
- What to expect from your visit
- Must knows before you go
- What to bring to Horton Plains National Park
- FAQs
- Where to next
What Is Horton Plains National Park?
Horton Plains National Park is a huge area of beautiful countryside in Sri Lanka’s hill country. The 9km looped track takes you to a stunning viewpoint named World’s End. You can see where it got its name when you reach the 4000-foot-high precipice.
The plains themselves are home to a huge array of wildlife, including samba deer, many birds, and even leopards! Though you will be lucky to spot these elusive creatures (or perhaps lucky not to, as you will be on foot!)
How Much Do I Need To Budget?
This wasn’t a cheap trip. We got a car from Nuwara Eliya which cost us about £20 (to spread the cost you could find other travellers wanting to do the same trip).
The entrance fee was pretty confusing-they charge for the vehicle based on size, extra for tax, and goodness knows what else. It was a hectic paying system that seemed to involve the drivers running from one ticket office to another in a mad mess that we didn’t really understand.
In total for two, including transport to World’s End, Sri Lanka, our trip cost nearly £80.
Although I didn’t regret doing the trek (the views were stunning and different from other places we visited in Sri Lanka), I would have thought twice had I been aware of the large fees before we left. It’s a beautiful area, but if you’re used to the UK where most hikes and areas of natural beauty are free or very cheap, this might seem like a large chunk of your budget.
If you want to see everything this country has to offer, then suck it up and pay the fees. If you are on a very tight budget then there are plenty of treks in this country that are free. You can see a range on our two weeks in Sri Lanka guide.
You might want to save your money for something different like the ancient temple of Sigiriya or a whale watching trip.
That being said, the park is very well maintained and the paths might make easier access for some (though we wouldn’t recommend this hike for people who struggle walking long distances or wheeled access).
How To Get To World’s End, Sri Lanka
Do It Yourself
If you are leaving from Ella or Nuwara Eliya you will want to book a car or a tuk-tuk for early in the morning, preferably about an hour and a half before sunrise.
The car we booked cost us £20 from Nuwara Eliya and easily fit two passengers plus our luggage (take it with you if you plan on catching the train straight to Ella). The driver will wait for you to finish the trek and take you on to the nearest train station for your trip onwards.
If you want to save money then try asking around in the town you are staying in. World’s End, Sri Lanka, is a popular place to head to from Nuwara Eliya and Ella and it is likely that you will find other couples or solo travellers to share a car with and split the costs.
Another way to save a bit of money on transport would be to stay in a closer town such as Haputale. See my post on Lipton’s Seat in Haputale to find out a little more about the town and options for places to stay.
Take A Tour
If you’re leaving from Nuwara Eliya or Ella then you could just book a tour that will arrange it all for you. Tours usually leave at around 6 am, so you’ll miss the sunrise, but it will make life a whole lot easier for you! They usually include something extra to break up the day like a visit to a tea factory or a train ride.
Check out this one from Ella which we thought was pretty fairly priced as it includes your transport, entrance fees, refreshments, and a guide (we love to use a local guide where ever possible, as it supports the country you’re visiting and they’re usually amazing sources of knowledge!)
Where To Stay
Near World’s End
World’s End, Sri Lanka is set in a national park and there is no accommodation there. There are several hotels nearby if you wanted to gain an extra hour or two in bed in the morning, but they are in the middle of nowhere!
Try Horton Mountain for basic accommodation with stunning views. You can check prices and see more information here.
Nuwara Eliya
A more common option is to stay in a neighbouring town and travel in. If you are starting from Nuwara Eliya then there are numerous hotel and guest house options, with something for all budgets.
We recommend this lovely little cottage style house to get a real taste of the unusual, charming area.
Ella
Again, Ella is a popular tourist town and there are many options for places to stay, many of which have stunning views out in the countryside. Find out more about the best things to do in Ella, with some great accommodation options too.
What To Expect On The Horton Plains, World’s End Trek
The road up to Horton Plains is steep and winding. There are places to stop off for some sunrise photography and the views alone are worth the early start. Make sure you ask your driver to stop if you see any photo-worthy views. Lots of people watched the sunrise from the side of the road and it looked pretty spectacular!
There is a bit of a dance at the ticket office, with some hectic running around and some confused-looking tourists. Your driver should sort your tickets for you and tell you where to go. Make sure you ask for help if you need it-it’s quite a confusing process!
Once you’re through all is calm and serenely quiet. We were greeted by the sight of deer grazing, completely unfazed by the admiring tourists.
Tip: Be prepared for the entrance gate by not packing any plastic. We loved these strict eco-friendly rules and hope it helps to keep the area safe from littering. If you forget, they have paper bags ready and will confiscate your plastics.
Before you set off make sure you use the toilets at the entrance as these are the only facilities available before you head off into the wilderness.
The trek to World’s End forms a loop of the national park, taking in the best sights along the way. We headed the opposite way to the crowds which meant that we had the first half of our walk to ourselves.
There is no need to take a guide as the route is very clearly marked and most of the time it is relatively easy walking, with only a few scrambles and steeper paths.
World’s End, Sri Lanka
World’s End is about halfway along the route. The unprotected cliff edge falls a sharp 4000 feet down and the view stretches for miles. You must get here early before it is completely covered by cloud, and even then you aren’t guaranteed this spectacular view.
You should definitely consider this possibility before you decide whether to come here or not. The view is definitely the best thing about the World’s End trek and if you didn’t get to see it then there are better things to spend your money on.
There are numerous places to get great photos but be careful near the edge. There are plenty of horror stories accompanying this cliff and you must take the usual safety precautions.
Other Sights Along The Way
On the trek, you will pass through numerous different habitats. Take a pair of binoculars if you are a keen birdwatcher. Ours came in handy when we spotted a giant squirrel in a nearby tree!
Don’t miss Bakers Falls, a pretty waterfall and a welcome relief from the sun. There is a smaller viewpoint aptly named ‘Mini World’s End’ which is also beautiful.
This walk is a lovely relaxed way to spend a morning, with all the paths well maintained and an easy route to follow. It won’t be the most exciting trek you do in Sri Lanka, but World’s End will probably be the easiest and calmest!
Things To Know
Leave about 3-4 hours for the trek, including stops for photographs.
There is a small fee for the toilets so bring change.
There’s a little museum at the entrance/exit which is worth a look if you have time.
It’s worth keeping the noise down as you walk around the national park as you’ll have more chances of spotting the wildlife. This was tricky as the day went on and the paths became more crowded. Another reason to get up super early, even if the temptation to snooze that alarm is real!
What To Bring On Your Visit To World’s End, Sri Lanka
- Plenty of water is a must-especially as the day heats up
- Sun cream/hat
- Snacks
- A jumper for the cold early start
- Remember no plastic. Plastic water bottles are allowed but they will strip off plastic labels or plastic from around the cap. We recommend you take a filter water bottle to make your travels easier.
- Camera/binoculars (check out our detailed guide for the best travel camera here.)
FAQs
How High Is World’s End, Sri Lanka?
The Horton Plains plateau ends abruptly at the famous World’s End lookout, where there is a cliff drop of 880m. You can see why it’s called World’s End when you see the world just fall away beneath you and the views stretch on forever.
How Long Does It Take To Climb World’s End?
The World’s End trek is generally considered to be a moderately strenuous one, and it certainly isn’t anything like the Knuckles Mountain Range trekking. It should take around 3 hours to complete, but obviously this depends greatly on your walking speed (and how many photos you stop to take!)
Where To Next?
If you’re looking for more incredible hikes in Sri Lanka, then check out these before you plan your trip.
The Knuckles Mountain Range – A two-day trek through some of Sri Lanka’s most diverse landscapes
Lipton’s Seat – See the stunning views from the top of this tea plantation, and enjoy a morning stroll down through the misty tea fields.
Lover’s Leap Waterfall – Hike to the impressive Lover’s Leap waterfall, and climb all the way to the top for views over the whole of Nuwara Eliya.
Thanks for reading, we hope you have an amazing visit and that this guide has helped you to prepare. Spot something we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments section below! If you found this article useful then feel free to share and follow us for more travel ideas and tips.
Thank you for the detailed info. Not sure why you are complaining of the cost. 20£ is measly for the ride. You also contradict by recommending to spend in support with the locals. The rides in UK and the Europe is ridiculous. Also, its best not to expect things to get cheaper and cheaper. Whilst, I admire your passion to experience the scenery over in Sri Lanka, you must understand that it will come at a cost. As a local, we spend much mote on that trip than you have stated. Your advantage on the currency exchange is huge too. Thank you once again.
Thank you for your comment and I’m so sorry if I caused you any offence with this article. With all my posts I try to give an honest account of my experience and mine alone, and others can take what they like from it. I don’t think £20 is expensive for the ride, I was simply suggesting ways you could make it cheaper if you needed to to make it more accessible to solo travelers. Charges in the UK are ridiculous, I agree, which is why locals would never pay for a taxi and rather use buses or trains. Many people visiting beautiful countries like Sri Lanka can only afford to do so on a real shoe string, and might have to miss out certain attractions they can’t afford, just as they do when traveling in Europe. In my opinion, there was more to see at Sigiriya so if you could only afford one then personally I would save my money for that. We are lucky that in the UK many natural attractions like Horton Plains are free, or cost very little, so it’s important to alert people to the fact that this isn’t so that they can make sensible decisions based on their own personal budgets. I agree that maintaining such beauty does come at a cost, but sadly not everyone can afford that cost and will have to choose. Thanks again for taking the time to write and I’m very sorry if I caused offence, hopefully this has gone a little way to clearing up my intentions.
Thank you so much for such a lovely article with informative content. Hope to see more of a similar article.