The Pekoe Trail - Stage 10 - Dayagama To Horton Plains - Official Profile
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 9.25 mi
- Elevation gain
- 3,022 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Difficult
- Elevation loss
- 709 ft
- Max elevation
- 7,014 ft
- TrailRank
-
53
4.9
- Min elevation
- 4,662 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Time
- 2 hours 58 minutes
- Coordinates
- 345
- Uploaded
- March 27, 2021
- Recorded
- March 2021
near Diyagama West, Central (Sri Lanka)
Viewed 2618 times, downloaded 176 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
IMPORTANT NOTE: You may only enter the Horton Plains National Park by purchasing a ticket at the Dayagama entrance or Ohiya entrance before entering the park and paying the entrance fee which costs approximately USD 45 (subject to exchange rate fluctuations). Entrance fees to Horton Plains allows you to not only walk Stage 10 of The Pekoe Trail but also;
*The Bakers Falls trail
*The World's End trail loop
*Summit Kirigalpotha (2nd highest peak in SL)
*Summit Thotupola Kanda
Do note that entry to the park from this stage is not possible after 2 pm. For more information please refer to the website of the Department of Wildlife Conservation. http://www.dwc.gov.lk/.
The stage is walkable but not yet fully signposted. Trail users are advised to consider all the information available and to heed local advice when available. The services of a professional mountain guide are recommended. Trail users are responsible for all decisions as to the trail routes, trail conditions, weather, and safety. In addition to the hazards posed by steep terrain and mountain weather, hikers should be prepared for difficult route-finding and challenging trail conditions, dogs, leaches, heavy rain, intermittent thunderstorms, and plenty of sun. It is recommended to drink at least 1/2 litre of water per hour when hiking. Access to emergency medical care and rescue is not always immediately available.
Please download the latest version of the map before navigating the stage to avoid missing out on any re-routing.
-----------------
DESCRIPTION OF THE STAGE
Today is physically and mentally demanding, and also logistically challenging. We start at Dayagama, one of the most remote villages in the tea country. Dayagama lies at the far end of the Agarapatana Valley. Very few tourists venture this far – this is a deep tea country experience. Even though the valley lies in the very center of the mountain ranges that form the Sri Lankan tea country, it doesn’t get more remote than this.
You will need someone to pick you up at the endpoint, the old Far Inn, which is inside Horton Plains National Park. The drive from the starting point to the endpoint is a long one. As the crow flies it's only 15 km however the main road loops back towards Nuwara Eliya and then back on itself – a total of 65km to get from Dayagama to Horton Plains. Your driver will probably only arrive shortly before you do.
The day is physically demanding because it is mostly uphill. The trail is wide and easy to follow and the gradient is manageable. Dayagama lies at 1421 meters above sea level and Horton Plains National Park at 2138 meters above sea level.
We leave Dayagama town heading east toward the end of the valley. The 9.5 km of the trail are tea trails that are wide and easy to follow. We walk towards the dense forest ahead of us. At the 9.5 km point, we enter the Horton Plains National Park.
A very important point to note: Access to the Horton Plains National Park is restricted. You may only enter by paying your entrance fee. If you do not have an entrance ticket you must purchase one. Entrance tickets are sold at the entrance to the park on Nuwara Eliya Road and on the road to Ohiya. The park is governed by strict regulations as there is wildlife and it is a very sensitive eco-system. For more information please refer to the website of the Department of Wildlife Conservation. http://www.dwc.gov.lk/. It is extremely important to travel in a group and ideally with the services of a national guide through the entire Horton Plains National Park.
As soon as you enter the park the trail twists and turns up the valley through dense high-elevation rainforest. You’ll hear the noises of the jungle as it is the habitat of monkeys, deer, leopards, and a number of endemic bird species. At the 14.5 km point, the trail joins the main road that traverses the park, and 500 meters ahead is the endpoint.
PLEASE TAKE ALL YOUR RUBBISH WITH YOU AND IF YOU SEE ANY RUBBISH OTHERS LEFT BEHIND TRY TO TAKE IT - EVEN IF JUST A BOTTLE OR A PLASTIC BAG, EVERY BIT COUNTS - THANK YOU.
The Pekoe Trail is designed to support development and livelihoods in rural areas of Sri Lanka. Buying goods and services from local businesses helps communities along the trail to thrive. The Pekoe Trail is made possible thanks to generous funding from the European Union with additional support from the US Agency for International Development
*The Bakers Falls trail
*The World's End trail loop
*Summit Kirigalpotha (2nd highest peak in SL)
*Summit Thotupola Kanda
Do note that entry to the park from this stage is not possible after 2 pm. For more information please refer to the website of the Department of Wildlife Conservation. http://www.dwc.gov.lk/.
The stage is walkable but not yet fully signposted. Trail users are advised to consider all the information available and to heed local advice when available. The services of a professional mountain guide are recommended. Trail users are responsible for all decisions as to the trail routes, trail conditions, weather, and safety. In addition to the hazards posed by steep terrain and mountain weather, hikers should be prepared for difficult route-finding and challenging trail conditions, dogs, leaches, heavy rain, intermittent thunderstorms, and plenty of sun. It is recommended to drink at least 1/2 litre of water per hour when hiking. Access to emergency medical care and rescue is not always immediately available.
Please download the latest version of the map before navigating the stage to avoid missing out on any re-routing.
-----------------
DESCRIPTION OF THE STAGE
Today is physically and mentally demanding, and also logistically challenging. We start at Dayagama, one of the most remote villages in the tea country. Dayagama lies at the far end of the Agarapatana Valley. Very few tourists venture this far – this is a deep tea country experience. Even though the valley lies in the very center of the mountain ranges that form the Sri Lankan tea country, it doesn’t get more remote than this.
You will need someone to pick you up at the endpoint, the old Far Inn, which is inside Horton Plains National Park. The drive from the starting point to the endpoint is a long one. As the crow flies it's only 15 km however the main road loops back towards Nuwara Eliya and then back on itself – a total of 65km to get from Dayagama to Horton Plains. Your driver will probably only arrive shortly before you do.
The day is physically demanding because it is mostly uphill. The trail is wide and easy to follow and the gradient is manageable. Dayagama lies at 1421 meters above sea level and Horton Plains National Park at 2138 meters above sea level.
We leave Dayagama town heading east toward the end of the valley. The 9.5 km of the trail are tea trails that are wide and easy to follow. We walk towards the dense forest ahead of us. At the 9.5 km point, we enter the Horton Plains National Park.
A very important point to note: Access to the Horton Plains National Park is restricted. You may only enter by paying your entrance fee. If you do not have an entrance ticket you must purchase one. Entrance tickets are sold at the entrance to the park on Nuwara Eliya Road and on the road to Ohiya. The park is governed by strict regulations as there is wildlife and it is a very sensitive eco-system. For more information please refer to the website of the Department of Wildlife Conservation. http://www.dwc.gov.lk/. It is extremely important to travel in a group and ideally with the services of a national guide through the entire Horton Plains National Park.
As soon as you enter the park the trail twists and turns up the valley through dense high-elevation rainforest. You’ll hear the noises of the jungle as it is the habitat of monkeys, deer, leopards, and a number of endemic bird species. At the 14.5 km point, the trail joins the main road that traverses the park, and 500 meters ahead is the endpoint.
PLEASE TAKE ALL YOUR RUBBISH WITH YOU AND IF YOU SEE ANY RUBBISH OTHERS LEFT BEHIND TRY TO TAKE IT - EVEN IF JUST A BOTTLE OR A PLASTIC BAG, EVERY BIT COUNTS - THANK YOU.
The Pekoe Trail is designed to support development and livelihoods in rural areas of Sri Lanka. Buying goods and services from local businesses helps communities along the trail to thrive. The Pekoe Trail is made possible thanks to generous funding from the European Union with additional support from the US Agency for International Development
Comments (8)
You can add a comment or review this trail
I have followed this trail View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
Avant de commencer l'étape , j'ai pris mon petit déjeuner dans un petit restaurant à Darayana. La place n'a plus la même effervescence ! Le festival de la veille a laissé des traces. La rue est jonchée de déchets.
Le tracé est facile à suivre . Il longe en hauteur la route en contre bas. C'est agréable , il n'y a personne. C'est samedi, les gens semblent en congé . Ce n'est pas pour autant silencieux. En effet, les enceintes d'un temple crachent de la musique.
Il me faudra marcher 6 km pour arriver à sa hauteur. Arrivé à l'entrée du parc Horton, il y a quelques personnes qui travaillent à la construction d'un temple. Un monsieur veut m'avancer avec sa moto. Décidément , ce n’est pas simple d'expliquer la démarche du randonneur.
Rapidement, je rentre dans la jungle. Le sentier est très facile. Cela devait être une route auparavant. Vu la densité, ce n'est pas vraiment photogénique. Par contre, c'est très vivant. Les insectes se font entendre. Je me suis retrouvé nez à nez avec un sanglier. Je vous invite à marcher lentement et prendre régulièrement des poses. J'ai ainsi eu la chance d'observer quelques Laugur passant au-dessus de moi.
Arrivé au sommet, le décor change. La plaine fait son apparition, quelques cerfs se promènent près des visiteurs. L'endroit est beaucoup plus tranquille que ce que je pensais.
Malheureusement, il n'est pas simple de loger sur place. l'hôtel ( Ohiya forest lodge ) envoie un tuk tuk ( 4500 rps ) c'est pas donné mais l'état de la route la pente pour arriver jusqu'au sommet me semble justifier le prix. Les parents sont charmants et la nourriture est excellente. On peut par contre trouver des hôtels à proximité de la fin de l'étape 11. À étudier.
Ne pas oublier de prendre de l'eau et à manger. Le seul endroit où vous pouvez boire et manger se trouve, au somment de l'Horton. Il y a du délicieux gâteau au chocolat.
Horton Plains to Dayagama (revers tour).
We hiked it at 09.02.23.
This Stage was easy to hike. Easy to find the entrance, always downwards to the end of the forest. Once you are out at Dayagama East estate its easy to follow the map (I preferred satellite view). You should start this hike from Horton Plains to Dayagama before 4pm to get out of the forest before dark. After 4 pm the park gets closed.
IMPORTANT: Stage 10 road from Dayagama to Horton Plains was closed in February 2023. A ticket counter at Dayagama site was under construction. There shall be watchers of the forest department at both ends of the road. Misuse will be fined. That's what they told us. We didn't see any signboard about it.
However, keep in mind, once it's open, there will be times given to enter and leave the Horton Plains NP. Should you hike up to Horton Plains there is no public transport, no taxis, no guesthouses (Wildlife Department only), maybe also no mobile signal. You have to organize your transport and stay in advance. Otherwise walk on to the Ohiya ticket entrance (5 km). Next accommodations from the Ohiya ticket counter are in Ohiya and Udaveriya (4.6-7 km).
Foreign ticket cost around 12.000 Rs (35€), cheaper in a group. Local ticket each 400 Rs (1.20 €).
I finished all the Pekoe Trail at 18. September 2023. Stages 22-8 in January/February 2023, stages 7-1 in September 2023. It was a great adventure with some of my good friends from Haputale. Some stages with my dogs, some 5 stages alone (Hali-Ela to Haputale). 17 stages together with my friend Thilagar.
More about the Pekoe Trail experiences please visit the private FB-group "Pekoe Trail Sri Lanka - Hiking & Camping".
There is a high probability the trail from Dayagama to Horton Plains will be open to the public on or around 28th Saturday, 2023. Only meant for trekkers and maybe motorbikes. A ticket will have to be bought at the Gate managed by the DWC Officials.
I have followed this trail View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
Horton Plains to Dayagama (revers tour).
We hiked it at 09.02.23.
This Stage was easy to hike. Easy to find the entrance, always downwards to the end of the forest. Once you are out at Dayagama East estate its easy to follow the map (I preferred satellite view). You should start this hike from Horton Plains to Dayagama before 4pm to get out of the forest before dark. After 4 pm the park gets closed.
IMPORTANT: Stage 10 road from Dayagama to Horton Plains was closed in February 2023. A ticket counter at Dayagama site was under construction. There shall be watchers of the forest department at both ends of the road. Misuse will be fined. That's what they told us. We didn't see any signboard about it.
However, keep in mind, once it's open, there will be times given to enter and leave the Horton Plains NP. Should you hike up to Horton Plains there is no public transport, no taxis, no guesthouses (Wildlife Department only), maybe also no mobile signal. You have to organize your transport and stay in advance. Otherwise walk on to the Ohiya ticket entrance (5 km). Next accommodations from the Ohiya ticket counter are in Ohiya and Udaveriya (4.6-7 km).
Foreign ticket cost around 12.000 Rs (35€), cheaper in a group. Local ticket each 400 Rs (1.20 €).
I finished all the Pekoe Trail at 18. September 2023. Stages 22-8 in January/February 2023, stages 7-1 in September 2023. It was a great adventure with some of my good friends from Haputale. Some stages with my dogs, some 5 stages alone (Hali-Ela to Haputale). 17 stages together with my friend Thilagar.
More about the Pekoe Trail experiences please visit the private FB-group "Pekoe Trail Sri Lanka - Hiking & Camping".
This road is open from October 27th, I finished this trail at 13th November 2023 now there's ticket counter at Dayagama walking trails starting point. Not allowed vehicle still.
My next trail is pekoe trail stage
deniyayaguest house deniyayaguest house Sinharaja forest kurulugala entrance, tour organiser and accommodation provider deniyaya guest House, Ihalagama Deniyaya.
Natur tour, hiking and bird watching tour, rainforest cave night. contact 94771112970(what'sapp)
I have followed this trail verified View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
This has always been one of the most awaited trecks I personally wanted to do , and finally With Dayagama HPNP treck being declared open and with Pekoe Trail being the inspiration and the firce behind , I have achieved another travel goal. Its a long treck through the Rich greem tea estates for a while and then through misty cloud forest , deeper you go , the more you experience the untouched colors of nature ,crystal clear water , shades of green , mist , rhythms of the trees , birds chirping ,silence .........................................just got out there ,but remember to leave only your footsteps.
Beautiful walk, tea plantations make way for tropical forest full with wildlife followed by a misty cloud forest and on the top Beautiful rhodendrons plants and grass. I encountered a big rat snake, a wild boar (gotta watch out for them), giant squirrel, deers and lots of birds. I combined the hortons plains loop, but official after 2pm you are not allowed to enter. I stayed at forest cyniciam guesthouse and they can provide a tuktuk service.