How to Spend a Day at Hakgala Botanical Garden: Your Ultimate Visitor’s Guide

Hakgala is a mountain peak situated near the picturesque town of Nuwara Eliya, in Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands. The 27-hectare botanic gardens is directly below it, at an elevation of almost 6000 ft or 1800 meters, and is renowned for its diverse collection of flora. If you’re visiting the gardens for the first time, follow this guide for a memorable experience:

The best time to visit Hakgala is during the months of March and April, when the flowering shrubs and trees are in full bloom. The opening hours of the Hakgala Botanical Gardens are from 7:30 AM to 6 PM daily.

For foreign adults (ages 12 and above), the ticket price at Hakgala Botanical Gardens is LKR 3,540 per visit, while for locals, it is LKR 200. The entrance fee for foreign children aged 5 to 12 years is LKR 1,770, while for local children it is LKR 30.

The gardens are situated on the road to Welimada and Badulla and can be accessed easily from top Nuwara Eliya hotels such as Jetwing St. Andrew’s. Visitors to the area can also unwind in luxury bungalows within the town, such as Jetwing Warwick Gardens and Broomfield by Jetwing.

The Hakgala Botanical Garden in Sri Lanka was established in 1861 by the British. It was originally intended to be an experimental station for growing and distributing the cinchona plant from which quinine is extracted. The reason for settling on the location of the Hakgala Botanical Gardens was probably due to its similarity with the Andes region, where the plant originally came from. After a short attempt at growing tea, the gardens began to be developed as an ornamental flower garden and arboretum with the introduction of a number of plants from temperate and subtropical climes by the 1880s.

The layout of the gardens follow the topography of the land, with a series of terraces leading up the mountain slope. From these upper reaches, visitors will have a clear view of the plains of the Uva Valley to the east.

The gardens are divided into several areas with the flower, bulb and Rose gardens at the lowest level close to the entrance, and on the next levels, the fernery and rock gardens with the arboretum at the highest level. Right across the entrance on the lower left edge are the Herbarium, the Green House and the Nurseries.

Most plants at Hakgala Botanical Garden are from temperate climates, such as Fuchsias, Cotton Lavenders, Flame Bush and Poinsettias. Also, present is the Maha Rath Mal or the Rhododendron Arboreum and Zeylanicum with its crimson flowers. At the lower level is the Bulb Garden with its collection of Lilies, Agapanthus, and Gladioli, originating mainly from Japan and Holland.

The Rose Garden: The Rose Garden is a favourite among local visitors with a variety of imported species mainly from England and America. With their varied shades of red, soft pinks, to creamy whites and yellows, they emit a fragrant scent.

Orchid House: This section is home to an impressive variety of flowering and ornamental orchids, including native and hybrid species. It’s a favourite spot for photographers and plant lovers.

Glasshouse: A new addition, the greenhouse has flowering plants like Begonias and African Violets, along with many species of cacti and succulents.

Fernery: The fernery contains mainly Sri Lankan fern varieties from the highlands. The Woolly Tree Fern is one of the most unusual plants in the gardens.

The Rockery and Japanese Garden: A contrast to the colourful flower garden, the plants and shrubs in the rockery intermingle with rocks and boulders. The narrow paths lead to a natural stream which flows down to feed the ponds below with aquatic plants. There is also a Japanese style garden here, with rustic bridges over the stream.

The Arboretum: Hakgala is home to many old trees. There are endemic and exotic species including Cypresses and Pine. A rare endemic is the Mihiriya tree (Gordonia Zeylanica) which bears white flowers.

With its well-maintained landscapes, plant species, and peaceful atmosphere, this botanical garden in Nuwara Eliya is a must-visit for nature lovers seeking a relaxing experience in Sri Lanka.