Ohiya is a serene village set in the lush cloud forests of Badulla. Life moves slowly in this charming rural town, where you can relax, unwind and experience Sri Lanka through a local lens. Horton Plains National Park is a short drive from the village and will captivate you with its scenic clifftop walking trails and spectacular views over the countryside.
Things to do in Ohiya
For many travellers, Ohiya is a launchpad for Horton Plains National Park, a windswept highland plateau set at an altitude of more than 2,000 metres. Hike to the famous World's End lookout for cinematic views over rugged mountains, emerald-green tea plantations and tiny villages.
Horton Plains offers a chance to spot rare and endemic species for wildlife enthusiasts, including the slender loris, toque macaque and Sri Lankan white-eye. If you’re lucky, you might see leopards basking in the grasslands.
Like most towns in Sri Lanka, the food in Ohiya is superb. The town is dotted with local restaurants where you can dig into Sri Lankan specialties such as eggplant curry, green beans cooked in coconut milk and crispy “hopper” breakfast crepes with sweet onion chutney.
Accommodation is a highlight in Ohiya, with the village offering a wide selection of family-run homestays and beautifully positioned mountain lodges. After a day of sightseeing, you can sip tea on the balcony and enjoy sweeping views over the surrounding tea plantations.
Getting around Ohiya
Ohiya’s town centre is compact and easy to get around on foot. Renting a private driver for the day is the best way to explore the surrounding region at your own pace. Ohiya is a two-hour drive from Nuwara Eliya and 5.5 hours from Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. Trains call at Ohiya Station and run to Colombo in around six hours.