Overview
Ambewela Farms — sometimes called the New Zealand of Sri Lanka — is a cluster of working dairy farms set in the open rolling grasslands of the Ambewela plateau near Nuwara Eliya, at approximately 1,900 metres above sea level. The landscape here is unique in Sri Lanka — broad green pastures under a wide sky, cattle and horses grazing in misty morning fields, and the sound of wind over grassland creating an atmosphere entirely unlike the tropical environment found at lower elevations. The farms are managed by the Milco dairy company and produce a significant proportion of Sri Lanka’s fresh milk and dairy products. Visitors are welcomed for a farm tour that includes a walk through the dairy cattle paddocks, an explanation of the production process, and the opportunity to purchase fresh dairy products including milk, cheese, and yogurt. The drive to Ambewela from Nuwara Eliya passes through extraordinary highland scenery and includes the highest railway station in Sri Lanka at Pattipola.
Highlights
- Rolling highland dairy farms — the “New Zealand of Sri Lanka”
- Unique open grassland landscape at ~1,900m above sea level
- Guided tours of working dairy farms with cattle and horses
- Fresh milk, cheese, and yogurt available for purchase
- Extraordinary wide-sky Highland atmosphere
- Morning mist over the pastures creates ethereal photography
- Accessible as part of a Horton Plains day trip
- The drive to Ambewela is itself one of the most scenic in the Central Province
Best Time to Visit
Early mornings for misty farm scenes. Year-round for the farm and landscape. April–August for the greenest pastures.
Activities
- Farm tour and dairy production explanation
- Fresh dairy product purchase
- Landscape and farm photography
- Horse and cattle interaction
- Walking the open pastures
Suitable For
Families with children, rural tourism enthusiasts, photographers, food lovers
Nearby Attractions
- Pattipola Railway Station (10 min drive)
- Horton Plains National Park (20 min drive)
- World’s End (within Horton Plains)
- Nuwara Eliya Town (30 min drive)
- Moon Plains (25 min drive)
Travel Tips
- The farm tour can be arranged informally on arrival
- Bring warm clothing — the open pastures at 1,900m can be very cold in the morning
- Fresh dairy products here are significantly better than anything found in Colombo
- Combine with Horton Plains and Pattipola for a full highland day
- The drive back to Nuwara Eliya at sunset through the grassland is exceptional
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