What to expect on a night walk at Camellia Hills
Based in the hill country, Teardrop Hotel’s Naturalist Dinesh de Silva leads our guests on fascinating trails in the island’s tea region. One such trail, the Camellia Hills Night Walk, takes place well after dark along tea estate paths around the tea bungalow. We caught up with Dinesh to learn a little more about the walk, and his advice and tips on how to make the most of it. Read on for the full interview:
What can guests expect on the night walk at Camellia Hills?
Whether you’re an avid stargazer, or simply curious about Sri Lanka’s nocturnal wildlife, this experience is a magical alternative to daytime trails. Instead of the usual morning hikes, the night walk offers a completely different perspective. As darkness descends, the tea fields, rocky outcrops, and surrounding forests take on an intriguing ambiance. It’s a very serene experience and the quietest you’ll ever encounter in the Sri Lankan hills.
The night walk is also partly a nature walk, what kind of wildlife can we spot?
The night walk introduces you to fascinating wildlife found in the tea country. Some of the more common sightings have been Sambar Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Sri Lankan Leopard, civet cat, Black-naped Hare, several species of snakes, tree frogs and insects (including fireflies), bats, and Brown Fish Owls. That said, the wildlife in these parts is very elusive.
What tips do you have for stargazing on a clear night?
Remember to wrap up warm! Clear skies provide excellent stargazing conditions. You’ll be treated to a blanket of stars overhead, and if you’re lucky, you might even pot planets like Mars, Saturn, and Venus. The region’s elevation and low light pollution make it ideal for observing constellations. Keep an eye out for familiar ones like Orion, Ursa Major, and the Southern Cross.
Tell us about moonlit walks along the tea estates
Full moon nights are special, and the tea plantations transform into a serene wonderland. The silvery glow creates an otherworldly ambiance, and the rolling hills and usual mist-kissed valleys take on an entirely different feel.
Finally what tips do you have for guests doing the night walk?
Listen carefully to animal, bird, and insect sounds – tree frogs and cicadas are among the nocturnal performers. Remember to dress warmly, embrace the quiet, and enjoy the thrill of spotting wildlife, or simply enjoy the ambiance of a quiet walk. Keeping your voices low to avoid disturbing animals will increase your chances of good sightings. The walk begins around 9pm, so I recommend having an early dinner, so you have ample time to relax, as the walk typically lasts about two and a half hours.
