Quick answer
Ambewela farm is a large dairy farm roughly 25 to 30 kilometres south-west of Nuwara Eliya, near Pattipola on the road to Horton Plains, at roughly 1,800 to 2,000 metres. Its open pastures and imported cattle breeds earn the area the nickname Little New Zealand. Visitors may see grazing herds and buy fresh milk, yoghurt and cheese at a sales outlet; access to farm areas varies, so confirm before going. The drive takes about an hour each way and pairs well with Horton Plains or a strawberry farm.
Key takeaways
- Ambewela farm is roughly 25 to 30 kilometres south-west of Nuwara Eliya, about an hour by road.
- The pastures around Ambewela are often nicknamed Little New Zealand for their rolling grassland and dairy cattle.
- Ambewela lies on the road from Nuwara Eliya to Horton Plains, near the railway station at Pattipola.
- Pattipola is one of the highest railway stations in Sri Lanka, on the line between Nanu Oya and Ella.
- Fresh milk, yoghurt and cheese from the Ambewela area are sold at outlets near the farm.
What Ambewela farm is
Ambewela farm is a state-linked dairy farm in the high pastures south-west of Nuwara Eliya, near the village of Pattipola. Cattle breeds suited to cool climates graze on open grassland at roughly 1,800 to 2,000 metres. The farm supplies milk for products sold across Sri Lanka.
Ambewela's landscape is the main draw. Instead of tea rows, there are open fields, wooden fences, cattle sheds and, on the ridges, wind turbines. Sri Lankan visitors love its foreign look; for overseas visitors, it is an unexpected corner of the hill country.
Visiting the farm
Visiting Ambewela farm has varied over the years. At times visitors have been allowed to walk through parts of the farm and see milking sheds; at other times access has been limited to a sales outlet and the roadside view of the pastures. Confirm current arrangements with your hotel or driver before setting out.
Ambewela's sales outlets offer fresh milk, flavoured milk, yoghurt, curd and cheese. A cold glass of milk with the view over the pastures is a simple pleasure. Stalls nearby sometimes sell strawberries from local farms.
- →Farm access: varies; confirm before going.
- →Products: milk, yoghurt, curd, cheese.
- →Time needed: 45 minutes to an hour at the farm.
The drive and Pattipola
The drive from Nuwara Eliya to Ambewela takes about an hour, passing vegetable terraces, potato fields and strawberry farms before the land opens into pasture. Pattipola, nearby, has one of the highest railway stations in Sri Lanka, on the scenic line between Nanu Oya and Ella.
Ambewela's surroundings include small reservoirs and wind farms on the exposed ridges. Weather changes quickly here, and fog can sit on the pastures for hours, especially from May to September. Clear mornings from January to March give the best views.
- →Nuwara Eliya to Ambewela: about an hour.
- →Pattipola station: a short detour.
- →Best weather: January to March mornings.
Combining with Horton Plains
Ambewela lies on the way to Horton Plains, so the most efficient plan is to walk Horton Plains at dawn and stop at Ambewela on the return, around 11am, for milk and a look at the pastures. That adds 30 to 60 minutes to the morning.
Ambewela also pairs well with a strawberry farm and Moon Plains for travellers who are not walking Horton Plains. Lankan Stays & Trails builds Ambewela into Horton Plains mornings for families and travellers who enjoy a slower return.
- →Horton Plains at dawn, Ambewela on the return.
- →Strawberry farm on the Ambewela road.
- →Back in Nuwara Eliya by early afternoon.
Who will enjoy Ambewela
Ambewela suits families with children, who enjoy the cattle and the milk, travellers interested in Sri Lankan agriculture, and anyone curious to see a very different landscape in the hills. It is a light outing rather than a highlight.
Ambewela suits less well travellers short of time, who should prioritise Horton Plains, a tea estate and Hakgala. If you are only in Nuwara Eliya for one night, Ambewela is easily skipped.
Ambewela is also a useful plan B. If cloud closes Horton Plains or you arrive at the park too late for the view at World's End, the pastures, the milk bar and a slow drive back past Pattipola and the strawberry farms turn a disappointing morning into a pleasant one.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Ambewela farm from Nuwara Eliya?
Ambewela farm is roughly 25 to 30 kilometres south-west of Nuwara Eliya, about an hour by road on the way to Horton Plains. Many travellers stop there on the drive back from a dawn walk at World's End.
Why is Ambewela called Little New Zealand?
Ambewela is called Little New Zealand because its rolling green pastures, dairy cattle, fences and cool, misty weather resemble New Zealand farmland more than typical Sri Lankan landscapes. The area sits at roughly 1,800 to 2,000 metres.
Can tourists visit Ambewela farm?
Tourists can usually visit the Ambewela area and buy dairy products at the sales outlet. Access to the farm itself has varied over time, sometimes allowing walks through parts of it, sometimes not. Confirm with your hotel or driver before going.
Is Ambewela farm worth visiting?
Ambewela farm is worth a short stop if you are already driving to Horton Plains or enjoy farm visits with children. The pasture landscape is unusual for Sri Lanka. It is not worth a special trip if your time in Nuwara Eliya is short.
What can you buy at Ambewela?
At Ambewela you can buy fresh milk, flavoured milk, yoghurt, curd and cheese made from the area's dairy herds. Strawberries from nearby farms are sometimes sold at stalls close by. Carry cash.
Can you combine Ambewela with Horton Plains?
You can easily combine Ambewela with Horton Plains, because the farm lies on the road between Nuwara Eliya and the park. Walk World's End at dawn, then stop at Ambewela around 11am on the way back.