Beyond the City: Experiencing the Kandy Hills from Mountbatten

Kandy is often remembered for its lake, its temples and its place at the heart of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. But beyond the city and its familiar landmarks is another side of Kandy, one shaped by forested hills, tea plantations, village paths and an extraordinary variety of birdlife.

This is the Kandy that can be experienced from Mountbatten Bungalow.

Set among the hills outside the city, Mountbatten offers guests an opportunity to experience the landscape rather than simply see it. A stay here can be as much about discovering the natural surroundings as it is about relaxing at the bungalow.

One of the most rewarding experiences is birdwatching with a naturalist. The hills around Kandy provide habitat for a remarkable range of birds, including some of Sri Lanka’s endemic species. Around Mountbatten, guests have the opportunity to look for approximately ten species, making even a short walk around the property an interesting introduction to the island’s birdlife.

Among the birds that may be encountered are the Sri Lankan Wood Pigeon, Sri Lankan Scimitar Babbler, Sri Lankan Hanging Parrot, Red-backed Flameback, Layard’s Parakeet, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Sri Lankan Junglefowl, Brown-capped Babbler, Sri Lankan Green Pigeon and Sri Lankan Shama.

The experience is not about ticking birds off a list. With a naturalist, guests begin to understand the sounds and movements of the forest and the different habitats around the property. A bird call from the trees can lead to a search through the canopy, while a movement in the undergrowth may reveal a Junglefowl or a babbler. It is a simple experience, but one that offers a very different perspective of Kandy.

Then there is the Pekoe Trail, with Stage One beginning just 1 km from Mountbatten Bungalow.

The route from Hanthana to Galaha takes walkers into the landscape that has shaped the story of Sri Lanka’s central highlands. Tea gardens, mountain views, forest patches and rural communities form part of the journey. Walking the trail gives visitors a chance to experience the hills at a slower pace and to see how nature, agriculture and local life exist alongside one another.

For visitors to Kandy, this is an experience that goes beyond the usual sightseeing. The Pekoe Trail is not simply a walk through beautiful scenery; it is a chance to encounter the nature, culture and communities of the hill country.

And that is perhaps what makes a stay at Mountbatten different. The property is close enough to Kandy to explore its cultural attractions, yet far enough away to experience the quieter landscapes that surround the city.

A visit to Kandy does not have to end with the Temple of the Tooth or a walk around the lake. There is another Kandy waiting in the hills—one of birdsong, tea trails, village life and mountain air.

At Mountbatten, that side of Kandy begins just beyond the garden gate…