Do NOT Setup a Camping Site Horton Plains Without Reading This Article

I just thought of writing a short post of Horton Plains Camping as there are quite several people who want camping in Horton Plain.

If you walk on this path, you can see the Camping Sites Horton Plain and Chimney Pool. If you want to see the big Picture, Just Click the Image

General Overview of Horton Plains Camping

I visited all three camping sites of the Horton Plains during my visit. Camping site 1 is the most privacy oriented site, but the other two camping sites also close to the Chimney Pool.

As I mentioned to you earlier, My objective of this trip is to blow my Mind, Body, and Spirit, therefore I waited around the Chimney Pool(Horton Plains Camping area) area for more than 45 minutes.

Chimney Pool area is one of the most beautiful parts of the Horton Plain according to my experience.

That could be one of the reasons for the Battaramulla Wild Life Department to allow to build campsites around Chimney Pool.

Chimney Pool view of Camping Site Horton Plain. Chimney Pool is a much nicer place

1.How to get permission to set up a Camping Site in Horton Plains.

1. To book Camping sites you have to visit Battaramulla Wild Life Department and need to take necessary permission from them. if you need to set up a camping site at Horton Plain.

This is the drill that you need to follow if you need to book.

1. This is how you should book the Camping Site in Horton Plains.

You have to book one month in advance, therefore, if you want to book in March, then you need to visit the Wild Life Department in Battaramulla in February.

But you have to go to the place on the first Monday of the month. according to the previous example, then you have to visit there in the first week of February to book a date in March.

I hope, this is very clear.

If that first Monday is a holiday due to any reason, then go on next Monday, 2nd Monday of the months.

I took a bit of rick to take this Chimney Pool Photo. You can see this view very well if you book Camping Site 1.

I hope this situation also very clear 🙂

Once you visit Battaramulla Wild Life Department, You need to take a number from the counter. they will give a form to be filled with the number.

Make sure you take all the NIC numbers of the participants who will go with you for camping.

Read this section very clearly

it is better to take photocopies ( if you meet a bureaucratic staff member, it can be a bit of a hassle. Government organization works like that.)

Hey guys, this is a bit of a time-consuming process. they give more priority for the Bungalow and Dormitory booking first.

Some people bypass the token or number system and they get booking before you.

Do not get upset about these. If you have a friend in the Wild Life Department Battaramulla, you would do the same therefore be patient.

Do not expect things to happen with an hour. just allocate at least 1/2 DAY for this process so that you will NOT be frustrated. sometimes, you can get the booking within an hour, if you are lucky 🙂

You have to pay Rs 2500(USD 20) per 10 people. If you go by a vehicle, then parking charge of Rs 280(USD 1.5). This is as of September 2014.

Dillan, Shipxpress System Lead took this Photo. Do NOT carry any Backpacks or Bag if you want to work on this. You may miss your balance. Bit of Ricky Shot!!!

Please note that these things can change therefore take some extra cash along with you.

2.Toilet and Water

There is a toilet but there is NO water inside the toilet. Make sure you take a bucket of water before going in.

You have to take the water from the Chimney Pool, therefore, be careful when you take water.

I am not quite sure about how deep the Chimney Pool water stream goes; If you want to take water, go with somebody to take water and take all the precautions before doing so.

Water is damn cold too, therefore, I am not very sure how successful it will be washing your body part inside the toilet.

I am pretty sure, you would take small gas cooker to cook, if possible, mix with hot water before taking water inside the toilet 🙂

Clean the toilet before you set up the camping site and take the necessary liquid. This has to be done if you go with some ladies.

3.Selecting the Correct Period for Horton Plains Camping

I read a lot of articles and some good posts about the Horton plains camping sites.

They advise you to go camping from December to February time.

You can see Chimney Pool and Camping Site 1 at Horton Plain. Very Beautiful !!!!

Some of the people faced a lot of harsh conditions during the rainy season. please read this article as you would not regret it.

You can take the best camping equipment or tent but you can NOT control nature. Even with some of the best camping tents, you still will find a flow of water inside your camping site when it rains.

You only can cry when it happens to you as you have NO control over the situation.

Water comes so fast that your campsite can be washed away or damage the camping gear and food so be aware – be prepared for this situation.

If rains come, the floor of the tent gets wet, sometimes at night. you have to clean the tent during the rain. you will sick of your life and you never go on Horton Plains Camping again, if you undergo this type of harsh experience.

Try to avoid harsh weather conditions. You can NOT fight with nature.

You can fight with the cold but NOT with the rain.

Avoid the Raining season, both monsoons. This is my best advice 🙂

Another View of Chimney Pool and Camping Site1 Horton Plain

4. Food that You need to take along with you.

I am sure, you would take a Gas Cooker with you to cook or boil water. Some people use Karasean oil-based burned or cooker.

My experience says it is very hard to lit kerosene oil burners or cooker under very cold weather. please google and find the detail about kerosene oil cookers under these colds weather conditions.

NOT only the cold weather, but you also find very powerful winds too. Do not take the kerosene oil cooker inside the camp tent to light: Be aware of these things.

Keep in mind that, it’s very difficult to use a gas burner if there is a strong wind. It is better to take something to cover from wind.

Food Items for Camping

When it comes to food, it is a very hard decision. Everybody wants to eat Rice with some curries. I read many articles on camping, they cooked rice, meat, and a few curries. It is good if your objective is to eat only during the camping :-).

When you go camping, it is a different game and your mindset should be different. Cooking is the part of the Camping game but it is NOT the only thing, therefore, do not carry or prepare to have gala style dinner, Breakfast or Lunch.

You must think like Soldiers, eat and take only what is necessary.

Anyway,  that is up to you to think. But take these essentials along with you.

1. A few packets of Biscuits. It has to be salt based biscuits and sugar-based biscuits. you need energy and also a lot of salt since you are going to hike. Make sure you take a good amount of biscuits

2. Take some chocolates bars or Jujubes. Immediate sugar boosters.

Horton Plain Camping Site1. Click so that you can see a better view.

3.A few packs of instant noodles[Do not think about healthy food]. if you experience heavy rain, you can boil some water and make some noodles. Believe me, it is some time savior.

Shall I take Meat for Camping

4. My advice is, DO NOT TAKE MEAT. if you want the meat to taste, take some pre-cooked sausages.

The smell of meat can attract some animals. do not force any unnecessary trouble. if you love to eat meat or fish, eat these before you go on Horton Plains Camping 🙂

5. Take a good amount of Bananas. it is an excellent energy giver. You do not need to have a heavy meal if you eat Banana as it gives all the energy that you need. I have noticed that a lot of hikers take bananas along with them when hiking.

6. Take tea bags and instant coffee. Do not take milk power. if you want milk, take pasteurized milk. That you can keep for a few days.

7.if you plan to take a break, then take sliced bread which you can keep for a few days. I do not think, normal Sri Lankan Bread would do.

You can see the Camping Site 1 and Toilet of Horton Plain. This was an excellent view. You have to be there if you want to experience the surrounding.

One thing that you need to know, you are going to be in cold weather so you can eat like an elephant if you wish to.

5. Your Team

Go with a good team, at least 5 member team. You need a lot of help from each other to set up a camping site properly and enjoy camping.

Very Closer shot of Camping Site 1.

Take friends who like camping otherwise they may not enjoy the rough life and essence of the camping experience.

If possible, take a friend who had been in camp previously, so that you would not face may challenger.

Camping Site1 of Horton Plain. You should not set up a camping fire. It is NOT advisable. IT IS PROHIBITED TOO.

Take a person who can cook fast meals unless you please learn to cook :-).

Horton Plain camping is not very good as a  Family Camp with children. There are many other places that you can find. There are a couple of companies organizes Camping Sites at Horton Plain

Camping Site Horton Plain Toilets

There are many things that I can write about Horton Plains Camping, but these are more essential things which people may NOT think about in advance when they need to set up a Horton Plains Camping.