Habarana
Saturday, October 23rd, 2010
Minneriya Wildlife Park close to Habarana
Habarana
Habarana, though a village in the wilderness, is a transportation hub in the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka with eco-oriented luxury hotels. Habarana, the eco destination
Although considered a base for the famous tourist destinations surrounding the village, well set with a rainwater reservoir, Habarana is an attraction in its own right: it’s an ornithologist’s paradise and birder’s dream.
Location of Habarana
Habarana is located at a distance of 173 km away from Colombo in the North-central province of Sri Lanka.
Routes to Habarana
From Colombo: Colombo, Kurunegale, Dambulla, Habarana; Colombo, Kandy, Matale, Dambulla, Habarana.
From Kandy: Kandy, Matale, Dambulla, Habarana
From Negombo: Negombo, Kurunegale, Dambulla, Habarana.

Habarana, a base for Cultural Triangle
Habarana, the transportation hub
Habarana village is situated where A6 Dambulla-Trincomalee road meets A11 Anuradhapura-Polonnaruwa road in the district of Anuradhapura nearly on the border of adjoining district of Polonnaruwa. Habarana’s central location within the cultural triangle has made it one of the preferred bases of those who visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Dambulla, Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa as well as Minneriya National Park & Kaudulla National Park.
Distances from Habarana to cultural attractions of the Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle
Habarana – Polonnaruwa: 46km; Habarana – Ritigala: 21km; Habarana – Dambulla: 25km; Habarana – Sigiriya: 30km
Distances from Habarana to wildlife attractions: Habarana – Minneriya: 28km
Distances from Habarana to alternative locations for hotel accommodation: Habarana – Kandalama: 37km; Habarana – Giritale, Polnnaruwa: 07km.
Hurulu Eco Park at Habarana
Hurulu Eco Park spreads an area of 10,000. With a drive of around 22 km from the Habarana end. The four streams that run through the park wind their courses to the Hurulu Wewa rainwater reservoir that sustain the wildlife in the area. Hurulu Eco Park is carved out of the Hurulu Forest Reserve, a dry zone area that has also been declared a “Man and the Biosphere reserve” (MAB) by UNESCO. Sri Lanka has four (International) Biosphere Reserves: Bundala, Hurulu, Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya Forest Complex and the UNESCO World Heritage Site among the 30 wild life and nature reserves of the Island.
Luxury Hotels at Habarana
Habarana has earned quite a reputation for its eco-oriented high-end chalet-styled hotels set in the wilderness. Cinnamon Lodge, Chaya village and Habarana Rest House are the most famous luxury hotels at Habarana. Tree Houses in some of the lodges afford the opportunities to enjoy the sights of herds of Wild Elephants at close quarters.
- Habarana advice from real travelers