Sri Lanka known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean and the Wonder of Asia has so much to offer for tourists. The golden sandy beaches are good for Water sports, the hill country with amazing scenery, The National parks with unique wildlife, The ancient cities and cultural sites, and fun activities such as white water rafting, Zip-lining make Srilanka a very special holiday destination that offers something for everyone. The friendly, gentle, helpful ever smiling locals are a huge asset to the tourism industry. Srilankans are very resilient people. After having been through a series of unfortunate events, they have come back strongly with that familiar smile on their faces. Kandy
Kandy is the most popular city among travelers. This was the last indigenous Capital of the Country tucked in the hills of Central Srilanka. The Lake in the heart of the city is a highlight with so much happening around it. The most sacred temple of the Buddhists called the Temple of the Tooth is located in Kandy and houses a tooth of Buddha. This is the most visited temple in the country and the locals make an effort to visit the temple at least once a year. The best time to visit the temple is during the ceremony which is held every day. The Royal Botanical Garden in Kandy is the best in Srilanka. This is in an area of over 63 hectares and you can easily spend a day here if you are keen on trees and flowers. The vibrant town, the colorful fruit and vegetable market, the spice market, and the little restaurants and bars should not be missed in this wonderful city.
The Butterfly Mountain – Adam’s Peak
Adam’s Peak, often referred to as “Sri Pada,” is the most climbed Mountain in Sri Lanka. The Buddhists believe that Buddha has planted his footprint on the top of the Mountain and the pilgrims climb the mountain to get to the footprint of Buddha. As far as the tourists are concerned, the highlight here is watching the Sunrise. Going up the lit-up Mountain with the locals through the night is a unique experience. The pilgrim season starts on the full moon day of December and finishes on the full moon day of May. The mountain standing at 2,243 meters is by far the most popular Mountain in the Country.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage has mixed reviews and people have different views about the place. The elephants here have lost their herds and have become orphans in the Wild. They were then rescued from being lonely by the Wildlife conservation department and brought to Pinnawala orphanage. If they were not rescued they would have died as they are sociable animals and cannot live on their own. All the elephants you see at the orphanage would have been dead if the Pinnawala orphanage did not exist. There are nearly a hundred Elephants here and feeding them is no easy task. Hence, The Pinnawala orphanage has no choice, but to expose the elephants to tourists to make some money to feed the Elephants. If you can see both sides of the story, then The Pinnacle Orphanage is a good place to visit.
Nature’s Playground – Kitulgala
Kitulgala is the one and only base for white water rafting in Sri Lanka. The Keleni River which flows through the little village, and starts up in Adam`s peak. You have the opportunity to do grade three or grade one rafting. You get to see the location of the film “Bridge over the River Kwai` from your raft. The wet evergreen vegetation gives you the feeling of an isolated rainforest. Abseiling, cannoning, and kayaking too can be done at Kithulgala. Kithulgala is home to a lot of rear birds making it a paradise for bird watchers. There are a lot of walks and treks that go through the little villages where you get to experience the real local walk of life
The Mountains in Isolation – Knuckles Range
If you like peace and quiet, The Knuckles range is the best. Known as the mountains in the mist, these isolated Mountain range has so much bio-diversity and different climatic zones. The climb to the Manigala Rock is an amazing experience through the rice paddy and the authentic vegetation native to the Knuckles range. The breathtaking views and the sound of the jungle in the middle of nowhere make this trek mystical and magical.
Bridge in the Sky – Nine Arch Bridge
The Nine arch bridge was built by the British, connecting two mountains in 1921. This bridge is seen as a railway wander as the firm nine arches are still standing tall in the wilderness. The bridge is between the famous Ella and Demodara train stations and you can easily walk to the bridge from Ella along the train track. The best time to visit the bridge is to see the train going over it around 3.30 pm. If you are in the train from Ella to Demodara, the best view of the bridge is on the left.
The Sacred City of Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura was the first ancient Capital of Sri Lanka from the 1 century BC till the 10th century AD. This is claimed to be the longest-lived capital in the World which was 1500 years. The City that was flourishing at that time showcases the glory of the Srilankan civilization. Abayagiriya the tallest relic temple, Srimahabodhiya the oldest tree with recorded history, Ruwanweli Saya the temple with Jewells and the twin ponds with detailed stone sculptures are living proofs of that advanced and innovative civilization.
Sri Lanka is a wonderful destination for travelers looking for adventure, culture, and relaxation. A journey to this lovely country can be both memorable and unforgettable.
We can help you to create beautiful memories in Sri Lanka with careful planning.
Sri Lanka is very much focused on Eco- friendly Tourism. 25% of the country’s land is protected forest and there are strict laws to ensure that it remains as it is. There are some hotels and resorts that are very keen to preserve the environment and run the hotels with a minimum negative impact. As a responsible and sustainable travel company, we take the initiative to promote these hotels. There are a lot of Eco-friendly hotels, but we cannot list all of them for obvious reasons. We have listed some of the best Eco- friendly resorts below. We work with these hotels closely and know that they truly are trying to make a difference.
Polwattha Eco- Lodges- Digana- Kandy
Polwaththa Eco Lodges consists of 15 lodges spread out in a pristine environment, giving you a ‘Living-in-the-Jungle’ experience. Situated 19km east of Kandy each lodge offers basic comfort with great views and privacy. Activities include Yoga, local cooking lessons, a wide choice of treks through nature, quaint villages, rice fields, tea plantations, waterfalls, rivers, and the famous Knuckles Mountains. The community interactions and school projects provide a rewarding experience to the visitors. The environment and the local community are at the heart of our operations. The Hotel practices the 3Rs. They make all our purchases from within 5km. They operate a very successful re-forestation project where you can plant a tree. On a larger scale, they purchase land for reforestation. Polwaththa offers a pristine environment with average day temperatures of 26C and night temperatures of 22C with hardly any mosquitoes. We are pet friendly with 7 dogs and 5 cats, living in harmony with wild boar, deer, porcupines, giant squirrels, monkeys, butterflies, bats, fireflies, and insects. Over 60 species of birds including 15 endemic species can be seen within the hotel premises. Authentic Sri Lankan meals are cooked in clay pots using firewood to give you a taste of real Sri Lankan village culture.
Camping with Mahoora- Yala, Udawalawa, Wilpatthu
Mahoora is a provider of authentic, mobile-luxury adventure in the Sri Lankan wilderness. All Mahoora Elite & Premium Campsites border Sri Lanka’s most famous National Parks, such as Udawalawe, Yala (in the wetlands of southern Sri Lanka), and Wilpattu (the lowland dry zone of the northwest coast). All three locations provide premium safari experiences where you can see elephants, leopards, and hundreds of bird species. We recommend the top-of-the-line, all-inclusive Mahoora Elite. It is a carbon-neutral safari experience covering game drives in the national parks, traveling in an exclusive jeep, and being guided by an experienced naturalist. You will stay in a spacious tented (32’x10.8’) accommodation with a bedroom, a living area, an ensuite bathroom, and a veranda. Meals are freshly prepared Sri Lankan food that you can wash down with arrack, the local liquor.
Gal Oya Lodge in Ampara
This lodge is the perfect hideout if you’re looking to seek adventures in Sri Lanka. You will have the opportunity of visiting the minority indigenous group of people living in central Sri Lanka – the Veddas. Gal Oya Lodge offers a walking tour that’s accompanied by the village head, who will pass on his knowledge of how his ancestors worked in the land. The hotel is very carefully designed to blend in with nature with a minimum impact on the Environment. The boat safari to the Gal Oya National Park is the most popular excursion where you get to see Elephants swimming between Islands. Gal Oya Lodge is a paradise for Bird watchers and the many footpaths leading from the hotel give you easy access to explore the wildlife.
TRI- Ahangama
Situated on the bank of the eco-diverse Koggala Lagoon, Tri is a hideout that offers sustainable luxury. A hotel built with local materials and guided by its surroundings, Tri has green roofs, solar arrays, and edible gardens. We love the compact and comfy Water Tower Room on the cinnamon-wood-covered hilltop. It has a king-size bed, and the ensuite bathroom has slate floors, hand-cut terrazzo walls, and a rainfall shower. One of the best things about Tri is its locale. You can get on a bike to experience the countryside or take a tour of the lagoon to visit Cinnamon Island—the source of some of the best cinnamon in the world. For some city life, ride a tuk-tuk to the colonial town of Galle for some gelato. After a day of exploring, you can unwind at Tri with a massage or a quantum yoga class.
Forest Rock Garden Hotel- Anuradhapura
Forest Rock Garden is one of, if not the most beautiful settings on the soil of Sri Lanka that gives you an extraordinary experience over and beyond your expectations. Forest Rock Garden Hotel is a living masterpiece that gives its guests the once-in-a-lifetime experience to go back into the golden days of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, which was flourishing 2000 years ago, with utmost luxury and a great sense of royalty, serenity, and peace. The Hotel is in an area of 50 acres. The efforts they have made to preserve nature are very noticeable and the passion for Responsible Tourism is evident at Forest Rock Garden. Anuradhapura which carries the torch of being the first capital of ancient Sri Lanka offers a number of historical places to explore. The sacred city of Anuradhapura is home to a number of religiously significant sites which include the Ruwanwelisaya, The Sri maha bodhi tree, The Abayagiri Monastery, The Twins Pond, The Samadhi Buddha Statue, Mirisawetiya, Isurumuniya & Thuparama dagoba. The Wilpatthu National Park can be visited from the Forest Rock Garden, which is the largest National park in Sri Lanka.
The first train ran in Sri Lanka in 1864. Though we have moved from steam to Diesel, the authenticity of the old trains are still been retained and when you take a train ride in Srilanka, you will feel like you have gone back in time. The train does about 20 MPH, most of the time. The doors and windows are opened and people sit on the footplates and enjoy the fresh air and the scenery. You hear the whistles and screams when the train goes through the pinch dark tunnels and no one knows why these screams are made, but this happens every day every time, the train goes through a tunnel.
The best train ride in Srilanka is from Kandy to Badulla which takes about seven hours. You start the trip at the elevation of 1500 feet and get up to 6200 feet, before descending to 4000 feet, which is the end of the line. The train slowly winds, twists, and spirals up the hills stopping at cute, well-maintained homely looking stations. It goes through thousands of acres of tea where you will be able to spot the vibrantly dressed tea pickers moving between the tea bushes.
The scenery is stunning, going through various climatic zones and seeing tropical, Sub- montane, and cloud forest-type vegetation. The views are amazing and at some spots, you see a distance of about 80 miles and a drop of around two thousand feet. You see a series of Waterfalls and the best being Devon and St. Clair`s Falls. You stop at the highest train station in the Country [ Pattipola] and go over the World famous Nine Arch bridge which was built by the British in 1921 and is seen as a railway wonder.
Sri Lanka is no longer seen as just a beach holiday destination. It has so much to offer in the form of History, Culture, Nature, and Adventure. Srilanka is been recognized as a prime Adventure Holiday destination blended with nature which is a unique feature.
Being a tropical Country, Sri Lanka is never short of exciting outdoor activities. The lush green vegetation and the Sunshine add so much color to the activities making them memorable to the travelers. The vast variety of landscapes and Bio- diversity allows the tourists to enjoy the different vibes and feels allowing them to gain unforgettable experiences.
We have listed the top fifteen adventure activities based on our customer feedback. You have the choice to pick and choose your activities, which we can tailor-make into a tour. We have very carefully selected our service providers with the correct paperwork and qualified staff.
Cycling Tours
The back roads of Sri Lanka are well connected and you can easily cycle around to see all the highlights. You cycle through rice paddy fields, around lakes, and through the little villages and Tea plantations, feeling the pulse of the Country which most tourists do not get to experience. We use high-quality branded bikes such as Trek and Specialized.
Water Sports
Sri Lanka is an Island Nation, and the choice for water sports is immense. Due to the two different monsoons, you need to carefully pick the region you visit depending on the time of the year. The North and the East are at their best between July and November. The South and West Coasts are calm from November till April. Diving, Snorkeling, Surfing, and many more water sports are offered in this tropical Island. Negombo Lagoon is been identified as one of the best places in the World for Kite surfing.
Deep Sea Fishing and Lagoon Fishing
The Indian Ocean that surrounds the island of Sri Lanka is rich with Barracuda, Groupers, Jack Fish, Red Snappers, Sharks, Tuna, the stunning Waho, and White Snappers. You can spend an entire morning deep sea fishing and make it a fantastic experience.
You can try lagoon fishing during the off-season in the quieter waters at the edge of the river mouth and further upstream. The best time to do this is in the morning or late afternoon for a couple of hours. You will have the opportunity of catching catfish, mangrove jacks, mullet, and snappers. As a bonus, you can enjoy the stunning scenery of rivers and wildlife in Sri Lanka.
Dolphin and Whale Watching
The ever-smiling, excited, mischievous dolphins will put on a show for you while some of the largest and oldest sea creatures, the blue whales and humpback, will casually glide past you when you experience a dolphin/whale watching expedition off the Eastern, Southern and Western coasts of Sri Lanka. The perfect locations for whale watching are Dondra Point, Mirissa, and Trincomalee.
The ideal location for dolphin watching is Kalpitiya, which is well known to have an abundance of dolphins (Bottlenose, Humpback, and Spinner Dolphins). Killer whales and sperm whales too, are found here. In Kalpitiya, you can watch hundreds of dolphins diving under and swimming alongside your boat, jumping, leaping out of the water in a magical display, riding waves, spinning, and twirling. On a day with good sightings, this will be an unforgettable, magical experience.
Hiking and Trekking
Hiking and trekking are getting very popular in Srilanka. The mountain rainforest of Knuckles Range is should be on your list as the place offers many options. The short walks such as the Little World`s End and Sera Ella are the most popular. Climbing Manigala Rock is a great trek in isolation with amazing views. If you are up to taking a challenge, you could walk from Reversten to Meemure which is a day`s trek where you move from North Central to Central Province.
Ella is the next best place for Trekking and the most popular trek is the Little Adam`s Peak. The Ella Rock is a half a day trek through amazing scenery close to the Nine Arch Bridge. The trek that is visited least is the Rawana cave trek. If you fancy a peaceful, quiet walk absorbing the scenery, this is perfect for you.
The cloud forests can be explored at Horton Plains National Park and if you wish you can climb the second-tallest peak Kirigalpottha or the third-tallest Thotupola Kanda.
Though the most popular climb in Srilanka is Adam`s Peak from a trekking point of view, it is not the best as this can get very busy with pilgrims.
Hot Air Ballooning
Fancy a magical Bird`s eye view of the forests and the Lion Rock in Sigiriya?? Hot Air Ballooning is the answer. This ride is the most picturesque experience for sure. The Jungle with Elephants, The volcanic eruptions, the green rice paddy fields, and the Birds of prey will drive you to a different World
White Water Rafting, Sliding & Confident Jumping
Keleni River running through the little Village of Kithulgala offers you a full package of adventure. Grade three and Grade four rafting, Sliding & confident jumping can be done with in a couple of hours. The stunning Rain forest type thick vegetation and the suspension bridges add a different vibe to the activities. You get to see the location of the film “Bridge over the River Kwai“.
Train Rides through the Hill Country
This is an activity you should not miss. The train twists and scrawls through the hills with thousands of acres of Tea and breathtaking views. It runs at around 20 miles per hour allowing you to take photos of the Waterfalls and the Tea pickers. The open doors and windows give you the chance to soak up the atmosphere. The best part of the Journey is from Nanuoya to Demodara where you see the famous nine-arch bridge.
Canoeing and Kayaking
Canoeing through the dense mangrove forests of Sri Lanka gives you an up-close look at the unique ecosystems. If you’re a nature lover who wants to experience the incredible biodiversity that Sri Lanka has to offer, then this activity is perfect for you. Whether you paddle through quiet waterways or navigating brackish channels, there’ll always be something for everyone on a canoeing trip through the mangroves.
Kayaking is usually done between the beach and a lagoon. You need a full day tour exploring the many ocean-based sights of the area. The tour is like a trip to an off-shore island. Along the way you will see many small islands with coral reefs, sea life and the waves crashing along the western coast.
Zip lining
This is the latest activity that has been added to the list. Zip lining can be done in Ella. The lines between the two hills give you the best feel of nature. You can combine this activity with Little Adam`s peak and Demodara Bridge.
Sri Lanka is the ideal place to experience a wide range of adventure activities at a very fair cost. The standard of Health and safety is been very closely monitored by the authorities and the staff is qualified and experienced.
