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.
Sri Lanka is one of the best places in the World for Whale Watching. There is almost a guarantee that you will see Whales as the sighting percentage stands above 90%. The most common Whale in the Indian Ocean is the Blue Whale which is the largest surviving Mammal on Earth. Sperm Whale, Fin Whale, Bryde`s Whale, and falls killer Whales too are often spotted in the Srilankan waters. Apart from Whales, Bottle-nosed Dolphins, Spinner Dolphins, flying fish, and turtles are spotted in the Srilankan waters.
Mirissa in the southwest, Trincomalee in the northeast, and Kalpitiya on the northwest coast are the three main whale and dolphin-watching areas in Sri Lanka.
The best time to visit is between November and April when the sea is calm in the South and between July and October in the North The movement of the Whales is closely monitored by the Wildlife conservation department and the coast Guard. The boats are geared up with health and safety equipment and there is a very helpful crew on board. Depending on the sightings you spend three to five hours exploring the Indian Ocean.
Whale watching in Mirissa
Mirissa is the best and the most popular port to go whale watching in Sri Lanka..The best time to spot whales here is from November to April as the ocean is calm, and whales are migrating from the southern to the northern hemispheres. The geographic location makes it ideal for whale watching as this is where the continental shelf is at its narrowest, with ocean depths reaching 1km a few kilometers offshore.
Whale watching in Trincomalee
Trincomalee has one of the largest natural harbors in this region and sandy, golden, and isolated beaches. Whale watching here is a lot quieter than in Mirissa. You do not see a lot of boats here allowing you to Whale watch leisurely. All the Whales found in Mirissa are seen in Trincomalee, but the percentage of success is not as high as in Mirissa
Whale watching in Kalpitiya
The least popular place is Kalpitiya. You often see a lot of Dolphins here, but the sightings of Whales are not great. But this is a very unique experience there will be very few boats in Sea. All the species of Whales seen in Mirissa are present in Kalpitiya, but they are in
small numbers. The best time for Whale watching in Kalpitiya is from November to December and March till April.
Come to the best place for Whale watching in the World to have an amazing experience. Visit our website, book your favorite tour, and enjoy your vacation with your loving family.
Srilanka known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean is blessed with very good Weather. Being a Tropical Country, makes it conducive for traveling all year round. Therefore, it does not matter too much, when you come to visit Srilanka. But there are some minor points that you may wish to know before booking your Holiday.
Though Sri Lanka is a small country, the Weather varies a lot. Within a drive of three hours, the Temperature could go from 30 degrees to 10 degrees, from nice and Sunny to rainy and misty. This mystical nature`s wander makes Sri Lanka a unique destination. No matter what time of the Year you come, the Sun is guaranteed.
January – April
This is a good time to visit Srilanka as there is very little rain around, during this time. This is the best time to see Whales. Swimming in the Sea is possible in the South and West Coasts. This is a good time for water sports such as surfing and snorkeling. January is a bit cooler by Srilankan standards and April is tilted towards the hot season. The Country goes to the Holiday mood after the 13th of April because of the Sinhala New Year. April is the best time for Kitesurfing in Srilanka which is becoming more and more popular every Season.
May – June
This is the time that the South- West Monsoon kicks in. There is some rain around and the humidity climbs up as well. This is not the Ideal time for a beach Holiday in SriLanka, but it is a good time to travel around the country sightseeing. The sites will be unique over this time with very few tourists around. Most of the sites will be for your selves to explore compared to lining up to visit sites during the busy Season.
July – September
This is the time for family Holidays. Lots of families are seen in July/ August. Though there is little rain around, this is a good time to visit SriLanka. The Elephant gathering in Minneriya
National park happens during this time of the Year where you get to see hundreds of Elephants with babies. The Perehera in Kandy [Procession] takes places in July/ August to pay homage to the Tooth relic of Buddha which is a unique highlight.
October – November
This is the time of the North- East monsoon. But this does not mean it would rain all day. The North East monsoon is not very heavy and usually, it rains in the late afternoon. This is a fairly quiet time in Srilanka. You can swim in the Sea in the North and East during this time of the Year. .
December
This is the best time to visit Sri Lanka as far as the Weather is concerned. This is the coolest month in Srilanka which would be the ideal temperature for you. The temperature will be around 25 Degrees. This is the busiest time of the year for sure and a lot of families visit SriLanka during this time of the Year.
Unique Travels offers fantastic affordable tours to make your holiday the most memorable Holiday. We will make sure that you are well looked after by our very experienced field staff. Our mission is to make sure that you will have your best Holiday in SriLanka To find out more information about our tours and SriLanka's most beautiful places, visit our website Today!
Sri Lanka is a country with many festivals. Most of them are Buddhist festivals where the Srilankan traditions are well exposed. Hindu, Muslim and Christian festivals too are celebrated in Srilanka, showcasing the ethnic unity and the harmony of the people. All the festivals are public Holidays in Sri Lanka and this allows the people to celebrate these festivals in style. Srilanka has over 30 public Holidays and most of them are to, celebrate the Festivals. Out of the many festivals we have, we have picked the top five and listed them below.
Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations
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This is by far the most popular festival celebrated in Sri Lanka. The traditional Srilankan New Year arrives on the 14th of April at the given auspicious time by the Astrologist which varies every year. All the traditional food and sweets made over the New Year is a key feature in the celebrations. Every one join in the traditional Srilankan games making it a fun event. This is the family time for Srilankans and most families get together leaving big cities like Colombo deserted. The instrumental factor of the celebrations is the pre-determined auspicious times for activities such as the first meal, first bath, first day to work or school etc of the New Year prolonging the celebrations for about a week.
Vesak Poya
This is called the festival of light or the festival of enlightenment. This falls on the full moon day of the month of May to commemorate the Birth, Enlightenment and passing away of Buddha. The whole Country will be illuminated with colourful pandalls and lanterns. People travel around for days sightseeing enjoying the so much varied art work. The temples get very busy with people dressed in white offering flowers and lighting oil lamps.
Vel Festival
This is a Hindu festival that is held in July /August. The event exhibits Hinduism’s rich cultural and religious legacy. The celebrations mainly take place in Colombo where pilgrims gather for the procession. You hear the sound of drums from a distance, smell the burning incense, chants, and colourful dances in their vibrant costumes parading the streets of Colombo. The celebrations honour the defeat of bad forces and evil . The Vel festival is dedicated to God Skandha, The God of victory.
Kandy Esala Perahera
This is by far the most popular event for Tourists. This procession is claimed to be the largest unpaid procession in Asia. There are colourful dances , over 50 Elephants , Drummers and temple officials walking in the procession that will fill the streets of Kandy in the central hills of Srilanka. There are self-mortification activities such as walking of fire, hanging on hooks etc. This festival is held to pay homage to the Tooth relic of Buddha that starts ten days before the full moon day of August and finishes on the full moon day.
Maha Shivarathri
This festival is been held to celebrate the marriage of Lord Shiva to Parvati and is an important for Hindus. . This festival takes place in March and there are many traditions that are followed by the devotees during the festival People come to temples in bright and vibrant dress for the event. This festival is mainly focused on the spiritual attributes. Above are a few of many festivals SriLankans celebrate. Within your holiday of two weeks, there is every chance that you could experience a festival as we have that many.
Visit Srilanka and we will tell you more about Srilanka when you are here. Book with us right now!
If you do not have the time to visit the Ancient cities in Sri Lanka, the Museums in Colombo are the places to go to, as they reveal the rich Sri Lankan History and its Culture. They house important visuals signifying the milestones of our History and provide useful information about the highlights and the turning points. There are some specialized Museums with their own unique collections showcasing a vibrant image of focused subjects.
National Museum of Colombo Sri Lanka
This is the oldest, largest, and the most visited museum in Sri Lanka built in 1877. National Museum in Colombo is housed in a grand colonial building. With more than 4,000 palm leaf manuscripts, ancient royal regalia, jewelry with Gems and ancient artwork, collection of traditional masks and temple frescoes.
Artifacts on Display in National Museum of Colombo
The museum’s main attraction is the crown jewel and throne of the last King of Kandy that was returned to the people of Sri Lanka by the British. Over 750,000 people visited the Museum to see this, when it was first displayed in 1934. You will also find a huge collection of masks and puppets in the museum.
National Museum Library
The extensive National Museum Library has been operational since 1877. However, the library was started seven years earlier in 1870 under the name of Government Oriental Library. This is the country's largest legal depository which has numerous local publications printed in the last 150 years.. The library also houses many palm leaf manuscripts written in various languages years ago on diverse topics such as astrology and folklore.
Natural History Museum
This Museum was established in 1986 housing exhibits of pre-historic cave paintings, Jurassic- period fossils, over 5000 specimens of various mammals, plants, and animals native to Sri Lanka. Among other exhibits, you will also find a collection of different rocks that showcase the country's varied natural history.
