Sri Lanka Holidays: Best time to go

Sri Lanka Holidays: Best time to go

Sri Lanka, The Island of Paradise for All Seasons

Sri Lanka has year-round attractions, whether you choose to explore its beautiful hill country, beaches, historic sites or wild life parks. There are countless chances for exploration, adventure, and leisure, whether in bustling cities or serene countryside. No matter the time of the Year you visit, you’ll always find something unique to enjoy in this paradise Island.

Plan Your Trip With The Best Travel Tips

Best Time to visit National parks in Sri Lanka

The dry season, which runs from December to April in Sri Lanka, is the best time to go on wildlife safaris. During this time, the water sources in the deep wilderness dry up, and animals like elephants, leopards, and deer are drawing to water holes in the open areas, making it easier to spot them. Yala and Wilpatthu National Parks, the two most popular parks, good sightings of wildlife during these months. Visits in the early mornings and late afternoons are ideal for seeing animals in their native environments. Plan your trip between December and April for the greatest safari experience in Sri Lanka.

When to Visit Sri Lanka’s Hill Country

The best time to explore Sri Lanka’s Hill Country is between December and April when the weather is dry. Hiking through tea plantations with the breath-taking scenery in isolation is the popular thing to do. You’ll enjoy the incredible views of the mountains and waterfalls under the blue skis. The best places to visit are Horton plains, Kandy, Ella and Hatton. The Hill Country is at its best in these months with bright sun shine.

Best time for a Beach Holiday in Sri Lanka

The best time for a beach vacation in Sri Lanka depends on which coast you plan to visit. The ideal time to visit the western and southern shores is from November to April when there are clear skies and calm waters. On the other hand, the eastern coast is best visited from May to September, when the sea is calm and clear. If you pick the correct location, Sri Lanka’s varied climate allows you to enjoy its beautiful beaches all year round. Any time of the year, Sri Lanka offers a beach getaway for those who want to swim, surf, or relax.

 

“Explore Year-Round Adventure in Sri Lanka”

Exploring Caves in Sri Lanka

Exploring Caves in Sri Lanka

The island nation of Sri Lanka, known for its breathtaking golden sandy beaches, green hill country, and amazing wildlife, has an enchanting beauty just waiting to be discovered. SriLanka has an incredible treasure of historic caves beyond its well-known wonders. You’ll be amazed by the mystery and majesty of these hidden caves as they are that much fascinating and exciting to see. They offer an image that inspires your inner explorer while revealing Sri Lanka’s extensive history and stunning natural beauty.
Dambulla Cave Temple

The Dambulla Cave Temple also known as the Golden Temples of Dambulla is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cave showcases the country’s rich historical achievements and it is a well-preserved cave complex in Sri Lanka. You’ll find an incredible collection of 153 Buddha statues, along with three statues of Sri Lankan kings and queens. This is undoubtedly a “must visit site in SriLanka.
Aluvihara Cave Temple
The Aluvihara Cave Temple is a relatively new and the statues and paintings are very well preserved. The books related to the Buddhist preaching have been copied to Ola leaf books here and now there is a library which is home for the collection of unique books written on palm leaves.
Pahiyangala Cave
Pahiyangala Cave is the largest natural rock cave in Sri Lanka and its history runs back to thousands of years. The cave is a fascinating attraction for many tourists and nature lovers. This cave has been home for the old stone aged people who lived during pre-historic times. For those who are interested in culture and archaeology, this cave provides an exciting insight into Sri Lanka’s ancient past.

Ravana Cave
The Ravana Cave is significant historically as the location where the legendary King Ravana hid Princess Sita after abducting her from her husband, Rama, in India.  The cave currently serves as an amazing example of King Ravana’s construction ability because it is said that he connected it to a network of tunnels that connected to key locations throughout his vast kingdom. This location, which is just 2 kilometers from Ella, provides a fascinating look into the culture and history..
Waulpane Cave
Waulpane Cave is an interesting underground location where you can see ancient rock drawings painted by people who lived long ago. The cave is dark and mysterious, but it’s a great adventure for explorers and history lovers. The cave walls have vivid paintings that depict historical narratives.

 

“VISIT SRI LANKA TO EXPLORE NATURE’S HIDDEN TREASURES”  

Temples and Sacred Sites of Sri Lanka

Temples and Sacred Sites of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a diversified country as far as religions and ethnicities are concerned. Four major religions are practiced by the numerous distinct ethnic groups that make up the population of Sri Lanka.

The country has its unique architecture that enhances the nation’s rich culture.  Take a spiritual journey to Sri Lanka to immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Sri Lanka and to visit the religious sites and the most important temples in the world. This blog will take you through some of the most breathtaking places that represent worship and Religious significance that you must visit while in Sri Lanka. 

 

 

The Temple of the Tooth Relic, commonly known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, is situated in the well-known city of Kandy. The temple houses a relic of the tooth of Buddha, which is home to the Buddhists in Sri Lanka. Every year, thousands of worshippers from all over the world come to Sri Dalada Maligawa and pay their respects and receive blessings. The best time to visit the Temple is during the ceremony, where the temple comes alive with the drumming and its rituals.

Sri Dalada Maligawa is one of the most fascinating tourist sites in Sri Lanka. The mesmerizing Esala Perahara is a charming traditional procession that goes on for ten days exhibiting the ancient glory of the Country. This procession falls between July and August every year. 

Gangaramaya Temple –  Colombo

Gangaramaya Temple is situated in the heart of  Colombo and incorporates Sri Lankan, Indian, Thai, and Chinese architectural influences. Seema Malaka known as the meditation hall is part of the Gangaramaya temple, located in  Beira Lake.  This temple is a great place to visit, if you do not have the time to visit the cultural triangle, as you can get the feel of our ancient temples.  A significant collection of antiques from various temples can also be seen.

 

Adam’s Peak

Adam’s Peak is also known as Sri Pada, in the central province of Sri Lanka. Most Buddhists make an attempt to visit this temple every year as they believe a spectacular indentation at the top resembles the footprint of Lord Buddha. This majestic mountain is at its best during Sunrise and the climb through the night to see the Sunrise along the lit-up stairs is an amazing experience. The Pilgrim season falls between the full moon days of December and May. 

 

Anuradhapura 

This is the first ancient capital of Sri Lanka that was flourishing between the 5th Century BC and the 10th Century AD. The oldest tree in the World with a recorded history[ Srimaha Bodhi], The massive Reilc Temples standing up to over 500 feet[ Sthupa], The twin pods, The Samadhi Buddha, the preserved Moonstone are some of the highlights of this ancient Capital. If you are in to Archeology, you can easily spend a couple of days here.

 

Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa was the medieval Capital of Sri Lanka from the 10th  to the 12th Century AD which was the golden era of ours. The ruins here are well preserved and are in good shape as these are a lot younger than the first Capital Anurathepura. Polonnaruwa is the most visited ancient city as it is easier to visit the monuments in a short time because they are located closer to each other. Some of the stone work here is mind blowing and the fine details on the statues are beyond imagination. The best temple here is the Rock temple called Gal Viharaya where there are four statues of Buddha chiseled out of a single piece of rock. 

 

 

 

 

Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil

Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil is one of the most famous and significant Kovils in Sri Lanka, located around 3 kilometers from Jaffna town which the Capital of the Northern Province. . The grand arches and vivid colors are the most captivating architecture of this Kovil. Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil is dedicated to Lord Murugan, the god of war, love, and beauty. The Kovil gives both religious and social perspectives to its’ Hindu devotees who come to pray and get the blessings.

 

 

 

Thirukoneswaram Kovil

The Thirukoneswaram Kovil is a traditional and ancient Hindu Kovil complex situated in Trincomalee in the North- East. The Kovil is one of Sri Lanka’s most significant Hindu temples and it is devoted to Lord Shiva. The Kovil is located on top of Swami Rock and the stunning views of the Bay of Bengal from the Kovil may amaze you. 

Many Hindu pilgrims come to Thirukoneswaram Kovil during the year to have their blessings while enjoying the breathtaking views and nature of this sacred location. 

 

 

National Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka, Ragama

The National Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka is a very popular religious destination for Roman Catholics and is situated on the outskirts of Colombo. The church houses the statue of Our Lady of Lanka, making it one of the most significant pilgrimage destinations for Sri Lankan Catholics. The church is built within a large and majestic structure with a lovely interior with the windows with stained glass and beautiful carvings. The statue of Our Lady of Lanka is placed in a unique shrine in the church, and many pilgrims looking for blessings and healing come to this church as there is a belief that the church owes miraculous powers.

 

Exploring Sri Lanka’s Secret Waterfalls

Exploring Sri Lanka’s Secret Waterfalls

  Sri Lanka is a stunning island Nation with incredible natural beauty and, the amazing waterfalls stand tall among the highlights. Sri Lanka is rich of beautiful waterfalls hidden in the dense forests and mountains. It takes hikes through beautiful scenery and lush green jungles to explore these waterfalls in the wilderness.  As most of these Waterfalls are located off the beaten track in isolation, you feel that you are lost in the Tropical rain forests.   The waterfalls are very clean and after the hike you could go for a refreshing dip in the water. Do not forget to bring some snacks with you as you will feel hungry after being in the water and having lunch in the forest listing to the flow water is a mystical experience. There are many waterfalls in Srilanka and you can pick and choose the once closer to your route.
Baker’s Fallshttps://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/GCO-kWquJFymVUbrhjf592FLQ2nYFHxaRX8amGxAlTez1l17TRZV4frDIIsi5SwMAVC6SBsz3A23ZavghUxZMwifDoz9AKG3K6eUdU2LkHNcygYfBJKNH2EU0LSI1h_9IgL8-A8jHJa3aCNwF4CRPZI
This is one of the highest located water falls at over 7000 feet above sea level. Baker`s fall is well tucked in the Horton plains National park. You take a walk through the cloud forests to get to the Baker`s fall. The 20 meter tall fall, sprays the water to the air creating a misty surrounding. The Bakers Falls is home for unique wild life such as the Purple faced Monkey, Horned Lizard, Ceylon White eye and native trees such as Nellu
Bambarakanda Ella
Bambarakanda Falls is the tallest waterfall in Srilanka which is 860 feet in height. The water lands in to a shallow basin generating a high sound and splashes to the vicinity creating a mystical scene. You can go for a swim in the basin if you wish to soak up the feel of the waterfall.
Diyaluma Waterfall
https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/bBP55_n4cmDOl270k87AIjNFI3Q9MFOzfvrYjFkET-Sp_eaXnOnFCBr2Ld5Nz12rNJ6dyhYLfNceMxHvVMnaJgGYkyvE9JqUjnAMK4A0xuW9Uv3weX3Ev1QXmQjqWvyqqKwQrYBjxHu50FI0hqFuWnU
Diyaluma Falls is the second highest waterfall in Sri Lanka situated in the heart of Badulla District.  Diyaluma, which in Sinhalese means “rapid flow of water,” more than lives up to its name with an impressive display during the wet season.The area is ideal for camping and you can easily get very close to the fall by a Vehicle.
Dunhinda Waterfall
Dunhinda, one of Sri Lanka’s most stunning waterfalls, falls from 210 feet above the ground. This is located in the lower central hills of srilanka. Dunhinda gets its name from the smoky dew drops spray that covers the area at the base of the fall
Laxapana Falls
The Laxapana Falls is the 8th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka, and the name comes from the Sinhala words “Laxa,” which means a hundred thousand, and “Pahana,” which means rock. The name of the fall itself, describes what it is. You can easily
link the visit to Laxapana with White Water Rafting.
https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/2VaoCmZWQRNxDLKmMwMtImnXH8kEV5mGRODuK8Rj_AprpQbhgIvYfMI7pxQdtJpjEoDYiryL7plnRNExYeZOv8nIqtOhBavBte0Ig_yOma-LuZeDDY141Qnvq_PI0-u1S4y39B0ZCqego0JpOQTdBTo
Rawana- Ella
Rawana Ella is the most visited Waterfall in SriLanka due its easy accessibility which is located closer to the famous Ella town. The waterfall is by the side of the Ella- Wellawaya main road. Rawana Ella is one of the widest waterfalls in SriLanka.   Come to This Beautiful Island to Experience The Serenity of Sri Lanka’s Waterfalls Where Nature Reveals the Beauty!
Sri Lanka’s Tea Culture and Tasting Experiences

Sri Lanka’s Tea Culture and Tasting Experiences

History of Tea in Sri Lanka

The British first introduced Coffee to Srilanka and turned the nation into one of the world’s top producers of coffee. But due to a fungus disease, Coffee production in Sri Lanka started to dip and the British very quickly swathed on to Tea in 1865. The key figure in making this move was James Tailor who had extensive knowledge about flora in this part of the World. Even today Srilanka is one of the major Tea exporters in the World and Srilanka produces some of the best Tea in the World

 

Visits the Iconic Tea Plantations in Sri Lanka

When you get to the hills of Srilanka, you get to see thousands of acres of Tea that looks like a green carpet over the hills. There is a popular trail called Peako trails through the Tea plantations, which covers a distance of  300 KM  in 22 stages which is the longest walking trail in Sri Lanka. If you are not into trekking, there are a lot of shorter walks to get the feel of the Tea plantations.   

 

Nuwara Eliya or Little England is home to the best Srilankan tea that grows above 5000 feet from sea level. There are several Tea factories you could visit to see the journey from leaf to cup. You will not realize, how much hard work goes into your cup of tea until you see it. You can learn about the different types of tea such as BOPF[ Broken orange Peako finings], POB [Broken orange Peako] OP [ Orange Peako] FP [Flowery Peako], and white Tea.  The Damro Tea factory is the most popular spot among visitors as they do a very clear demonstration and offer you different types of tea to try.       

 

Ella-   This is the border between the Hill Country and the mid-country. The tea grown around Ella is a bit on the stronger side and most of his Tea is exported to the Far- East. 


The Halpewattha Tea Factory
–   is the best place to visit around Ella.

The low country tea –  We grow tea in the low country as well, but this is not that known in your part of the World as you need to drink this tea with milk and sugar as it is very strong our main market is in the middle and Far East. The best area to explore low-country tea is around Deniyaya, closer to the Singharaja rain forest.       

Indulge in Different Types of Ceylon Tea

Green Tea – Green tea is made from freshly processed tea leaves. They are not going through an oxidation process. Most of the time, the flavors of green tea can be changed from region to region and may frequently give distinct tastes.  

 

Black Tea – Black tea is the most popular tea in the world going through a process of heating the leaves for several hours after being plucked. The outcome is a strong and delightful tea and the majority of tea lovers are more interested in black tea.

 

Purer Tea – This tea is slightly wet and stored underground to obtain a fantastic flavor with a strong taste. The amazing thing about Pu-erh tea is that it tastes similar to wine and gets even better as it gets older. In addition to these teas, you can also experiment with the exquisite flavors of
White Tea and
Oolong Tea, as well as a variety of other alluring types of tea.

 

“Come to Sri Lanka to Taste a Cup Full of Tea Bliss”

 

 

 

Srilanka’s Top 7 food plates you should not miss.

Srilanka’s Top 7 food plates you should not miss.

Srilanka’s Top 7 food plates you should not miss.



Sri Lanka is considered a Vegetarians paradise with so many options on
offer. We have over 30 different types of vegetables in this Country that a widely
available and on offer at most restaurants. You can pick and choose what you like.
Being an Island Nation we are never short of Seafood and you can try a variety of
fish, Prawns, Crab, Octopus, Calamari etc

1) Srilankan Kottu






Kotthu is the iconic street food in SriLanka. This is available in every town. You can
try Vegetable, Fish, Meet and Egg Kotthu. In touristy towns you can have cheese and many variations which are not traditional, but an introduced version for tourists. The base of this dish is Roti , Nan bread or parata. The chopped up Roti is grilled with vegetables and spices. You can then add what you like to it to suit your taste. The chopping of the Roti is done on a metal plate with a metal blade which makes a sound, sometimes rhythmic, especially if the cook is experienced.

2) Fish Ambul Thiyal







This is a signature dish of Srilanka which is unique to us. This has derived from a
traditional method of preserving food with Tamarind, Lime and other citrus spices. This is usually eaten with rice and has distinctive sharp taste The dish a very popular in the Southern region of Srilanka.

3) Milk Rice






Milk rice is usually served at Breakfast. This is rice cooked in coconut milk. The rice is
sticky and is very creamy. The Srilankans eat it with a spicy salad, but you can have it
with Banana if you wish. It is served in blocks and is very filling.

4) Pol Sambol






It is made with grated coconut, onions,
and chillies. The colour of the dish indicates the level of spices being used. If it is dark
red, brown or orange, it is on the spicy side and if it is yellow or cream colour it would
be mild. This is a side dish and you need to eat it with rice or bread.

5) Hoppers







After Kotthu, this is the most popular street food in Srilanka. The base of Hoppers
is Rice flour, Coconut milk and yeast. You can have an egg in it if you like. This is
often eaten with a spicy salad made with chillies, onion, lime and salt.

6) Sri Lankan Dhal Curry






Dhal curry is also called the lentils curry. This is most common dish in Srilanka.
Lentils are cooked in coconut milk. A mixture of spices called the curry powder is
added to the curry to make it spicy. This is a side dish and you can eat it with rice,
bread or roti. The taste of Dhal curry varies from region to region

7) Sri Lankan Chicken Curry







This is the most popular meat dish in Srilanka. The chicken is on board to add more flavour
to the curry. The coconut milk and spices in the curry make it a very special Srilankan dish. This is often eaten with rice. If the curry is red or brown it is on the spicy side.

Do not miss these dishes when you are on holiday in this beautiful Island Nation. If you wish to learn more about these dishes and Srilankan cuisine please to visit https://theuniquetravel.co.uk for more details on visiting Sri Lanka.