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A Weekend in Habarana to Make You Feel Relaxed

If you are a wildlife enthusiast, Habrana is quite the place that is going to definitely pique your interest. There are hotels in the midst of greenery, animals at every corner and lovely fresh air to breathe in. Here are a few things to do on a weekend there.

Minneriya wildlife safari

This place is a short distance away from hotels like Habarana Village by Cinnamon. The main animal you will be looking out for on your safari would be elephants. Try to start your safari around 4:45/5 pm to avoid the heat.

Pidurangala Rock, Sigirya

You will need to pay a small entrance fee to climb this rock, but its totally worth it! Once you reach the top, you will be greeted with a splendid view of Sigirya Rock in the distance and the mass of greenery surrounding the area.

The Golden Temple

There is so much more than the prominent golden Buddha you will see no sooner you reach the foot of the temple. You will have to indulge in a 20-minute hike to the hill on which the temple is situated. Moreover, there are stunning rooms with several images of Buddha to discover.

Spend some time at the pool

Take the chance to explore the Sri Lanka resort you are lodged at as well with a dip in the pool and perhaps a good meal at the buffet. You could also hit the bar for one of your favourite coolers.

Elephant back safari ride in Habarana

Elephant Back Safaris in Sri Lanka is one of the most joyful leisure activities for a number of reasons. It is also a very rare experience that’s loved by westerners the most.

Why elephant back safaris are fun?

Rather than just holidaying in a Sri Lanka resort enjoying luxury, experiencing an elephant back safari is fun and exciting. You simply share some hours of your day with an elephant while exploring nature.

The experience

On one such safari, you can view the exotic wildlife from the back of a majestic elephant. You also get the chance to feed the elephant and see how it gets groomed after a bath, which is a rare sight to enjoy.

Why Habarana?

Habarana is one perfect transit point for herds of wild elephants who belong to Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks. So, Habarana has become one of the locations that provide this experience in Sri Lanka allowing guests of nearby resorts the likes of Habarana Village by Cinnamon to have this firsthand experience.

The best periods

Water levels are good during the months of March and July; needless to say, this makes the best time for a safari!

Dig into the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya

Once a safe haven for a king with an artistic turn of mind, Sigiriya rock fortress is an intriguing historical site.

Time your climb

You should plan to climb the rock as early as possible to avoid the heat of the day. Book a Sri Lanka resort nearby and make your way to the site early in the morning. For example, from Habarana Village by Cinnamon, you can reach the site under 30 minutes by car.

A little bit of history

King Kashyapa, who loved art and fine living, built his palace complex atop a monolithic rock pillar in the 5th century. He sought to escape potential enemies and live a life of indulgence. Engineering feature of the palace complex is just as fascinating as its art.

Explore the gardens

This amazing structure was once full of beautiful gardens. The water garden on top, in particular, had been laid out with immaculate precision to consist of various ponds and fountains.

Check out the frescoes

Subject to much controversy and dispute amongst archaeologist, Sigiriya frescoes depict exquisite, bare-chested damsels carrying bunches of flowers.

The mirror wall and its poetry

In its heyday, the mirror wall would have been a gleaming surface for poets and visitors to scribble their snippets in admiration of the genius of the rock fortress.

The Ancient City of Sigiriya

One of the most popular historic sites in Sri Lanka, Sigiriya was named a UNESCO Heritage Site and is a brief capital of a tragic king who ruled during the 5^th century.

Image result for sigiriya — Sevenryder, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka, CC BY-SA 4.0

A Brief History

The fortress and city surrounding the rock was built around the 5^th century by Kashyapa who became king after murdering his father as he had no legitimate claim for the throne being the son of a concubine even though he was the eldest.

He left the capital Anuradhapura behind for fear that his half-brother would seek revenge. He made sure the fortress was impenetrable with fortified walls, moats and a network of waterways that would flood the city and make it impassable.

When his half-brother did come, Kashyapa met him outside of the fortress in battle and died by falling on his sword. How it got to that is shrouded in mystery.

Sigiriya was lost to history after that and was only discovered in the early 1800s. Kashyapa’s rule though it lasted no more than 11 years made the city the spectacle it is today, even in ruins.

Tips to Remember

Sigiriya can be accessed from two small cities nearby; Dambulla and Habarana; each with a drive less than 30 minutes. The site belongs to the Cultural Triangle and is a celebrated area by both tourists and locals in Sri Lanka. Resort hotels have come up in the area to cater to the many tourists. One of the closer resorts is Habarana Village by Cinnamon.

Getting up close with elephants

Everyone that witnesses an elephant is truly fascinated by these majestic beings and their intelligent behaviour. As one of the few remaining megaherbivores on the planet, elephants hold great national value as a major tourist attraction. There are numerous places to see elephants in the country, listed below are a few.

Image result for Udawalawe — Mstyslav Chernov, Bathing elephants. Udawalawe National Park. Sri Lanka, CC BY-SA 3.0

Udawalawe
Declared a national park in 1972 and spanning 30,800 hectares, Udawalawe is home to roughly 500 elephants and other animals. A former teak plantation, they graze in scattered herds in the grasslands amongst the remaining teak trees. There’s an elephant orphanage nearby, where you’ll find injured or abandoned elephants being cared for, after which they’re released into the park.

Minneriya
Designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1938 to protect the Minneriya tank and wildlife of the surrounding area, you’ll find between 150 to 200 elephants roaming the park from July to August. In the dry season, an event is known as the ‘elephant gathering’ occurs and is a great opportunity for wildlife enthusiasts to observe the social behaviour of the elephants in the wild. Just a 30-minute drive from Habarana Village by Cinnamon, a rather well-known Sri Lanka Resort, Minneriya is ideal for those looking to get a glimpse of these beasts in their natural habitat.

Pinnawala
Located in the central hills, this elephant orphanage was established in 1975 by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Abandoned and disabled wild elephants get care and protection at this special place that spreads across 24 acres. You can observe elephants bathing, as they play and splash around.

Windsurfing in Pasikuda

The rush of adrenaline as you zip along the ocean surface, the feel of a mighty wind propelling you onwards at greater speeds and the promise of adventure driving you towards the horizon; windsurfing offers all this and more! When in Sri Lanka, Pasikuda on the island’s East Coast is a great place to try this action packed water sport.

If you are an avid windsurfer or are keen to try this water sport for the first time, ideally look to find a Sri Lanka resort in Pasikuda right by the beach, offering easy access to the sea. Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa part of Theme Resorts & Spas is one option in the region worth considering.

A combination of both sailing and surfing, windsurfing features the use of a board measuring around two to three metres in length and which has a large sail affixed to it. No motor is used to power it, just the pure force of the ocean’s wind. Depending on your skill level and experience, you can be skimming along the surface of the Indian Ocean in no time, enjoying the breathtaking vistas of the East Coast. One of the great things about Pasikuda is that it is sheltered by a bay providing a relatively calm ocean playground for you to explore on your windsurfing adventures.

Water sports enthusiasts have much more to enjoy here as well. Snorkelling and diving provide amazing perspectives of the fascinating world that lies beneath the waves. Those looking for more adrenaline pumping thrills can try jet skiing, while kayaking is a great activity if you want to explore the seas at your own pace and get a good cardio workout at the same time!

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Enjoying Dolphin Watching in Sri Lanka

One of the pleasures of visiting the enchanting tropical island of Sri Lanka is the fact that there are so many adventures that can be enjoyed here; one of which is dolphin along the east coast. Those planning a trip to the region and looking for a Sri Lanka resort in the east coast can consider staying at Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa. Looking out across Passekudah bay, it is one of the best Sri Lanka honeymoon hotels in the east and makes an ideal base from which to set off on your excursions.

Make sure to make your way to Trincomalee from where you can set off on a dolphin watching tour. Such tours are conducted by the Sri Lankan navy and provide you with a fun filled morning. Home to such species as Bottlenose and Spinner dolphins, the waters around the island provide plenty of opportunities to spot these playful ocean mammals that can be seen frolicking in the sea. As an added bonus one may also get the chance of seeing such whale species as the Blue whale during the whale watching season which usually runs from May to October.

Wasgamuwa Safari

Offering a thrilling safari into the wilds of Sri Lanka, Wasgamuwa National Park provides plenty of adventure that brings you up close with some of the island’s exotic wildlife. Those wishing to visit this park, but also wanting to stay at a Sri Lanka resortclose to the coast can choose Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa. Situated by the sea in the village of Passekudah, this distinctive Sri Lanka spa resort makes an ideal East Coast base from which to make day trips to the park. Located in the Polonnaruwa and Matale districts, the Wasgamuwa National Park is home to a large herd of elephants that one can see while on a safari. Rich in biodiversity, the park has around 23 mammal species including toque macaques, water buffalos, Sri Lanka leopards and sloth bears. Wasgamuwa also has a variety of bird species, making it an ideal place for bird watchers to visit too.