Land - The Adventure Travel Site

Top Reasons to Visit Sri Lanka

While the island of Sri Lanka may be relatively small, within this land one will find a diverse range of attractions and things to do. Here are some of the reasons why you should visit.

Exciting Adventures
Thrill-seekers have much to enjoy when it comes to an adventure tour; Sri Lanka is an ideal place for trekking in the Knuckles Mountain Range, white water rafting along the Kelani River in Kitulgala and hiking to the summit of Adam’s Peak which has around 5,500steps!

Gorgeous Beaches

Praveenshashika, Secret beach – Mirissa Sri Lanka, CC BY-SA 4.0

There are some truly sublime beaches around the island which can easily be explored with tour specialists like Walkers Tours. South coast highlights include the Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa and Bentota beaches, while on the east coast you get Pasikuda and Arugam Bay, the latter being a surfing hotspot too.

Rich Heritage
The island has a rich heritage which can be experienced at many historical attractions in Sri Lanka including the iconic Sigiriya rock fortress and the archaeological sites in Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura. Other cultural sites include the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy and the colonial Dutch Fort in Galle.

Diverse Wildlife
There are many national parks in the country which provide encounters with a range of animal and bird species. Wildlife safaris in Sri Lanka give you a chance to spot leopards inYala andWilpattu, elephants in Minneriya and Udawalawe, birdlife in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve and even blue whales in Mirissa!

What to see in Kandy Sri Lanka

The city of Kandy in Sri Lanka is surrounded by hills and is blessed with many places to see. Compared to the other parts of the country, Kandy has a unique vibe and that’s something very special about it.

Kandy Lake
Kandy Lake has been constructed in 1807 by the last Kandyan ruler. The feeling you get when walking around this lake while enjoying a mango pickle (what they call as ‘achcharu’) is simply amazing.

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Also known as ‘Sri DaladaMaigawa’, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is one of the holiest places for Buddhists in Sri Lanka. It houses the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha.

Peradeniya Botanical Garden
Peradeniya Botanical Garden located on the banks of the Mahaweli River is a beautiful park that has thousands of plants and trees which are nicely maintained.

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
Although the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is a little outside of Kandy, with a friendly and cooperative Sri Lanka car hire service the likes of Malkey Rent a Car you’ll be able to cover this attraction also in the same tour. Feeding the baby elephants, bathing them and there are many more interesting moments to be explored here.

Getaway to Dickwella, Sri Lanka

Dickwella is a coastal city in Sri Lanka located just beyond the southernmost point of Sri Lanka, ‘Dondrahead’. It’s a quiet city, but indeed has great experiences in store for you!

The beach
The term ‘Dickwella’ when translated into English means ‘long beach’. Yes, that’s quite right. It’s an endless beach that’s so pristine and perfect for snorkelling. You can also just sit back and relax on the beach as much as you want.

Nearby attractions
One of the most favourite attractions located close to Dickewella is ‘Hummanaya’. It’s a natural blowhole that is believed to be the 02nd largest in the world. It’s an enjoyable experience to wait for the water spray that happens every 10-15 minutes.

Tourism in Dickwella
The tourism sector in this area is booming. Many beach hotels in Sri Lanka have been newly established in this area, and Dickwella Resort & Spa is one of them. These hotels also provide many authentic experiences that are adored by guests from other countries.

Souvenirs to shop
If you ever get a chance to visit this beautiful destination, do not forget to shop for some ‘beeralu lace’ or ‘bobbin lace’ creations. This will be great support you can be a part of to strengthen the local livelihood as well.

To Climb Sigiriya or Pidurangala Rock

Located at proximity to one another, Sigiriya and Pidurangala Rock are almost identical rock formations renowned for their historic significance and natural splendour. Here is a guide to choosing which rock you should plan on climbing during your next trip to Sri Lanka.

Sigiriya

Also known as the lion rock, Sigiriya was once a fortress with a place on top of the rock. It was built by King Kashyapa to safeguard himself from foreign invasions, especially the one which was led by his own brother. The site today has numerous ruins of the magnificent edifices that once stood along with well-preserved remains of well-planned aqueducts, ponds, fountains and landscaped gardens. Due to the sites cultural and historic significance, Sigirya has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site

Pidurangala Rock

Located a few kilometres away and having a clear sight of Sigiriya, Pidurangala was once a monastery where the monks who lived at the site of Sigiriya were relocated. Like Sigiriya, Pidurangala also offers a stunning view of its surroundings which includes the view of Sigiriya as well. Piduarangala also has ruins and exploring it too offers you a memorable experience.

The climbing experience

Both of the rocks offer its visitors an enticing climbing experience but there are few differences in terms of the sceneries each of these sites offer and the ease of climbing them. Sigiriya has well-defined pathways with proper steps and rails to aid climbing and the climb is easy. However,Pidurangala has a bit of a challenging pathway which is comparatively tougher than to climb Sigiriya. But no matter which rock you choose to climb you will certainly enjoy a delightful climbing experience. If you are an adventurous person Pidurangala should be your choice. if you are looking for an easy climb with opportunities to see amazing artworks and remnants of an ancient chronicle Sigiriya must be your choice.

Getting there

Whichever the rock you choose to climb, you will have to start early in the morning or by late afternoon during when the heat and humidity will be tolerable it is also recommended that you plan your stay at any of the Dambulla hotels located in proximity the likes of The Paradise Resort & Spa for the day before you are planning your climb.

Thrilling Safaris at Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Ever had the thrill of seeing regal leopards and majestic elephants roam free in their natural habitats? Such wildlife encounters and a whole lot more awaits at the Yala National Park!

Plan Your Safari
Located in the southeast part of the country, this park can be accessed via the gates at locations such as Palatupana and Katagamuwa. For a safari tour, Sri Lanka is best explored via 4WD vehicles and Yala is no exception. A little after 6:00am and again after 4:00pm are generally the best times for spotting wildlife.

Kings of Yala
The apex predator at the park is the Sri Lankan leopard; safaris here are very popular since it has the world’s highest density of leopards in the wild. Such wildlife drives can be organised by local travel specialists the likes of Walkers Tours as part of unforgettable excursions to spot these stealthy felines.

Other Wildlife
On your adventures in Yala, you mayobserve many other creatures too including elephants who may be gentle giants, but shouldn’t be disturbed! Keep watch to also spot sloth bears, water buffalos, spotted deer, toque macaques and mugger crocodiles. Part of the park encompasses the coast where sea turtles are known to visit too.

Diverse Birdlife
Equally impressive are the diverse bird species at Yala; one of the best places for birdwatching in Sri Lanka, the park has recorded around 215 bird species. These includeendemic varieties such as the Sri Lanka wood pigeon, Sri Lanka grey hornbill and Sri Lankan junglefowl which is also the nation’s national bird.

Minneriya National Park

If you are a nature lover and are hoping to catch some elephants on your trip to Sri Lanka, then one of the best places to visit would be the Minneriya National Park.

How to get to Minneriya National Park

Located in the North Central part of Sri Lanka the Minneriya National Park has been pronounced an untamed animal haven since 1938. It is about 180km from Colombo and takes about 5 hours if you are driving.

shankar s. from Dubai, united arab emirates, Minneriya National Park (7568194474), CC BY 2.0

Best time to visit

The best time to visit would be from May to October as this is the time that you will be able to see herds of Asian Elephants gathering and making their way towards the water. The dry season beckons these gentle giants out into the open and the best times to start your jeep and go on the safari would the early morning hours from 5am – 8am.

What you can see

The safari ride in the park will have you seeing many animal species and birds. But the park is most famous for the herds of Asian elephants that gather at the watering hole during the hot seasons in Sri Lanka. Other animals you may come across on your safari are the spotted deer, sambar, and the purple-faced langur monkeys.

Where you can stay

If you are wondering where to stay during your trip, there are many hotels and resorts in the area that will put you up. You can even consider staying at a luxury hotel in Sigiriya Dambulla such as the Heritance Kandalama which is a mere 1 hour away from the National Park.

Into Sri Lanka’s Hill country

Touring the hill country of Sri Lanka and wondering what to do first? Here is a list of must-do activities while in the central highlands of the island.

Visit Tea Plantations

Known as the 3rd largest tea exporter in the world, the majority of Sri Lanka’s tea is produced in the hill country of the island. Some hotels in Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka such as the famous Heritance Tea Factory are even built on these tea plantations. Ensure you visit one of them to find out the process of how tea is produced and packaged for export. Also, enjoy a hot cuppa while here.

Climb the Adam’s Peak

Sacred to all those in Sri Lanka, the Adam’s Peak climb is one that must be done at least once in your lifetime. Although a little tiresome, once at the top you will definitely not regret it. Begin your climb at night and witness one of the most magical sunrises in Asia once you reach the summit. The hike is approximately 3.5 hours to the top.

Hike the Knuckles Mountain Range

For those who love a bit of adventure in the wild, then hiking the Knuckles mountain range in the hill country of Sri Lanka is well worth it. The rugged mountain range is a land of mystical appeals and offers breath-taking views to those who seek it. A half-day trek is about 8km and a full day trek is around 18km.

Go, Waterfall Hopping

The hill country of Sri Lanka is no short of waterfalls. In fact, it is here that you will come across some of the most gorgeous waterfalls on the island. With over 100 waterfalls to choose from in the central highlands, the top three worth mentioning are Bambarakanda Falls (the highest falls in Sri Lanka), Ravana Falls, and Diyaluma Falls.

Pidurangala Rock Hike in Sigiriya

It is deemed that the Pidurangala hike offers a far more memorable experience than climbing Sigiriya as the former lets you engulf in the warmth of nature.

The Hike

The hike begins with a long flight of stairs that doesn’t take much time to climb. Halfway through the journey, you’d be greeted by Pidurangala Temple, which has a rich history of its own. You can reach the summit of Pidurangala within 20 minutes despite some off the beaten tracks you’d come across during the hike.

Pidurangala Temple

At present, one can only see the remnants of this temple in which a reclining Buddha can be observed. The foundation of the rock temple remains intact although it has been restructured with bricks.

Reaching the Summit

Once you pass the temple, you can expect to reach the summit within 5 to 10 minutes. However, one might have to cross large boulders along the way, which would prove relatively easy to experienced hikers. Fret not! Even the less experienced can boulder with the help of others.

The View

While you’re enjoying a fabulous vacation at some of the Sigiriya hotels the likes of Aliya Resort and Spa, head over to the Pidurangala trail to access the most stunningly beautiful sunrise you’d ever witness in a lifetime.

Best hiking trails in Sri Lanka

Hiking in Sri Lanka is a wonderful activity to do to help relax your mind and get away from the hustle and bustle of the busy metropolitan city! Here are some of the best hiking trails on the island that one must consider before going on a hike!

Little Adams Peak

A hiking trail in the mountainous town of Ella, the view from Little Adam’s Peak is of luscious tea plantations covered in fluffy white mist. The hike is not too hard and should take you approximately 2-3 hours in total. If you are looking to take up accommodation close by, many hotel offers in Sri Lanka can be taken advantage of including those offered by properties belonging to the famous Heritance Hotels and Resorts.

Rahubaddhah, Wondering while wandering, in Paradise, CC BY-SA 4.0

Ella Rock

About 1000 metres above sea-level, the Ella Rock is a day hike for those who are visiting the town and want to go on an adventure. They say it is best to leave your hotel in the early morning hours as afternoons bring in the rain on this part of the island. Once you are at the top its all about amazing views of the Badulla green valleys.

Horton Plains

A UNESCO national park in Sri Lanka, Horton Plains is a must-do hike if you are ever in Nuwara Eliya. Consisting of a rich plateau of thick forests and grasslands, the Horton Plains hike is a breeze even for beginners! Another important thing to see here is the World’s End which is a steep 800 metre fall overlooking the countryside.

Knuckles Mountain Range

Also located in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, between Kandy and Matale, the Knuckles Mountain range is a camper’s haven! There are many options for hikers who wish to trek the Knuckles Mountain range. There is a day hike (done on one of the lowest mountain peaks) or the three-day, 2-night hike that includes overnight camping and nights under the stars. The choice is yours!

The Wildlife of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is surely a paradise for those who love biodiversity. Due to this same reason, the country has become so popular for wildlife safaris among tourists from all around the world.

Witnessing the Sri Lankan elephant

There are 26 National Parks in Sri Lanka and you can definitely spot Sri Lankan elephants at several of these parks. The Minneriya National Park and the Udawalawe National Park are just to name a few.

Leopards – a rare scene

Tourists love to arrange most of their adventure tours in Sri Lanka around the Yala National Park. In Yala, there is an unmatched leopard density worth exploring, and this is in addition to the other wildcats such as jungle cats, civet cats, and rust-spotted cats.

Watching the blue whales

If you travel to Mirissa or Trincomalee in Sri Lanka with Walkers Tours, you will get this rare privilege of exploring the largest animal species on earth- the blue whale.

Bird watching in Sri Lanka

Peacefully engage in birding at national parks such as Kumana and Bundala. The Sinharaja Bird Wave is also another popular attraction among bird watchers who come from all over the world.