Activities - The Adventure Travel Site

A Day at Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya

It is said that the name ‘Sithulpawwa’ has been derived from the word ‘Chiththala Pabbatha,’ meaning ‘the hill of the quiet mind,’ which accurately describes its ambience. Located close to many a Yala hotel the likes of Cinnamon Wild Yala, this temple complex is believed to have been built by King Kawanthissa during the 2nd century B. C.

Getting There

If you’re travelling from Tissamaharama, you can visit the Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya via Kirinda – Sithulpawwa Road in less than an hour. Upon arrival, you may be approached by several wild boars who frequent the area, who are completely harmless if you aren’t trying to interact with them. The premises also carries notices asking visitors to refrain from feeding these animals.

Main Stupa

Overlooking a large pond is a mountainous area, over which you need to ascend to approach the main stupa area. If you go to the left just before entering the main stupa, you will be greeted by the breathtaking bird’s eye vistas of the entire region. The main stupa has been built by flattening the top of this rocky mountain.

Be Respectful

You may need to wear light-coloured clothing that should cover from your shoulders up to your ankles when entering this sacred place in Sri Lanka.

Nearby Attractions

Apart from this main stupa, you can also hike towards the Small Sithulpawwa at this place. You will pass the scenic South Tissa Lake on your way to this place, which contains attractions such as stone umbrella, twin ponds, Buddha statues, and another stupa upon its windy summit.

Dambulla in One Day

Located close to many Sigiriya hotels the likes of Aliya Resort& Spa, Dambulla is a significant city of the Central Province in Sri Lanka. Due to its central location, Dambulla is also used as a major vegetable distribution point in the country.

Visit Dambulla Cave Temple – Morning

Dambulla Cave Temple or the Golden Temple of Dambulla is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka. It is one of the mostextensive and best-preserved cave complexes of the country.

Explore Ibbankatuwa Prehistoric Burial Site – Afternoon

Within a three-kilometre radius of the Dambulla Cave Temple lies an ancient burial site of the country called the Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Tombs. Many ancient tools and goods along with cremated remains have been found during excavations.

Hike the Rose Quartz Mountain Range – Evening

Not many know that there is a Rose Quartz Mountain Range in Sri Lanka, which is the largest of its kind in Asia. At the very top of this mountain, one may come across a gleaming white statue of Lord Buddha. The legends say that Emperor Shah Jahan used rose quartz from this place to build his masterpiece, the iconic Taj Mahal.

Relax in NamalUyana – Late Evening

Spread over 260 acres of land is a forest of Ironwood trees in Dambulla. It also houses the Rose Quartz Mountain Range and contributes to an ecosystem of various birds and mammals.

A Romantic Honeymoon & Wildlife Adventure

For couples who are wildlife enthusiasts and are looking for the perfect honeymoon destination, Sri Lanka makes the ideal choice where plenty of exotic animals and adventures await.

Luxurious Abodes

Those on their honeymoon can look to be based at luxury hotels Sri Lanka has to offer bordering national parks like Yala; some properties are ideally placed amidst both the jungle and beach which adds to the romance and allure. Apart from luxurious living spaces, they will generally offer guided safaris and bush walks too.

Discovering Yala

Yala National Park is one of the best places for wildlife safaris in Sri Lanka and honeymooners can find accommodation at nearby properties belonging to hospitality brands such as Uga Escapes. On a game drive here, couples have a chance to see leopards, elephants, crocodiles, sloth bears, deer, peacocks and more.

Other National Parks

Of course, there are other national parks in Sri Lanka to explore as well like Bundala (near Yala) which has a huge range of birdlife including large flocks of flamingos. Wilpattu National Park is a key place to spot leopards and sloth bears, while safaris to Minneriya and Udawalawe offer sightings of hundreds of wild elephants.

Giants of the Ocean

As part of your honeymoon, you can also plan visits to Trincomalee (east coast) and Mirissa (south coast) where you can witness the sight of the largest animal on the planet; the blue whale! On your adventures, you may see humpback, sperm or Bryde’s whales too as well as playful dolphins.

Rock Climbing Adventure in Sri Lanka

There are plenty of great adventures to be had here in Sri Lanka – this includes the exciting and exhilarating sport of rock climbing! There are plenty of places to choose from in Sri Lanka as well, so here’s a quick look at some of the rock climbing adventures to be had here.

Why Go Rock Climbing

If you’re a bit hesitant about getting involved in rock climbing – don’t be! It is one of the most fun and exciting sports you can try out when you’re on vacation. It’ll be a test of your physical and mental strength – it will also help develop your endurance, agility, and balance.

Why Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a particularly good choice to go rock climbing in. The tropical landscapes coupled with excellent rock formations make for a great combination. There are options for all levels of experience as well – from rookies to seasoned veterans.

The Best Places

If you’re looking to conquer a mountain, you can’t go wrong with the Knuckles Mountain Range. Conversely, you might prefer to scale a single rock formation. If so, you might want to consider a region like Dambulla – there’s plenty of climbing ops to be had here. There’s also quite a lot of fantastic Dambulla hotels to choose from as well. This means you can kick your feet up and relax – perhaps at resorts like The Paradise Resort & Spa – and recover from the day’s excursions.

Rappelling and Abseiling

If you really want to get your adrenaline pumping, you might want to try your hand at abseiling here in Sri Lanka. It can be truly exhilarating to descend along massive waterfalls at high speeds. And don’t worry – with the right equipment and personnel in place, it’s perfectly safe!

Whistler Helicopter Ride and Adventures

There is something ethereal about gazing down at the verdant landscapes and misty mountain tops from a helicopter. You can look forward to treating themselves to a visual feast during your stay at a Whistler ski resort the likes of Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre.

Propose on a Glacier

Fly your significant other over to a mystic glacier to show her how much she means to you. Proposing in an out-of-this-world place will add to that ‘love in the air’ ambience, which would surely make her realise how much she loves you, eliciting that much-awaited ‘Yes.’

Snap Iconic Wedding Photos

Rent a helicopter in Whistler and fly over to the glistening glaciers just after your vows to make that special moment more memorable. The helicopter can be your something borrowed!

Capture Insta-worthy Honeymoon Snaps

Apart from the myriad of activities catering for honeymooners in Whistler, helicopter adventure in this village is a must-experience to add that ‘wow’ element to your Instagram photos. Click that iconic photo in front of the helicopter with the glaciers in the backdrop to make your honeymoon memorable.

Relax among the Mountain Vistas

Why force yourself to ski on the slopes when you’ve got access to the best seat in the house to enjoy the impressive mountain views! Pair a helicopter adventure with your trip to Whistler village to create a vacation made in heaven.

Best Beaches in West Coast of Sri Lanka

The Pearl of the Indian Ocean sure has some amazing beaches that lure tourists every year. The coastal belt of Sri Lanka is something that you must explore. Here are a few beaches that are not too far from Colombo for starters.

Negombo
This is a coastal city that is just 37 km away from Colombo which is about 1.5 hours travel time on the highway. Negombo is popular for beautiful beaches that are surfer friendly and safe for almost any water sport.

Mount Lavinia
This is one of the most residential zones in Colombo, especially for the middle class. This place has one of the most scenic beaches where the middle class often visit in the evenings for a jog or to walk their pets.

Beruwela
This is a beach city that is popular for hotels.Beruwela offers some of the best luxury resorts such as The Eden Resort & Spa for a nice stay. The beaches here are great too but the waters can sometimes be too rough so look out for the red flag.

Induruwa
Unlike the rest of the beaches, this isn’t a crowded one. Instead, the ambience is of that of a calm village where you can just relax.

A Memorable Time at Colombo Dutch Hospital

In case you are wondering, this “hospital” has nothing to do with medical care, but rather retail therapy and foodie fulfilment. Intrigued? Read on to find out more!

A Bit of History
This hospital dates back to Dutch colonial rule in the 17th century; it was mainly established to take care of sick or ailing seafarers of the Dutch East India Company upon arrival at the nearby Colombo Port. In more modern times, it was a police headquarters though was later disused before its transformation in 2011.

Getting There
This site can be found near the popular Galle Face public park by the coast and is within a 15-minute drive from hotels such as Cinnamon Red Colombo. It is located along Hospital Street across from the World Trade Centre building; if you are looking for where to stay in Colombo, find a place close by!

Shopping Fun
Though not huge, theDutch Hospitaloffers some great shopping in Colombo. Stores such as Barefoot and Luv SL by Odel offer ethnic souvenirs from clothing to ornaments, while for traditional handicrafts there’s Shilpa National Crafts. Check out Colombo Jewellery Store for some bling orSpa Ceylon for a revitalising massage!

Dine and Drink
After all that shopping, you can enjoy the wonderful dining options here. There’s a charming open-air courtyard where you can have meals and listen to live music too. Popular dining venues include the Ministry of Crab, Colombo Fort Café and Heladiv Tea Club; also well-known is Tap House by RnR a happening pub to chill out with friends.

A Guide to Wildlife in Sri Lanka

If you are looking for a “wild” holiday which is more about wildlife encounters than nightlife fun, then Sri Lanka is an ideal destination! Here’s a glimpse into the many species you may come across.

Mammals
Sri Lanka has over 100 mammal species including the endemic leopard and elephant. Leopards can be spotted at the Yala National Park, while elephants can be seen at Minneriya National Park near Habarana; hotel options in the area such as Cinnamon Lodge Habarana offer excursions to see “The Gathering” of hundreds of elephants around July. The sloth bear, sambar deer, toque macaque and European otter are some of the other local mammals.

Birds
Over 500 species of birds have been recorded in Sri Lanka which encompasses endemic (like the Sri Lankanjunglefowl and Sri Lanka spurfowl) and migratory (like the Pacific golden plover and greater flamingo) species.The Sinharaja Forest Reserve andBundala National Park are two bird watching hotspots.

Reptiles
There are plenty of reptile species in the island which include a great many snakes such as the sand boa, green vine snake andIndian cobra. Also grouped amongst reptiles are the mugger and saltwater crocodiles as well as five sea turtle species like olive ridley, hawksbill and green turtles.

Marine Species
Out at sea, Sri Lanka is blessed with more diversity and one will find over 900 marine fish species; these include reef fish as well as larger varieties like marlin and sailfish. The country also offers one a chance to spot marine mammals from blue and sperm whales to spinner and bottlenose dolphins.\

Wakeboarding in Maldives

Planning a holiday to the Maldives and looking for some speed-filled thrills? With plenty of adrenaline-pumping fun on offer, wakeboarding is the water sport for you!

What is Wakeboarding?
This water sport is like a combination of several activities; the board is somewhat like what you will see in snowboarding, techniques used are similar to surfing and you are pulled at pace by a speedboat as in water-skiing. Besides staying at villas in Maldives resorts, you should try this experience too!

Where to Try It
Not all accommodation options provide this activity so do check ahead; properties on private islands such as Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences do offer it and you can soon be out in the water. April to October is a great time to try wakeboarding though it can also be enjoyed at other periods.

Lagoon and Sea
When looking to enjoy such water sports in Maldives, you can try it either out at sea or in more tranquil lagoon waters. Most operators will provide the needed training and guidance for novices, while seasoned pros can take part in this activity as soon as possible and show off their aerial tricks and manoeuvres too!

Tips to Remember
While you will get help with the techniques of wakeboarding, it’s always good to keep in mind a few basics;

• Figure out which foot you should lean on / place forward
• When standing up, put more than half your weight on the front foot
• When in the water before starting, keep the board on its side

A Doha Holiday with Kids

An ideal place for a family vacay, Doha has much to offer young travellers who will not have to suffer from boredom! Here are some of the many things that you and the kids can enjoy.

Resort Activities

The family-friendly resorts here not only offer spacious beachside villas or suites in Doha but captivating activities as well. Some resorts feature clubs for both kids and teens with plenty of games and things to do; depending on the property, there can be bowling, a cinema and a surf pool on offer too.

Image Credit: Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara

Water Sports

At such properties the likes of Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara, you will also find exciting water sports to try. Banana boating is a perennial favourite for children, while stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking are ideal for some family exploration. Older kids can look forward to wakeboarding as well.

Places to Visit

The kids will have a blast at some of the best family attractions in Doha; these include Aqua Park Qatar, the Doha Festival City mall with its Angry Birds World and the Gondolania amusement park at the Villaggio Mall. You can also enjoy time at the Doha Corniche and have a picnic at Aspire Park.

Beach Escapes

Nothing beats a day out on the sand and beside the ocean which the kids are bound to love when at the beaches in Doha. The Katara Beach which also features water sports and a play area is amongst the most popular, while Al Wakrah Beach and the Simaisma Family Beach are worth heading to as well.