Rock Climbing | The Adventure Travel Site

Climbing the Ambuluwawa Tower

Tucked away amidst the enchanting landscapes of Gampola, Sri Lanka, the Ambuluwawa Tower stands tall as an iconic attraction that offers visitors a mesmerizing experience amidst the country’s breathtaking natural beauty. Rising above the verdant hills, this architectural gem beckons travellers to embark on a journey of exploration, spiritual tranquillity, and panoramic views.

A Towering Architectural Marvel

The Ambuluwawa Tower stands as a testament to architectural brilliance and cultural fusion. Its striking design blends elements from Sri Lankan, Thai, Chinese, and Indian architectural styles, creating a unique and captivating structure. The tower’s octagonal shape, ornate embellishments, and vibrant colours make it a visual delight that exudes a sense of grandeur and tranquillity.

Spiritual Serenity

At the heart of the Ambuluwawa Tower lies a serene Buddhist temple, providing visitors with a sanctuary for contemplation and spiritual connection. The temple’s intricate artwork, tranquil ambience, and soothing chants create an atmosphere of peace and inner reflection. Visitors can immerse themselves in the spiritual aura, offering a respite from the outside world.

Panoramic Vistas

Ascending the heights of the Ambuluwawa Tower rewards visitors with breathtaking panoramic views that stretch across the picturesque landscape. From the observation deck, one can marvel at the rolling hills, verdant tea plantations, and the lush beauty of Sri Lanka’s central region. The interplay of mist-cloaked mountains, cascading waterfalls, and the ever-changing light create a spectacle that leaves a lasting impression.

Nature’s Paradise

The Ambuluwawa Tower is nestled within the larger Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex, a sanctuary dedicated to preserving Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity. Exploring the complex offers an opportunity to witness the region’s diverse flora and fauna. Visitors can embark on guided walks, discover endemic plant species, and encounter a wide array of birdlife. The complex serves as a haven for nature enthusiasts, providing a chance to reconnect with the natural world.

An Eco-Conscious Haven

The Ambuluwawa Tower exemplifies Sri Lanka’s commitment to environmental conservation. The site incorporates sustainable practices, including rainwater harvesting, renewable energy generation, and waste management systems. By visiting the tower, visitors contribute to the preservation of Sri Lanka’s natural heritage and support eco-conscious initiatives that protect the delicate ecosystems.

Visiting Ambuluwawa Tower

A visit to the Ambuluwawa Tower is a journey filled with wonder and tranquillity. Exploring its levels, admiring the intricate architectural details, and soaking in the awe-inspiring views from the observation deck provide an unforgettable experience. Kandy bungalows in the area such as Hanthana Boutique Villa by Amaya are located just an hour’s drive away and prove to be the ideal base to be at if you are planning to visit the tower during your vacation.

Your Krabi Island vacation

There aren’t too many places on this beautiful planet Earth where you feel like you’re in heaven. Ever heard of Krabi Island? It is a mystical paradise located on the Southern Coast of West Thailand where pristine blue waters are surrounded by glistening cliffs and lush forests – like Tolkein-level magical caves and beautiful scenery. If you feel like planning a vacation there, here are some of the fun things you can try.

Rock Climbing at Railay Beach

Railay Beach is the ideal destination for rock climbers. The towering limestone cliffs provide the best arena for anyone, even complete beginners. You can only reach Railay by boat, which you will have to plan for a little ahead of time. But there are plenty of boat services that shuttle tourists daily so it should be quite easy. If you’re not too keen on rock climbing, you can take in the magnificent sites and go for a walk along the scenic coastline.

Klong Thom hot springs

Located a one-hour ferry crossing away from hotels in Krabi such as SAii Phi Phi Island Village these hot springs are the best day trip you can take from your luxury resort. The hot springs here are famous among tourists and locals for their smooth, tub-like pools, soothing 35-42 C0 water rich in minerals. The pools are open for 12 hours every day and you’re charged a small entrance fee.

Bungee jumping

Embark on an exhilarating adventure as you embrace the thrilling leap from one of Thailand’s most astounding bungee jumping spots. Towering at an impressive height of 56 meters, the bungee jumping site in Krabi stands as the highest in the entire country and ranks as the fifth highest in all of Asia. Prepare to immerse yourself in the ultimate rush of adrenaline as you take a leap of faith into the abyss.

Try finger-licking local foods

Indulge your taste buds with an array of culinary delights when visiting Krabi. This vibrant destination offers not only an abundance of mouthwatering barbecued delicacies but also a unique twist on skewered treats that come in whimsical Angry Birds shapes. Prepare to embark on a delightful culinary adventure as you explore the diverse range of offerings.

Take a plunge into the nightlife

Nightlife in Krabi — Image via Wikimedia Commons – Ilya Plekhanov, Thai barbecue, CC BY-SA 3.0

There are so many trendy bars, clubs and beach parties happening all over Krabi. You’ll come across many spots that serve up amazing street food delights too. You can check out Phi Phi Island Resort Deals and find out more about places that have in-house bars and other events to enhance your holiday experience!

Nature’s Hidden Gems: Hiking Trails Around Kandy

Situated in the Central Province, surrounded by the Knuckles and Hunnasgiriya mountain ranges, Kandy enjoys a colder climate, making it the ideal trail for hiking enthusiasts.

Mutukeliyawa View Point

If you have gone through the list of all the things to do in Kandy, you may be looking to step out of your comfort zone. However, it is understood that not everyone considers hiking for hours at an end fun. Thus, this hike is ideal for novices, as it can be completed in under 3 hours.

Hantana to Galaha

If you are looking to burn some calories after a hearty breakfast at a property such as Hotel Topaz, then consider embarking on the first stage of the Pekoe trail. This is another easy trail that is ideal for newcomers. This hike starts at the Ceylon tea museum at the Hantana estate, which is a must-visit.

Alagalla

While this is a popular hiking trail, it is more suitable for experienced hikers as the final steps of the journey involve a steep slope that is difficult to navigate.

Pettigala

This hike is open to anyone as it is relatively easy, and offers a breathtaking view. From the top, you would be able to observe both the Victoria reservoir and the Knuckles mountain range, which is absolutely worth the 1-kilometre hike.

Amazing Things to Do in Surat Thani

Surat Thani, located in Southern Thailand, is a city that is often overlooked by travellers. However, this city is a hidden gem that is full of amazing things to do and see. Surat Thani is known for its natural beauty, delicious food, and cultural attractions.

khao-sok-national-park | img by wallpaper flare

Explore Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok National Park is one of the most beautiful and biodiverse places in Thailand. This park is home to lush rainforests, stunning waterfalls, and exotic wildlife. For travellers who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Khao Sok National Park is the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with nature. You can take a guided trek through the jungle, go on a canoe trip down the Sok River, or take a boat ride on Cheow Lan Lake.

Take a Boat Trip to Koh Samui

Koh Samui is an idyllic island that is located just a short boat ride from Surat Thani. This island is known for its pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and resorts like SAii Koh Samui Choengmon. Travellers can take a day trip to Koh Samui to relax and recharge after a long week of work. You can enjoy water activities like snorkelling and kayaking or simply lounge on the beach and soak up the sun. Also, if you want to stay on the island overnight, you can benefit from the many Koh Samui hotel deals on offer.

Visit Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine

The Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine is a sacred site that is dedicated to the city’s guardian spirits. This shrine is one of the oldest and most significant religious sites in the region. You can explore the shrine’s beautiful architecture and learn about the city’s history and culture. This is a must-visit destination for travellers who want to immerse themselves in the local culture.

Try the Local Cuisine

Surat Thani is known for its delicious and unique cuisine. You can try traditional dishes like Khao Tom Pla, a soup made with rice, fish, and herbs, or Kua Kling, a spicy stir-fry dish. For those who want to try something more adventurous, there is also a variety of street food available.

A Beach Worth a Visit – The Ton Sai Beach of Ao Nang

Thailand is nature’s utopia for adventurers and globetrotters. This South Asian country has been blessed with magnificent beaches, tropical foliage and ancient ruins from the days of yore. Among its many popular beaches lies Ton Sai Beach in the resort town of Ao Nang.

The Path to the Beach

The Ton Sai beach is reachable from most Ao Nang beach hotels. Whether it is by land or sea, make sure to pay a visit to this refreshing shoreline during your vacation at Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort. From the Krabi bus station, the beach is reachable by taxi or tuk-tuk. However, if your journey takes place from the airport or the Ao Nang Pier, a shuttle or a longtail boat must be taken, respectively.

Rocking Adventures

The Ao Nang beach is not only dedicated to pleasing one’s eyes with its breathtaking views of an endless ocean and the far horizon. During a visit, guests can explore some thrilling adventures like rock climbing to add some flavour to their Thai vacation. Amateur climbers and experts can engage in a session of excitement through various schools and companies dedicated to this activity.

Maria Ly, Climbing at Ton Sai Roof, Thailand, CC BY 2.0

Diving in the Deep Blue Ocean

Explore life under the sea as you visit the beautiful Ton Sai Beach. If your heart lies in aquatic adventures, head over to Railey Beach, located a mere 10 minutes away from Ton Sai Beach to sign up for a diving session that lets you witness the deep blue ocean, filled with vibrant marine life and beautiful corals; an underwater experience like no other.

Island Hopping

Island hopping is a must in Thailand. As you visit the pristine beach of Ton Sai, do not forget to hire a longtail boat that takes you island hopping. Some of the best islands to visit in the surrounding area of the beach are Chicken Island, Tub Island, Phanang Cave and Podah Island which sends you on a family-friendly cruise to cherish for a lifetime.

Why Kandy is Sri Lanka’s Cultural Capital

A popular day-trip destination for all, Kandy is not only home to the Temple of the Tooth but some of Sri Lanka’s top cultural highlights. Here’s why this hill station is deemed the cultural heart of the island.

Ceylon_tea — Charles R. Benedict, Ceylon tea, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Temple of the Tooth

The main reason why Kandy is dubbed the cultural epicentre of Sri Lanka is that it is where the Temple of the Tooth is located. The sacred dental remains of Lord Buddha are contained within this iconic shrine, which was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site decades ago.

Historic Kandy Lake

Although most visitors know that enjoying a boat ride on Kandy Lake is one of the top things to do in Kandy, few are aware of the legacy of this manmade body of water. Having been the execution site for many Sri Lankan nobles during British colonial rule, Kandy Lake is most infamously connected with the beheading of local hero Madduma Bandara and his family.

Tea Country

Whether you are based at the Hunas Falls Hotel Kandy or any other rest, a tour of the tea estates and factories surrounding the city will illustrate how it is a prime tea-producing region in Sri Lanka. World-famous Ceylon Tea is linked with the plantations and colonial-era tea factories that still function today and form a part of the hillside’s tea country.

Kandyan Dance and Drumming Heritage

As a dance tradition that differs significantly from the island’s southern dance school, Kandyan dance and drumming techniques date back centuries and have been preserved by local artists.

Set Off on a Hike to Knuckles

Renowned as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Knuckles Mountain range has been famed for its human fist like appearance from certain angles. This magnificent gift of nature is located in the Kandy and Matale districts of Sri Lanka and is highly popular among hikers from all over the world.

Knuckles_mountain_range_-_Sri_Lanka — Thusitha Jayasundara, Knuckles mountain range – Sri Lanka, CC BY-SA 4.0

How to Get to Knuckles

While several access points allow you to reach Knuckles, the most popular entrance is in Matale. However, this solely depends on where you are residing at. If you plan to travel to Kandy on a vacation, the access point will not be over a journey of an hour or two to Hunnasgiriya, once again, based on the route that you choose to take. However, do visit the Kandy Escapes website for a deeper insight on how to adapt and prepare for the weather conditions in Kandy, if you wish to enter Knuckles from a Kandy access point.

How to Climb Knuckles

While Knuckles’ popularity attracts many hikers, it is only advisable that you climb the mountain range if you carry a considerable level of experience in the art. However, a guide must accompany you, regardless of your level of hiking experience, in order to avoid getting lost. Therefore, a qualified guide will direct you through the paths that should be taken.

Grab a Bite on The Way

As you climb up one of Sri Lanka’s most difficult mountain trails, hunger will not be too far away. Being a protected reserve prevents hotels and resorts from opening up in the Knuckles and therefore, food is likely to become a luxury during the course of your hike. Stock up what you need in a backpack and grab a bite whenever hunger takes you over.

Other Attractions

While setting off on an adventurous hike is what Knuckles is known for, the areas surrounding this mountain range host plenty of other attractions for hikers and tourists. Deep into the forest lies Meemure, a rural village of picturesque views, Kandy, the sacred city of the Temple of the Tooth and the Aluvihara Rock Cave Temple in Matale.

Exploring Saudi Arabia’s Heet Cave

The Heet Cave in Saudi Arabia is a wonder that many people would never expect to even exist. This cave offers people a treat in the middle of the desert, and is filled with water to boot!

Some background on the Heet Cave

The cave is believed to have been formed due to limestone dissolving through the anhydrite materials within the cave. For those looking to enter its domain, they must walk through a 20-metre-wide hole in the ground and across various crumbling rocks.If you are staying at the furnished apartments for rent such as the Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh be sure to make a trip to the cave!

How to get to the Heet Cave

The best way is to arrange transport to Al Heet and then make the rest of the journey along the dirt road.

Things to keep in mind

This is a natural wonder and as such, it is important to not leave any rubbish behind. Be sure to bring bags to take back any garbage.

Safety precautions

While the journey is fairly simple for an adult is it not recommended to bring a child along with you given the risk of falling and injury.

Rock Climbing at Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur

Their walls of the Batu Caves offer a unique opportunity for enthusiasts of climbing and first timers alike. Take up the challenge and see how you fare on your journey in Kuala Lumpur.

The climbing walls of Batu Caves

For the uninitiated, this may come as a surprise however, the Batu Caves are well known for the amazing climbing walls they offer. If you are staying at a serviced residence in KL such as the Ascott Sentral Kuala Lumpur, be sure to request some transport to take you to the location and back because you will be exhausted afterwards!

Getting to the Nayang Wall

This is one of the three walls in the area and is found right in front of the shops close to the main road leading up to the caves.

Don’t forget base-jumping

If you are looking for a bigger thrill, be sure to try out the base jumping that takes place off the Gua Damai cliff as well.

The New Batu Caves

In 2018, the Batu Caves were reopened with a new coat of colour and an overall facelift to the delight of climbing enthusiasts.

Visiting Yala National Park in Sri Lanka

Yala National Park is renowned the world over for the incredible wildlife which lives within the confines of the park! Catch an exciting safari and witness the wild animals in their natural habitat. Here’s all you need to know before you go!
Best Time to Visit the Park
Whilst the park is open for the most part, it is considered to be “peak season” during the dry season. This runs from February to July, and it is during these months that the animals are drawn out the dense shrub to the watering holes in search of water.

Where is Yala?

This national park is located in the southeast of the island and spills over to provinces – Hambanthota and Monaragala. It’s one of the largest national parks and covers an extent of over 130,000 hectares. The park in itself is quite remote and it’s best to hire a private vehicle to reach it.

Where can I stay?

Despite being in a remote stretch, many hotels have sprung up to meet the demand in Yala. Hotels, resorts, villas, or guesthouses, there are varied accommodation options to suit your budget in the area! A Yala hotel such as the Cinnamon Wild Yala is an excellent choice for those who want to stay in the comforts of a lovely hotel whilst also being close to the park entrance.

What can I see?

What won’t you see in Yala, is a better question! From tuskers and elephants roaming the plains to plenty of Sri, Lankan sloth bears ambling about, you’ll have front row seats to plenty of exciting encounters with some wild critters. The most exciting spotting is always the Sri Lankan Leopard, as it is one of the shyest big cats in the world!