Explore Whistler Blackcomb

If you are planning to head to Whistler this summer and think that there is nothing much else to do there but ski and go snowboarding, you couldn’t be more wrong. There are plenty of other things to do so let’s find out what.

How to Get There
You can get up to Blackcomb through the Whistler Gondola or the Blackcomb Gondola, they’re both located at the foot of the mountain in Whistler village or Upper village. If you are staying in Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside, you can go up on the Whistler Gondola.

Sightseeing Tickets
The Peak 2 Peak 360 experience comes in passes that can be either purchased ahead of time or at the ticket window. The tickets will cost $69 for adults and $62 for youth and seniors while small children aged 7-12 are charged $35.

Peak 2 Peak Facts
The gondola is considered the pride and joy of Whistler. The Gondola was opened to the public in 2008 and it costs 51 million Canadian dollars. It is the longest unsupported span for a lift of this kind and is also the highest lift in the world.

Alpine Hiking on Blackcomb
If you are staying at a Whistler hotel and plan to hike up the mountain instead, you can be guaranteed some beautiful views on the way. There are three trails of different difficulty levels.

 

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.

 

Explore the Sacred Quan Thanh Temple

Quan Thanh is a beautiful temple that also goes by the name of Tran Vu Quan. It is a temple that is dedicated to the worship of HuyenThien Tran Vu who aided the Vietnamese in the fight against most invaders. It has changed a lot in the last 10 centuries. Learn more right here.

An Introduction

The temple is located in the West Lake near the north gate of ancient Thang Long. It is very easy to find from a hotel in Hanoi, the likes of Pan Pacific Hanoi as it is considered one of the four antique towns of Hanoi and everyone knows where to find it.

The Unique Architecture

The temple is a great place to visit if you are one of those people who are interested in the architecture of Vietnam’s historic buildings. The temple was influenced by both the Taoist and Confucianist sects of Buddhism, something that is more apparent with the Nguyen Dynasty.

How to Get There

Getting to Quan Thanh temple is easy if you make your way to the Ba Dinh district of Hanoi. There are various modes of transport to get there, which we can discuss below.

Going byBus

The cheapest way of getting to Quan Thanh is by bus. Hanoi buses are common and fast and cost 7,000 VND. It’s a great mode of transport especially if you find it hard to find your way around the city.

Other Modes of Transport

Other modes of transport include the most expensive which is a chauffeured vehicle or taxi as well as motorbike rentals or the Hanoi cyclo.

 

A Boat Ride in Hamilton Canal

The Hamilton Canal – commonly referred to as the Dutch Canal – connect Colombo with Puttalam. A boat ride along it will let you see some of the best sights in the region and it can be an enthralling experience overall.

The Canal’s History

The Hamilton Canal is said to have been constructed during colonial times – specifically when the Dutch were ruling Sri Lanka’s maritime provinces. Named after then governor, Gavin Hamilton, the canal was an important supply route for the Europeans.

Sahan177, Sunsets at negombo lagoon, CC BY-SA 4.0

Natural Sights

Tourists and travellers can take a tour along the canal either via bicycle or by boat. Taking the boat is preferable as you’ll be able to travel a lot further and see a myriad of stunning natural sights. These include a quaint lagoon that leads to the sea as well as the verdant expanses of the Muthurajawela Marsh.

Keep an Eye on the Wildlife

You might be perusing the hotel offers Sri Lanka has available – such as the ones offered by Heritance Negombo – in order to find a tour that will let you see the island’s wildlife. This isn’t always necessary, however, as you can plenty of endemic species via a boat ride along the canal alone. As you reach the marshlands, keep your eyes peeled for mugger crocodiles, rock pythons and a host of water birds.

The Cityscape

Nature and the wildlife aren’t the only things you’ll be saying as you cruise along the canals. You’ll also be witnessing the inner workings of Colombo and Puttalam. From tireless vendors promoting their stock to labourers taking a break and sipping some beer – it’s a wonderful way to experience the local culture.

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.

Image Credit: Heritance Tea Factory

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.

Langkawi Sky Bridge Cable Car

Taking a ride on a cable car and then walking along the magnificent Sky Bridge is one of the best experiences to be had in Langkawi. So, if you’re touring through the area, here’s everything you need to know about this fantastic attraction.

Reaching the Cable Car

The cable car ride will take you up to a height of 2,300 feet above sea level! To take this ride, you’ll first have to reach the Oriental Village located on the northwest of Langkawi Island. If you’re staying at a prominent Langkawi resort– for example, the Berjaya Langkawi Resort – this should only take you a few minutes. The ride up can be a bit windy and chilly, so dress appropriately!

Riding to the Bridge

The ride up begins at the Oriental Village, and after a few minutes of gradual ascension, the cable car will begin to level out. From here, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of far-off mountain ranges and gorgeous waterfalls. The ride stops at the Sky Bridge where the grandest view awaits!

The View

The view from the Sky Bridge is truly breath-taking. The surrounding mountain ranges and forests combined with the cool mountain air will envelop you in a relaxing sense of tranquillity. You can walk along the bridge and reach the ‘forest deck’ for an even better view of the surroundings.

Photo Ops

Be sure to bring your camera along for the ride as there’s plenty of fantastic photo opportunities up here. The surrounding area is home to a myriad of endemic bird varieties, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready!

 

 

Endless Shopping in Malaysia

The shopping scene in Malaysia is quite a comprehensive one, there’s an array of amazing locations to visit and peruse through. From expansive malls to charming street markets, here’s a guide on where to shop in Malaysia.

Pavilion KL

The Pavilion in Kuala Lumpur is where you want to be if you’re looking for fine fabrics, designer clothing or ornate jewellery. The location has over 450 retail shops for you to check out, and there’s plenty of restaurants and cafes in the area in case you work up an appetite.

Berjaya Times Square

If you want to have a truly Malaysian shopping experience, be sure to visit the Berjaya Times Square. This bustling section of Kuala Lumpur has over 1000 different shops for you to explore and experience. What’s more, some of the best hotels in Malaysia – such as the Berjaya Hotels and Resorts – are also found here. This means that visiting the location is trivial if you’re staying at one of them.

Low Yat

Low Yat Plaza is your go-to if you’re looking to get your hands on some electronics. This includes everything from heavy-duty PC parts to mobile phones and micro-gadgets. There are plenty of great deals for these items as well, so you should at least have a gander here.

Little India

If you want to be treated to the sights and sounds of India during your tour through Malaysia, be sure to stop by the Indian quarter – or little India as it’s called. You’ll find lots of fascinating items here for bargain prices as well as plenty of delicious street food.

 

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.

leopard sri lanka

 

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.