Wildlife Hotspots in Sri Lanka

If you love witnessing wildlife in their natural habitat then Sri Lanka is the destination for you. Here are some key places where wildlife abounds.

Yala and Wilpattu
There’s nothing quite as thrilling as spotting an elusive Sri Lankan leopard on a safari at the Yala or Wilpattu national parks. These majestic predators are not the only wild inhabitants you may see; be on the lookout for Sri Lankan elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, deer, monkeys and a wide range of bird species too.

Sinharaja Forest Reserve
A Biosphere Reserve, this forest sanctuary is a premier spot for bird watching. If you stay at a Sinharaja eco lodge Sri Lanka has to offer, you can easily see many of these birds. The Rainforest Ecolodge, Sinharaja is one such option from where you can head off on birdwatching excursions to spot endemic species like the Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon and Sri Lankan junglefowl.

Minneriya and Udawalawe
At Minneriya National Park you can witness The Gathering (June to September) featuring hundreds of elephants, while the Udawalawe National Park is home to a sizeable elephant population too. On safaris at these parks, one also see a diverse array of other species including toque macaques, mugger crocodiles, deer and if you’re lucky, a leopard or two.

Mirissa and Trincomalee
Located on the south and east coasts respectively, Mirissa and Trincomalee are two of the best spots for whale watching in Sri Lanka. Apart from seeing species like blue whales and humpback whales, you can glimpse playful dolphins too!

 

 

Mekong River Cruise experience

Around great rivers, civilizations and cultures have evolved for centuries and this is the same story with Mekong River too. A cruise across this river is, of course, a very nice experience, and there are certain things you should know before planning this voyage.

Why it’s special?
A Mekong River cruise experience is possible with a trusted party the likes of Mekong Kingdoms, with whom you get the best options, excitement and most importantly the knowledge. The expedition is special because it gives you knowledge of a rich heritage and traditions enriched by over 2000 years of human history.

Best time to visit
There is generally a tropical climate in Cambodia and Vietnam. Thus, temperatures are warm year-round which makes it fine to go there any period of the year. Cruises also run year-round leaving you nothing to worry about the best times.

Highlights
During a Mekong River cruise, there are many things one can explore, and culture is one of the main. You can also embrace the unique landscapes of the river basin during the cruise and even meet some guides and local community who would talk to you with smiles on their faces.

Your cruise options
Choose your luxury Mekong River cruise according to your specific requirements. For those who have time, the 07-night cruises can give you more experiences and exposures so this would be the ideal choice. However, there are also 3 and 4-night options available for these cruises as well.

Kuang Si Falls

The Kuang Si falls is a must-visit if you are nature lover who is holidaying at or are passing through Luang Prabang.

Image credit-Benh LIEU SONGKuang Si Waterfalls Luang Prabang Wikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 3.0

About Kuang Si falls

The waterfalls from a height of about 200 feet and a trail beginning at the shallow bottom pools take you right to the top of the Kuang Si Falls. The colour of the water is a beautiful aqua blue and makes for a great photo backdrop too.

Why you must visit Kuang Si falls

This gorgeous work of nature is a favourite side quest for the travellers in Luang Prabang and if you want to have a bit of nature time in your trip, add this to your list.

Getting there

Being about 30 kilometres away from the south of Luang Prabang hotels, this waterfall will take about two hours to get to if you leave from Avani+ Luang Prabang, for instance.

Entrance

You will be charged a fee of 20,000 kips to gain access to the falls, but it is definitely worth the cash since the trails and paths are so clean and amazingly maintained by the people of Luang Prabang. Most of the pools here can be swum in except one or two, which are holy.

Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.Google+

Before you plan your trip to Whistler

Whistler is an incredible city, which used to be an exclusive one season resort town. But today, the town is an all-season destination loved by honeymooners, families as well as adventure lovers. Here are some facts you should know when planning your long-awaited trip to Whistler.

Whistler| Img via Pxhere

Know where to stay

If you visit Whistler with your friends or family, our advice is to find a good Whistler ski resort. The place you choose for your night stays is important because a comfortable stay can make you forget all the troubles you had to face during daytime adventures.

Picture all your activities well in advance

Keep in mind that there are also activities that can be done off the mountain. If you stay at a resort the likes of Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre, then you are lucky because there are chances for you to experience the lifestyles of the local community.

Identify the best places to eat from

At Function Junction, you will find a handful of great bakeries and cafes, and the prices here are very reasonable. There are also some top-class restaurants in this town where you will have to spend a little more, but the food is guaranteed to be tasty.

Know what adventures you can take

If you love adventures, the Ziptrek tour is a must-try for you! You may also try a biking adventure with your whole family! Why not even try your hand at riding an electric bike for a change?

 

 

 

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+

Backpacking through Adelaide

Adelaide isn’t considered when planning a vacation to Australia as people wrongly assume there is nothing to see there but churches and provincial life.

Adelaide does not have any vast natural wonders or man-made wonders that are as iconic as the Sydney Harbour bridge or Uluru, but if you are planning to backpack in Australia, Adelaide is the place to be.

Backpacking Tips

Just because you are backpacking you don’t have to sleep out in the boonies. You could save up on the other things and not spend a lot of time looking for places to stay in Melbourne. If you are looking for a central location stay at a hotel like Avani Adelaide Residences.

Go Cheap When You Can

Go cheap when you can and carry the minimal with you when you are travelling to make the most of a backpacking trip in Adelaide. This doesn’t mean you need to spend the whole holiday on a budget. You could get a work visa instead of a holiday visa when you visit and that would enable you to work during your holiday and earn as you spend.

You could also shop from bargain shops, drink during happy hours and do a little research into what sort of offers are available for the duration of your stay in the city.

 

Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+

Explore the Highest Peak in Langkawi: Gunung Raya

Found in the northern coast of the country, Langkawi is home to the tallest peak in the area, the Gunung Raya.

Tu7uhGUNUNG RAYA PANORAMACC BY 3.0

About Langkawi

Once you are done chilling at one of the Langkawi resorts the likes of Berjaya Langkawi Resort and are ready for some adventure, you can keep aside a day and get yourself to the Gunung Raya. Being about 880 metres above the sea level, the highest point of this mountain will give you a mind-boggling view.

The hike

Many people tend to go on the hike by themselves, but if you want to know about the things you pass and the plants you see, you might want to get yourself a guide to walk with you. The hiking trails are marked pretty clearly and don’t need much help with.

During the climb

During the climb, you will spot many wild monkeys who will try to grab your stuff. Also, carry insect repellent since you will see insects here that you have not ever heard of or seen before in your life!

Once you get to the top

After you climb about 4200 stairs and more, you will reach the top and be rewarded with the greatest view of them all. Misty hills, the ocean and endless skies await.

 

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

Mystery Manila for Brave Hearts!

If you have the love for being terrified, and you would want to be stuck in a haunted room for a bit, this is for you.

About the room

The Mystery Manila has a room named Rebecca’s Room, which is named as such because you will be solving and trying to uncover the mystery that surrounds Rebecca Rubio. You will be shut in a completely dark room, and using your senses, will have to solve this.

Who is Rebecca Rubio?

She was a video blogger who went missing in the year 2012, and she was last seen walking into her apartment in the evening. People heard some screaming but assumed it was TV noise. And until today, no one, nobody living in or staying at hotels in Makati have seen her.

Within the hour

You get one hour in her room, to figure out what went wrong that night. You can request clues, but each clue would cost you 15 minutes that will be deducted from your total time inside her room.

How to get there

If you are put up at Berjaya Makati Hotel or a similarly central hotel, you can simply hail a cab and get to this escape room.

 

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

Hike to the Highest Mountain on Tioman: Gunung Kajang

A hike to the highest mountain on Tioman – Gunung Kajang is undoubtedly the next adventure for you if you are an adventure seeker in life. The journey is difficult and requires a lot of your energy, but the breath-taking views you get right at the top of the mountain are priceless, and the hard hike is worth it.

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay 

Mount Kajang

If you stay at a Tioman resort, the likes of Berjaya Tioman Resort, Mount Kajang cannot be too far away. The peak of the mountain is an extinct volcano that dwells in the clouds and this is the whole purpose of the hike too. The special fact about this is that this mountain which is covered by a dense rain forest has a volcanic past.

The trek up

There are not many set trails to the mountain. On your way to it, you may see a noticeable difference between the flora you get to find in the mainland and those you find here. Try to keep talking to a minimal and take in the beautiful surroundings on your trek up.

Up at the summit

The reason we recommend this difficult hike to you is the relaxation you get to feel when you go up the summit. There are also some mysterious caves that you can explore and then the beauty of Tioman island is all yours to feel and enjoy.

Things to keep in mind

It is always better if you have this climb with a crew and especially with the presence of an experienced guide. The general rules do apply for this hike too where you can’t leave anything other than footprints when you come out of the premises.

 

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

Best Melbourne Travel Hacks

You’ll never get enough of travelling to Melbourne – and you’re bound to find new hacks each time you visit. Here’s a list for those looking to make their Melbourne experience better.

 

Queen Victoria Market| Img by: Johntorcasio via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Visiting Queen Victoria Market

Visit the market 20 minutes before it closes on a Saturday and you’ll be able to score yourself a number of different sweet deals. You might just about manage to get fruits, vegetables, cheese or fresh bakes if you are lucky. Just 11 minutes from Pan Pacific Melbourne and close by to other Melbourne hotels, getting here on time won’t be a task!

Tram Tracker

Download the app Tram Tracker available both on iOS and Android. This app gives you reliable updates on when the tram is due to arrive at your stop. You are free to personalize the app by selecting your most common stops!

Free coffee every Friday!

Market Lane holds public cuppings every Friday from 1 to 1:45 PM. Cupping is the coffee version of wine tasting and is a great opportunity to taste up to eight different cups of coffee!

Early riders get free rides

Your train journey is free if you get on and off before 7:15 AM on a weekday!

 

 

Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+

Ultimate Kuala Lumpur Solo Travel Guide

With a motto like ‘Progress and Prosper’, it should come as no surprise that Kuala Lumpur is an exciting and modern vacation destination. Here’s a travel guide to help you through.

Image by: KuyaAndy via pixabay | CC0

Practical Information

The best time for you to visit the city would be between the months of November and March for comfortable weather. While English is often understood by most of the locals, Malay is the local language. Tamil, Cantonese and Mandarin are also spoken quite prevalently.

Where to Stay

Accommodation options are plentiful, and if you’re looking for a serviced apartment, KL has many great choices for you to choose from, such as PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur for instance.

Getting Around

Getting around the city is quite easy since you can make use of the extensive rail network that’s present here. Taxis too are abundant, but make sure you check if the metre is running.

Night Life

Alcohol can be on the expensive end of the spectrum, so do ask for prices beforehand. An important thing to note is that the legal drinking age is 18 so that you don’t run into any problems.