Water sports in Bentota

The beautiful tropical island of Sri Lanka has become a global hub for tourism, with visitors from all across the world vacationing in the breathtaking country. Those who visit enjoy the country’s warm and comfortable climate, friendly locals and scenic settings. There is much to experience in the country, but many prefer to spend time along the splendid coastal belt, where they will find some of the most magnificent beaches in the world. When vacationing on the beach, there are many options of how to spend time, with some choosing to laze in the sun, their feet buried in the soft sand as they listen to the gentle sound of the waves, while others prefer adrenaline-pumping water sports. Bentota beach offers ideal options for vacationers of all kinds. Bentota is located along the south-western coast of the country, and is not very far from the capital city of Colombo. It is one of the most popular coastal towns in the area as there is much for tourists to experience. One of its greatest attractions is the wide variety of water sports available, and with so many options, guests will always be entertained. For those who want to witness the magic of the world beneath the ocean, there is diving and snorkelling available, and visitors who try this will see some magnificent underwater sights. Those who dare can try out activities such as wind surfing and surfing, as well as waterskiing and body boarding. Bentota is an exciting paradise for the adventurous. A popular water sport that visitors choose to engage in when in Bentota is jet skiing, and there are tube rides and banana rides for all ages. Visitors who want to engage in slightly more tranquil water sports will enjoy deep-sea fishing and river fishing in the nearby river. There are also river cruises available, as well as boat rides in the sea. These are just some of the many water sports available for visitors to Bentota, and there are instructors ready to guide those who want to try these activities out for the first time. Visitors looking for seaside fun in Sri Lanka should definitely head over to Bentota. When looking for Sri Lanka Boutique Hotels to spend a relaxing vacation on the island, visitors will enjoy the fine setting and warm service of Saman Villas Bentota. This Luxury Hotel Sri Lanka is located just outside Bentota, and is a tranquil and lush seaside paradise. Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Explore Horton Plains where nature is at its best!

Located in the lush green hills of the beautiful Nuwara Elita city is the Jetwing St.Andrew’s; one of the best Nuwara Eliya hotels that one would come across. This hotel in Nuwara Eliya would transport you back to hundreds of years; where you would still experience the old world charm and tradition in the service provided by them.

The Horton Plains is a magical place where you could visit during your stay at this beautiful city. This is a place where nature is at its best; as soon as you enter you would be able to see the land covered by montane grassland and cloud forest. Apart from the rich wild life in the area the main thing that captures the interest of this plain is the Worlds End. This is a steep cliff with a 870 m drop. Both locals and visitors flock in this area to witness this amazing piece created by nature. Make sure you come early morning when the fog is very less otherwise you would not be able to see anything through it. After this don’t miss the beautiful Baakers Fall. The silvery water falling down would be very soothing to watch. Take some time off from your busy life style and enjoy a few hours with nature!

Heritage

Mihintale is famous as the place where in 247 BCE King Devanam Piyatissa met the Buddhist monk Mahinda, the son Emperor Asoka of India on a full moon day on the month of Poson changing the religious orientation of the country forever. Mihintale is a 300 meter peak in a range of four mountain peaks on the Anuradhapura – Trincomalee road.

While Mihintale is close to the hearts of Buddhists because of its religious implications, it is also a very important archaeological site containing some of the country’s most ancient historical remains. According to Fa Hsien a Chinese Buddhist monk who visited Mihintale in the 5th century, it was the site of a monastic complex of 2000 priests. The remains of monastic buildings and stupas scattered about the hill seem to bear this out. The pieces of archaeological interest start with the 1840 steps cut into the rock face leading to the top of the hill. It is said that the steps were specially designed to suit the sedate gait of the monks. The ‘Aradhana Gala’ a rocky prominence on the hill is said to be the site on which Mahinda and his disciples stood during the encounter with King Devanampiyatissa. A cave on the side of the hill is supposedly the place where Mahinda rested and meditated. The most impressive antiquity at the site is the bubble shaped 45 meter high Mihintale Maha Seya built around the 10th century. Artistically, Kantaka Chethiya may be the most important monument here. Dating back to 119 BCE it has examples of some of the country’s earliest sculptures and paintings. The highest point at Mihintale is Eth Vehera considered part of an inner temple. The best views of the whole Mihintale complex are from here. Another set of important remains are those of the hospital complex at the bottom of the hill, thought to be one of the most ancient in Sri Lanka. The main structure is built round a central courtyard and the remains adjacent to it have been identified as a medicine store, clinic, steam bath, the refractory and an herb grinding stone. Kaludiya Pokuna is the largest of the storage reservoirs around Mihintale. Around it are remains of a bath house, meditation spaces, walled caves and two dagobas. The landscaping here is distinguished by the fact that the boulders around are incorporated into the buildings. The rock caves in Rajagiri Kanda, a hill with large boulders opposite the Kaludiya Pokuna dates to the 3rd century BCE. At the top of the boulder strewn hill is a large cave with several compartments with panoramic views of the surrounding area. Another interesting part of the ancient remains is that of a vihara adjoining the alms hall with an inscription setting out rules and regulations of the monastery and payments to various categories of staff. The remains of an assembly hall in the vicinity appears to have been constructed as an open sided pavilion and those of a refectory has two stone canoes thought to have been receptacles for rice and porridge.

Shanti Travels Sri Lanka, an experienced travel organization, offers some of the best Sri Lanka tour packages that has been put together to reflect the cultural and ecological diversity of the country. Holiday packages Sri Lanka offered by the agency includes some of the country’s best known hotels close to iconic heritage sites, wildlife parks and pristine beaches.

Hot Air Balloon Excursion in Emerald Isle Sri Lanka

Often regarded as one of the most breathtaking tours available in Sri Lanka hot air balloon rides are fast becoming popular among discerning travellers exploring the island nation. Offering visitors a bird’s eye view of one of Asia’s premier holiday destinations hot air balloon excursions allow travellers to uncover the natural beauty and culture of the island in a short period of time. Although hot air balloon operators are a novelty to the tourist Mecca their advent in to the tourism foray has been nothing short of revolutionary in terms of the wealth of tours and experiences on offer for the first time.

The Cultural Triangle hot air balloon experience is one of the most coveted tour packages offered by operators as the excursion explores the lower altitude heartland of the island’s proud historic sites. Littered with UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Sigiriya and the ancient Dambulla Temple the region is a landscape steeped in history, myth and legend. Visitors can expect to see the rock fortress and its surrounding areas surrounded by water buffaloes and meandering lakes. Monkeys jumping from tree tops and elephants making their way to a water hole are other common sights on this tour.

Ballooning Trips around the Uda Walawe National Park is another highlight that should not be missed by visitors as the verdant landscapes of this elephant infested wilderness is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Wildlife enthusiasts and naturalists alike will enjoy the panoramic views of the national park located on the eastern edge of the country while beach lovers must set off on a balloon tour of Galle and the southern coastal belt.

Although a typical balloon ride lasts a mere hour a tour incorporates a 3 to 4 hour process from picking up guests from their hotels and transportation to the launch site as well as other elements such as flight briefs, balloon inflation time, taking off , the tour, landing and transportation back to the hotel. Most tours also include a hearty breakfast with champagne as most rides take off in the wee hours of the morning, meaning two hours after sunrise. Afternoon balloon rides are also organized after sunset while curious visitors can also join in the processes of deflating and inflating the balloon to gauge firsthand experience in hot air ballooning with the aid of experts. Private and exclusive hot air ballooning experiences are also on offer for couples, wedding anniversaries and other occasions.

Hot air balloon season falls between November and May when the wind conditions are conducive to the activity while March and April boasts the finest weather conditions for ballooning. The Tourism Promotion Bureau of Sri Lanka also organized the first ever Sri Lanka Balloon Festival in March, 2011. The annual event takes guests from Europe and Asia on week-long balloon rides around the island’s premier attractions.

Travellers in search of Sri Lanka tour packages this holiday season can choose Shanti Travel Sri Lanka for all their reservations. Organizing an array of exciting excursions to suit every budget this well-known name in the tourism industry provides the best holiday packages Sri Lanka has to offer.

 

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Ravana Falls

Named after a popular Sri Lankan legend as depicted in the epic tale of Ramayanaya, the Ravana Falls cascades majestically, sprawling itself generously over an area of more than 82 ft. Bandarawela Hotel is one of the best hotels Sri Lanka located quite close by to this location and one can easily seek accommodation in this charming hotel Sri Lanka while exploring the vicinities. The amount of local legends that enrobes these falls is truly astounding. It is believed that it is here within a cave located in the heavy wilderness surrounding the falls that King Ravana had hidden Rama’s queen Sita. The cave now known as the Ravana Cave as well as the waterfall forms part of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary while it is also said that Queen Sita had bathed in a rock pool that accumulated water that falls from this waterfall. Located in the Ella area which derived its name from the number of waterfalls that one could catch a glimpse of in the area, the drive up to the Ravana Falls itself would indeed be quite a treat as the area is well known for the scenic beauty of its surroundings.

Galway’s Land National Park

Well known as the Little England, Nuwara Eliya is a paradise of mist shrouded mountains and lush greenery. Some of the most ideally located Sri Lanka hotels include a range of Nuwara Eliya hotels such as the Heritance Tea Factory. Among the numerous attractions for you to visit here is Galway’s Land National Park. Home to valuable native and foreign floral species, the park was a wildlife sanctuary where you can expect to catch a glimpse of rare native and migrant species of bird. You can easily find the park within the city limits of Nuwara Eliya. Conserving the montane ecosystem, it is an ideal place to enjoy a leisurely stroll immersing in the unparalleled natural splendour.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
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Enjoying Sea Turtles Adventures at Koggala Beach

The south coast of Sri Lanka offers plenty of excitement, but if you are looking for a truly unique adventure then visit Koggala Beach where turtles offer an unforgettable holiday experience! Those looking to visit Koggala can do so via an air taxi Sri Lanka service offered by such companies as Cinnamon Air. They provide a number of Sri Lanka domestic flights to a variety of locations across the island. When in Koggala make sure to visit Koggala Beach and its turtle hatchery in particular which plays an important role in conservation too. Visitors to this site can see newborn turtles swimming around in tanks and learn more about them. Of course if you are lucky enough, you will visit at a time when baby turtles are being released back into the ocean. Get involved in releasing these endangered creatures back into the sea as you silently cheer them on as they head to oncoming waves and to their new life in the deep blue!

Udawattakele Sanctuary

Travellers to the hill country of Sri Lanka can base themselves at Kandy hotelspreferably one of the Aitken Spence Hotels, some of the finest hotels Sri Lanka has to offer. An ancient forest reserve on a hill-ridge in Kandy, Udawattakele Sanctuary is popularly known for its avifauna. Visitors can also explore small trees, shrubs and plant species such as lianas. Be sure to keep an eye out for small and medium size mammals inhabiting this oasis of calm. Created back in 1856 as a forest reserve, the sanctuary is a popular attraction among tourists. Home to a variety of fauna and flora, the forest has a great recreational and educational value.

Sinharaja Forest

Offering hours of exploration and adventure amidst lush landscapes seemingly lost in time, the enchanting island of Sri Lanka is a nature lover’s paradise. There is much to see and discover on the island, especially at its nature reserves which vary according to their geographical location, be they near the coast or up in the hills. One site which is definitely worth heading to is the Sinharaja Forest which provides visitors with an unforgettable experience at a tropical rainforest.

Named as a World Heritage Site, this forest reserve can be found in the south-west of the island and is home to a primary tropical rainforest that contains a large number of endemic flora and fauna including insects, mammals and birds. Sinharaja which was also named as a World Biosphere Reserve provides intrepid adventurers with a chance to “lose” themselves amidst breathtaking scenery.

The reserve has a wide range of tree species such as palms, cardamom and weniwal which are also used by the local community. The reserve itself is also home to such wildlife as leopards and elephants though spotting them, particularly leopards are rare. As you explore the paths that lead you deeper into the forest, you will realise just how wondrous nature can be. Bird watching enthusiasts have a chance to view a wide variety of species including the Sri Lanka white-headed starling, ashy-headed babbler, Sri Lanka blue magpie and the green-billed coucal.

There is also a rich collection of amphibians and reptiles within the reserve. The green garden lizard, hump-nosed viper and the python have all found a home here. Part of Sinharaja’s charm is the streams that flow through the forests that offer an ideal place to rest and unwind amidst the shade of the trees and cool of the water. It is easy to forget about the cares of the world as you are surrounded by calm and serenaded by the calls of birds, far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Those planning to make excursions or day trips to Sinharaja Forest can base themselves at Galle resorts along the island’s south coast. Nature lovers will be particularly pleased with Jetwing Kurulubedda which features elegant villas in Galle set amidst tranquil natural scenery.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Passekudah bay

Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa is the first luxury Sri Lanka Resort that came up in the east coast of Sri Lanka. This Hotel in Pasikuda offers all its guests modern services and relaxing accommodation making their stay more memorable and worthwhile. This amazing hotel is located in the Passekudah Bay one of the most developing locations in the country.

The sight of local fishermen fishing, the sandy beaches and the shallow waters that run far in to the sea are definitely magical moments that can be experienced in the bay. The Passekudah Bay is a more popular destination among family travelers.

Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry.

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