Tag: sri lanka

Pidurangala Rock

It is doubtful whether any other dry zone in the world possesses this many memories, temples and popular tourist sites; the area of Sigirya in Sri Lanka, where the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, which is often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world, is a well patronized tourist destination. The rock fortress claimed global recognition through its murals, inscriptions, gardens, irrigation system and the lion formations at the entrance.

The historical narrations reveal that the Sigiriya rampart and the adjoining rock, Pidurangala, were both inhabited by Buddhist monks who engaged in meditation during the era that King Kashyapa wished to make Sigiriya his royal house. The chronicles further divulge that King Kashyapa completed the Pidurangala Monastery Complex according to the ‘Panchavansa’ concept, where a bo tree, a chapter house, an image house, a meditation chamber and a dagoba are included within the temple premises. The monks who resided on the Sigiriya Rock were given lodging at the Pidurangala Rock and the monastery was the king’s royal temple.

The mound with a slightly stubby surface is visible from the road that takes you to Sigiriya, but after the glamour and wonders that the latter affords, the environment itself seems to dull into oblivion. The monastery which is spread over an area of 13 acres would have been an ideal abode for meditating monks as it offers ample solitude and silence. This remains true to date and since there is no influx of tourists, the incumbent monks are able to engage in religious activities with ease. It is easy to get lost in thought at this site and imagine life lived in another day and age, in the silence and sacredness of this site.
Only those who are well informed visit the Pidurangala Rock, even while they holiday ever so close to it at a hotel in Sigiriya. Inform your tour guide that you are well aware of the overshadowed treasure that sits a whisker away from hotels Sigiriya has to offer and insist on a tour of it. With the daunting view of the world renowned rock garrison, Hotel Sigiriya, is one of the top favourites among those visiting the area.

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+

Yala Safari

The Yala National Park is a major national park in Sri Lanka. Spanning an area of almost one thousand square kilometres, it is the second biggest national park in the country and is the most widely visited. No trip to the tropical island can be considered complete without a visit to Yala; after all, the park is home to some of the country’s best loved and most elusive animals. It was established in 1900 as a wildlife sanctuary and was only designated as a national park in 1938. Although the park is made up of five blocks, only two of them are open to the public.

Yala boasts a rich biodiversity and is home to numerous animals. This includes elephants and leopards, the two icons of Sri Lankan wildlife. The park’s leopard population is huge and although the animal is notoriously shy, leopard sightings are a common occurrence. In total, it is home to about forty four mammalian species including sloth bears, wild water buffalos, civets and macaques. Reptilian species are numbered at forty five although the number could be much higher. Of these five species, the Sri Lankan krait and the Wiegmann’s Agama, are endemic.

However, it is the avian populace that makes this a truly memorable place. Yala is home to over two hundred types of birds of which six are endemic. Tourists who want to experience the island’s natural bounty will definitely have to take a trip down to Yala. The exotic and lively inhabitants are sure to make any visit here one to remember.

Although small in size, the tropical island contains many attractions and the best way to visit them all is by using Sri Lanka tour packages. Taking such tours will eliminate all the hassles of planning and travel so that tourists can have a fun, stress free vacation. Shanti Travel Sri Lanka offer holiday packages Sri Lanka that covers all the major attractions. They show a side of the island that only locals get to enjoy and is the ideal option for foreigners who want a taste of the real Sri Lanka and its enchanting cultural, historical and natural heritage.

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+

Enjoying Dolphin Watching in Sri Lanka

One of the pleasures of visiting the enchanting tropical island of Sri Lanka is the fact that there are so many adventures that can be enjoyed here; one of which is dolphin along the east coast. Those planning a trip to the region and looking for a Sri Lanka resort in the east coast can consider staying at Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa. Looking out across Passekudah bay, it is one of the best Sri Lanka honeymoon hotels in the east and makes an ideal base from which to set off on your excursions.

Make sure to make your way to Trincomalee from where you can set off on a dolphin watching tour. Such tours are conducted by the Sri Lankan navy and provide you with a fun filled morning. Home to such species as Bottlenose and Spinner dolphins, the waters around the island provide plenty of opportunities to spot these playful ocean mammals that can be seen frolicking in the sea. As an added bonus one may also get the chance of seeing such whale species as the Blue whale during the whale watching season which usually runs from May to October.

Water Sports in Pasikuda- A must try out when in Pasikuda

Sri Lanka is an island with many miraculous attractions, exciting sites and enthralling tropical beaches. When you travel to the Northern part of the island, Pasikuda is a must visit beach as it offers endless water activities to engage in. During your holiday, if you are looking for a Sri Lanka spa resort, do not worry as there are many new beach hotels coming up in the area. Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa is one such Sri Lanka resort that one should head down to enjoy a perfect beach getaway. The place will let you engage in many water sports such as snorkelling, diving, wind surfing and skiing. Whether you are a seasoned water sportsman or an amateur, there will be guides to assist you in your water activities and provide you with necessary equipments.

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. Google+

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.

Google+

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.
Google+