Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island country in South Asia, located in the Indian Ocean to the southwest of the Bay of Bengal and to the southeast of the Arabian Sea. The island is geographically separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. The legislative capital is Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte and the commercial capital and largest city is Colombo.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has often been described as a tropical paradise and it is also known as The Pearl of the Indian Ocean because its shape and natural beauty. Sri Lanka is an island of endless enchantment, a tiny tropical paradise where you could discover almost anything from golden sun-kissed beaches, mist-shrouded mountains, awe-inspiring ancient monuments and sprawling wild life parks to impenetrable rain forests and rushing white waters to get the adrenaline flowing. There are so many attractive destinations to admire our little island such as Colombo, Kandy, Nuwara eliya, Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Galle, Bentota and etc. Travelers have a right to dream, and in Sri Lanka they would discover their dreams could become a reality….
Sri Lanka Tourist Activities
Festivals in Sri Lanka
Poya Every month, on the full moon, Sri Lanka celebrates a public holiday. These are Buddhist celebrations and each one marks an important moment in Buddhism, either related to Sri Lankan Buddhism or the religion generally. Different celebrations take place all over the country depending on the Poya, but these are some of the biggest:
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Sigiriya Rock or the Lion Rock is the ancient fort that Sigiriya is known for. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and consists of a citadel and has ruins of palaces, the Lion Gate, gardens, moats, the Mirror Wall, and many beautiful frescoes (paintings made in wet plaster on walls). The place got its name from the Lion claws, carved at the entrance of the Lion Gate. You can reach the Sigiriya Fortress either by bus or by train, from the main towns of Dambulla or Habarane. The Sigiriya Rock Fortress is derived from two words – ‘Simha’ meaning Lion, and ‘Giri’ meaning Mountain. The site consists of the beautifully planned fortress, ruined halls, a citadel, the Mirror Wall, and many ancient paintings on the walls called ‘Frescoes’.
Whale Watching
Mirissa is hugely famous for its whale-watching and dolphin-watching activities. Whale watching in Mirissa allows visitors to enjoy watching them swim and play in their natural habitat. The best time is from November to March when whales migrate here from the South. There are several boat instructors available, and you can book your tickets either online or on the spot.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa)
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, or Sri Dalada Maligawa, is the most sacred Buddhist temple in the world. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy. The temple houses the sacred tooth of Buddha nestled in a golden chamber within the premises of the royal palace complex. Evening is the best time to visit when the temple is lit up.
Dambulla Cave Temple
The Dambulla Cave Temple, also called the Golden Temple of Dambulla, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the best-preserved and most extensive cave temple complex in the country, comprising five main caves, each possessing numerous statues of Lord Buddha and some figures of kings and statues of Lord Vishnu.
Yala National Park
Sprawled over 979 square kilometres, Yala National Park in southeast Sri Lanka is the nation’s largest and most-visited wildlife conservation zone. As Sri Lanka’s oldest wildlife sanctuary, Yala shelters a vast area of unspoiled jungles, grassland, and lagoons bordering the Indian Ocean. It is home to the highest population of leopards on the planet, alongside Sri Lankan elephants, crocodiles, and over 400 bird species.
Adam's Peak
As one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in the Indian subcontinent, Adam’s Peak is a 7,359 feet tall mountain in Sri Lanka, frequently visited by people of almost all major religions. It is widely known for Sri Pada, a foot-shaped indentation at the summit of the pyramid-like mountain. Also called the sacred footprint, the Buddhists believe that it is the footprint of Lord Buddha, the Hindus as that of Shiva, the Muslims as Adam’s, and the Christians as that of St. Thomas the Apostle.
Experience Ayurveda in Sri Lanka
While Sri Lanka has a plethora of attractions—national parks, stunning beaches and historical sites, to name a few—there are other little-known but fascinating facets to its tourism, such as its spas. The spas in Sri Lanka offer a refreshing experience for anyone looking to merely unwind amidst the pressures of everyday life or some relief from the pain of a severe ailment. Often, these spas combine traditional massages with yoga and Ayurveda, hence providing its customers with an immensely wholesome package. Let’s take a look at a list of the best spas in Sri Lanka:
Sea Turtle Hatchery
The Sea Turtle Hatchery is situated in Habaraduwa, and was established in the year 1986, has successfully rescued and taken care of more than 1,000,000 sea turtles. If you are someone who loves everything about nature, make it a point to visit the Sea turtle hatchery which takes tremendous efforts to nurture the sea turtles in a safe environment before releasing them into the sea. Sri Lanka is a place which is favourable for sea turtles, where many sea turtles lay their eggs on the sandy beach and later go back to the water
Diving and Snorkellingy
Rocky formations underwater along with black corals, shipwrecks and a variety of tropical fish species make Unawatuna a paradise for divers and snorkellers. Sites near the beach are ideal for beginners. At the same time, the more experienced can explore the underwater rock formations and the wreckage of the 100-year-old steamer “Rangoon” and experience the range of marine life this location has to offer.
Nine Arches Bridge
Nine Arches Bridge, also known as The Bridge in the Sky, is an iconic architectural structure in Ella’s mountainous region. It is a magnificent stone bridge built amidst lush green tea plantations, with stunning mountains in the backdrop. It can be accessed from the Ella station and is a short trek along the railway tracks to the bridge.
Hot Air Balloons
One of the things to do in Sri Lanka during the months of March and April is Hot Air Ballooning to swoon at the breathtaking views of rolling greens and rippling blues – the shades of Sri Lanka’s evergreen forests and surrounding beaches. Though the ride is dependent on the wind timings, no other ride is the same as the route for hot air balloons can’t be predicted.
Elephant Back Ride
Riding on the back of the amazing giant in the wild would be an incredible experience in life. An elephant ride Sri Lanka will be a great opportunity to be so close to the majestic beast, while enjoying the views of nature, wild life and traditional lifestyles of the people in rural villages in Sri Lanka. Moreover, an elephant ride in Sri Lanka would allow you to observe the surroundings in a closer proximity. More than all the facts mentioned above, may be the most precious experience of this activity is getting to share a day in the life of an elephant.
Tea Plantations
Not long after the British occupied the ‘Teardrop Isle’ in the early 19th century, they realised Sri Lanka’s highlands were ideal for growing tea. Plantations were terraced into the mountainsides, factories and rudimentary accommodations built for pickers, and a rail network engineered to transport leaves down to Colombo. The stretch of line between Kandy and Ella is considered one of the most beautiful in the world.