PEARL OF THE INDIAN OCEAN SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka has endless beaches and world heritage sites, friendly people and tasty food, wildlife and rain-forests, surfing and whale watching, train rides through rolling hills, waterfalls and tea gardens. With so many things to do and see all packed in such a small country, distances are short and travel time is reduced. If you had enough of lazing on the sandy beaches, surfing or whale watching and ready to escape the tropical climate of the coast and lowlands, head for the hills, with their temperate, green charms and rolling meadows. Verdant tea plantations and rain-forested peaks beckon walkers, trekkers and those who just want to see it on a spectacular train ride.Safari tours of Sri Lanka’s national parks can result in encounters with elephants, leopards, water buffaloes, variety of birds and primates. If culture and heritage is what you are after ancient traditions are still practiced at holy sites scattered across the island. The Kandyan dance is a must see. “Lanka” also has a variety of World Heritage sites, from the picturesque hill town of Kandy to the Portuguese fortifications of Galle and monastery-strewn ruins of Anuradhapura.
SRI LANKA TRIPS
Enchanting Sri Lanka – 9 Days
In this incredible adventure on the island paradise of Sri Lanka there is lots in store that amazes and fascinates. Set adrift in the middle of the Indian Ocean, this tropical land offers fascinating ancient history in incredible natural …
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Sri Lanka Explorer – 10 Days
Discover the vibrant colors, diverse cultures, swaying palm trees and 2000 year old history of this tropical jewel on a 10 day trip designed to give you the best of what Sri Lanka has to offer. You’ll explore tea …
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Classic Sri Lanka – 7 Days
A jewel in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is jam-packed with ancient sites, beautiful wilderness and idyllic beaches and fascinating culture which spans more than 2,000 years and is still remains vibrant and alive today. Walk through lush tea …
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ABOUT SRI LANKA
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Situated in the Indian Ocean, the island of Sri Lanka lies just under the Indian subcontinent, to the southwest of the Bay of Bengal. Much of Sri Lanka receives a high level of rainfall during the monsoon season, with the dry northern areas being the exception. Due to the high level of rainfall, tropical evergreen forest proliferates around the country. Despite extensive land clearing for agriculture, there are still pockets of national parks and biosphere
reserves around the country that hold much flora and fauna, including herds of wild elephants, deer and a wide range of birds. Sri Lanka’s remaining forests and protected areas are rich in biological diversity and remain popular with tourists looking for wildlife and adventure.
Sri Lanka’s main cities are typically built up, busy and increasingly becoming more multicultural and cosmopolitan. In comparison to Sri Lanka’s fast-paced, city-dwelling residents, many Sri Lankans still live in villages with simple housing and work predominantly in the agriculture and fishing industries.
Colombo – Colombo is the economic and political capital of Sri Lanka and is a quintessentially cosmopolitan city, busy and bustling, and people everywhere. The Fort, Cinnamon Gardens and Pettah, one of the older districts, are particular historical highlights, while the Beira Lake, and green parks and canals that interject the city provide a contrasting natural beauty.
Hill Country – Away from the heat of the coastal regions, the Hill Country contains some of Sri Lanka’s most stunning scenery. From the rolling tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya to the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, the Hill Country is a land unto itself, pulsating with adventure and charm. One of the best ways to experience the hill country is to take a train journey from Kandy to Ella which passes through beautiful hill country strewn with jungles, vegetable fields, tea gardens, tiny villages and cascading waterfalls.
West Coast – The west coast of Sri Lanka has some of the best beaches in the country from the cheerful beach town of Negombo, the chic boutique hotels and uncluttered golden sands of Bentota and the backpacker favorites of Hikkadua and Unuwatuna. Some of the other attractions of the west coast are watching stilt fishing at Weligama, visiting the Galle Fort and whale watching off the coast of Marissa.
Sigiriya – Sigiriya rock fortress is one of the most visited cultural sites in the island. It captivates every visitor with its well-laid out gardens, caves, monasteries, and palaces adorned with beautiful wall motifs. Start at the water gardens and climb more than 1,200 steps to reach the top. Pass caves with frescoes and boulders to find the ruins of a palace on the flat surface of the old volcanic magma rock. The rock rests 1,213 ft above sea level with a shear drop on all sides.
1. Climb the rock fortress at Sigiriya.
2. Walk through tea gardens and taste some Ceylon tea at Nuwara Eliya.
3. Take a scenic train journey from Kandy to Ella.
4. Go whale watching in Marissa.
5. Indulge in Sri Lanka’s culinary goodness.
6. Beach hop through the beautiful beaches of the West Coast.
7. Visit the baby elephants at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.
8. Laze at tranquil and offbeat Nilaveli beach on the east coast.
9. Spot leopards at Yala National Park.
10. Witness a Kandyan dance at Kandy.
SIMILAR DESTINATIONS