SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Ancient rock fortress and bustling, jostling street markets. National parks brimming with big cats and whale watching in the Indian Ocean. A palace atop a soaring mountain to the serenity of hillside tea plantations. There’s something for everyone to enjoy on this teardrop-shaped island.
CLIMB SIGIRIYA ROCK
Ironically built for a prince who suffered from vertigo, this palace sits on a vast rock soaring above a rolling plain. Climbing it takes you past stone walls polished to a mirror-like finish and ancient paintings…culminating in astounding views. It’s one of Sri Lanka’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites for a reason. Visit early in the morning to avoid both the day’s heat and the crowds.
EXPLORE ANURADHAPURA’S ANCIENT WONDERS
Anuradhapura was Sri Lanka’s original royal capital, only abandoned after an invasion sometime in 993 AD. The historic site still features many stunning temples and grand dagobas that still attract Buddhist pilgrims by the thousands – the 3rd-century Jetavanarama among them. Get on your bicycle (or tuk-tuk) and explore. If you’re here during high season (December – March), expect to mix with plenty of ‘temple-treaders’.
MARVEL AT THE DAMBULLA CAVE TEMPLE
A monastery built within the walls of a cave, Dambulla is Sri Lanka’s largest, most carefully preserved cave temple complex. It houses five ancient sanctuaries carved from the solid rock face and over 150 Buddha statues – including a massive, impassive sculpture spanning 14 meters. Beautiful Buddhist mural paintings adorn over 2,000 square meters of the cave’s surfaces.
RIDE THE RAILS FROM KANDY TO ELLA
Weaving through the lush landscapes of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country, this six-hour train journey is widely accepted to be the most scenic in all of Sri Lanka. After crossing the Nine Arch Bridge, most people end their journey in Ella to access the bridge viewpoints on foot. From here, you can continue to Nine Skies – a tastefully refurbished tea bungalow dating back to the colonial era.
VISIT THE TEA PLANTATIONS
The locals describe Numara Eliya as ‘Little England’, but they have clearly never visited the UK. Here you’ll find cool mountain air, and wonderful tea plantations where you can learn about the intricacies of production, or just sit back and sip a cuppa in colonial splendour.
GET UP CLOSE TO ELEPHANTS IN GAL OYA NATIONAL PARK
It may be a long, slow drive east from Kandy, but this remote national park deserves better recognition. It boasts the country’s largest lake (Senanayake Samudra) and Asian elephants that swim from island to island and forage at the water’s edge. Explore this secluded park by boat for up-close encounters with the resident wildlife.
TRACK LEOPARDS IN YALA NATIONAL PARK
Wild elephants, crocodiles, antelope, monkeys and an endless variety of exotic birds grace Sri Lanka’s national parks. Take a 4×4 safari through Yala – and you may even spot an elusive leopard (Sri Lanka’s alpha predator) among the 44 different mammal species.
WHALE WATCHING AT MIRISSA
The beach is brilliant at Mirissa, and the Indian Ocean is always warm and welcoming. But these aren’t the only reasons you should include it in your Sri Lankan holiday. Between November and April, visitors also have the chance to see the world’s biggest mammal – the blue whale. Sperm whales, fin whales, Bryde’s whales, dolphins, turtles and flying fish are also known to make an appearance.
ENJOY SOME QUIET RELAXATION ON SILENT BEACH
A real find for connoisseurs of the world’s best beaches. Known as the ‘Silent Beach’, this cove features 800 meters of fine white sand fringed with coconut palms and sloping into the warm azure waters of the Indian Ocean. Perfect for some R&R. It is hot and sunny from December to March, with comparatively little rain.
EXPERIENCE GALLE’S CHARMS
The UNESCO-listed Galle Fort is enchanting, whether walking around the massive coral-built ramparts with its great bastions overlooking the Indian Ocean or wandering around its tiny streets filled with boutique shops and busy restaurants. Don’t miss buying beautiful handmade lace from gracious local street sellers.
