The world is crammed full of appealing destinations. Take your pick from a hiking adventure, or time out lying on a tropical beach. Maybe a city escapade, or an immersive culture quest.
But why not do all of those and more within one journey? With a banquet of distinctive locations to explore, feed your soul in one single expedition with a trip to Sri Lanka.
Try it out for its legendary train rides, ancient ruins, beaches and surfing, world-famous tea plantations, affordable safaris, and vibrant villages – along with great prices and delectable food. Spend your days among monkeys, elephants and peacocks; they’re just part of the furniture.
Consider getting around via public transport – it’s easy, cheap and fun. A multitude of features right here in one country can keep you going for weeks on end, even months!
If you want a shot of culture with your morning coffee – and the most extraordinary experience on the most ordinary of budgets – a visit to Sri Lanka is sure to leave you feeling culturally and emotionally fulfilled.
Visit a Palace in the sky
Climb over 1200 steps to the top of Sigiriya Rock, a massive rock column formed from an extinct volcano, and the site of an ancient fortress.
Enjoy an expansive 360-degree view from the plateau, while exploring the remnants of the ruined royal palace.
Referred to by locals as the Eighth Wonder of the World, UNESCO declared Sigiriya Rock Fortress a World Heritage site in 1982. It should be high on your list of excursions.
Gorge yourself on Kandy
The lively town of Kandy is a bustling jumble of action.
Go to the hilltop Buddhist statue, with a view overlooking the town. Shop for trinkets at the Buddhist gift shop and stand with monks as they fly their kites high above the hill.
Take a break from the busy streets and head for the Botanical Gardens, or visit the unmissable Temple of the Tooth. It famously houses Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic, a Buddha’s tooth.
Keep Calm and go to Ella
Just out of town is the famous Nine Arch Bridge. Check the timetable to arrive in time to witness a train crossing this grand viaduct.
Hike along the railway track, through tea plantations, and past Grey Langur Monkeys as you head for the peak of Ella Rock. Allow a six-hour return trip, with varying degrees of exertion required.
For a shorter hike and a return trip of around an hour and a half, head for ‘Little Adam’s Peak’ for a view across to Ella Rock and the surrounding valley.
Hang out at a funky cafe or bar that overlooks the laidback main street. Try 360 Ella for a great atmosphere and live music.
* For more stories on Ella, see ‘Train Travel in Sri Lanka – Fantasies and Realities’
Cycle an ancient city
Hire a bicycle and meander through the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa; the 800-year-old former capital of Sri Lanka.
There is a considerable variety of crumbling structures, so it’s worth taking the time to explore the entire area. Start at the decayed columns of the Royal Palace at one end, and finish at the Lotus Pond at the other.
Secure your bag to the bike as you dodge the monkey thieves. They will steal your backpack if you’re not watching, so be warned!
Get some Vitamin Sea
Share space with a giant turtle that visits the shallows every day, at Hikkaduwa’s Turtle Beach. Just a short stroll away, grab a snorkel and swim with a rich variety of colourful fish, just metres from the shoreline.
Hang out on Marissa beach and do nothing – or do lots. Go on a whale-watching sea safari, or wander down to Coconut Tree Hill. Hang out on the hill and watch the surfers down below, and get that famous Instagram shot beneath the coconut trees.
Explore a cave of treasures
There is a trove of religious iconography to be found at Dambulla Cave Temple.
If you think you’ve seen enough temples, you’re in for something different. These hilltop caves were carved into the rock by hand around two thousand years ago, and contain a collection of over 150 statues. Intricately detailed paintings cover the inside walls of the caves.
Climb the 360 steps to get to the caves, but beware of bag snatching monkeys, as they are first-rate thieves.
Go Dutch
Galle Fort is a distinctive change from the seashores and tea fields of Sri Lanka, with charming colonial buildings encased within the confines of a 400-year-old stone wall.
Visit the Old Dutch Hospital full of restaurants and bars. Wander the streets and explore the lighthouse, churches and boutiques. Shop for Ceylon sapphires, or pick up a designer poster.
Explore the Fort wall with a sunset view. Enjoy the twinkling fairy light lined streets at night. Stay the night inside an old cinnamon factory or an 18th-century Dutch mansion.
Hike to the End of the World
Take a hike across Horton Plains National Park, to arrive at a sheer drop of 800 metres, named ‘Worlds End’.
Walk across sweeping grasslands, through cloud forests, and past an impressive waterfall. Watch out for wildlife along the way; deer are commonplace, and you may see the occasional mongoose.
Allow three hours to complete the walking circuit. Best done early in the morning while the skies are clear, although the weather can occasionally be wild across the plain.
See more: Journey to the End of the World
Get wild
Enjoy the thrill of searching for an elusive leopard as you bump along in the back of a Jeep.
Yala National Park is home to the highest density of leopards in the world, so keep your eyes peeled. You may also come across elephants, exotic birds, monkeys, wild boars, deer and plenty of peacocks.
Look out for the cheeky elephant that blocks the main road leading into Yala. He waves his branch at passing cars and causes a most entertaining traffic jam.
Sleep with bats and fireflies
Embrace the open air and sleep high up in a treehouse, or in an Eco Lodge, sharing your space with wildlife and friendly locals.
Lounge on the decking and be visited by curious giant squirrels. Watch exotic birds come inside to frolic, while noisy peacocks roam the grounds.
At night at the treehouse, expect a visit from a resident bat who helps out with insect management. If you wake during the night, lie peacefully and watch the fireflies hovering above your bed, while enjoying the silence of the forest.
We stayed at:
Beddegama Eco Park (near Yala N.P.)
http://www.ecopark.lk/http://www.ecopark.lk/
Galkadawala Eco Lodge (near Habarana)
https://www.galkadawala.com/
