Sri Lanka
The name Sri Lanka means "shining island" in Sinhala. This wonderful teardrop-shaped tropical island was once called Ceylon in colonial times. Sri Lanka is located in the Indian Ocean, 880 km north of the equator, under the Indian peninsula. its population is around 22 million people. The island is home to several languages and ethnicities. The Sinhalese form the majority of the population and the Tamils are the most significant minority group. The island is surrounded by a sandy beaches and palm trees. In the interior of the country, we find lush vegetation and rich fauna. The island's monuments, temples, national parks, tea plantations and mountains, waterfalls tempts visitors to an exotic journey. In Sri Lanka, an almost untouched nature and culture awaits the travelers to this day.
The Capital city
— Colombo —
With a population of 5.6 million, Colombo is a large, cosmopolitan city. The city is home to tall skyscrapers, endless roads, upscale hotels, and an new luxurious shopping mall located in the center, as well a new port built in the heart of the city. The capital has a lot of charm, nice and hospitable people, delicious food, markets, lots of fascinating history and beautiful old colonial buildings, interesting churches, beautiful parks and gardens await you in Colombo. Colombo would be an excellent destination for those who are adventurous enough and like big cities.
Beaches
—Unawatuna —
Unawatuna is a city in the south of Sri Lanka, 5 km from Galle. It is known for its coral reefs and sandy beaches with palm trees. Bars and nightclubs await visitors along the coast of Unawatuna. A Japanese peace pagoda stupa also hides in the palm-covered hillside, where visitors can enjoy extremely interesting programs. People in the area will definitely not be bored, because they will have endless opportunities to do yoga, visit the hidden jungle beach, diving, go boating, jet-ski, swim, or just lie in a hammock with a coconut in hand.
Capital of Southern Province
—Galle —
Galle is located 2 hours from the airport, the city is a popular destination for visitors, as it has beautiful beaches and exciting programs. The city is famous for it’s wonderful fortress, where the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British all left their marks from the 1500s. Today, trendy boutiques, cafes and charming hotels operate within the walls.
Surf
—Weligama —
Weligama Bay is a palm-fringed tropical retreat along Weligama Bay. We find excellent surfing spots and surf schools along the shore for beginners, advanced or already professional surfers. In this part of the island, we also have the opportunity to enjoy the parties, easy-going ambience , because there are excellent modern bars and restaurants in the area, where we can meet visitors from all over the world.
Rainforest
— Sinharaja —
Sinharaja is the last extensive patch of Sri Lankan rainforests, Sinharaja Forest Reserve is located in the lowland wet zone of south-western Sri Lanka. Breathtaking waterfalls, rich wildlife, lizards, snakes, spiders, birds, huge trees, colorful rainforest plants and beautiful landscapes await hikers. The paths are wide and the walks are of different lengths, luckily most visitors can handle it without difficulty.
Whales and Dolphins
—Mirissa —
Mirissa is famous for it's beautiful beaches and great waves for surfing. This stretch of coast is also famous for its waters teeming with marine life, here we can observe and admire dolphins and whales in the crystal clear blue water from the top of a boat. There is also the possibility of diving among the incredible marine life, we can enjoy the oceanside bars, the parties, the coconut island, the fish market or just spend the day along the beautiful Indian Ocean with a book in hand.
Elephant orphanage
—Pinnawala —
Pinnawala is located 93 km from Colombo. The orphanage was founded in 1975 to care and protect injured wild elephants whom roams in and around the Sri Lankan jungles. It was designed that the facility would attract local and foreign visitors, and the resulting income would serve to maintain the orphanage. The Pinnawala Orphanage has since become a tourist attraction and thousands of people visit the reserve. Visitors to the park can see the daily care of the elephants and their daily routines, such as feeding the elephant calves and bathing them in the Ma Oya (river). There is also the so called elephant poop museum in Pinnawala, where paper and other household items are made from the excrement of elephants.
Temple of Tooth
—Kandy —
Kandy is 120 km from Colombo. It lies in a spacious valley surrounded by mountains and tea plantations at an altitude of 490 meters , in the center we can observe an long stretching artificial lake. This city is one of the holy places of Buddhism, as the famous Temple of the Holy Tooth is located here, which preserves one of the most sacred relics of Buddhism, Buddha's tooth. Kandy is also the cultural center of the country. Here, we have the opportunity to see a performance and gain an insight into the mysteries of traditional Sri Lankan dance, we can explore the botanical garden, the spice garden, and then the silk factory as well. Every visitors of Kandy surely can experience an spiritual and energetic ambience .
Cave Temple
— Dambulla—
Dambulla is located approximately 160 km northeast of Colombo. The Buddhist cave temple has been part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage since 1991. It is a holy place of pilgrimage for Buddhists. Five cave sanctuaries were created in the crevice under the cave rock wall with sculptures and paintings from different historical periods, many works from the 16th-18th centuries. The largest room is nearly 1,200 square meters and contains more than 70 statues, mostly depicting Buddha, but in other depictions, the temple has a total of 150 Buddha statues.
Lion Rock
— Sigiriya —
The ancient rock fort is located near the town of Dambulla in the central province of Sri Lanka. The name refers to a historical and archaeological site, its most striking feature is a monumental rock which is about 200 meters high. The ruins of the ancient Palace of King Kásjapa (477 – 495) are located at the top of the rock, where a wonderful view opens up at the end of the tour. The ruins of Sigiriya contain an ancient citadel, palace, moats, bastions, water basins carved into the rock, a lion gate, a mirror wall, wall paintings. The rock later functioned as a Buddhist monastery and became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mountains
— Ella—
Ella itself is a small, cool town in the mountains of Sri Lanka, where a long but beautiful foggy road between winding hills leads us up. The small town has become famous for its relaxed atmosphere and exciting outdoor activities. It has a backpacker vibe, so this small mountain town can be an excellent destination for young adults. Those who visit Ella will not be disappointed, because the view from the top of the mountains is just breathtaking. Ella awaits its visitors with a great program, such as the Mini Adam peak, Ella Rock, Ravana waterfall, and the famous 9-Arch bridge.
Tea plantations
— Nuwara Eliya —
Winding roads and through lush green valleys, hills and tea estates located across slopes, small streams, waterfalls and beautiful misty mountains leads us up to Nuwara Eliya town. Its unique climate, often shrouded in early morning fog and cold, bitter air, and its fresh invigorating atmosphere are reminiscent of a typical English environment. Among the most beautiful tea estates we can enjoy Nuwara Eliya's golf courses, racecourses, horse tracks, and its beautiful rose gardens not to forget to mention the British-style houses, all of which provide the perfect holiday retreat, and offering unmatched perfection.
Safari
— Yala—
Yala National Park is located in the southeastern region of Sri Lanka ,it spans two provinces. Yala covers an area of 1260 square kilometers, and only one fifth of the area is open to visitors. Four-fifths of the park is a strictly designated to the nature reserve. The park is located in an arid zone, surrounded by many lagoons. In the Park, we can see Asian wild animals, such as leopards, elephants, bears, crocodiles, deer and hundreds of other species typical of the tropical wilderness. Yala National Park is also home to hundreds of migratory bird species.
Safari
— Udawalawe—
Udawalawe lies on the border between the wet and dry zones of Sri Lanka. The area is dominated by plains, although there are also mountainous parts. Udawalawe's main attraction are the elephants, so this park is the perfect place to get to know closer these beautiful gentle giants. Elephants, crocodiles, deers, wild boars and water buffalos in herds are an essential part of the safari experience.
History
— Polonnaruwa—
Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. This is one of the best ancient cities in the country that gives a big experience within a short period of time as the monuments are in a more compact area. We recommend to explore this kingdom of Polonnaruwa, one of the better kept ruins of ancient Ceylon by bicycles, as it's fun and easy to reach!
History
— Anuradhaphura —
Anuradhapura flourished as the capital of Sri Lanka from 377 BC, it could be said to be its ancient capital. Due to the ruins of the ancient Sri Lankan civilization, UNESCO declared the site a World Heritage Site in 1982. The area is full of restored monuments, restored structures, preserved ruins and historical sites where archaeological excavations are still ongoing. Anuradhapura's greatest pride is its ancient stupas and ancient reservoirs. Stupas or dagobas (pagoda-type buildings)The ancient civil engineering were built considering the effects of light on high-rise buildings, among many other unknown engineering factors.
Hindu Temples
— Trincomale—
Trincomalee has been a major center of Sri Lankan Tamil-speaking culture on the island for nearly a millennium. In this part of the island locals speak the Tamil language and follow Hinduism. Trincomalee is famous for some untouched beaches and ancient temples, it is a great program opportunity to spend a few quiet hours on the nearby Uppuveli and Nilaveli beaches, and if you have ever wanted to see an colorful unique Hindu temple, then you will definitely have an opportunity here, as Shri Thirukoneswaram, the Shri Bhadrakali Amman, and
a Gokanna temple is located in Trincomale.
Natives
— Dabana—
The indigenous people of Sri Lanka are the "Veddhas", these indigenous people living in the jungles of Sri Lanka to this very day, the exact meaning of Veddha is "people of the forest". Archaeological evidence suggests that the Neolithic ancestors of modern Veddha inhabited this island as early as 10,000 BC. They are essentially hunting and gathering forest dwellers, and their lifestyle has not changed much from the Stone Age to modern times. The language they use is an ancient Sinhalese dialect. They primarily worship spirits, not gods. More precisely, they follow aminism, which is the belief that all objects, things and natural phenomena have a soul and a spiritual essence.