Sri Lanka has one thing for everybody, however Julia discovered that adventures had been the true drawcard of this island nation.
Hardly a spot to take a seat idle, Sri Lanka is skirted by golden seashores, nice for browsing and scuba diving, or enjoying starfish on the sand. In its core, there are heritage constructions to roam, scenic slow-moving practice rides, elephant safaris, tropical treks, and a hovering historical rock fortress smack bang in the midst of the nation.
After exploring it myself, listed here are my prime issues to do in Sri Lanka for individuals who love journey.
And in case you additionally love a cut price, reserving your flight with AirAsia is a no brainer. With over 130 locations to select from (though you’ll be heading to Sri Lanka by the tip of this text), it’s straightforward to go someplace completely different. Plus, no different airline covers extra of Asia than AirAsia itself (is sensible actually).
1. Climb Sigiriya
Sigiriya rises out of the center of Sri Lanka. Certainly one of eight World Heritage websites within the nation, the traditional rock fortress looms massive over deep forest and the ruins of fortifications and reservoirs beneath. Its identify interprets to ‘Lion’s Rock’, with the granite peak elevated 180 metres above the Matale district.
It was round 480CE that King Kassapa clutched the nation’s biggest actual property, constructing a royal residence on the huge plateau.
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Photograph by Dylan Shaw on Unsplash
In its heyday, the fortress featured an unlimited brick and plaster lion and was brightly adorned with murals. After the king’s loss of life, Sigiriya was repurposed as a Buddhist monastery till the 14th century.
Quick ahead to right now, and what stays of this architectural marvel and the nation’s prime vacationer attraction is the stone staircase from the lion’s mouth and adorning sculptured toes on both aspect.
Artworks of girls, often called the Sigiriya Frescoes, are additionally nonetheless seen on the rock’s western aspect and the Mirror Wall, a former reflective floor now coated in historical scribbles. From right here, it’s no straightforward feat to succeed in the summit, climbing 1200 steps to be afforded sweeping countryside views.
Again on floor degree, wander the royal gardens, the place you’ll see stays of terraces, bathing swimming pools, bridges, and moats.
Photograph by Shashank Hudkar on Unsplash
2. Hike The Pekoe Path
Seize your fedora and embark on The Pekoe Path. Partly used as a movie location for Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom, the path is full of charming sights alongside its 300km size. It traverses ridgelines, snaking by way of the Central Highlands (Central and Uva Provinces) and verdant tea plantations, giving perception into Sri Lanka’s brew-tiful business.
If time isn’t in your aspect to finish the huge trek, you possibly can nonetheless stroll a section of the 22-stage strolling path.
Taking in views from the Pekoe Path
Depart stage one on the Ceylon Tea Museum, 5.5km south of Kandy. The 12.7km reasonably difficult path finishes on the village of Galaha, with mountain climbing footwear strongly suggested, because the rocky terrain might be sketchy in some areas. However placing your glutes to the check is value it, with unbelievable panoramic views of Kandy alongside the ridge.
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3. See Sri Lanka by Practice
Among the best methods to see Sri Lanka’s countryside is by practice. The nation’s 1,561km rail community is taken into account one of many world’s most scenic practice routes, winding by way of gorges, tea plantations, hillsides, rivers, falls, viaduct bridges, and villages. Seeing the nation by practice is the true definition of sluggish journey, with some practice speeds at 40km per hour.
It’s frequent to see individuals sticking their our bodies or limbs out of trains to seize the right ‘gram pose en route. Nonetheless, it’s deemed a no-go with native authorities because it has its risks, regardless of shifting slowly.
The nation’s most well-known cease is the 9 Arch Bridge, simply exterior Ella.
9 Arch Bridge in all its glory
The heritage viaduct bridge towers over the valley and is a well-liked place for individuals to go to simply to take photographs of the locomotive showing as a caterpillar sluggishly passing by way of the evergreen valley.
4. Go on an Elephant Safari at Udawalawe Nationwide Park
Sri Lanka is dominated by gray giants. Wild elephants are plentiful, and an important place to see these majestic creatures roam free is Udawalawe Nationwide Park, a 3.5-hour drive (240km) southeast of Colombo.
How typically do you get to see elephants in a nationwide park?
The practically 31,000-hectare park is a sanctuary for wild animals, together with water buffalos, sloth bears, boars, quite a few hen species, and naturally, the almighty Asian elephant, with roughly 500 throughout the park.
To get shut to those animals, the park affords safari Jeep rides carried out safely and ethically from 6am each day. You’ll enterprise by way of tropical forests, grasslands, and watercourses to identify wild animals going about their merry approach. It’s a humbling and mesmerising expertise, and all for a fraction of the price of what it could be to do one thing comparable in Africa.
5. Scent the Roses on the Royal Botanic Gardens
Take a stroll for the senses on the Royal Botanic Gardens Peradeniya, positioned 5km west of Kandy’s metropolis centre. The gardens are rooted within the metropolis’s historical past, courting again to 1371. Initially a pleasure backyard for royalty, it was solely in 1843 below British rule that it was declared a botanic backyard.
The centuries-old backyard is unfold throughout 60 hectares and three sides of the backyard are bordered by the bends of the Mahaweli River, the nation’s longest river.
60 hectares of lush greenery
The park options over 4000 unique plant species, together with palms, orchids, spices, and medicinal vegetation. With a lot floor to cowl, it’s finest to hop on a buggy to get round its well-kept lawns, pavilions, scenic lookouts, palm avenues, and plant homes.
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6. Cool Off at Unawatuna
Unawatuna is considered one of Sri Lanka’s most famed seashore locations, and upon arrival, it’s straightforward to see why. Apart from taking a dip on its golden shores, the southern seashore is a well-liked spot for browsing and diving.
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Photograph by Eirik Skarstein on Unsplash
For those who’re bored with life at sea (hopefully not for lengthy!), stretch your legs on one of many many mountain climbing trails across the space.
It’s finest to mix a visit to Unawatuna with a go to to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed metropolis of Galle. The outdated coastal fortified city will excite any historical past buff blissful to lose themselves wandering by centuries-old constructions and cobbled streets.
7. Cling Free on a Zipline
Catch a hen’s eye view of Little Adam’s Peak whereas flying excessive on a zipline. Flying Ravana is the nation’s first-ever zipline, with two 550m-long ziplines travelling as much as 80km/h over lush tea plantations and inexperienced forests.
Oh, and the view from Flying Ravana is absurd
For those who’re afraid of heights, you will get your shot of adrenalin on the journey park’s different out of doors choices, together with quad bikes, abseiling, air rifling, and archery.
For a small island nation, it certain is action-packed. Embark on safaris, mountain climbs, epic practice rides, and coastal dalliances. The fun of touring Sri Lanka is addictive, and I can not wait to really feel the push once more.
Julia D’Orazio was a visitor of the Sri Lanka Tourism Improvement Authority
