Sri Lanka Highlights

Lion Rock is a popular stop on a tour through Sri Lanka. This natural wonder is a huge (200m) square-shaped stone, which was once King Kassapa's fortress. You will find murals, gardens and a swimming pool. Lion Rock, one of eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is a must-see in Sri Lanka. As you cannot buy it inside. Pidurangala Rock offers spectacular views of the Lion Rock and beyond. There are also lovely eco lodges and treehouses in this region.

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a place of worship that is well-known worldwide, is where Gautama Buddha's left tooth is enshrined. The temple is revered by thousands of tourists and devotees from all over the world every day. It was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988.

It is a temple that has immense cultural and spiritual value. It is a unique Kandyan architectural style that combines the unique Kandyan style used to build Dalada Mandira, the shrines that housed the Sacred Tooth Relic in previous kingdoms.

Near the old Royal Palace and the forest reserve "Udawaththa Kelaya", the temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic was built. The famous Kandy Lake, also known as "Kiri Mohuda" in the South and "Natha & Paththini Devala” in the West. You will find intricate carvings made of gold, silver and bronze as well as ivory in the temple.

This ancient city is one of the Cultural Triangle's most beautiful. You can see how magnificent and majestic it must have looked over 2200 years ago, when it was ruled under Sinhalese kings. Many Buddhists make this a pilgrimage to honor the one living shoot of the tree where the Buddha was enlightened in 554, BCE. Cool construction in both the literal and figurative senses is what you should see at Twin Ponds.

Wildlife enthusiasts from both the local and international community are sure to be attracted by the Sri Lankan leopard. The endangered species of leopard Panthera Pardus Kotiya, which is native to Sri Lanka, has been classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Hunting for trade, habitat fragmentation and habitat loss are some of the reasons why numbers have declined. Nearly 60 of these lakes are found in Wilpattu National park, which is well-known for its leopard population and home to elephants and sambardeer as well as some amazing birdlife.

Udawalawe was declared a National Park on 22 May 1972. It is characterized by lush greenery, rainforest, teak plantations, and scrub lands. It is known for its elephant population but also has a large number of bird species, including deer, jackal and wild boar, as well as wild boar, wild boar, buffalo, wild boar, wild boar, and leopard. You can explore the park in a jeep and look out for elephant herds as well as other mammals, as well as magnificent birds of prey. The Elephant Transit Home is a home for orphaned elephants until they can be released into the wild.

The largest cave complex in Sri Lanka, with eighty caves stuffed into one giant rock that towers 160m above the town. Five main caves now contain statues of Buddha, Kings and Hindu Gods. It is a steep climb up to the top, but it's worth it for stunning views of Sigiriya and the plains beyond. For a'stunning' and 'gobsmacking" experience, visit the caves in reverse order.

Sri Lanka's coast town, is known for its golden beaches and laid-back cafes. There are also many activities. These picturesque surroundings will provide a relaxing retreat after a busy tour or a chance to try new activities. This is where you will find some of the best seafood in Sri Lanka. You can choose from delicious fish curries wrapped in banana leaves or fresh jumbo shrimps that are grilled on beachside barbecues.

As you travel by train to this charming village, it quickly transforms from sleepy to idyllic. For stunning views and a refreshing dip, take a two-hour hike to Ella's Rock and Little Adam's Peak. There are many small guesthouses that offer some of the finest food.

Nuwara Eliya, also known as "Little England", was once a hill-country retreat for homesick British citizens. Today, it is home to red phones, beautiful rose gardens, and colonial Victorian architecture. The region is also a major tea-growing area, with rolling hills and plantations stretching as far as the eye can reach. You can visit a tea-making plant to taste the best tea.

It is accessible by coast train from Colombo. The historic fort was built in 16 century by the Portuguese. It was so badly damaged by the tsunami that it is still undergoing reconstructions, but the fort town is strong, and will remain so. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The sacred Adam's Peak, also known locally as Sri Pada is a popular pilgrimage spot. The mountain's peak is home to a depression believed to hold the imprint of Buddha’s left foot. It's not only a Buddhist site but also a popular spot for Christians, Muslims, and Hindus. Each group has their own reasons and beliefs. It's a wonderful experience to walk here together in the early morning before sunrise. Select Sri Lankan tours departing between December and April will allow you to participate in the sunrise pilgrimage up Adam's Peak.

Horton Plains National Park can be found in Nuwara Eliya, Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is located at the eastern boundary of the Upper Montane Forest Range (1500m-2524m above the sea level), in the Central Highland of Sri Lanka. The plateau of Horton Plains which is at a nominal elevation of 2100 meters also bears the 2nd and the 3rd highest peaks of Sri Lanka, namely Kirigalpoththa (elevation 2389 meters) and Totupolakanda(elevation 2357 meters). The Horton Plains cover 3160 ha. 31.6 sq. km. This is approximately 8% percent of Sri Lanka's total montane forests or grasslands.

The rainwater that flows from Horton Plains plateau to Mahaveli river is channeled through tributaries. It flows to the North via Uma Oya, Walawe river in the South (through Belihul Oya & Kiriketi Oya), while it flows to the West through Kelani river (through Bogawantalawa Oya). Horton Plains averages around 5000mm in rainfall, while surrounding areas average 2540mm.

Horton Plains experiences more rain from the North West Monsoon. Even though the average monthly rainfall for the area was 100mm, it still receives more than the rest of the country. The average annual temperature in the region is 13C. You can expect temperatures up to 27C during the day and 5C at night. From Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains can be reached by 32 km.

This is the place to go and'sit' in the Buddhist sense. This is because it's the highest temple site on the hill where Buddhism was first introduced to Sri Lanka. It is also a beautiful spot for contemplation, or perhaps complete non-contemplation. This spiritual spot is surrounded by lush green hills and takes your breath away. You can also climb 1,840 steps to reach the giant white Buddha.

It is most famous for its wild elephants and buffalo, which thrive on the habitat marriage between jungle and savannah. They come out to waterholes to drink and be spotted by tourists. It is best to stay with experienced park rangers who will guide you safely around the sanctuary of Sri Lanka's sacred animals. They are not tourist toys like other places.

Northern Sri Lanka is now open for business. Its natural and cultural beauty has survived many years worth of war, which thankfully ended in 2009. The beaches north of Trincomalee are now accessible, as well as the great ancient city Anuradhapura (and Wilpattu National park). Train travel between Jaffna and Anuradhapura is a beautiful way to explore Northern Sri Lanka. Monsoons can bring down the sun in the north, but the sun shines brightly in the north. It's not all bad up north.

One of Sri Lanka's most important ancient kingdoms, and one of eight World Heritage Sites. The ruins of temples, palaces, and other structures dating back to the 10th century are evidence of the conquest of Anuradhapura by Chola kings from southern India. It is preferred to Anuradhapura because the sites are smaller, but it is worth hiring a guide to show you the intricacies. The natural beauty of the Topa Wewa lake enhances already outstanding cultural heritage.

This reserve is home to elephants, sloth bears, wild buffalo, sambhar-elk, deer, and other animals. Yala has the largest concentration of leopards in the world, and leopard, too. Despite being only 35 years old, sightings of the leopard are rare. There are over 200 species of birds that thrive in the mangroves and monsoon forests, as well as marine wetlands. It is a great understatement to say that Biodiversity is a huge asset.

Eyes are drawn automatically upwards and outwards in Tissamaharama (often shortened to Tissa). You can see the tip of the huge, white dagoba. Then you can see outwards and beyond to nearby wildlife reserves, which are home to many small and large creatures. Tissa's lakeside location makes it an ideal base for visiting the Yala and Bundala National Parks.

AKA Tissa was once the capital of the Yala National Park. You can walk along the reservoir or hire a boat to paddle through it. This reservoir, which was created by King Kavantissa 2nd century BC, dominates the town. This wetland paradise is a great place to birdwatch. They won't be necessary to see the magnificent Maha Stupa and Sandagiri Dagoba, however.

The Kandy-to Ella train ride is one of the most stunning in Sri Lanka. You will be able to enjoy breathtaking views of tea plantations, viaducts and valleys, as well as dense jungle. It's also a great way to see Sri Lankan culture. You can meet smiling locals, wave to children running along the tracks and enjoy the hot snacks offered by vendors at every stop. This is a must-do activity in Sri Lanka. Get all the details with this comprehensive guide.

The Blue whale is the most massive animal to have ever lived on our planet. The Blue whale is a gentle giant. It can be seen extending its columnar to over 30 feet when it surfaces. The Blue whale's triangular tail fin rises and gracefully descends before taking a deep dive to find krill tins. Blue Whales can be found in every ocean in the world. Blue whales eat almost exclusively krill. An adult blue whale may consume six tonnes of krill per day. Blue whales have one of the loudest voices in all of animal kingdoms. They emit low-frequency sounds that can travel hundreds of miles deep into the ocean.

The location of Sri Lanka, its marine topography and deep ocean canyons have created very favorable conditions for Blue Whales to thrive in our waters. Blue Whales love the narrow continental shelf that measures 22 km in length. It is often located close to shore and focuses the plankton rich water of the island. Sri Lanka is one of the most popular places to see ocean giants. The spectacles created by the many cetacean species have made Sri Lanka a popular destination for whale watching. The top spots to see whales in Sri Lanka were Kalpitiya, Tricomallee and Mirissa.

The Knuckles Mountain range is located in central Sri Lanka in the Districts Matale & Kandy. The range's name is derived from the recumbent folds, and the peaks to the west of it. These peaks look like the knuckles with clenched fists when viewed from certain places in the Kandy District. This name was given by early British charters, but Sinhalese residents referred to it as Dumbara Kanduvetiya which means Mist-laden Mountain Range.

Cloud often covers the higher montane areas. The range has great scientific and aesthetic value. The massif is a microcosm of Sri Lanka's climate. It displays all of the country's climatic zones. Higher elevations are home to isolated cloud forest that house a range of flora as well as fauna. The range covers only 0.3% of the island's entire area. However, it houses a significant amount of biodiversity. Many relict and endemic species of flora, fauna, and plants can be found in the isolated Knuckles Range. They are different from the central massif. These forests contain more than 34% of Sri Lanka's endemic shrubs, trees, and herbs. Knuckles Conservation Forest was added to the UNESCO natural heritage list in 2010. It is located in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka.