Explore Sri Lanka
Set in the Indian Ocean in South Asia, the tropical island nation of Sri Lanka has a history dating back to the birth of time. It is a place where the original soul of Buddhism still flourishes and where nature’s beauty remains abundant and unspoilt.
Few places in the world can offer the traveller such a remarkable combination of stunning landscapes, pristine beaches, captivating cultural heritage and unique experiences within such a compact location. Sri Lanka attractions are truly diverse and exotic; within a mere area of65, 610 kilometres lie 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 1,330 kilometres of coastline – much of it pristine beach – 15 national parks showcasing an abundance of wildlife, nearly 500,000 acres of lush tea estates, 250 acres of botanical gardens, 350 waterfalls, 25,000 water bodies, to a culture that extends back to over 2,500 years.
Explore Sri Lanka, an island of magical proportions, once known as Serendib, Taprobane, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, and Ceylon.
Colombo
Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka – it is the traditional gateway to the Orient. Colombo was a popular port of call for many a passenger liner from the western route to Australia and the Far East, during the leisured times of a bygone era, when India was the biggest ornament of the British Empire and Sri Lanka was then known as its brightest pendant!
Galle
The seaside town of Galle is 116 km from Colombo by road or rail down the south-west coast. Today the town has grown greatly and spreads into the hinterland but the Fort is the slow beating heart of Galle’s history. The walled city has stood since the early sixteenth century through the colonial periods of the Portuguese, Dutch and British and in the present times is proclaimed as anArchaelogical Reserve and is identified as a living World Heritage Site.
Hikkaduwa
In the early 1960′s Hikkaduwa started its change from a small fishing village into one of Sri Lanka’s international holiday destinations. Today backpackers, travelers and package tourists alike favour the beach party atmosphere of Hikkaduwa created by the diving and surfing scene.
Kalutara
Kalutara is a resort town located approximately 40km south of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital. Kalutara is a semi-urban city with a diverse population. Once an important spice-trading center, the city’s name is derived from the Kalu Gang River (Black River). In the 11th Century, the town was temporarily made a capital on the orders of a South Indian Prince.
Matara
From Tanglalle to Matara, the road reveals new and unexplained beauty. It skirts the sea shore and for mile upon mile, bay succeeds bay, a curve of yellow sand, dazzling blue water and palm-crowned headlands. At the end of the south coast railway line lies the Matara city of Sri Lanka, the most important settlement on the south coast.
Negambo
The Sinhalese refer to Negombo as Meegamuwa “The village of honey” (or bees) due a story about a swarm of bees that had settled in a boat pulled ashore here. However, it was not honey or bees that made this town known but cinnamon. Discovered by the Moors (a term first used during the Portuguese period to refer to Muslims) who settled on the west coast cinnamon soon became the source of conflict between nations vying for a stake in its lucrative trade.
Trincomalee
Trincomalee on the north-east coast of Sri Lanka with its magnificent coast is now becoming increasingly popular with visitors to the country. Blessed with sunny weather throughout the year with more than a dozen sheltered bays, white sand beaches, a sea that is uniformly calm, warm and offering the underwater photographer and explorer a variety of visual delights.
Unawatuna
Unawatuna, near Galle, is a beautiful wide curving golden beach. The beach has been acclaimed amongst the 12 best beaches in the world. There is a reef protecting the beach, which makes it safe for bathing when in Unawatuna. Things to do in the region are plenty, owing to the serene soundings and the Dutch architecture which add to the unique charm of the destination.
Bentota
A Sri Lankan coastal city famous for golden beaches, Bentota, is situated on the southern coastal tip of the Galle District of the Southern Province. It is just 60 km from Colombo and 90 km from Sri Lanka’s International Airport.
Arugambay
Tucked away on the scenic South Eastern Coast of Sri Lanka, about 300 km from Colombo, you will find the lazy little fishing village of Arugam Bay. Things to do here are many in this richly endowed town with a beautiful stretch of ocean and vast expanses of deserted beach.
Dambulla
Of all the Dambulla places to visit, the cultural tourist must explore the famous Dambulla Rock Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site , that is a complex of five cave shrines dating back to the first century BC. Among its highlights are pre-Christian rock inscriptions, sculptures and Buddhist murals which cover more than 20,000 sq. ft. of cave walls and ceilings, the largest antique painted surface in the world.
Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa (located 218 km from Colombo) was established as the capital in the 11th century when Anuradhapura was abandoned due to foreign invasion. You’ll discover a vibrant array of Polonnaruwa attractions, both manmade and natural, and equally as splendid.
Sigiriya
One of the most stunning places to visit in Sigiriya village is the Sigiriya citadel (located 166 km from Colombo), the stupendous 5th century A.D. rock-fortress of a fugitive king, where history meets melodrama. The Royal Pleasure Gardens, situated atop the fortress, are considered to be one of the earliest extended landscaped gardens in Asia.
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura (situated 203 km from Colombo), Sri Lanka’s first historical capital founded around the 5th century B.C. gives a fascinating glimpse of a well laid-out, metropolis of gigantic Buddhist shrines and monasteries, splendid palaces, pavilions, and parks, bathing ponds and vast reservoirs.
Bandarawela
Surrounded by hills and tea plantations, the idyllic town of Bandarawela is the perfect getaway from Sri Lanka’s tropical heat, as it enjoys spring-like weather throughout the year. A favourite retreat of the British during colonial times, Bandarawela is dotted with English country-style houses and sprawling gardens.
Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya, meaning “city on the plain (table land)” or “city of light”, is a town in the central highlands of Sri Lanka with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. It is located at an altitude of 1,868 m (6,128 ft) and is considered to be the most important location for tea production in Sri Lanka.
Kandy
The hill capital of Kandy is located 115 km from Colombo., It is Sri Lanka’s picturesque highland capital, last stronghold of the Sri Lankan kings against European conquest from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Its diverse charms offer a feast of memorable sight-scenery and exciting experiences.
Ella
Ella presents a quaint and idyllic charm nestled within the central mountains of Sri Lanka. Most visitors to Ella only spend a couple of days there. But if you are willing to travel out of town, you can find plenty of things to do in Ella to keep you occupied. Like most places in Sri Lanka, the people here earn their money from tourism.
Horton Plains
The Horton Plain Plateau, is a secluded wilderness sanctuary 2130m high and offers one of Sri Lanka’s most unforgettable views. Popularly known as a breathtaking place to visit in Nuwara Eliya, here the land plunges down a dizzy gorge to the southern foot hills and on clear days, even a glimpse of the sea more than 80 km away.
Kumana National Park
Located in the southeast corner of Sri Lanka, is the 18,149 hectare Kumana National Park (Yala East) which is a well known eco tourism attraction and a must visit place for bird watching in Sri Lanka where a multitude of birds breed and roost. This National Park had been closed since 2005 due the presence of the LTTE terrorists in those areas.
Minneriya
Minneriya National Park is located between Habarana and Polonnaruwa. Covering an area of 8890 hectares, Minneriya National Park safari is an ideal excursion for elephant and leopard watching. The vegetation of this park is mixed evergreen and scrub areas.
Yala – National Park
Sri Lanka’s oldest national park Yala is located in the south-east corner of Sri Lanka and has an area of about 127,000 ha. There are many things to do in Yala of which the popular favourites are bird and game watching, especially elephants which are best seen from October to December.
Wilpattu National Park
The Wilpattu National Park Sri Lanka and its surroundings are steeped in history and covered with legend. Popular legend says that in 543 BC King Vijaya landed at Kudrimalai and that he married Kuweni. According to some ancient ruins identified, it is said that Kuweni lived in the place now identified as the Kali Villu.
Sinharaja Rain Forest
Sri Lanka’s Sinharaja Rain Forest is a unique, low land rain forest comprising about 11,187 hectares, spreading across several administrative districts. It is one of the least disturbed and biologically unique forests in Sri Lanka.
Udawalawe National Park
Sri Lanka‘s Udawalawe National Park is renowned for its outstanding scenic beauty and wealth of faunal species, particularly mammals and birds. It is a famous tourist attraction throughout the year for its unique fauna and flora and especially for elephant safari in Udawalawe.