Lying between the more explored parts of India and Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka's history, culture, and natural beauty make it an undeniably alluring destination. A historians playground, Sri Lanka has a history that dates back 3000 years and is one of a few places offering as many as eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the world-renowned Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and Golden Temple. Like its massive neighbour India, Sri Lanka is a diverse country, home to many religions, ethnicities and languages. Its size, however, means that visitors can spend time meditating in a 2000-year-old temple in the morning, touring the sacred home of the world's oldest living human-planted tree in the afternoon and savouring mouth-watering local rice and curry dishes for dinner. It is also still blessed with various wildlife that has survived on this small island for centuries alongside this human civilisation, including the mighty Sri Lankan Elephant. A true gem, Sri Lanka has something for everyone - from the modern city of Colombo with its skyscrapers to national parks teeming with elephants and miles of pristine beaches that offer epic surf.
Set just north of Colombo, the town of Marawila rests within the Puttalam District of the North Western Province in Sri Lanka. It serves as a great base from which to explore the surrounding region. Known for its long string of beautiful golden sand beaches fringing the island's scenic west coast, visitors can look forward to activities including fishing along the coast, excellent bird watching and, of course, swimming in the warm waters and excellent birdwatching. Other popular activities include beach volleyball, cycling, boating, and lagoon and canal boating trips. Don't miss the opportunity to view the fisherman in their traditional rafts, explore the mangroves, and enjoy a stay at one of the luxury hotels fringing the magnificent coast.
Nochchiyagama is a tiny settlement in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, surrounded by vast, breathtaking natural landscapes of forests and plains. Travellers seeking an escape from the stress of modern city life can find solitude and tranquillity here, in this small community. Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will find the town a fantastic base to explore the wild, untamed local area - with Wilpattu National Park resting within easy reach. Visitors interested in history, culture or religion should make sure to visit the nearby Katubulgama Buddhist temple. Nochchiyagama serves as a wonderful base from which travellers can explore.
Situated in the northern Matale District of Sri Lanka, the small village of Sigiriya is best known for its proximity to the magnificent Sigiriya ‘Lion Rock’. The village offers some comfortable accommodations and a variety of restaurants for visitors to enjoy when stopping over to view the famous rock. This ancient rock fortress rises abruptly from the lush landscape and reaches over 200 metres in height. Crowning this massive outcrop are the ruins of an ancient civilisation, which are considered one of the best-preserved examples of ancient urban planning and have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can walk through the lily-dotted moats, lush gardens and cave shrines, through the grand lion-paw entrance, and climb the series of steep staircases passing beautiful murals painted on the sheer rock walls, and enjoy exploring the ruins and soaking up spectacular views of the surrounds.
Set in eastern Sri Lanka around the islands largest reservoir, Senanayake Samudraya, Gal Oya National Park is an important catchment area. Wild, secluded and surprisingly quiet, this is the only park in Sri Lanka where it is possible to take a boat safari, allowing close-up encounters with swimming elephants. Traditional jeep safaris and a wide range of walking trails are also on offer. Explore the lush forest, shrub, grassland and magnificent mountains, and spot up to 32 species of mammals including wild boar, sloth bears, water buffalo, axis deer, and even the elusive Sri Lankan leopard. Gain unique and specialised insight into the area by taking a guided hike with the indigenous Veddha people who live here. Visitors will also delight in the spectacular, brightly coloured birdlife, and the ample luxury facilities (including a pool) at the park’s lodge.
Yala, Sri Lanka, is a picturesque region located in the southeast corner of the island nation. This beautiful area boasts stunning landscapes, majestic wildlife, and extraordinary cultural attractions. One of the must-visit destinations in Yala is Buduruwagala, a fascinating complex of ancient Buddhist rock carvings that date back to the 8th century. Visitors can marvel at the intricate details and impressive size of the sculptures, which include a towering 51-foot-high image of the Buddha. For nature lovers, Yala National Park is the island's undisputed centrepiece, with a leopard density that's reportedly higher than anywhere else on this planet and a varied landscape from dense forests to moist wetlands. For the spiritually inclined, Kebiliththa in Block 4 of the Yala National Park is a place considered highly sacred by Buddhists and Hindus alike, who flock here to meditate.
Resting on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, Galle (Pronounced ‘gawl’ in English) is the best example of a walled city built by the Portuguese in South Asia in the 16th Century. It was extensively fortified by the Dutch in the 17th century. When you enter the old city gates of this World Heritage Site you can’t help but notice the grand colonial houses and boutique shops and of course the beautiful beaches on the fringes of town. Attracting many luxury travellers from around the world, the town is also a favourite with cricket fans who rate the Galle International Stadium to be one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world.
