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.
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.
Sandwiched between the bustling capital of Colombo and the thriving city of Kandy in Sri Lanka's central highlands, the attractive town of Kegalle serves as the main commercial centre of the Kegalle District and the gateway to the naturally beautiful central hill-country. The town offers panoramic views of the lush rolling hills, which are dotted with an array of unusual temples - many of which have been built around natural caves. Other popular attractions in the area include the exquisite Algama Falls, which feature lovely natural swimming pools; the gorgeous Wewaladeniya Viharaya temple, located in the middle of town; a number of beautiful spice plantations; and the nearby village of Molagoda, which is renowned for its traditional clay-based handcrafts.
Due to its high altitude, the city of Bandarawela is blessed with a cooler, less humid climate than the rest of Sri Lanka. This pleasant climate makes it an ideal base for travellers touring the nation’s extraordinarily beautiful Hill Country. The city is far from a tourist trap and has a wonderfully authentic Sri Lankan feel and the atmosphere of a colourful, bustling market town. Bandarawela’s star attraction is undoubtedly the Dowa Temple. This remarkable 2000-year-old cave shrine is carved into solid rock and is adorned with Sri Lankan Buddhist murals and an extraordinarily ornate Buddha statue carved into the rock face. Not-to-be-missed attractions include the impressive Horton’s Plains National Park; the area’s numerous lovely tea plantations, many of which welcome visitors; and the picturesque landscapes of the famously beautiful surrounding Hill Country.
The Kumana National Park is an 18 149 hectare park situated in Sri Lanka. The park is a popular ecotourism spot well known for its bird sanctuary that is home to a multitude of birdlife. One of the highlights of the park is the Kumana Cilly, a natural mangrove swamp lake, that is fed by the Kubukkan Oya. The swamp forms a natural habitat and breeding ground for birds such as painted storks, spoonbills, cormorants, pelicans, egrets, and herons. The park is also home to mammals such as elephant and leopard. Vegetation in the area consists mainly of mangrove trees, Karan ferns, and Kumbuk trees.
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.
