Joanna James
The emerald teardrop gemming the Indian Ocean is customised for every calibre of wanderlust with plenty of delightful offbeat attractions that locals will only reveal if you ask! Here are some experiential jewels worth going out of your way to savour on this kaleidoscopic island.
While Yala often gets the spotlight for its incredible roller-coaster jeep safaris through luxuriantly verdant colonial stomping grounds, home to pirouetting peacocks, flamboyant flamingos, and gracefully majestic elephants, it’s a mistake to overlook Wilapattu, especially if you want to spot the elusive Asian leopard! Wilpattu National Park is known for its unique terrain bejewelled with ‘villus’ or sand-rimmed rainwater basins, and this national park proffers the most exhilarating encounters with striking leopards in all of Asia, as well as sloth bears, sambar deer, wild buffalos, spotted deer, purple-faced leaf monkeys, and golden palm cats.
As you journey from the graceful heritage Hill Capital of Kandy to the quaint ‘Little England’, Nuwara Eliya, anticipating vintage avenues, old-world architecture, bountiful pastures, and rolling waves of emerald hills, don’t forget to get your adrenaline fix by climbing the striking Ambuluwawa tower that commands epic views of the surrounding peaks and forested valleys from a height of 48 metres. After the climb, take some time to relax and enjoy the serene surroundings while sipping a cup of freshly brewed Ceylon tea at one of the many tea plantations nearby.
Another well-kept Lankan secret, Kitulgala brims with a magical ambience that stirs the spirit of the adventurer in you, proffering a mosaic of scenic escapades, from rainforest trekking, mountain climbing, waterfall abseiling, and Whitewater rafting to moonlit hikes, exploring tea gardens, and roaming heritage streets.
While each of Lanka’s beaches exudes its own captivating allure, from the sparkling crystal swells of Bentota Beach, known as the Water Sports Capital, to the Insta-worthy glamour of hip Mirissa, Kalpitiya is growing beloved for its rustic, wildlife-rich serenity and hints of adrenaline-high adventures, such as 4WD racing over beach dunes and kitesurfing over jewel-toned waters. For value-added holiday packages in Sri Lanka, venture no further than the likes of NKAR Travel House.
Sri Lanka's Horton Plains are a sight straight out of an epic fantasy, with cloud forests that possess an otherworldly quality. This UNESCO Heritage Site is a theatrical masterpiece, boasting vast plateaus, majestic mountains, wildflower meadows, running brooks, diamond cascades, and velvety forests that will leave you in awe. Walking through this wonderland, you may need to pinch yourself to make sure you're not dreaming!
In a land famed for its lush vistas, gambolling hills, misty mountain ranges, and tea-steeped valleys, it’s not surprising that Sri Lanka has a vast treasury of crystalline waterfalls to cool down ardent trekkers. However, if you’re looking for a tranquil escape away from the crowds that flock to Ella and Nuwara Eliya, head to the dreamy gem of the Gartmore Estate, located near storybook Maskeliya town in the Central Province. Spilling into the picturesque Maskeliya reservoir, this dramatically beautiful two-tiered waterfall forms a natural infinity pool overlooking a dreamy nature-kissed panorama.
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