Joanna James
Sri Lanka is packed with exciting things to do, from exploring its wildlife and beaches to historical places of worship. You will be anything but bored on this paradise isle.
This is considered by many travellers to be one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. Although the journey will be long (8 hours), if you book the correct seat, you won't regret it. Make sure to reserve your tickets on the second-class or third-class carriage. The carriage doors remain open, so you can catch some incredible sights of winding valleys, mountains, lush tea estates, waterfalls and pine forests. Once in Ella, don't forget to take on the spectacular Ella Rock and Little Adams Peak for more jaw-dropping viewpoints.
Climbing Sri Pada is perhaps the holiest pilgrimage for Sri Lankan Buddhists. This 7359-foot mountain holds the sacred footprint of the Lord Buddha. Taking part in this journey will be an unforgettable experience. The religious fervour is palpable! People of all ages and disabilities power through this massive mountain out of sheer faith and devotion to Lord Buddha. There is a shrine at the summit where pilgrims offer their prayers and flowers.
The small island has a remarkable diversity of wildlife in the many National Parks scattered throughout the island. The most famous is Yala National Park, which has the highest density of the endemic Sri Lankan leopard. It is also the second largest park on the island, with 5 blocks covering 378 square miles. Yala also borders two other National Parks, Lunugamvehera and Kumana Bird Sanctuary. The largest park is Willpattu National Park, famous for its natural watering holes called villus. These attract creatures like elephants, leopards and sloth bears. Other locations to look out for include, Udawalawe, Gal Oya, Minneriya, Wasgamuwa, Kaudulla, Horton Plains, and Pigeon Island National Park. For more recommendations, check out websites like Truly Sri Lanka to plan your trip better.
The island is blessed with beautiful coastlines in every direction, and all are not made equal either! Southern coastal towns like Mirissa, Unawatuna, Dickwella, Matara and Tangalle have famous beaches and a lively beach life. Water sports like surfing, diving and snorkelling are popular here, as is whale watching. Eastern coastal towns like Arugambay, Trincomalee, Pasikudha, Kalkudha, and Kallady have incredibly beautiful and pristine beaches. These are less crowded than those in the south, with calmer waters ideal for swimming and snorkelling. If you like to try your hand at kite surfing, go to Kalpitiya, the centre for kite surfing in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka has a remarkable recorded history spanning over 2,500 years and seven kingdoms. The most famous of these are perhaps Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy. The first, second and last respective kingdoms are among the best places to visit in Sri Lanka. You can expect massive stupas, irrigation tanks, and ruins of hospitals, libraries, monasteries, ponds, Buddha statues, temples, museums, and so much more. It will be like stepping back to ancient Sri Lanka, all you have to do is hop on a bike to discover her fascinating past.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
