Joanna James
A gorgeous island sitting on the Indian Ocean, the little island of Sri Lanka packs quite a punch in terms of attractions, both manmade and natural. A road trip is the best means of absorbing and experiencing all the nation has to offer. Read on and start planning!
This place is a must for anyone appreciating traditional culture and the marvellous work of Sri Lanka's ancient kings. Sigiriya built in the 5th century by King Kashyapa is a citadel based around, within and on a monolithic rock rising from the dusty floor of Sigiriya villages scrub jungles. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the entrance is marked by a giant lion's head carved from stone; at the summit are gardens, ponds, and other wonders which make the Lion's Rock Fortress one of a kind.
Kandy should be on the map of any road trip; if you are looking at hiring a vehicle, car rental in Sri Lanka _is pretty easy as there are many reputed companies, especially in the commercial capital Colombo, providing all types of vehicles to suit your needs. Like at _Casons Rent a Car Sri Lanka, the procedure is simple and you can opt for a self-driven or chauffer driven vehicle. Kandy is the capital of the islands hill country and steeped in history, tradition and ancient culture, the place was the last kingdom of Sri Lanka and home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, a revered pilgrimage site holding a sacred tooth of the Buddha. Salubrious climes, historic sites and traditional dances are all a part of this fascinating city.
Adam's Peak or Samanala Kanda is a 2.3 metre high mountain, which is believed to hold the footprint of the Buddha, Adam the first man or Lord Shiva; hence, the place has a religious significance to many faiths, although, Buddhism takes prominence with pilgrimage season being one of the nation's most iconic times to experience. While you can't drive to the top, the trek by foot up the spiralling staircase must be attempted at night, for you to reach the summit in time to experience a magical sunrise at Adam's Peak.
All you nature lovers and animal enthusiasts should not miss a chance to experience a safari ride in Yala. A 4 hour drive from Adams Peak, Yala is the most popular wildlife reserve in the country, home to one of Asia's largest gatherings of leopards, the place is resplendent with rugged boulder-strewn jungle beaches where elephants roam, lagoons harbouring crocodiles and marshes to scrub jungles hiding all manner of mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds.
Less than 3 hours from Yala National Park is the gem of the east coast, Arugam Bay. A picture perfect bay which is also a world class surf destination, Arugam Bay is also for relaxing at hidden coves, snorkelling amongst coral reefs and simply enjoying the best beach vibes the island has to offer. All you need do is get yourself four-wheels from the best car hire in Colombo and your good to go, explore all that exotic Sri Lanka has to offer.
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A travel writer who has a pas...
