Joanna James
From hiking to bird watching to whale watching, even though Sri Lanka is geographically a very small country it offers a large number of adventures, sights to see and things to do.
Hiking and trekking enthusiast can choose from a wide variety of locations, each of which will offer a different experience. But whichever location you pick, you can expect to see rural villages, paddy fields, lush greenery and the weather tends to be quite cool most of the time. Adams peak; a mountain revered as one Sri Lanka's most religious locations which provides an amazing panoramic view of its surroundings is a good place to start.
Adventure tour companies in Sri Lanka offer 4-hour rock climbing packages around Kandy and Avissawella cities that you choose from based on your skill level. The tour companies will provide you with the necessary equipment and some even provide you transport to and back from the venue. Sigiriya, Habarana, Ella Range and Knuckles range are some of the most popular rock-climbing destinations that you should try out.
Whether you want to see elephants in their natural habitat or go whale watching in the deep blue sea Sri Lanka has got you covered. While the best time to go whale watching is between December to April all the other wildlife tours such as elephant watching at the Pinnawala elephant orphanage or leopard watching in Sri Lanka's second largest wildlife sanctuary, the Yala national park can be enjoyed all year long. The best way to enjoy these tours is by renting a four-wheeled safari vehicle.
The tropical islands of Sri Lanka have a wide variety of beaches to choose from based on what you're looking for. Hikkaduwa, Weligama, Bentota, Unawatuna, Arugam Bay and Negombo are some of the beaches that favoured among tourist because they offer a unique experience. Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa, for example, are tourist-friendly beaches that have lots of restaurants, bars and a very vibrant nightlife that doesn't stop till the break of dawn. Weligama and Matara have some of the bluest beaches that you'll ever see; ideal for snorkelling and diving. Bentota and Arugam Bay, on the other hand, are known for its water sports like surfing, jet skiing and kite surfing.
Cycling is a popular method of transport among people from all walks in Sri Lanka. You'll see fisherman selling their goods, mailmen delivering mail, fitness freaks exercising and even teachers and kids cycling to school. As of such, it has become one of the islands top tourist activities. If you're staying at AVANI Bentota Resort & Spa, for example; an ultra luxurious resort Bentota has to offer, then you can join in on a biking tour that cycles over the Bentota Bridge via the village roads to the Virahaya Temple before finally heading to Lunuganga House and Gardens.
If you're a bird lover then you'll be delighted to know that you can see over 400 species birds in Sri Lanka; 33 out of which are endemic to the country. 236 of these birds migrate to Sri Lanka to breed and 203 are simply migrant birds is what makes Sri Lanka one of the best bird watching destinations in the world. Babbler, Bulbul, Hornbill, Magpie and Mynah are some of the birds that you can see at Sri Lanka's bird sanctuaries like the Bundala National Park, Sinharaja rainforest, Yala National Park and Kumana National Park.
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.
