Joanna James
As one of Asia's top travel destinations Sri Lanka offers visitors a wealth of exciting and engaging activities and adventures. Here are the ten best things to do on a Sri Lankan getaway.
Tipped to be one of Sri Lanka's most popular pilgrimage hubs, Adam's Peak is a larger than life holy mountain that various religions have claimed as their own sacred space. For Buddhist devotees in Sri Lanka, however, the peak's summit contains the hallowed footprint of Lord Buddha and thousands upon thousands of pilgrims make the trek during "Sri Pada" season to pay homage to this iconic landmark.
Sri Lanka is home to countless national parks and all of these wildlife sanctuaries are ideal for safari adventures but the Yala National Park remains the country's top safari hotspot for the masses. Divided in to several zones, the verdant confines of this extensive parkland is home to sambar dear, Asian elephants and countless other mammals and bird species. Closed for several months of the year, those who are hoping to enjoy a safari should plan their trip in advance.
While Hikkaduwa is known as one of the southern coast's finest beach holiday hubs, the area is also a waver rider's dream vacation spot. Home to a plethora of surfing locations and reefs, enjoying a surfing safari in Hikkaduwa is an activity travellers exploring the emerald isle of Sri Lanka have relished for decades.
As the country's most visited UNESCO World Heritage Site Sigiriya Rock is dubbed the "Eighth Wonder of the World" by no mere coincidence. The palace in the skies not only contains ancient relics and remnants of its era as a royal household but is surrounded by water gardens and a moat.
Often described as a city within a city, the Galle Fort is not only one of the southern coast's most famous landmarks but also a cultural highlight with many points of interest occupying its confines. Hosting the Galle Literary Festival in the recent past, this larger than life Dutch fortress was used by the Portuguese as well as the English during the island's colonial period as well as the Dutch who first constructed the mammoth structure.
As the economic and political epicentre of Sri Lanka, Colombo is also a cultural heartland with some of the island's most iconic landmarks scattered across its metropolitan landscapes. From the Gangaramaya Temple to Independence Square and the National Museum, the most breathtaking corners of the city are its historical highlights.
Sri Lanka is one of the world's leading tea producing nations and as such a tour of a tea plantation in Nuwara Eliya is a rite of passage all visitors must sign up for during a visit to the country. Surrounded by mountains in every direction, travellers can witness tea pluckers pick tea leaves by hand and collect the precious commodity into rattan baskets before transporting the day's collection to the factory nearby.
Regarded as the country's best retail hotspot, mega malls the likes of House of Fashion, Crescat Boulevard and Majestic City are not the only shopping venues to explore when enjoying some retail therapy in Colombo. Don't forget to scour the Pettah Markets for bargains and stop by designer boutiques the likes of Avirate for home grown brands.
White, sandy beaches and water sports activities await visitors who enter the beach paradise of Wadduwa. Enjoy the sun-kissed atmosphere of this captivating beach capital whether one is based at The Blue Water Hotel and Spa or any other Sri Lanka beach resorts in the area.
As one of the country's ancient capitals, Anuradhapura is a vital part of the Cultural Triangle. Explore ancient palaces, temples and ponds in a tour of the central reaches of the island.
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.
