Joanna James
A country of rare beauty, Sri Lanka, is sought out by many travellers across the world. Aside from its beauty, the many adventurous activities offered in the country attracts quite a crowd. Here are five such places where you can partake in adventure activities in Sri Lanka.
In Sri Lanka, Kitulgala is famed for its thrilling white water rafting opportunities. Surely the adrenaline junkies would completely fall in love with this river site for its exhilarating opportunities of plunging into a roaring river! The five major and the four minor rapids fed by the Kelani River seem as if challenging you to battle with its white waters. The experienced instructors at this place would guide you along an adventure, depending on your experience. With certified safety gear and the modern rafts would ensure that you'd have an incredible white water rafting experience. Afterwards, you can even look forward to a hike through the jungle in search of waterfalls and mesmerising bird species.
A hot air ballooning adventure is what you should crave for when in Kandalama. It is an excellent way of experiencing the spectacular views of the lush green landscapes passing below you. The bird's eye view would spellbind you to the point that you'd forget the entire world. It is an adventure where you'd get to escape the reality of life behind, what with gliding gently over the majestic mountains of the central plains draped in greenery. You would even spot a herd of elephants near the man-made reservoirs or the water buffaloes having the time of their life in a stream. An unrivalled experience under the blue skies, hot air ballooning in Kandalama truly is an out of this world adventure that you must experience when in Sri Lanka.
If you consider adventure tours in Sri Lanka, hiking the Knuckles Mountain Range would rank in a foremost position. A majestic mountain range towering over the central district of the country, the Knuckles gets its name for its resemblance of a clenched fist as seen from some parts of Kandy. The dynamic topography of the region, with its rugged mountain peaks and stunningly beautiful cascades that give birth to bubbling streams, makes the Knuckles Mountain Range a trekking paradise for all the hiking enthusiasts. It's a natural world heritage that is recognised by UNESCO for its rich biodiversity. Passionate hikers can organise up to a three-day trek to conquer a 40-kilometre distance in this range with the help of trusted tour planners in the country of the likes of SoulTrek Sri Lanka.
Yala National Park has the highest concentration of leopards in the world. Venturing on a safari to Yala between February and March would let you encounter the elusive leopard of Sri Lanka. The second-largest and one of the oldest national parks in Sri Lanka, Yala is famous for its myriad of animal species that roam about its thriving vegetation. The park is divided into five blocks, out of which only the first and the last are open for tourists. Home to a mélange of endemic and migratory birds, this national park has been a place of fascination to the wildlife lovers for many a year.
How about an adventure under a marine wonderland? It's exactly what you can expect when you're in Kalpitiya. A system of colourful coral reefs known as the Bar Reef exists just off the coast of Kalpitiya, on which a thriving ecosystem depends for its lifeblood. The period between November to April brings the ideal conditions for diving or snorkelling around this region. Moreover, Kalpitiya is also famous for its frequent dolphin sightings. So keep an eye out for those friendly mammals as they just might decide to skip around the shores while you relax at the beach.
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.
